The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Limited Range of Motion: Causes, Diagnosis and Prevention - Healthline The VA uses 38 CFR 4.71 to rate your musculoskeletal system and 38 CFR 4.73 to rate muscle injuries. Since flare-ups can frequently make your symptoms worse, make sure that you do not accidentally give the VA the impression that your condition is milder than it is. If you have to have a shoulder replacement, the VA will place you on 100 percent disability for the first year after the surgery and you will get a code of 5051. Well cover the different types of shoulder injuries that can qualify for disability benefits, how the VA rates shoulder injuries, and what evidence is needed to support a claim. VA may request a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam to examine the veterans shoulder or arm condition. Unfavorable, abduction limited to 25 from side: Intermediate between favorable and unfavorable: Favorable, abduction to 60, can reach mouth and head: Flexion and/or abduction limited to 25 from side: Midway between side and shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction limited to 45), At shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction limited to 90). If your condition makes it impossible for you to grasp things with your hand, you may be eligible for the VAs Special Monthly Compensation. Applying for VA Benefits Years After Service: Is It Allowed? You can expect the C&P examiner to ask questions about your shoulder pain, how it started, what makes it worse, and what treatments youve tried. If youd like help navigating the VA disability process, reach out to us at Woods and Woods, LLC. To be eligible for a shoulder pain VA rating, you must meet three criteria by law: There are a few different ways to prove service connection for shoulder pain. Since a musculoskeletal disability can significantly inhibit your movement, aspects of life that used to come easily may now be nearly impossible for you. The Ultimate Guide to VA Disability Ratings for Neck Pain If you believe that your torn rotator cuff occurred in the military, youll need to gather the following documents to present to your local VA Regional Office (RO): The RO is looking for specificity in all documents. Relevant disabilities should be documented in military service treatment records. Tendons are rated on how they affect the motion of the connected joint (s). Important - Will Not Pay Reimburse - Reginfo.gov Our process takes the guesswork out of filing a VA disability claim and supports you every step of the way in building a fully-developed claim (FDC)so you can increase your rating FAST! The amount that the severity of an injury can vary sometimes makes it difficult for the VA to accurately assess and rate a disabled Veteran with a musculoskeletal condition. And if you can raise your arm to 90 degrees, or level with your shoulder, youll get a disability rating of 20 percent, no matter which arm the injury is on. OA is the most common type of arthritis, the inflammation of joints. Sometimes, rotator cuff tears might have been caused by a blow, such as a fellow service member running into the shoulder. Rotator cuff tears and shoulder bursitis fall under the category of arm and shoulder muscles. Most likely, the VA will rate your shoulder pain under one of two different rating schedules. In these cases, youll receive the maximum rating for loss of use of that arm. If your shoulder aches from time to time when it rains, youre likely to get 10 percent disability. The disability rating assigned also depends on whether the veteran's dominant (higher evaluation) versus nondominant (lower evaluation) arm is affected. Ankylosis and Limitation of Motion of Digits of the Hands Therefore, the C&P examiner ought to test for active and . It may take some time for you to experience severe pain from an obvious tear, but it would still be a direct result of the original injury. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Lawyers 6940 O St, Suite 400 Lincoln, NE 68510. Even if you did not lose your shoulder and/or arm, it's still possible you can't use . Sometimes, though, increases in the severity of your symptoms can be more unpredictable. If you are feeling shoulder pain from your time in service and you are not receiving VA disability compensation, you may want to file a veterans claim. Shoulder injuries are often caused by overuse, repetitive motions, or sudden trauma. We should look over your case to see if we can present your case in such a way to get 100% TDIU if you cant work. VA Disability Rating 20% Condition Arthritis, degenerative (hypertrophic or osteoarthritis). Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! Brian is a Distinguished Graduate of Management from theUnited States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO and he holds an MBA from Oklahoma State Universitys Spears School of Business, Stillwater, OK, where he was a National Honor Scholar (Top 1% of Graduate School class). , making each day a different experience for Veterans with these conditions. He is aformer active duty Air Force officerwith extensive experience leading hundreds of individuals and multi-functional teams in challenging international environments, including a combat tour to Afghanistan in 2011 supporting Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. The Schedule of Ratings for the musculoskeletal system is found at, , and it contains numerous subcategories. How Does the VA Rate Service Connected Arthritis? Like a Bad Haircut. If it's necessary for your entire arm and shoulder to be amputated, the VA will give you a 90% disability rating. If you choose to file for the pain in your upper extremity, you will need your medical records (including a recent diagnosis), a description of how the primary disability caused the secondary disability, and a statement from your doctor that confirms the connection. This chart shows how musculoskeletal ratings work for VA disability ratings for shoulder pain: If you have muscular damage to your shoulder, you may be eligible for a rating from 0% to 40% (depending on the severity of damage). But if you lost a whole arm, your impact will obviously be much more drastic. specific disability rating between ten and 100 percent. You can struggle with aches and pains of varying severity throughout any given week, and your condition can even improve or worsen throughout the day. To file for disability, youll need to submit your documentation to the RO where it will be reviewed. How Range of Motion Impacts Your VA Disability Claim | Veterans Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. The VA assigns a percentage rating for disabilities stemming from limited use of shoulder muscles according to severity. The Foot The Shoulder Girdle and Arm This is Military service can lead to many types of bone and ligament damage. Here one of our certified VA disability lawyers talks about that increase. You may also get cancer or other tumors in your shoulder that are a result of your