Greetings, I am currently rated 10% for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, I was also diagnosed with cervical facet arthropathy. AC separation injuries can make daily life extremely challenging. 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"? Dr. Johnson, I currently have a service connected disability rating for a lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis of the left ankle. Rotator cuff injuries are common among veterans who have experienced traumatic injuries while in service. I started to get the ball rolling with Mr. Woods/Mr. 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!" 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 You would want to get a NEXUS letter from a specialist confirming this correlation. How Can You Increase Your Shoulder Injury VA Disability Rating? Well the regulations state "If there are 1 or 2 scars that are unstable or painful it is rated 10%." 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. Worth a shot to apply. If you work with us, well keep tabs on when the VA makes a decision. There are a couple of conditions that are an exception to this rule, but if you have one of these conditions, our discussion about that condition on our site will clearly say that you can rate it in addition to other conditions that affect that joint. However, if your arthritis symptoms are at the degree of a 10 percent disability rating or more within the first year from discharge it is possible to obtain a presumptive service connection. For more information on how to calculate this number click here. The VA doesnt usually give 100% TDIU for just a single disability. Sir, I was diagnosed with multilevel cervical facet arthropathy or as the VA calls it "cervical spondylosis." or concerned about one, connect with our caring, qualified responders for confidential help. Compensation Is it possible to be rated under 5002 for the arthralgia/flare ups as well as limited ROM? Were here for disabled veterans exploring eligibility for increased VA disability benefits and who wish to learn more about that process. I report when theres much DISCOMFORT which is rarely during a GP interview. Over the years my knees have become worst and was recently diagnosed with degenerative arthritis in both knees. 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. You can get a rating higher than 20%, but only if your range of motion worsens. 38 CFR Book C, Schedule for Rating Disabilities - Web Automated This claim was reviewed as a secondary condition to my service connected rating for lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis, left ankle. A Veteran with arthritis might receive either a 10 or a 20 percent rating, depending on the specifics of their condition. This is making me very nervous. Unless you also have instability, the only way to increase your rating is for your range of motion to significantly decrease. If you hear from the VA, give us a call to make sure we got the information too. 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. http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/thespine.html#inter. How Long Will It Take to Get My Disability Rating Letter? During the course of finalizing this rulemaking, VA received comments from various Veterans Service Organizations and Veterans to ensure fair evaluations are established. Evans and they did so much. About 6 months ago I started to have severe pain and swelling in my hands and wrists. Minimal spinal canal stenosis. 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). While it is known to result in the breakdown of cartilage, it also affects the entire joint. Because that was defunite they changed the diagnosis to rid themselves of my puzzling case. Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices Basically I was trying to convince the VA that the pain issues with my neck was caused by my left ankle when walking ect. 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. A NEXUS letter from your physician would strengthen your claim for the hypertrophy as a secondary condition. Our firm was founded in 1986 in Orlando, Florida. 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. Therefore, the C&P examiner ought to test for active and passive, weightbearing and non-weightbearing, motion pain. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. The VA opened this claim up and I'm not sure why because I did not make a request a Cue. VA claims processors will use this update to make consistent decisions with greater ease.. 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. This is the link to get started, FAST. 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. 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% I was hopeful because the POA statements made the system act to allow an LHI look-and the let me upload the workup documentation to the DOD evidence intake fax yet nobody could ingorm me how to upload the x rays supporting the documentation. They typically add up disabilities and veterans meet the criteria like this: 1. Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 Degenerative arthritis will be rated at 10 or 20 percent based upon the number of joints/joint groups affected and the level of incapacitation. Minimal bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing. If possible, the examiner should also test your unaffected joint for an accurate evaluation of your range of motion. For the purposes of this blog, the primary focus will be on VA disability for degenerative arthritis, which affects 27 million Americans. This is a higher rate than among the civilian population, and it is one of the leading causes of physical disability. 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. All Rights Reserved. It takes about 125 days to get an answer to your initial claim. 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. If you need help with a service-connected claim for arthritis, feel free to give us a call for a free case evaluation! They would just consider it along with your other condition and give you a single overall rating that reflects the overall condition of the shoulder. An official website of theU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Looking for U.S. government information and services? I was diagnosed with Chondromalacia Patella when I separated from the service in 1978. 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. Yes, as long as they consider the arthropathy as service-connected, you have potential for getting headaches covered as secondary. VA requires that limitation of The most common cause of epidural lipomatosis is steroid use. 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. Good question. 