What to Expect When Filing Your Initial VA Claim, Top 10 Questions About Military Sexual Trauma (MST). You would want to get a NEXUS letter from a specialist confirming this correlation. Chicago, IL: 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Floors 8 and 9, Chicago, IL 60604 Contact us today, and lets get started building your case. Let's talk about your VA disability benefits. While it is known to result in the breakdown of cartilage, it also affects the entire joint. If you hear from the VA, give us a call to make sure we got the information too. Only one rating per joint. Finally, it is also possible to receive a secondary service-connection if it is determined that an already service-connected condition is causing arthritis. For one scar they did a 10% as a secondary condition to my service connected ankle. Were Veterans helping Veterans Worldwide, and since 2016 weve helped 10,000+ Veterans just like you INCREASE their VA disability rating! 2. Hello, I was awarded service connection at 0% for both my left and right knee in 2011. Does the VA look at and rate arthrosis the same as arthritis? This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. 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 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. 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). You can also submit a new claim for a secondary condition or increase your disability rating by combining multiple disabilities. Kirsten is a Florida native and received her Bachelor's degree from Florida State University in Criminology & Psychology. The pain issues in my foot have been ongoing for years. I DONT MIND a delay so long ad they look at my knee & all the many items I listed earlier. It really hurts when no one put attention to the person who served his country and puts his life in danger. It's never a waste of time to make sure the VA is aware of your full range of conditions. Rheumatoid arthritis, as an active condition, may receive a 100% VAdisability rating if you experience constitutional manifestations associated with active joint involvement and is totally incapacitating. The condition claimed is at least as likely as not (50% or greater probability) proximately due to or the result of the Veteran's service connected condition. 38 CFR Part 4 section B details all of the diagnostic codes for musculoskeletal problems with your shoulder. If there is insufficient documentation, the C&P examiner may order additional tests. Knowing how the VA determines benefits for arthritis can also help Veterans get their condition service-connected. If pain persists or the deformity is severe, a surgeon may trim back the end of the collarbone to stop it from rubbing against the shoulder blade bone. However, if your arthritis is bad enough that you are completely 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. 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. 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. I have a 60% rating for dermatomyositis (40% for Raynauds secondary to the DM). 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. All FOBs had Burn Pits inside the wire! You can file a Notice of Disagreement, take the higher review lane, orsubmit a supplemental claim. Degenerative arthritis may also be referred to as osteoarthritis and is the most common form of arthritis. And how long are they supposed to last? There are 5 primary ways a veteran can prove Arthritis is service connected and get VA disability benefits: #1: Direct Service Connection for Degenerative Arthritis 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 received a 10% disability at separation for on one knee. Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232 Evans and they did so much. have hearing loss, VA plans, budget, finances, and performance. All Rights Reserved. No matter how many ranges of motion are impacted! To complicate things, some Veterans may not report an injury at the time that it occurred. 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. Thank you for your time and have a great day. The process can be overwhelming and confusing thats where your attorney steps in. 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". When the bones no longer align properly, they may scrape on one another and cause inflammation and pain; this condition can also lead to rheumatoid arthritis. 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? Also my ankle hurts when I move it so can I apply the painful motion principle to my already existing ankle rating to get an increase? 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. Synovial hypertrophy is closer to RA, and would be rated under 5002. However, both are still rated under the musculoskeletal system conditions. Rarely are they used to lower a veteran's ratings. Any input would be great, thanks! WebFormula for Rating Intervertebral Disc Syndrome Based on Incapacitating Episodes Diagnostic Code 5423 With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during the past 12 months: 60% With incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least 4 weeks but less than 6 weeks during the past 12 months: 40% Correlation for radicular symptoms. so they are taking 10% away from me. 203, San Jose, CA 95134 If the entire arm is amputated, it will change to a 90% rating whether it is your dominant arm or not. Woods and Woods is well-versed in the laws and know the best strategies to secure the most favorable outcomes for our clients. 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? For the most accurate measurement and associated rating, examiners often use a goniometer regarding your joints flexion and extension. However, they rated my left knee with 10% as a result of Chondromalacia Patella. She came to Hill & Ponton in August 2015 wanting to help veterans and started off as a Case Manager. Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 I was so demotivated for so many years that I stayed away from care centers until I could not function. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 It affects daily life and job. I also have a question about Administrative Decision For Cue. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I was in the Army for many years. Moreover, if there is pain (without limited motion), then the VAs painful motion principle kicks in. As with all VAdisability ratings, the examiner will review your medical evidence looking for past diagnoses and symptoms. That arthritis is a secondary condition that should be reviewed by the VA and compensated where appropriate. Because these measurements are vital in the arthritis rating, a physician must record the exact range of motion measurements using a goniometer. C4/C5: Symmetric posterior disc bulge. The revision, effective Feb. 7, ensures that this portion of the VASRD uses current medical terminology by removing obsolete conditions, clarifying ambiguities, and providing detailed and updated criteria for the evaluation of musculoskeletal and muscle injury disabilities, including adding conditions that previously did not have diagnostic codes. Basically I was trying to convince the VA that the pain issues with my neck was caused by my left ankle when walking ect. Active cases of The VASRD rates two main types of arthritis: All right, Degenerative Arthritis Lets start off with assuming that only ONE joint has arthritis in the entire body. I just had a second surgury & I doubt my current records inquiry will improve. 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 The most common cause of epidural lipomatosis is steroid use. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! We assign a disability rating based on Surgery can sometimes improve the function of the affected joints. If you need additional information to reply, please let me know. I could see he wanted me off his work liad and out of the service because my appeal went past my EOS date. To get the bilateral factor we take 28% and multiply it by 10%. I'm trying to figure out of the conditions I have with my ankle what could give me a rating increase. Rheumatoid arthritis, or more commonly known as RA, is an autoimmune disease in which the bodys immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. I'm also wondering with symptoms such as these if it's more likely I'm rated under 5002 or 5003? You can claim the condition either way as long as you provide opinions from your physicians denoting the connection. 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. My iimited duty post was to security call in hourly at a 5 story barracks full of guys all awaiting boards. While we still have our home base in Florida, If you are already service-connected for arthritis and stay in a hospital for over 21 days as a result of your condition (i.e., joint replacement surgery), you may qualify for a temporary 100% total rating for the duration of your hospital admittance. Talk to your doctor (or our in-house nexus doctor) about your symptoms to see if they are connected. Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 I went to have the swelling checked and a large Baker's cyst was found behind my left knee as well as arthritis. VA Disability Rating for Shoulder Labral Tear is similar: Severe: 40% for dominant and 30% The first thing you need to do is request your VA home loan Certificate of Eligibility (COE). Because most of the people are complaining about their system. Since this condition had gotten somewhat worse I have been experiencing headaches. At Woods and Woods, the Veterans Firm, weve helped thousands of veterans with their VA disability applications and appeals. The report then lists general degenerative arthritis and traumatic arthritis with 268,882 and 258,135 recipients, respectively. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. If you work with us, well keep tabs on when the VA makes a decision. Thankfully, the in-service injury does not need to be traumatic to be considered connected. Then a scar on my knee they rated a stand alone 10%. Here one of our VA disability lawyers goes over the questions Woods and Woods, The Veterans Firm, is often asked about veterans disability claims and appeals. Major joints include the shoulder, wrist, elbow, hip, Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. I filed for compensation change but was denied because of range of motion was not enough. Unless you also have instability, the only way to increase your rating is for your range of motion to significantly decrease. With all forms of arthritis, the patients range of motion and associated pain are key factors in evaluating the rating. They kept pointing to the VA as the answer. As for the rating under code 5002, the VA will rate either by these rating requirements (which would rate you 20% for the 2 incapacitating episodes) or as limited motion, whichever gives you the higher rating. Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 If possible, the examiner should also test your unaffected joint for an accurate evaluation of your range of motion. Mild spinal canal stenosis. 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. In order to strengthen your case that your spine is the cause of the headaches, you'll need to get a NEXUS letter from your physician linking the conditions. With my experience, I would recommend their service to others, in respect to anyone who is struggling I would highly recommend Woods and Woods. Major Minor. The VA does not rate a disability under limited range of motion and degenerative arthritis. Moreover, if there is pain (without limited motion), then the VAs painful motion principle kicks in. Under the painful motion rule, the minimum compensable rating of 10% must be assigned. Therefore, the C&P examiner ought to test for active and Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Veteran Success Managers having gone through our programs. Osteoarthritis can theoretically affect any joint but typically occurs in your hands, feet, spine and hips. They wsnt the med reords which have still not been found. Yes, the examiner basically stated that in their opinion the synovial hypertrophy is SC while the arthritis is not. I've taken methotrexate for a few years. 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. I recently had a full spine MRI with these findings. Major joints include the shoulder, wrist, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle while minor joints include toes, fingers, spine, and sacroiliac. You can get a rating higher than 20%, but only if your range of motion worsens. It depends on what the authority decides at the time they make the correction. Sir, I think I understand when you say the VA will only give you a single rating for the cervical spine as a whole, no matter how many diagnosed conditions you have. we represent clients nationwide. But it served like a big red herring and made me look like a liar every time I repoted trouble on my left ear jaw neck elbow hip knee and ankle. This broad spectrum of application means that those suffering from arthritis can experience a variety of symptoms in regards to location and severity. 1. For more information on how to calculate this number click here. Under the painful motion rule, the minimum compensable rating of 10% must be assigned. C5/C6: Symmetric posterior disc bulge with superimposed focal central to right subarticular disc protrusion. In December 2018, VA updated the rating criteria forhematologic and lymphatic systems. Also, what is an "incapacitating episode"? 10% for pain in my leg from back problems. The condition claimed is less likely than not (less than 50% probability) proximately due to or the result of the Veteran's service connected condition.". Note (2): The 20 percent rating on the basis of activity within the past 5 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!" If you cant show that it is directly related to a fall, shot, or other injury documented while you were in the service, the VA wont consider it as service-connected. Veterans that have to have their arm amputated below the deltoid will receive a 70 percent rating. The result was Ive not felt like other people since & I mean that in a nuerological way not a mental way. In this scenario, your arthritis would have to be the result of, or secondary to, a separate disability that is currently service-connected. Although range of motion is a big factor, the functional impairment ought to be addressed as well. There are no knee imsges or ankle images or foot images or hip images or back or neck images. Additionally, the connective tissues deteriorate and there is often inflammation of the joint lining. http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/vasrdprinciples.html#pyram. 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%. AC separation injuries can make daily life extremely challenging. WebIn late 2017, VA began a multi-year effort to revise and update the VASRD, or VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. I'm wondering if the ultrasound and symptoms alone are enough for the VA to award secondary service connection? In those days I did not want a disciplinary action aftet getting just 3 months from my EOS. VA claims processors will use this update to make consistent decisions with greater ease.. If a dislocated shoulder is a secondary-connection to tumors, deforming arthritis, or other disease, your treatment might look very different.