C6/C7: Symmetric posterior disc bulge. Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. We also connect veterans with independent medical professionals in our referral network for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible independent medical opinions and nexus statements (medical nexus letters) for a wide range of disability conditions. How Can You Increase Your Shoulder Injury VA Disability Rating? So, if you have arthritis in your knee, and you cannot bend it all the way, then it is rated once on limited motion of the knee. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! This gives the veteran a bilateral factor of 2.8%. Claims for musculoskeletal and/or muscle injury conditions adjudicated after Feb. 7, but were pending on the effective date, will be considered under both the old and new rating criteria, and whichever criteria is more favorable to the Veteran will be applied. Is range of motion the only thing VA considers or do they actually look at what you can and cannot do for daily living purposes? Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! Physical therapy can also help manage pain and restore some of the range of motion to the shoulder. Completing these tasks for an extended period while serving can lead to many other VA secondary conditions to shoulder injuries, including: Should a veterans shoulder condition lead to amputation, the rating will change. I have a question. If you need additional information to reply, please let me know. However, without any symptoms present while you were active duty, it is highly unlikely that they will grant service-connection simply based on your posture during service. My rheumatologist ordered an U/S that showed mild synovial hypertrophy in each wrist. Only one. They kept pointing to the VA as the answer. Yes, the arthritis can be granted secondary service-connection to the Chondromalacia Patella, but it is important to note that only a single rating can be given for the overall knee condition (unless instability is presentthat can be rated separately). They found a bump I had on my right hairline area. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. Also would Cervical Radiculopathy be a possible secondary condition to cervical degenerative disc disease (two separate ratings). Insiders, today we are discussing how the VA determines benefits for arthritis. 4.71a, 5201. There is no significant medical evidence to correlate the build up of fat to abnormal gate. I submitted because of the Burn Pit Act where I could not register due to being a Civilian!! Repetitive stress on your joints with documented symptoms can be sufficient to establish your claim since service connection for arthritis may be proven through continued symptomology. Active cases of Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 You can try, but there is a high likelihood that it would be denied. It can develop later in life due to the overuse of joints or traumatic injuries that occurred during active duty. If you have arthritis or another secondary condition related to your AC separation, you may be eligible for further compensation under acombined rating. Different from degenerative arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is an, For some veterans, the objective criteria in the disability rating schedule may not accurately reflect their true level of disability. Factors including frequency and severity of joint swelling, stiffness, tenderness should all be reported and discussed to achieve a full picture of the severity. http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/thespine.html#form. Talk to your doctor (or our in-house nexus doctor) about your symptoms to see if they are connected. This is the only rating that can be given for the cyst and arthritis, however, you may qualify for one more rating under code 5257 if instability is officially diagnosed. What is the highest rating I can get for Achilles Tendonitis/Tenosynovitis and is that solely based on the range of motion of the ankle? You cant hold down a steady job that supports you financially (known as substantially gainful employment) because of your service-connected disability. In late 2017, VA began a multi-year effort to revise and update the VASRD, or VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. For the purposes of this blog, the primary focus will be on VA disability for degenerative arthritis, which affects 27 million Americans. 38 CFR Book C, Schedule for Rating Disabilities - Web Automated Through X-rays that display "rat bites" on my distal joints and wrists to psoriatic sores on my hands and blood tests show positive results for the arthritic condition. My question is what about the Department of Army Civilians who spent multiple Deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan? That is an estimate, of course. If accepted into our ELITE membership program, youll get free up-front access and permission to use $13,119 worth of proprietary VA claim resources, including access to our network of independent medical professionals for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible Medical Nexus Letters, which could help you get a HIGHER VA rating in LESS time. We even pay for the postage for all of the documentation you send to our office. http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/kneeandleg.html#limo. I started to get the ball rolling with Mr. Woods/Mr. My iimited duty post was to security call in hourly at a 5 story barracks full of guys all awaiting