Spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis - Rheumatoid arthritis affecting the cervical spine Factor
Rheumatoid arthritis frequently affects the cervical spine, and there is a range of clinical manifestations. There may be no symptoms, there may be pain, or there may be neurological involvement of varying degrees e.g. parasthesiae and/or weakness. In the most serious form it causes spinal cord compression and paralysis.
Involvement of the cervical spine would be demonstrated by X-rays or other radiological investigation, eg. CT scan, or MRI – usually after the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis has been established.
Last reviewed for CCPS 16 September 2011.
Preliminary questions [24408]
29399 there is some evidence that rheumatoid arthritis affecting the cervical spine may be a factor in the development of the condition under consideration.
28741 the condition under consideration involves the cervical spine.
29611 the condition under consideration is a type of cervical spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis that can be caused by rheumatoid arthritis affecting the cervical spine.
28767 the condition under consideration is cervical spondylolisthesis.
24335 the veteran has had rheumatoid arthritis affecting the cervical spine at some time.
24337 the veteran had rheumatoid arthritis affecting the cervical spine at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration.
24338 the veteran has established the causal connection between the rheumatoid arthritis affecting the cervical spine and VEA service for the clinical onset of cervical spondylolisthesis.
24339 the veteran has established the causal connection between the rheumatoid arthritis affecting the cervical spine and operational service for the clinical onset of cervical spondylolisthesis.
or
24340 the veteran has established the causal connection between the rheumatoid arthritis affecting the cervical spine and eligible service for the clinical onset of cervical spondylolisthesis.
Clinical onset and operational service [24339]
29612 the rheumatoid arthritis affecting the cervical spine is causally related to operational service.
Clinical onset and eligible service [24340]
29613 the rheumatoid arthritis affecting the cervical spine is causally related to eligible service.