You're not alone. This means that the typical medical evidence of a diagnosis or nexus is not necessarily needed if you are able to show continuation of reported symptoms from service. 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. Foot conditions could contribute to arthritis in the spine, but not really fat deposits. Kirsten has since transitioned to focus on her legal education and has been attending law school full time. If you have service-connected shoulder pain or injury, reach out to the VA disability lawyers at Woods and Woods, The Veterans Firm. Private medical records or hospital reports related to your AC separation that show the deteriorating condition. C4/C5: Symmetric posterior disc bulge. Should the VA deny your claim, this does not mean your case is over and you have zero chances of receiving benefits for your injuries. Not at all. Because that was defunite they changed the diagnosis to rid themselves of my puzzling case. 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). From rotator cuffs and dislocations to poorly healed bones, shoulder and arm injuries are common among soldiers and all these injuries can lead to long-term disabilities in veterans. I could see he wanted me off his work liad and out of the service because my appeal went past my EOS date. So now I have a letter from the DOD saying they have evidence about 25 items LHI was supposed to check. For a convalescence claim to be awarded, the period must be at least one month, surgery has resulted in postoperative residuals like being housebound or a continuing need for crutches or wheelchair, or a major joint has been immobilized by a cast. http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/diseasesofthemusculoskeletalsystem.html#rheum. What Is Acromioclavicular Joint Separation? 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. I filed for compensation change but was denied because of range of motion was not enough. I called my parents doctor -got a referral and paid for a workup with xrays that were better than the sectionals at LBRMC. ", For the arthritis of bilat hands/fingers/wrists the examiner stated the following:"b. Today, VA announced its next update: The musculoskeletal system and muscle injuries. My question is what about the Department of Army Civilians who spent multiple Deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan? Degenerative arthritis can receive the following disability compensation ratings from the VA*: 10%- If two or more joint groups (major or minor) have arthritis but If not enough, then arthritis. I just had a second surgury & I doubt my current records inquiry will improve. See your personnel office for the proper forms. San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. The VA diagnostic code for rheumatoid arthritis is 5002. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Were you stationed at Camp Lejeune before 1987? How Can You Increase Your Shoulder Injury VA Disability Rating? Acromioclavicular joint separation, also known as AC separation, occurs when the clavicle (collar bone) separates from the scapula (shoulder blade). Is it possible to get the facet athropathy secondary to cervical spine DDD (two separate ratings)? Thank you for your time and have a great day. I did some research on a website called spine-health.com which stated "degenerative discs and osteoarthritis often occur hand in hand because the disc and facet joints are both part of the same three-joint complex. Whats more, getting a disability rating thats enough to reflect the severity of arm and shoulder injuries is another hurdle. 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. Also would Cervical Radiculopathy be a possible secondary condition to cervical degenerative disc disease (two separate ratings). You cannot rate both. Bilateral facet arthropathy. Hopefully that didnt just create more questions than it answered. So I take this as they will grant SC for the synovial hypertrophy but not the arthritis? So with my recent diagnosis of moderate spinal canal stenosis I cant say that is secondary to my cervical degenerative disc disease (currently rated at 10%), correct? The VASRDs 15 body systems had seen periodic rating criteria updates, but this continuing effort reflects the first comprehensive review since 1945. I guess they needed to test me with the Ucmj and heavy sea duty. Nonsurgical treatments for AC separation include a sling, ice packs, and medications to manage the pain. My left knee occasionally gives out and I limp but that comes and goes. A lock ( VA claims processors will use this update to make consistent decisions with greater ease.. Rating. If there is limited motion in your joint, then your condition will be rated based on that joints limited motion. Finally this year my doctor mentioned a sleep study because it's causing me to have more migraines (service-connected). There are no knee imsges or ankle images or foot images or hip images or back or neck images. I submitted because of the Burn Pit Act where I could not register due to being a Civilian!! I understand a joint condition can only be rated as degenerative arthritis if it does not have a limited enough range of motion. I got handed to psych people instead of medical people. DOCTORS IMPRESSION: 1. Veterans that have to have their arm amputated below the deltoid will receive a 70 percent rating. VAs last update came in August 2019, focusing oninfectious diseases, immune disorders and nutritional deficiencies. Get more resources at VeteransCrisisLine.net. How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! You can compare your current symptoms to the spinal ratings to determine what you currently qualify for: Since your issues are mainly disc-related, they'll be rated under code 5243: Painful motion only comes into play if the ankle doesn't qualify for any other rating. Bilateral facet arthropathy. 