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. You can claim the condition either way as long as you provide opinions from your physicians denoting the connection. Let's talk about your VA disability benefits. Mild spinal canal stenosis. Factors including frequency and severity of joint swelling, stiffness, tenderness should all be reported and discussed to achieve a full picture of the severity. The VSOs work directly with the VA and not for the individual (me the veteran). In this scenario, your arthritis would have to be the result of, or secondary to, a separate disability that is currently service-connected. I was at Three FOBs ( Forward Operations Bases) in Iraq Camp Anaconda Balad, Camp Cooke Taji and Q-West Qayyarrah, between 2004 and 2008. Foot conditions could contribute to arthritis in the spine, but not really fat deposits. 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. As with all VAdisability claims, proving service connection is the first important step. How does the VA rate this condition? I have exhausted so many avenues as a peacetime vet who was with the battlegriup shelling Beirut in 83 while my health was failing & then going to gaurd to KAL-007 trawlers. For one scar they did a 10% as a secondary condition to my service connected ankle. If a dislocated shoulder is a secondary-connection to tumors, deforming arthritis, or other disease, your treatment might look very different. Are ratings based on range of motion for example to get 10%, flexion measures more than 30 but less than 45. 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. 1. Official websites use .gov 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. Dont post your vaccination card photo on social media, VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD), infectious diseases, immune disorders and nutritional deficiencies, VA releases dashboard to measure the PACT Acts impact on Veterans and survivors, 100 years of advancing health care for women Veterans, You can request a VA home loan Certificate of Eligibility through VA.gov, Call TTY if you For the average person, the cartilage breaks down gradually but for veterans, the breakdown often occurs suddenly within one or two years post injury. Keep reading to learn more about VA disability benefits for arm and shoulder conditions and how you can increase your disability rating. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. since you already have 10%, the pain is rated and won't allow for additional. 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. 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? VA Disability Ratings for Your Torn Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Pain Thankfully, the in-service injury does not need to be traumatic to be considered connected. I just had a second surgury & I doubt my current records inquiry will improve. Webor traumatic arthritis, do not complete this questionnaire, INSTEAD complete the Joint Questionnaire for the affected area (e.g., if the diagnosis is osteoarthritis of the knee, complete the VA Form 21-0960M-9, Knee and Lower Leg Conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire). Pittsburgh, PA: 201 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235 Massive Increase in VA Disability Rates for 2023! VA Disability Ratings for Arthritis Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. If you experience weakness and severe pain with motion, your injury is rated 60% for the dominant arm and 50% for the non-dominant arm. 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. VA Disability Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 Some veterans will undergo a knee replacement, with hip and knee joints being the most common, to help with mobility and pain. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. 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. Code 5237 is used for general back pain. Because of the nature of the condition, there doesnt need to be a traumatic event, or injury, to prove service connection for osteoarthritis. 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. Degenerative arthritis of the spine is listed as one of the most prevalent service-connected medicalconditions in the 2018 VA benefits report, with 505,553 disability benefits recipients for the condition. Ok thank you Dr. Johnson have a good one take care. Next possible rating for arthritis is 40%, followed by a 20% rating, which involves one or two exacerbations annually with a well-established diagnosis. C4/C5: Symmetric posterior disc bulge. 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. 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? The process can be overwhelming and confusing thats where your attorney steps in. I have been diagnosed with multilevel facet arthropathy (aka facet joint osteoarthritis) in my upper neck and I'm in the process of getting a service connected rating from the VA. Claims filed on or after the effective date will be rated under the new criteria. VA Claims insider is an education-based coaching/consulting company. In late 2017, VA began a multi-year effort to revise and update the VASRD, or VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Any claimed joint conditions will be rated as degenerative arthritis if there is not a significant measurement of limited range of motion to rate under those applicable diagnostic codes. The examiner notated the following in regard to the synovial hypertrophy/proliferative synovium:"a. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. I could see he wanted me off his work liad and out of the service because my appeal went past my EOS date. them are Veterans themselves. At Woods and Woods, the Veterans Firm, weve helped thousands of veterans with their VA disability applications and appeals. Is there ever any service connected disability awarded when a vets service RECORDS are never located even after 40 years of health complaints? WebIn late 2017, VA began a multi-year effort to revise and update the VASRD, or VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Rarely are they used to lower a veteran's ratings. As we mentioned, shoulder injuries are extremely common among service members tasked with heavy lifting and training exercises that include overhead motions. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! Houston, TX: 2925 Richmond Ave, 12th Floor, Houston, TX 77098 Muscles and tendons that keep the head of the upper arm bone firmly within the shoulder socket make up the rotator cuff. 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. Veterans that have to have their arm amputated below the deltoid will receive a 70 percent rating. My left knee occasionally gives out and I limp but that comes and goes. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. 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 Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. Veterans granted TDIU receive payment at the 100% rate the highest compensation for VA disability awards. Contact us today, and lets get started building your case. Click Go Elite Now below to get started today and a member of our team will be in touch within minutes. After many years of trying to receive VA benefits, I tried to work with VSO and it did not work. 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. The length of this period will depend on the specific of the condition, but it would have to be significant. 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".