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, You can look for a VA disability attorney near you or call us and join the thousands of veterans living off of VA disability thanks to Woods and Woods. I recently had an MRI done of my cervical spine which indicated mild multilevel degenerative changes of the cervical spine, most pronounced at C4-C7. ", For the arthritis of bilat hands/fingers/wrists the examiner stated the following:"b. So, you cannot receive a rating for degenerative disc disease and another for facet arthropathy. When the muscles are overused or experience undue force, the tendons often tear from the stress. 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. Bilateral facet arthropathy. Hello, My question relates to psoriatic arthritis. The first VASRD update, in September 2017, was for dental and oral conditions. Can you explain a bit more and also can they rate this together? 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? http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/kneeandleg.html#i. C5/C6: Symmetric posterior disc bulge with superimposed focal central to right subarticular disc protrusion. 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 - I started to get the ball rolling with Mr. Woods/Mr. She came to Hill & Ponton in August 2015 wanting to help veterans and started off as a Case Manager. It can develop later in life due to the overuse of joints or traumatic injuries that occurred during active duty. Similarly, the VA may award a temporary 100% disability rating for convalescence. Arthritis is the most common disability and affects 52.5 million adults in the United States, or one in every five. Considering that you have not been medically separated because of the condition, it is unlikely that you have had many incapacitating episodes. I am on methotrexate and REALLY thinking about the switch to Humira. If you are a disabled American veteran with arthritis, I will do my best to help you understand how your arthritis should be rated. have hearing loss, VA plans, budget, finances, and performance. 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. According to Title 38, for a minor shoulder that can raise between 25 and 90 degrees is 20% disability. Under the schedule of ratings in the VA regulations, arthritis may be rated under degenerative arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Since it was their error, they often will decide to let it slide, but they do have the legal right to request the funds be returned. Technically, you are correct that it should have been submitted as a secondary condition since arthritis was not present at all during service. See your personnel office for the proper forms. 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. Chicago, IL: 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Floors 8 and 9, Chicago, IL 60604 During Marchs Womens History Month, we celebrate 100 years of advancing women Veterans health care at VA. Are you planning to buy a home with your VA home loan benefits? Although range of motion is a big factor, the functional impairment ought to be addressed as well. C6/C7: Symmetric posterior disc bulge. 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? Rheumatoid arthritis, or more commonly known as RA, is an autoimmune disease in which the bodys immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. No sacroiliac joint fusion to suggest ankylosing spondylitis. Hello Sir,I currently have a 10% rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease. They kept pointing to the VA as the answer. 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. 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. My question to you is should I open a new claim for the cervical spondylosis and not try to tie it to an existing secondary condition? 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. The VASRDs 15 body systems had seen periodic rating criteria updates, but this continuing effort reflects the first comprehensive review since 1945. A 20% is the highest you can receive for a significantly limited ROM. Evans and they did so much. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Veteran Success Managers having gone through our programs. I'm thinking of filing a claim for headaches as a secondary condition to the facet joint osteoarthritis in my neck. 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. Ok thank you I had a visit with my Primary Care Doctor and she mention my Sleep Apnea maybe the cause. 4.71a, 5201. Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. I've taken methotrexate for a few years. Under Diagnostic Code 5002, the VA rates your rheumatoid arthritis case based on the following:100%: The veterans rheumatoid arthritis results in incapacitation. 60%: The veteran has severe incapacitating episodes four or more times per year. 40%: The veteran has three or more incapacitating episodes per year or a medically diagnosed health condition and day-to-day impairment.More items Veterans with questions regarding this VASRD update may contact VA at 800-827-1000. 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 author of my 2nd board did try by sending me to Nuclear med for imaging. 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. The call is free and we wont charge you a single fee until we win your case. This article covers rotator cuffs, shoulder blades, and other general shoulder injuries that qualify for VA disability. My med board was done twice I appealed because the nuerologist would not allow me access to ENT examination and wrote up an inconclusive report stating ehivh tesrs haf not worked. Would the VA even consider this? Many with identified surgeries which made me understand staying to fight a person intent on ridding U more than helping U even have a chance was beyond my capacities right then. 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. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. After many CP exams this is now what has been updated on ebenefits. At Woods and Woods, the Veterans Firm, weve helped thousands of veterans with their VA disability applications and appeals. Again, they will only give one overall rating, but if your symptoms do qualify for a higher rating, it is definitely worth applying for an increased evaluation. Official websites use .gov I had earlier x-rays of my neck, that a neurologist told me I had arthritis in my neck. Tucson, AZ: One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson, AZ, 85701 Without knowing full details regarding incapacitating episodes, I'd assume that your condition would be rated on limited motion of the effected joints. 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. Learn more aboutVA benefits. Minimal spinal canal stenosis. so they are taking 10% away from me. 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. Brooklyn, NY: 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 disability compensation va compensation VASRD. What to Expect When Filing Your Initial VA Claim, Top 10 Questions About Military Sexual Trauma (MST). Odd jobs (marginal employment), dont count. 10%, 20%, 30% etc. Physical therapy can also help manage pain and restore some of the range of motion to the shoulder. You are in a tough spot for your spondylosis. Suggest that you gather all pertinent medical information to assist your claim. However, a shoulder can only be given a single rating, so the VA would ultimately not rate the arthritis as a separate condition. My question is what about the Department of Army Civilians who spent multiple Deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan? Presumptive service connection is possible because the VA characterizes arthritis as a chronic disease under 38 CFR 3.309. Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices I am overseas working and at a loss how to communicate with the doctors here. I'm also wondering with symptoms such as these if it's more likely I'm rated under 5002 or 5003? Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 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. Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. If the symptoms of your arthritis come later, it may still be possible to establish a service-connection. 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 Is it possible to be rated under 5002 for the arthralgia/flare ups as well as limited ROM? While we still have our home base in Florida, Applying and being approved for these benefits can seem daunting, but Recognizing and Addressing An Underrated Veteran Disability Military Sexual Trauma (MST) is sexual harassment and or sexual assault experienced by a military service member.