10% for pain in my leg from back problems. First rule that you MUST understand: All joints will only receive ONE rating for the overall condition of that joint, regardless of the number of conditions that affect it. Lock When examining my wrist the examiner also notated abnormal results for ROM. My rheumatologist ordered an U/S that showed mild synovial hypertrophy in each wrist. The call is free and we wont charge you a single fee until we win your case. Multilevel cervical degenerative disc disease, most pronounced at C3/C4 resulting in moderate spinal canal stenosis, moderate-to-severe left neuroforaminal narrowing, and moderate right neuroforaminal narrowing. It can develop later in life due to the overuse of joints or traumatic injuries that occurred during active duty. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. Ok thank you Dr. Johnson have a good one take care. 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. If you work with us, well keep tabs on when the VA makes a decision. Web4.30 - Convalescent Ratings 4.31 - A No-Percent Rating return to top Subpart B - Disability Ratings The Musculoskeletal System 4.40 - Functional Loss 4.41 - History of Injury 4.42 - Call our team to talk about your case and well help you to see if you have a case. You can always try to submit a new claim, but it is likely to not be successful. Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 Would this condition fall under diagnostic code 5024: Tenosynovitis (swelling of the tissues that surround the tendons) or would the VA group the Arthritis (diagnostic code 5003) and Achilles Tendonitis/Tenosynovitis together for final codes of 5024-5003? It takes about 125 days to get an answer to your initial claim. For example, the VA regulations provide that if you are service-connected for an amputation and subsequently develop arthritis, arthritis may be granted service connection secondary to the amputation. Hello Sir,I currently have a 10% rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease. Today, VA announced its sixth update: The musculoskeletal system and muscle injuries. You would want to get a NEXUS letter from a specialist confirming this correlation. Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), is the most common form affecting veterans. Only one rating for the entire joint. Generally speaking, VA rates shoulder and arm conditions under both 38 CFR 4.71a Schedule of Ratings, Musculoskeletal System and 4.73 Schedule of Ratings, An untreated AC injury can make daily, independent life a struggle. Learn more about us, Veterans Disability Claim Most often CUE claims are used to prove that the VA made a definite error that harmed the veteran's case that must be remedied. since you already have 10%, the pain is rated and won't allow for additional. This Sept. They will, however, rate your radiculopathy separately. When the muscles are overused or experience undue force, the tendons often tear from the stress. 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. They do not have any evidence concerning my knee or most of the stuff on their list. To get the bilateral factor we take 28% and multiply it by 10%. So yes, the correct way is the one you suggested, but your claim should still process correctly. Odd jobs (marginal employment), dont count. Now, if you dont have limited motion, then your condition is rated as. 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. I earned my honorable and other good notes that only served to make people doubt that sensory challenged people can still attempt to complete any mission when others are helping alleviate the heavy lifting. Or will i tell the examiner when i have my evaluation?Thanks doc. -Amber, Dr. George P Johnson I have been officially diagnosed with chandramalicia patella I am receiving 10% on my VA for it but now I am gonna be in a knee brace and using a tens unit how much will my rating go up to due to having those items to use. Osteoarthritis can theoretically affect any joint but typically occurs in your hands, feet, spine and hips. Three months after returning from Balad in 2008 I had open heart surgery to replace my failing Aortic Valve at St Josephs Hosp in Syracuse NY. Right wrist: Palmar Flexion (0-80): 0 to 55 degree Dorsiflexion (0-70): 0 to 45 degree Ulnar Deviation (0-45): 0 to 25 degree Radial Deviation (0-20): 0 to 15 degree, and left wrist: Palmar Flexion (0-80): 0 to 60 degree Dorsiflexion (0-70): 0 to 40 degree Ulnar Deviation (0-45): 0 to 45 degree Radial Deviation (0-20): 0 to 20 degree. Correlation for radicular symptoms. We assign a disability rating based on Most spine conditions are inter-related as they cause further wear and tear on other parts of the spine. THE CONTRACTOR CHECKED 4 THINGS PROPERLY & the rest eas Covid delayed. 