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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. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. Hello, I was awarded service connection at 0% for both my left and right knee in 2011. Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 Or will i tell the examiner when i have my evaluation?Thanks doc. From what I understand a CUE claim, is when a veteran asks the VA to revise a decision that is final. 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. Rarely are they used to lower a veteran's ratings. This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve, and you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free compensation and benefits each month. 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. Section A. Musculoskeletal Conditions - Veterans Affairs Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. For the most accurate measurement and associated rating, examiners often use a goniometer regarding your joints flexion and extension. Since both conditions directly affect the use of the ankle, the VA will lump both conditions together and give you a single rating under the code that allows the higher 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. I understand a joint condition can only be rated as degenerative arthritis if it does not have a limited enough range of motion. It's never a waste of time to make sure the VA is aware of your full range of conditions. 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. Degenerative arthritis leads to symptoms including pain, stiffness, limitation of motion, limitation of flexion, grating sensation or clicking with joint use (known as crepitus or crepitation), swelling, and joint instability or buckling (i.e., knee giving out). This is the link to get started, FAST. Mild spinal canal stenosis. 2. Mild to moderate neural foraminal narrowing is present at L4-S1 levels 3. Minimal spinal canal stenosis. While we still have our home base in Florida, WebWhen there is an award based on pain with motion with movement of the shoulder. If the symptoms of your arthritis come later, it may still be possible to establish a service-connection. Physical therapy can also help manage pain and restore some of the range of motion to the shoulder. Also because of the no ankylosing spondylosis will my rating go down, even though my back symptoms have worsened. Another option for service connection is to claim arthritis as a secondary disability. Finally, it is also possible to receive a secondary service-connection if it is determined that an already service-connected condition is causing arthritis. I went to have the swelling checked and a large Baker's cyst was found behind my left knee as well as arthritis. It depends on what the problems are. Can you explain a bit more and also can they rate this together? 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. We assign a disability rating based on 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. The process can be overwhelming and confusing thats where your attorney steps in. Because of the Pyramiding Principle, it is standard practice to only give a single body part a single rating unless there is also nerve damage (there are other exceptions, but not for the ankle). This article covers rotator cuffs, shoulder blades, and other general shoulder injuries that qualify for VA disability. Without knowing full details regarding incapacitating episodes, I'd assume that your condition would be rated on limited motion of the effected joints. If a prosthetic device replaces the entire shoulder joint, the condition is rated at 100% for the month following discharge from the hospital. If you are a disabled American veteran with arthritis, I will do my best to help you understand how your arthritis should be rated. 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. The call is free and we wont charge you a single fee until we win your case. Osteoarthritis can manifest from mildly disabling to almost complete impairment, and will be rated by the VA accordingly once service connection is proven. They will simply include it in your overall cervical spine condition. You might also receive a VA disability rating for shoulder rotator cuff tear. The VASRD's 15 body systems had seen periodic updates, but this There are two main types of arthritis: degenerative arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. About 6 months ago I started to have severe pain and swelling in my hands and wrists. You must do this within one year of the VA issuing the rating. My question to you is can I get a rating increase to my cervical spine degenerative disc disease rating due to the facet arthropathy in my cervical vertebrae? If a dislocated shoulder is a secondary-connection to tumors, deforming arthritis, or other disease, your treatment might look very different. Common Secondary Service-Connected Conditions - Military The VA diagnostic code for rheumatoid arthritis is 5002. This injury is typically caused by a fall directly on the shoulder point or a direct blow from contact. The musculoskeletal and muscle injuries portion of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD)has been revised to reflect updated medical information used to assess Veterans medical records and determine their VA disability rating. So, if your arthritis gives a higher rating than the meniscus condition, then it is rated, and the other is ignored. WebA rating for osteomyelitis will not be applied following cure by removal or radical resection of the affected bone. Sir, I got a bit of bad news today as the VA denied my claim for multilevel facet arthropathy or as they call it "cervical spondylosis". Thats it. 