icd 10 code for degenerative disc disease l5-s1

What is DDD in the spine?

Everyone will suffer from some degree of spinal disc damage as they age, but DDD most often refers to discs that have been worn down due to any number of factors (e.g., time, excessive force, etc.). Symptoms of DDD include the following: Lower back pain.

Can you get degenerative disc disease from military service?

However, it is possible to develop DDD for reasons that have nothing to do with military service. For instance, your discs are primarily made of water when you’re young.

How to file a DDD claim?

If you file, you’ll need the following to start a DDD claim: 1 A current diagnosis from a qualified medical professional 2 A description of the events or activities that led to disc damage 3 A letter from your doctor that states the DDD is directly because of time served in the military

What are the symptoms of DDD?

Symptoms of DDD include the following: Lower back pain. Pain in the buttocks or upper thighs.

What is the pain in the lower back?

Intense pain upon sitting. Intermittent pain that can last for up to several months. Muscle spasms or tension. Pain upon bending, twisting, or lifting. Numbness in the back, arms, or lower extremities.

What is the name of the condition that causes lower back pain?

Lower back pain (lumbosacral pain) is an extremely common ailment and can be confused with any number of disorders, including spinal cancer, arthritis, and sciatica. Even infections of the spine may be confused with DDD.

What is a DDD letter?

A current diagnosis from a qualified medical professional. A description of the events or activities that led to disc damage. A letter from your doctor that states the DDD is directly because of time served in the military.

Can degenerative disc disease cause pain?

Some people with DDD may experience no pain while others may experience debilitating pain that inhibits their daily life. The following is a list of common symptoms of degenerative disc disease: Muscle Tension/Muscle Spasms – Most muscle spasms occur in the lower back or neck. Low Back Pain – People with DDD may experience chronic lower back pain.

How do you know if you have degenerative disc disease?

Degenerative disc disease can cause different symptoms for different people. Some people with DDD may experience no pain while others may experience debilitating pain that inhibits their daily life. The following is a list of common symptoms of degenerative disc disease: 1 Muscle Tension/Muscle Spasms – Most muscle spasms occur in the lower back or neck. 2 Low Back Pain – People with DDD may experience chronic lower back pain. The pain often can spread to the groin, buttocks and thighs. 3 Difficulty/Pain When Sitting – Sitting can cause the discs in the lower back to experience three times more load on them than when standing. 4 Numbness/Tingling – Numbness and tingling can occur, most commonly in the arms and legs. 5 Difficulty/Pain When Bending/Lifting/Twisting – Pain can worsen when performing tasks that require bending, lifting or twisting. 6 Pain in Legs or Leg Muscles – DDD can cause pain and weakness in the leg muscles as well as foot drop, meaning difficulty lifting one’s foot. This can be a sign of damage to the nerve root.

What is the condition of the lower back called?

What is Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD)? Degenerative disc disease , otherwise known as osteoarthritis of the spine, typically affects the lower back or neck. The condition occurs when the discs between vertebrae lose cushioning, fragment, and herniate.

Can DDD cause lower back pain?

Low Back Pain – People with DDD may experience chronic lower back pain. The pain often can spread to the groin, buttocks and thighs. Difficulty/Pain When Sitting – Sitting can cause the discs in the lower back to experience three times more load on them than when standing.

What is an extraschedule rating?

Extraschedular ratings are assigned when the rating criteria for a veteran’s disability does not accurately reflect their level of disability. Usually this happens when a veteran experiences symptoms or limitations that are not considered by the rating schedule.

Where do muscle spasms occur?

Muscle Tension/Muscle Spasms – Most muscle spasms occur in the lower back or neck. Low Back Pain – People with DDD may experience chronic lower back pain. The pain often can spread to the groin, buttocks and thighs.

What is the L5-S1 joint?

L5-S1 is the exact spot where the ​lumbar spine ends and the sacral spine begin s. The lumbosacral joint is the joint that connects these bones. L5-S1 is composed of the last bone in the low back, called L5, and the triangle-shaped bone beneath, known as the sacrum. The sacrum is made of five fused bones, of which the S1 is the topmost.

How many vertebrae are there in the spine?

The vertebrae, which is another name for the spinal bones, are broken down into sections from top to tail, as follows. Thoracic spine: Located in the mid-back, it has 12 bones. The thoracic spine vertebrae are labeled T1 to T12. Lumbar spine: Corresponding to your low back, it has five bones, labeled L1 to L5.

What is the lumbosacral joint?

The lumbosacral joint is the joint that connects these bones. L5-S1 is composed of the last bone in the low back, called L5, and the triangle-shaped bone beneath, known as the sacrum. The sacrum is made of five fused bones, of which the S1 is the topmost.

How many bones are in the spinal column?

There are typically 24 movable bones in the spine that connect to sacrum and coccyx, which each consist of multiple bones that fuse over time.

How many bones are there in the spine?

There are typically 24 movable bones in the spine that connect to sacrum and coccyx, which each consist of multiple bones that fuse over time. The vertebrae, which is another name for the spinal bones, are broken down into sections from top to tail, as follows.

Which direction do the spine curves go?

Each area of the spine has a curve, and these curves go in opposing directions. In the neck and lower back, the spinal curve points forward, as viewed in profile, while the thoracic and sacral curves go back.

What is the name of the fracture in the pars interarticularis?

Isthmic spondylolisthesis is another common variant. Isthmic spondylolisthesis starts as a tiny fracture in the pars interarticularis, which is an area of bone in the back that connects the adjoining parts of the facet joint. 1.

What causes radiculopathy in the lumbar spine?

Radiculopathy is caused by a pinched nerve root in either the cervical, thoracic, or lumbar spine. The pinched nerve can cause pain and discomfort for veterans who experience it, and the pain is often experienced as numbness, tingling, or weakness.

What causes a pinched nerve in the back of the leg?

This condition is commonly caused by back conditions such as herniated discs, stenosis, and bone spurs.

What are the symptoms of neuritis?

The nerve is still functioning but is swollen, painful, and irritated. Neuritis will require at least one of three things: decreased ability to sense; muscle atrophy; or loss of reflexes. The ratings for neuritis are broken up into three categories:#N#Severe#N#Moderate#N#Mild 1 Severe 2 Moderate 3 Mild

What is the term for a pinched nerve in the neck?

Cervical Radiculopathy. Cervical radiculopathy is when a veteran has a pinched nerve in their neck. When there is pressure on a nerve in the neck, a veteran can experience radiculopathy in their shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers. The type of pain can vary from numbness, tingling or burning, and can also range in severity from mild to severe.

What is cervical radiculopathy?

Cervical radiculopathy is when a veteran has a pinched nerve in their neck. When there is pressure on a nerve in the neck, a veteran can experience radiculopathy in their shoulders, arms, hands, and fingers.

Which radicular group is cervical radiculopathy?

Those with cervical radiculopathy will be rated within the upper radicular group, middle radicular group, and lower radicular group which include the musculospiral nerve, median nerve, axillary nerve, the musculocutaneous nerve, the long thoracic nerve, and the ulnar nerve.

Is radiculopathy a service connected condition?

Given that it is commonly caused by back conditions, radiculopathy is typically service connected on a secondary basis. Secondary service connection is when a veteran’s service-connected condition causes or aggravates a non-service-connected condition, and VA then service connects the secondary condition.