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. degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine (previously rated as strain, lumbosacral spine, with disc space narrowing DC5237. 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. *If you have already received a rating for Limited Motion of a joint, then you cannot receive a rating for arthritis in that joint. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 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 Ultimately, yes, they may ask for the extra money they paid you to be returned. I was diagnosed with Chondromalacia Patella when I separated from the service in 1978. Claims filed on or after the effective date will be rated under the new criteria. In such cases, the VA is able to consider certain, This post will outline the basics of GERD and how service-connection VA disability benefits may be possible under the VA schedule of ratings, despite the lack of an exactdisability ratingschedulefor. Now that we understand that, lets jump into arthritis. It is primarily in my L4-L-5-S1 region. Since his elbow and ankle do not have any limited motion, then they are both rated as. Examples for shoulder and arm injuries could include a VA disability rating for shoulder range of motion, VA disability rating for shoulder tendonitis, or VA disability rating for shoulder impingement. WebA rating for osteomyelitis will not be applied following cure by removal or radical resection of the affected bone. The complete list of updates to the rating schedule is also availableonline.VA remains committed to staying at the forefront of modern medicine to provide the best service to Veterans and their families. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. From what I understand a CUE claim, is when a veteran asks the VA to revise a decision that is final. Yes, tendonitis would be rated as limited motion as well. Keep reading to learn more about VA disability benefits for arm and shoulder conditions and how you can increase your disability rating. I have 7 months until retirement (20 years). That is an estimate, of course. I am a Gulf War Vet and am currently SC. I also have a question about Administrative Decision For Cue. A locked padlock A Veteran with arthritis might receive either a 10 or a 20 percent rating, depending on the specifics of their condition. Given this information, do you believe I will be rated under 5002 for wrist arthralgia (claimed as bilateral proliferative synovium/synovial hypertrophy) or will I be rated for limited ROM? But, rheumatoid arthritis will only be rated either as an active condition or for its chronic residuals. The rating schedule then steps down to 60% disability rating which could still qualify a veteran to 100% disability compensation through total disability based on individual unemployability. Ultimately, Joe will only have a total of three ratings for his four conditions, instead of four separate ratings. If youre a veteran and have been injured or have developed a disability, you may be eligible for VA disability benefits. Only occasional chest x rays that mention spondylosis in a couple places- but when I ask about it get assured its no concern to them because I don t lie and scream sbout level 8 pain. Because of this, it probably won't cause a problem that it was claimed this way. Weve been adding staff and lawyers during the Covid pandemic to serve disabled veterans better in difficult times. You can claim the condition either way as long as you provide opinions from your physicians denoting the connection. This is important as it removes the need to present direct medical evidence linking arthritis to a particular event or injury. Additionally, while there are other forms of arthritis under the VA codes, such as pneumococcic or traumatic, these specific forms are rated within one of the two main umbrellas: degenerative or rheumatoid. If you need additional information to reply, please let me know. VA requires that limitation of 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!" 3. Richmond, VA: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA, 23225 You may be owed compensation. 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? Or would this condition fall under diagnostic code 5003: Degenerative arthritis and if there is pain on movement then it rates 10% because of the Painful Motion principle. Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. Over the years my knees have become worst and was recently diagnosed with degenerative arthritis in both knees. Never hurts to strengthen your case by getting a NEXUS letter from your physician, however. First rule that you MUST understand: All joints will only receive ONE rating for the overall condition of that joint, regardless of the number of conditions that affect it. C3/C4: Posterior disc osteophyte complex in contact with the anterior spinal cord. 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. Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. Although range of motion is a big factor, the functional impairment ought to be addressed as well. If you are a Veteran in crisis 70% PTSD, 20% hearing loss, 10% tinnitus, 10% post right foot fx. What do you think, 2020 MilitaryDisabilityMadeEasy.com - All rights reserved, There are all sorts of tricky rules in the. The VA assigns disability ratings based on the severity of veterans service-connected conditions. If you have used steroids as a treatment for a service-connected condition, then it could qualify that way. http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/diseasesofthemusculoskeletalsystem.html#a. Mild spinal canal stenosis. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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. In those days I did not want a disciplinary action aftet getting just 3 months from my EOS. Veterans granted TDIU receive payment at the 100% rate the highest compensation for VA disability awards. Brooklyn, NY: 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 About 6 months ago I started to have severe pain and swelling in my hands and wrists. Rotator cuff injuries are common among veterans who have experienced traumatic injuries while in service. This evidence includes: Ensure you fill out your claim entirely and send all supporting documents this helps process the claim quicker. If there is insufficient documentation, the C&P examiner may order additional tests. Finally, it is also possible to receive a secondary service-connection if it is determined that an already service-connected condition is causing arthritis. She came to Hill & Ponton in August 2015 wanting to help veterans and started off as a Case Manager. So what Im pointing out is that I managed to stubbornly function because well meaning people refused to look past the surface mearly based on my lack of documentation which could refute their layers of partial Major Minor. Yes, if you can prove a service-connection and show that it is still causing you problems. The pain issues in my foot have been ongoing for years. He did not write "arthritis" he just submitted "left shoulder increase" .. Is this correct? Under 4.71a,Diagnostic Code 5203, the VA assigns shoulder separations a 20% rating for either arm, regardless of severity. Basically I was trying to convince the VA that the pain issues with my neck was caused by my left ankle when walking ect. At most, 20% for 1-2 incapacitating episodes/year. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. The rating authority could look at your case and disagree, but the examiner's opinion does hold weight. Check out our range of motion rating info on our website. If the entire arm is amputated, it will change to a 90% rating whether it is your dominant arm or not. Havent filed a claim yet or know that you are underrated? Tip: Look for your highest disability rating (or highest combined rating) in the left column, and your next lowest disability rating in the top row. It really hurts when no one put attention to the person who served his country and puts his life in danger. If you need help with a service-connected claim for arthritis, feel free to give us a call for a free case evaluation! After many CP exams this is now what has been updated on ebenefits. Evans and they did so much. VA Ratings for Spine Issues are Based on Movement, Pain, and X-Rays Different Types of Arthritis Can Get Different VA Ratings Bone Spurs Cause Burning or Tingling in Your Hands or Feet Dont Wait Until Arthritis and Back Pain is Unbearable Get a Free Consultation from our Certified VA Lawyer Team 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%. Is it possible to be rated under 5002 for the arthralgia/flare ups as well as limited ROM? Then, the conditionreceives a permanent rating after the conditional period is complete. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. At Woods and Woods, the Veterans Firm, weve helped thousands of veterans with their VA disability applications and appeals. For the most accurate measurement and associated rating, examiners often use a goniometer regarding your joints flexion and extension. Hello, I was awarded service connection at 0% for both my left and right knee in 2011. I'm wondering if the ultrasound and symptoms alone are enough for the VA to award secondary service connection? Under the painful motion rule, the minimum compensable rating of 10% must be assigned. They typically add up disabilities and veterans meet the criteria like this: 1. This is a higher rate than among the civilian population, and it is one of the leading causes of physical disability. If possible, the examiner should also test your unaffected joint for an accurate evaluation of your range of motion. Under the VArating schedule, there is a standard 20% disability rating if there is x-ray evidence of involvement of two or more major joints, or minor jointgroups, with occasional incapacitating exacerbations. The author of my 2nd board did try by sending me to Nuclear med for imaging. Psoriatic arthritis is rated analogous to RA: "Incapacitating episodes" for RA are periods where the condition is aggravated to the point that it is impossible for you to do your job or function well in daily life. 10%, 20%, 30% etc. I have recently been diagnosed with Epidural Lipomatosis. This broad spectrum of application means that those suffering from arthritis can experience a variety of symptoms in regards to location and severity. I claimed synovial hypertrophy/proliferative synovium of bilateral wrists and also arthritis of bilateral fingers, hands, and wrists all secondary to amyopathic dermatomyositis (for which I am SC). have hearing loss, VA plans, budget, finances, and performance. If it has healed and you have recovered, the VA wont deem it a disabling condition. