L4-L5 disc protrusion and acute L5-S1 disc protrusion. Moreover, if there is pain (without limited motion), then the VAs painful motion principle kicks in. 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. It is medically indicated that the ankle would cause this condition, so it makes sense that the VA denied it. I am very happy and very satisfied with the work they have done for me! Minimal bilateral neuroforaminal narrowing. Philadelphia, PA: 1 International Plaza, Suite 550, Philadelphia, PA, 19113 I tried to go back to the incidents in the med records-but photocopies that are poor are not wanted. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. Hi Dr, Just today I went in to apply for a shoulder increase. Sir, I was diagnosed with multilevel cervical facet arthropathy or as the VA calls it "cervical spondylosis." 2. Thank you for your time and have a great day. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! Some of the causes include joint injuries or repeated stress on the joint(s) from sports or job duties. You can try, but there is a high likelihood that it would be denied. If you have arthritis or another secondary condition related to your AC separation, you may be eligible for further compensation under acombined rating. The second review, in May 2018, was for gynecological conditions. Because these measurements are vital in the arthritis rating, a physician must record the exact range of motion measurements using a goniometer. 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. You can file your claimonline, by mail, in person, or with the help of a trained and accredited representative like Woods and Woods, The Veterans Firm. 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? I submitted a Workmens Comp Claim at CPO (Civilian Personnel Office) six years after surgery I was told that the time limitation had expired and I could not prove the Cause / Effect . The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. The combined rating of the veterans bilateral conditions (right foot and left knee) is 28%. Rheumatoid arthritis, in terms of chronic residuals, will be rated under the appropriatediagnostic code for the group of minor joints involved, major joints, etc. Many veterans develop their arthritis later in life as the cartilage wears down. Whats more, getting a disability rating thats enough to reflect the severity of arm and shoulder injuries is another hurdle. If you have to have your arm amputated up to the deltoid, which is midway above your elbow, youll get a rating of 80 percent. 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. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Were you stationed at Camp Lejeune before 1987? This evidence includes: Ensure you fill out your claim entirely and send all supporting documents this helps process the claim quicker. 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. Technically, you are correct that it should have been submitted as a secondary condition since arthritis was not present at all during service. The VA doesnt usually give 100% TDIU for just a single disability. Also, what is an "incapacitating episode"? ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. There is precedent of connection there too, though it is impossible for me to opine on your case. The VA evaluates shoulder replacements under Diagnostic Code 5051. 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. Arthritis especially tends to affect those who are overweight, as well as older men. 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. 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. It's never a waste of time to make sure the VA is aware of your full range of conditions. 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. I have a 60% rating for dermatomyositis (40% for Raynauds secondary to the DM). According to Title 38, for a minor shoulder that can raise between 25 and 90 degrees is 20% disability. http://blog.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/2018/01/secondary-conditions-for-va-disability.html. Ultimately, yes, they may ask for the extra money they paid you to be returned. 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. I had issues with PTSD over the years from my time in the Army. VA rates disability from 0% to 100% in 10% increments (e.g. Thanks for the quick reply, I currently have a rating of 10% for the lateral collateral ligament sprain with degenerative arthritis of the left ankle. Thank you. An official website of theU.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Looking for U.S. government information and services? This has happened about 3 times since that first occurrence. 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. 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). The VA diagnostic code for rheumatoid arthritis is 5002. them are Veterans themselves. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I was in the Army for many years. Working with an experienced attorney can also significantly boost your chances of receiving a higher disability rating. Note that you are not required to submit evidence with your Acromioclavicular Joint Separation VA disability application, but you will find it helpful for your case. 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. The key is that the VA will initially look at each joint independently to decide whether there is limited motion and if there is joint pain with motion. Mild spinal canal stenosis. Another option for service connection is to claim arthritis as a secondary disability. 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. Can you please help me understand a bit more about what type of rating I should expect. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. Is this analogous to RA or Degenerative Arthritis? 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. I'm thinking about doing a secondary claim for the cervical spondylosis to the DDD. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. This involves the recovery period following a surgery related to your service-connected condition. I got handed to psych people instead of medical people. 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. It would last for a few weeks and then disappear. This shoulder disability diagnostic code is 38 C.F.R. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! Not at all. How Long Will It Take to Get My Disability Rating Letter? 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"? Well the regulations state "If there are 1 or 2 scars that are unstable or painful it is rated 10%." Were here for disabled veterans exploring eligibility for increased VA disability benefits and who wish to learn more about that process. Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. WebA rating for osteomyelitis will not be applied following cure by removal or radical resection of the affected bone. All of these falling under VASRD code 5200. VA Claims insider is an education-based coaching/consulting company. If you hear from the VA, give us a call to make sure we got the information too. Call us today to discuss your VA disability appeal or your first application. I have 7 months until retirement (20 years). AC separation injuries can make daily life extremely challenging. 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. 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. Muscles and tendons that keep the head of the upper arm bone firmly within the shoulder socket make up the rotator cuff. No facet arthropathy. If it isn't too late to request the change, you can submit it as secondary, but if it would delay things too much, you will probably still be fine as is. Civilans are not authorized in the VA Sys! If you have used steroids as a treatment for a service-connected condition, then it could qualify that way. In addition to the methotrexate I'm now taking Plaquenil and Voltaren gel. 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.