) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. VA Disability Also would Cervical Radiculopathy be a possible secondary condition to cervical degenerative disc disease (two separate ratings). or should I have a totally different one as arthritis due to service connected injury? Is there ever any service connected disability awarded when a vets service RECORDS are never located even after 40 years of health complaints? A 2023 Guide to VA Disability Rates & Pay Schedules, Individual Unemployability Rating Calculator, List of Blue Water Navy Ships Exposed to Agent Orange (Interactive Vietnam Map), Social Security Disability Benefits Guide, Several rating criteria affect the totalrating decision, 100% disability compensation through total disability based on individual unemployability, rated under the appropriatediagnostic code, Denied VA Benefits? When examining my wrist the examiner also notated abnormal results for ROM. 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. I'm thinking about doing a secondary claim for the cervical spondylosis to the DDD. Some veterans will undergo a knee replacement, with hip and knee joints being the most common, to help with mobility and pain. 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. See your personnel office for the proper forms. Is this analogous to RA or Degenerative Arthritis? Here are some tips on your C&P exam from one of our VA disability lawyers. http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/thespine.html#conditions. At Woods and Woods, the Veterans Firm, weve helped thousands of veterans with their VA disability applications and appeals. Thank you. 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 For the most accurate measurement and associated rating, examiners often use a goniometer regarding your joints flexion and extension. Without knowing full details regarding incapacitating episodes, I'd assume that your condition would be rated on limited motion of the effected joints. How does the VA rate this condition? 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. 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". 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. Thank you for your time and have a great day. 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. You can also submit a new claim for a secondary condition or increase your disability rating by combining multiple disabilities. You're not alone. This is making me very nervous. 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. Ultimately, Joe will only have a total of three ratings for his four conditions, instead of four separate ratings. Both of my legs have recently begun swelling, the right leg occasionally and the left almost daily. http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/theankle.html#joint, Dear DR Johnson, I am currently a 50% disabled veteran. 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. Factors including frequency and severity of joint swelling, stiffness, tenderness should all be reported and discussed to achieve a full picture of the severity. 4.71a, 5201. 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. Get more resources at VeteransCrisisLine.net. If not enough, then arthritis. Never hurts to strengthen your case by getting a NEXUS letter from your physician, however. After many years of trying to receive VA benefits, I tried to work with VSO and it did not work. 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. With my experience, I would recommend their service to others, in respect to anyone who is struggling I would highly recommend Woods and Woods. The baseline issue is the fact that the VA will only you a single rating for the cervical spine as a whole, no matter how many diagnosed conditions you have (nerve conditions are rated separately). Secure .gov websites use HTTPS http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/vasrdprinciples.html#pyram. They wsnt the med reords which have still not been found. If there is insufficient documentation, the C&P examiner may order additional tests. I understand a joint condition can only be rated as degenerative arthritis if it does not have a limited enough range of motion. In addition to the methotrexate I'm now taking Plaquenil and Voltaren gel. Or will i tell the examiner when i have my evaluation?Thanks doc. 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. Bilateral facet arthropathy. So I take this as they will grant SC for the synovial hypertrophy but not the arthritis? If your motion is more limited, you may qualify for a higher rating on that alone. 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, Talk to your doctor (or our in-house nexus doctor) about your symptoms to see if they are connected. Well I got a letter today stating THEY made a calculation error when I submitted a claim for two painful scars. The examiner documented this as two incapacitating episodes as well as two non-incapacitating episodes. It is medically indicated that the ankle would cause this condition, so it makes sense that the VA denied it. In late 2017, VA began a multi-year effort to revise and update the VASRD, or VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Finally, it is also possible to receive a secondary service-connection if it is determined that an already service-connected condition is causing arthritis. Osteoarthritis can manifest from mildly disabling to almost complete impairment, and will be rated by the VA accordingly once service connection is proven. If you have used steroids as a treatment for a service-connected condition, then it could qualify that way. Therefore, the C&P examiner ought to test for active and passive, weightbearing and non-weightbearing, motion pain. I'm wondering if the ultrasound and symptoms alone are enough for the VA to award secondary service connection? I went to have the swelling checked and a large Baker's cyst was found behind my left knee as well as arthritis. This injury is typically caused by a fall directly on the shoulder point or a direct blow from contact. 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. This article covers rotator cuffs, shoulder blades, and other general shoulder injuries that qualify for VA disability. Call our team to talk about your case and well help you to see if you have a case. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. 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). 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. Correlation for radicular symptoms. 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. But depending on the quality of in service evidence, it could be enough. Functional loss. This rating focuses on the limitations of the joints range of motion. Instability. The VA rating specialist will categorize instability of the joint in three ways: slight (10%), moderate (20%), or severe (30%). Pain. Most veterans with arthritis experience pain. 5051 Shoulder replacement (prosthesis). Please complete this form to send us your message. Major joints include the shoulder, wrist, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle while minor joints include toes, fingers, spine, and sacroiliac. VA 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) .. The ratings are 10% lower if they are on your non-dominant side from the 70% rating level downward. The VA diagnostic code for rheumatoid arthritis is 5002. 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. A VA disability rating percentage is awarded in multiples of 10, representing the severity of the impact of the disease or injury. 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.". 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.