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. Chondromalacia patella is rated on either limited motion of the knee or a minimum 10% analogously under arthritis. A 20% is the highest you can receive for a significantly limited ROM. They will look at the overall symptoms and assign the highest rating they can based on those symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis, or more commonly known as RA, is an autoimmune disease in which the bodys immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. 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. Under the VAs schedule of ratings, they can rate arthritis as degenerative arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis several criteria affect that decision. VA Claims insider is an education-based coaching/consulting company. I have had sleep issues for years including while I was in. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I was in the Army for many years. Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. Next possible rating for arthritis is 40%, followed by a 20% rating, which involves one or two exacerbations annually with a well-established diagnosis. Multilevel bilateral facet arthropathy. Active cases of Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 If it causes significantly new or progressed symptoms, it could contribute to having your overall cervical spine condition increased. If a condition is rated under degenerative arthritis, then your final rating may have a code listed prior to identify the condition itself and then list 5003 to show how it is rated (i.e., 5010-5003). As we mentioned, shoulder injuries are extremely common among service members tasked with heavy lifting and training exercises that include overhead motions. It would last for a few weeks and then disappear. Your physicians know your case and are better able to determine the causes, etc. Mild to moderate neural foraminal narrowing is present at L4-S1 levels 3. He is a professional in the work he is doing. Symptoms and signsof AC shoulder separation, applyfor VA disability for AC joint separation, All of these falling under VASRD code 5200, Read About All VA Rated Shoulder Injuries, Veterans granted TDIU receive payment at the 100% rate, https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/special-claims/unemployability/, What You Need to Know about TDIU VA Benefits, there has been an error in your VA disability filing, look for a VA disability attorney near you, VA will avoid pyramiding and giving you multiple ratings, Pain begins the moment the injury happens, Limited movement due to pain, not weakness, Deformity the outer end of the collarbone might look out of place, or the top of the shoulder might have a bump on it, Tenderness over the AC joint on top of the shoulder. In this scenario, your arthritis would have to be the result of, or secondary to, a separate disability that is currently service-connected. Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232 Arthritis especially tends to affect those who are overweight, as well as older men. Yet establishing a service connection for shoulder and arm injuries can still be a challenge. AC separation injuries can make daily life extremely challenging. Hello Sir, I was recently diagnosed with degenerative talonavicular arthrosis of my right foot. If these measurements arent properly recorded, you will not receive the correct ratings you deserve. Knowing how the VA determines benefits for arthritis can also help Veterans get their condition service-connected. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. VA medical records and hospital records relating to your Acromioclavicular Joint Separation or that show it has gotten worse. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! Mild bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing. Thank you. I was at Three FOBs ( Forward Operations Bases) in Iraq Camp Anaconda Balad, Camp Cooke Taji and Q-West Qayyarrah, between 2004 and 2008. Were here for disabled veterans exploring eligibility for increased VA disability benefits and who wish to learn more about that process. Additionally, the connective tissues deteriorate and there is often inflammation of the joint lining. Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 I told the Claims Rep that I now have arthritis in my shoulder (the one that is rated due to an injury while active duty and a surgery) .. Sir, I was diagnosed with multilevel cervical facet arthropathy or as the VA calls it "cervical spondylosis."
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