boards. degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine (previously rated as strain, lumbosacral spine, with disc space narrowing DC5237. If only one major or minor jointgroup is affected, you may only receive a rating higher than 0% under diagnostic code 5003 if there is also evidence of painful motion. VA makes a determination about the severity of your disability based on the evidence you submit as part of your claim, or that VA obtains from your military records. Thanks for the quick reply, I currently have a rating of 10% for the lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis of the left ankle. But, rheumatoid arthritis will only be rated either as an active condition or for its chronic residuals. WebThe osteoarthritis disability ratings are either 10% or 20% depending on the following symptoms: 10%: a veteran has degenerative arthritis in two or more major joints or two or Get a Free Case Evaluation, VA Disability Ratings for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), Extraschedular Ratings for VA Disability Claims, How to Prove Service Connection For Arthritis. Let's talk about your VA disability benefits. Except for traumatic arthritis, the VA regulations state it is essential for your exam to cover all major joints. WebIn late 2017, VA began a multi-year effort to revise and update the VASRD, or VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The examiner documented this as two incapacitating episodes as well as two non-incapacitating episodes. If a dislocated shoulder is a secondary-connection to tumors, deforming arthritis, or other disease, your treatment might look very different. What to Expect When Filing Your Initial VA Claim, Top 10 Questions About Military Sexual Trauma (MST). The VA saves me with a surgery when they absolutely must because I got a POA to present an affidavitt. http://blog.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/2018/01/secondary-conditions-for-va-disability.html. We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! And how long are they supposed to last? Visit USA.gov, This will take you to the MyHealtheVet website, This will take you to the Suicide Prevention website, This will take you to the VA Find a Form page, This will take you to the VA Publications page, VA updates rating criteria for musculoskeletal and muscle injuries, The Great American Spit Out February 25, Veterans! About VA Disability Ratings | Veterans Affairs So, if you have arthritis and a meniscus condition in your knee, you can only receive a rating for one of the two conditions, whichever gives the higher rating. So, if your arthritis gives a higher rating than the meniscus condition, then it is rated, and the other is ignored. They can scour every VA clinic record for the 40 years Ive been complaining & I always let them redirect and placate me because I trusted they knew how to help better than I did when I was especially numb and not certain if I could pick the correct severity number in the pain/ discomfort/ numbness question the interveiwers always ask. Bilateral facet arthropathy. Veterans Affairs If the VA sends you a letter stating that they denied your claim, its important to contact a veterans rights lawyer to figure out your next steps. The VA does not rate a disability under limited range of motion and degenerative arthritis. According to Title 38, for a minor shoulder that can raise between 25 and 90 degrees is 20% disability. Bilateral facet arthropathy. This claim was reviewed as a secondary condition to my service connected rating for lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis, left ankle. This is important as it removes the need to present direct medical evidence linking arthritis to a particular event or injury. In fact, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates the rate of arthritis in veterans to be 25.6%, although other estimates have the rate as high as 35%. Thankfully, the in-service injury does not need to be traumatic to be considered connected. Under Diagnostic Code 5002, the VA rates your rheumatoid arthritis case based on the following:100%: The veterans rheumatoid arthritis results in incapacitation. 60%: The veteran has severe incapacitating episodes four or more times per year. 40%: The veteran has three or more incapacitating episodes per year or a medically diagnosed health condition and day-to-day impairment.More items Thank you for your time! While we still have our home base in Florida, While it is known to result in the breakdown of cartilage, it also affects the entire joint. According to the VA regulations, if your symptoms of arthritis appear within one year of discharge from service and qualify for at least a 10% VAdisability rating, the presumption of service connection applies. Because most of the people are complaining about their system. No facet arthropathy. Foot conditions could contribute to arthritis in the spine, but not really fat deposits. She came to Hill & Ponton in August 2015 wanting to help veterans and started off as a Case Manager. Mild bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing. How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! VA claims processors will use this update to make consistent decisions with greater ease.. All FOBs had Burn Pits inside the wire! If you need help with a service-connected claim for arthritis, feel free to give us a call for a free case evaluation! Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter to stay updated on VA news, policy changes, and more. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. It is odd for the VA to open a CUE claim without you having requested it. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. If it is determined I have sleep apnea can I file a claim even though I've been out for 16 years since there's a history in my records. Can you please help me understand a bit more about what type of rating I should expect. 5051 Shoulder replacement (prosthesis). You can also submit a new claim for a secondary condition or increase your disability rating by combining multiple disabilities. What is my disability for this type of arthritis? Under the painful motion rule, the minimum compensable rating of 10% must be assigned. The second review, in May 2018, was for gynecological conditions. You haveone yearto appeal the claim from the date ofthe denial. Under the VA rating schedule, there is a standard 20% disability rating if there is x-ray evidence of involvement of two or more major joints, or minor joint groups, with occasional incapacitating exacerbations. Call us today to discuss your VA disability appeal or your first application. With all forms of arthritis, the patients range of motion and associated pain are key factors in evaluating the rating. How the VA Determines Benefits for Arthritis - VA Claims Insider VA Disability Rating for Shoulder Labral Tear is similar: Severe: 40% for dominant and 30% A locked padlock http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/theankle.html#joint, Dear DR Johnson, I am currently a 50% disabled veteran. In this scenario, your arthritis would have to be the result of, or secondary to, a separate disability that is currently service-connected. The VASRD's 15 body systems had seen periodic updates, but this continuing effort reflects the first comprehensive review in 70+ years. My copies and along with most of the good evidence I had was lost when I stored it in a closet at my Dads place snd his water heater plumbing sprayed it all and the moist stuff molded. It is thought that degenerating discs can place undue stress on the facet joints, thus over time leading to degeneration and formation of osteoarthritis in the facet joints". I am a Gulf War Vet and am currently SC. The VA experienced delays during the Covid-19 pandemic like many other industries. I had earlier x-rays of my neck, that a neurologist told me I had arthritis in my neck. Nonsurgical treatments for AC separation include a sling, ice packs, and medications to manage the pain. The most common cause of epidural lipomatosis is steroid use. Rheumatoid arthritis, or more commonly known as RA, is an autoimmune disease in which the bodys immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. As we mentioned, shoulder injuries are extremely common among service members tasked with heavy lifting and training exercises that include overhead motions. Degenerative arthritis can receive the following disability compensation ratings from the VA*: Rheumatoid arthritis can receive the following disability ratings from the VA: Arthritis is one of the main disabilities facing todays veterans and the VA has many resources and benefits available to you if you are suffering from arthritis. http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/vasrdprinciples.html#pyram. Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232 Is it possible to get the facet athropathy secondary to cervical spine DDD (two separate ratings)? we represent clients nationwide. The first thing you need to do is request your VA home loan Certificate of Eligibility (COE). For a supplemental claim, you can show new evidence that wasnt considered with your initial claim. WebFor the purpose of rating disability from arthritis, the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle are considered major joints; multiple involvements of the interphalangeal, metacarpal and carpal joints of the upper extremities, the interphalangeal, metatarsal and tarsal joints of the lower extremities, the cervical vertebrae, the dorsal Applying and being approved for these benefits can seem daunting, but Recognizing and Addressing An Underrated Veteran Disability Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is sexual harassment and or sexual assault experienced by a military service member. Since it was their error, they often will decide to let it slide, but they do have the legal right to request the funds be returned. You are in a tough spot for your spondylosis. Get more resources at VeteransCrisisLine.net. yet assertive representation for our clients. The VASRD's 15 body systems had seen periodic updates, but this I just had a second surgury & I doubt my current records inquiry will improve. Is this analogous to RA or Degenerative Arthritis? If a prosthetic device replaces the entire shoulder joint, the condition is rated at 100% for the month following discharge from the hospital. Under the VAs schedule of ratings, they can rate arthritis as degenerative arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis several criteria affect that decision. Most spine conditions are inter-related as they cause further wear and tear on other parts of the spine. This injury is typically caused by a fall directly on the shoulder point or a direct blow from contact. Rotator cuff injuries are common among veterans who have experienced traumatic injuries while in service. My med board was done twice I appealed because the nuerologist would not allow me access to ENT examination and wrote up an inconclusive report stating ehivh tesrs haf not worked. Please complete this form to send us your message. 