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. 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. You can definitely claim it as secondary, but the VA will not rate it as a separate condition. For a supplemental claim, you can show new evidence that wasnt considered with your initial claim. I've taken methotrexate for a few years. Which is worse a vet in a war zone gets shot and corrected with a rating or a peace vet gets lots of demotivating conflicting analysis by well meaning expediency oriented professionalsthat have very tight schedules which resultd in a peace vet feeling as if every thing he asks is always denied becausethe darn documents cant be found to substantiate. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 100%- Completely incapacitated and bedridden, regardless of how many joints are affected. 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. 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? If you have one or more disability ratings, you can view your VA combined disability rating and your individual ratings online. Also based on the MRI results listed above are there any conditions I could file for separately for example "Mild spinal canal stenosis, mild bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing"? *If you have already received a rating for Limited Motion of a joint, then you cannot receive a rating for arthritis in that joint. Major joints include the shoulder, wrist, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle while minor joints include toes, fingers, spine, and sacroiliac. My left knee occasionally gives out and I limp but that comes and goes. VA updates rating criteria for musculoskeletal and muscle injuries Carefully read our discussions of, More Jobs for More Vets Fixing the Unemployment Problem, Fighting the Military Disability and VA Disability Systems, The Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES), Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC), Concurrent Retirement & Disability Pay (CRDP), conditions that are rated as Degenerative Arthritis, VA Processing All PACT Act Claims January 1st. It depends on what the authority decides at the time they make the correction. 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 Finally this year my doctor mentioned a sleep study because it's causing me to have more migraines (service-connected). 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. Yes, if you can prove a service-connection and show that it is still causing you problems. This has happened about 3 times since that first occurrence. L4-L5 disc protrusion and acute L5-S1 disc protrusion. Chondromalacia patella is rated on either limited motion of the knee or a minimum 10% analogously under arthritis. Foot conditions could contribute to arthritis in the spine, but not really fat deposits. http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/diseasesofthemusculoskeletalsystem.html#a. 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). He is a professional in the work he is doing. If you are filing an appeal, it can take up to 12-18 months for the VA to review and grant your appeal. The presence of pain would qualify for a minimum 10% per knee. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. Odd jobs (marginal employment), dont count. Your treatments may also vary depending on your other conditions. The pain, stiffness, and limited motion can become severe when left untreated, and it can cause the veteran to repeatedly miss work and social events while living in constant pain. VAs last update came in August 2019, focusing oninfectious diseases, immune disorders and nutritional deficiencies. If your motion is more limited, you may qualify for a higher rating on that alone. So lets jump to having multiple joints with Degenerative Arthritis. The VA may schedule a compensation and pension (C&P) examination to evaluate your arthritis and assign the appropriate rating. Thus, the VA could increase your current rating if the ratings for arthritis allow it, but you would not give a second separate rating for the arthritis. I'm really not sure what to expect and wondering if I'm wasting my time with this secondary claim. Sir, I was recently diagnosed with multilevel cervical facet arthropathy or as the VA calls it "cervical spondylosis." So, you cannot receive a rating for degenerative disc disease and another for facet arthropathy. we represent clients nationwide. The spine is rated as a whole, so if your symptoms are worse, your rating will most likely increase, regardless of the specific conditions at play. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. No spinal canal stenosis or neuroforaminal narrowing. We use our arms and shoulders for many daily tasks, including getting dressed, driving, and bathing. The report then lists general degenerative arthritis and traumatic arthritis with 268,882 and 258,135 recipients, respectively. Chronic conditions must develop to at least 10% within 1 year of service to be considered at all. 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. All of these falling under VASRD code 5200. C6/C7: Symmetric posterior disc bulge. I called my parents doctor -got a referral and paid for a workup with xrays that were better than the sectionals at LBRMC. All FOBs had Burn Pits inside the wire! Major Minor. Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 For the purposes of this blog, the primary focus will be on VA disability for degenerative arthritis, which affects 27 million Americans. The VA is making new policies and Criteria for muscle injuries but in my opinion, they should work on their system and try to reduce the flaws in that. Side Note: Because limited motion is so vital to rating arthritis, it is essential that your physicians record the exact range of motion measurements for your affected joints. Yet establishing a service connection for shoulder and arm injuries can still be a challenge. Learn more aboutVA benefits. We know the pain of feeling stuck, frustrated, and alone, and we want to make this process as easy and painless as possible for you. What causes shoulder arthritis?Osteoarthritis. Injury to the shoulder joints. Rotator cuff muscle injuries ("cuff tear arthropathy") Injuries to the rotator cuff muscles, such as a large tear, can also increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint.Rheumatoid arthritis. They will look at the overall symptoms and assign the highest rating they can based on those symptoms. I report when theres much DISCOMFORT which is rarely during a GP interview. Hello Sir, I was recently diagnosed with degenerative talonavicular arthrosis of my right foot. You have at least 1 service-connected disability rated at 60% or more disabling, or 2 or more service-connected disabilitieswith at least 1 rated at 40% or more disabling and a combined rating of 70% or moreand2. Since that time, we have provided compassionate Veterans Affairs A Veteran with arthritis might receive either a 10 or a 20 percent rating, depending on the specifics of their condition. Because of the nature of the condition, there doesnt need to be a traumatic event, or injury, to prove service connection for osteoarthritis. Degenerative arthritis will be rated at 10 or 20 percent based upon the number of joints/joint groups affected and the level of incapacitation. How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! You can try, but there is a high likelihood that it would be denied. I recently had a full spine MRI with these findings. Most spine conditions are inter-related as they cause further wear and tear on other parts of the spine. Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 Is there ever any service connected disability awarded when a vets service RECORDS are never located even after 40 years of health complaints? VA Disability Could I file this new diagnosis secondary to my right foot injury since the way I walked affects my back alignment. 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 Kirsten has since transitioned to focus on her legal education and has been attending law school full time. Officially the word arthritis refers to joint inflammation, but it is also used to describe over 100 rheumatic diseases and other conditions affecting the joints, the tissues surrounding the joints, and other connective tissues. The painful motion principle does apply. The cyst and the arthritis would all be rated together under code 5003, degenerative arthritis, on how they affect the motion of the knees. 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. I TRIED REPORTING THE LHI STUFF IF THEY SENT IMAGES AS EVIDENCE to the DOD the the DOD is getting lied to for funding expedient efforts which are not my involved appointments which result in reality for my trust. My question to you is since this is an error made by the VA will I be required to pay back any money to the VA? If you have arthritis or another secondary condition related to your AC separation, you may be eligible for further compensation under acombined rating. If you work with us, well keep tabs on when the VA makes a decision. Portland, OR: 650 N. E. Holladay Street, Suite 1600, Portland, OR, 97232 These tears can severely limit a veterans range of motion, which can qualify them for disability benefits based on their inability to work. This Sept. I guess they needed to test me with the Ucmj and heavy sea duty. 38 CFR Part 4 section B details all of the diagnostic codes for musculoskeletal problems with your shoulder. Since you have multiple disc conditions, you could qualify for a rating under Intervertebral Disc Syndrome instead if that offers higher rating under incapacitating episodes. Then a scar on my knee they rated a stand alone 10%. To get the bilateral factor we take 28% and multiply it by 10%. Thus, you would ultimately only receive an increased evaluation. Pittsburgh, PA: 201 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235 However, both are still rated under the musculoskeletal system conditions. Welcome to the PEB Forum! Well I got a letter today stating THEY made a calculation error when I submitted a claim for two painful scars. While it is known to result in the breakdown of cartilage, it also affects the entire joint. Moreover, if there is pain (without limited motion), then the VAs painful motion principle kicks in. The VSOs work directly with the VA and not for the individual (me the veteran). I submitted because of the Burn Pit Act where I could not register due to being a Civilian!! That arthritis is a secondary condition that should be reviewed by the VA and compensated where appropriate. If two or more major or minor jointgroups are affected, but there are no incapacitating exacerbations, a 10% rating may be assigned. Hopefully that didnt just create more questions than it answered. I'm thinking about doing a secondary claim for the cervical spondylosis to the DDD. Havent filed a claim yet or know that you are underrated? Massive Increase in VA Disability Rates for 2023! Hello, My question relates to psoriatic 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?