3. VA Claims insider is an education-based coaching/consulting company. Another example is if you were diagnosed with high blood pressure while on active duty and later developed complications from it, you may be entitled to further review and/or compensation. I was afraid I might lose the benefits I had but I took the chance, and said, "I am going to go ahead and DO IT!" VA Disability Ratings for Shoulder Rotator Cuff Repair The VA will rate rotator cuff surgery based on the severity of the pain and the thickness rotator cuff tears, often Learn aboutthe complete list of updatesto the rating schedule. To establish service connection through continuity of symptomatology, the claimed disability must be considered chronic pursuant to 38 CFR 3.309(a), symptoms must be documented in service and after discharge, and there must be a connection between your post-service symptoms and your current disability. Arthritis has now developed secondary to your shoulder condition. I report when theres much DISCOMFORT which is rarely during a GP interview. I touched land about 2 days in 5 months as I fought continual exhaustion and numbness that had started at a previous ship after a fall on the quarterdeck of the Uss Sperry AS-12. I have pain in both knees and they actually feel like they are on fire inside. You can claim the condition either way as long as you provide opinions from your physicians denoting the connection. We assign a disability rating based on You can look for a VA disability attorney near you or call us and join the thousands of veterans living off of VA disability thanks to Woods and Woods. Since his elbow and ankle do not have any limited motion, then they are both rated as. So lets jump to having multiple joints with Degenerative Arthritis. Hello Sir,I currently have a 10% rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease. I could see he wanted me off his work liad and out of the service because my appeal went past my EOS date. Bilateral facet arthropathy. I keep getting we can not locate letters from the St Louis archives. I have a 60% rating for dermatomyositis (40% for Raynauds secondary to the DM). At most, 20% for 1-2 incapacitating episodes/year. VA Disability Rating for Rotator Cuff Repair and Shoulder Bursitis We use our arms and shoulders for many daily tasks, including getting dressed, driving, and bathing. In some cases, these conditions may lead to loss of use and incapacitating episodes. To complicate things, some Veterans may not report an injury at the time that it occurred. While the VA will avoid pyramiding and giving you multiple ratings for the same condition, you want to make sure you get a rating for conditions that aggravate each other. Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. Code 5237 is used for general back pain. Compensation AC separation injuries can make daily life extremely challenging. When the muscles are overused or experience undue force, the tendons often tear from the stress. The rating authority could look at your case and disagree, but the examiner's opinion does hold weight. VA Now Offering Toxic Exposure Screenings for All Veterans, Comprehensive List of Benefits for Veterans with Disabilities, VA Healthcare Eligibility Expansion PACT Act, VA Family Caregiver Program Now Open to All. Today, VA announced its sixth update: The musculoskeletal system and muscle injuries. If you have one or more disability ratings, you can view your VA combined disability rating and your individual ratings online. Ultimately, Joe will only have a total of three ratings for his four conditions, instead of four separate ratings. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. 40% for ankylosing spondylosis and DDD. This involves the recovery period following a surgery related to your service-connected condition. You would want to get a NEXUS letter from a specialist confirming this correlation. If you want to learn how to implement these strategies to get the VA benefits you deserve, click here to speak with a VA claim expert for free. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. If you have service-connected shoulder pain or injury, reach out to the VA disability lawyers at Woods and Woods, The Veterans Firm. It is medically indicated that the ankle would cause this condition, so it makes sense that the VA denied it. Would I have a chance for additional disability rating if I filed the arthritis as a secondary cause of the Chondromalacia Patella? For the average person, the cartilage breaks down gradually but for veterans, the breakdown often occurs suddenly within one or two years post injury. Acromioclavicular joint separation, also known as AC separation, occurs when the clavicle (collar bone) separates from the scapula (shoulder blade). Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. The author of my 2nd board did try by sending me to Nuclear med for imaging. The ratings are 10% lower if they are on your non-dominant side from the 70% rating level downward. Keep reading to learn more about VA disability benefits for arm and shoulder conditions and how you can increase your disability rating. Ok thank you I had a visit with my Primary Care Doctor and she mention my Sleep Apnea maybe the cause. ). Arthritis is the most common disability and affects 52.5 million adults in the United States, or one in every five. They wsnt the med reords which have still not been found. I also have a question about Administrative Decision For Cue. If two or more major or minor jointgroups are affected, but there are no incapacitating exacerbations, a 10% rating may be assigned. Check out our range of motion rating info on our website. Thanks. I had issues with PTSD over the years from my time in the Army. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Surgery can sometimes improve the function of the affected joints. Since it has been so many years, it is just as likely that the sleep apnea developed on its own and isn't connected. For a veteran experiencing occasional periods of weakness, pain, or limited motion, the condition will be rated under Diagnostic Code 5002 (i.e., rheumatoid arthritis) or 5203 (i.e., impairment of the clavicle or scapula), depending on which most closely describes the symptoms. If it has healed and you have recovered, the VA wont deem it a disabling condition. This functional loss could require surgery such as a knee replacement. I filed for compensation change but was denied because of range of motion was not enough. There are no knee imsges or ankle images or foot images or hip images or back or neck images. I was diagnosed with Chondromalacia Patella when I separated from the service in 1978. You can file a Notice of Disagreement, take the higher review lane, orsubmit a supplemental claim. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Another option for service connection is to claim arthritis as a secondary disability. I'm thinking of filing a claim for headaches as a secondary condition to the facet joint osteoarthritis in my neck. A doctor can determine if your service had a causal relationship with your arthritis by looking at your injuries or overuse of the joints. If youre a veteran and have been injured or have developed a disability, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits. My question to you is could the VA be looking at one of my service connected disabilities and potentially give me an increased rating or could this be a possible downgrade in a rating where they are looking to take something away from me. Rheumatoid arthritis, in terms of chronic residuals, will be rated under the appropriatediagnostic code for the group of minor joints involved, major joints, etc. Veterans with questions regarding this VASRD update may contact VA at 800-827-1000. You can get a rating higher than 20%, but only if your range of motion worsens. During Marchs Womens History Month, we celebrate 100 years of advancing women Veterans health care at VA. Are you planning to buy a home with your VA home loan benefits? My question to you is should I open a new claim for the cervical spondylosis and not try to tie it to an existing secondary condition? It is much more Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: 10%- If two or more joint groups (major or minor) have arthritis but are never incapacitating, 20%- If two or more joint groups (major or minor) have arthritis and are occasionally incapacitating, 20%- One or two incapacitating episodes per year, 40%- If there is a definite decline in health; or, if incapacitating episodes occur 3 or more times per year, 60%- If there is an overall decline in health but is short of complete incapacitation, significant weight loss or anemia; or, if there are 4 or more severe incapacitating episodes per year. I am overseas working and at a loss how to communicate with the doctors here. A VA disability rating percentage is awarded in multiples of 10, representing the severity of the impact of the disease or injury. THE CONTRACTOR CHECKED 4 THINGS PROPERLY & the rest eas Covid delayed. View Your VA Disability Ratings | Veterans Affairs It really hurts when no one put attention to the person who served his country and puts his life in danger. Under the schedule of ratings in the VA regulations, arthritis may be rated under degenerative arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Dear Veteran, Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: According to our data, 8/10 (80%) of veterans reading this message right now are underrated by the VA. Woods and Woods, LLC, Veterans Disability Lawyer, Veterans Disability Benefits Attorneys Helping Veterans Nationwide, Published on June 25, 2021 by Neil Woods Last Updated on February 14, 2023. This will best be explained by using an example. Some veterans will undergo a knee replacement, with hip and knee joints being the most common, to help with mobility and pain. The key is that the VA will initially look at each joint independently to decide whether there is limited motion and if there is joint pain with motion. The VA Ratings Schedule for Rheumatoid Arthritis One or two painful flare-ups a year: 20% Rating Clear impairments to daily living and health diagnosed by a doctor or 3 Major joints include the shoulder, wrist, elbow, hip, The presence of pain would qualify for a minimum 10% per knee. Chicago, IL: 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Floors 8 and 9, Chicago, IL 60604 Not at all. A Veteran with arthritis might receive either a 10 or a 20 percent rating, depending on the specifics of their condition. Because that was defunite they changed the diagnosis to rid themselves of my puzzling case. VA updates rating criteria for musculoskeletal and muscle injuries I have been self medicating for 15 years with Ibprophen (about 1600mg a day) and the Corpsmen documented the white and red patches for years. Again, they will only give one overall rating, but if your symptoms do qualify for a higher rating, it is definitely worth applying for an increased evaluation.