military service. Limited knee flexion. Coming from a lineage of WWII and Vietnam veterans, he has litigated some 1,000 appeals at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, recovering millions of dollars on behalf of disabled veterans. Maximizing VA Disability for Limited Range of Motion: The - YouTube Since that time, we have provided compassionate Frequent aches and pains can add to the severity of a musculoskeletal disability in addition to problems with range of motion. Rotator cuff tears that stem from overuse may be less obvious to the veteran though. They will not treat your upper arm or prescribe pain killers, but they may take X-rays to determine if the cuff tear was partial-thickness or full-thickness, a malunion, etc. If youre suffering from shoulder pain, its important to get seen by a doctor to determine the underlying cause of the pain and get a diagnosis. Shoulder Rotator cuff repair refers to the surgery to correct a rotator cuff tear in the shoulder. This can lead to multiple painful dislocations or prevent you from using the shoulder or lifting your arm. If the arm is amputated below the shoulder but above the point where the deltoid attaches to it, then it is rated 90 percent for the dominant arm, and 80 percent for the non-dominant arm (Diagnostic Code 5121). Veterans who lost an arm, hand, or finger during military service are eligible for VA disability benefits and other compensation. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. In this video, we'll be discussing VA Disability for limited range of motion and loss of use claims. The Torso and Neck Muscles Military Disability Made Easy How will my torn tendon be rated? VA Disability Ratings for Shoulder and Arm Conditions The right law firm can help you present these facts to the VA so you may receive your rightful VA disability benefits. The Schedule also provides charts to help assist with understanding what these degrees mean. Every case needs to be treated differently. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of 3.105(e) of this chapter. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. For instance, which pages you go to most. Pes Planus is a condition of the foot in which the arches on the inside of your foot are flattened, allowing the entire sole of your foot to touch the, VA Benefits: Depression Secondary to Chronic Pain While we often think of the physical injuries and illnesses that can result from military service, it's also important to consider the ways, If you experienced a back injury during active duty, or an injury that later contributed to back pain, you may be eligible for disability benefits. Before we dive into all of the VA disability rating codes for shoulder injuries, lets go over some basic anatomy of the shoulder, beginning with your bones. We advocate for the disabled. It may surprise you to learn that rotator cuff tears do not need to have occurred during an active shift. Any of these structures can be injured, resulting in shoulder pain. VA Disability for Shoulder and Arm Injuries. Under each category is a list of diagnostic codes representing common disabilities of that body part. If you lost a pinky finger in the military, it may impact your ability to live a normal life a bit. If your shoulder is damaged in such a way that its held together by soft tissues instead of bones, youll get a rating of either 50 percent or 40 percent. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. All of these conditions can lead to chronic shoulder pain and disability. Important: This principle applies even if the examiner or medical evidence As with most medical conditions,. Degenerative disc disease PO Box 96503Dept. 4. We consistently provide experienced, compassionate and ethical representation to our clients. Most of the time, youll receive a musculoskeletal rating based on your shoulder range of motion if you were to lift your arm away from the side of your body. Richmond, VA: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA, 23225 We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. In our example above, you would receive36 percent compensationfor those two shoulder injuries. Two things that veterans know are a given in active duty military life. In many cases, Veterans may find their claims denied even though their disabilities are related to their service in the military. elbow . Hill & Ponton P.A. This is different from the normal wear and tear of spinal discs. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. VA Disability Ratings for Shoulder Injuries - Cuddigan Law representing common disabilities of that body part. Shoulder replacements are evaluated under Diagnostic Code 5051. They use the rules of the VASRD to determine that rating. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. They may test your range of motion and look for muscle weakness. Acute, Subacute, or Chronic Diseases Prosthetic Implants The Shoulder and Arm The Elbow and Forearm The Wrist The Spine The Ankle Shortening of the Lower Extremity 3 Also entitled to special monthly compensation. If you have questions about wrist injuries, single incident ratings, or IU, feel free to call us at 1-800-728-0434 or email us at Lifehealth@FriedmanFirmPC.com. 2. Eric Gang is an award-winning lawyer with a national law practice focused on Veterans Disability Appeals on behalf of U.S. veterans wrongfully denied medical and disability benefits. 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? Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. Many. If you have another service-connected disability that led to your shoulder condition, you may qualify for disability compensation via secondary service connection. A missing arm counts as the highest level of injury, so any disability on your other arm would qualify for the extra 10% rating from the bilateral factor as long as that other arms injury can be service-connected. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. These cookies are also used to let affiliates know if you came to one of our websites from an affiliate and if your visit resulted in the use or purchase of a product or service from us, including details of the product or service purchased. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. There are many different types of motion, including: Flexion - how far you can bend a joint Extension - how far you can extend a joint Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 Tell Your C&P Examiner Everything You Can About Your Symptoms, Including Flare-Ups. If your claim has been approved, you will be given a specific disability rating between ten and 100 percent. What Are the Easiest VA Disability Claims? - FileDisability.org Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination. Using a measurable metric like range of motion (ROM) makes it easier for the VA to accurately assess a Veterans level of disability. Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Central Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 VA Disability for Arthritis in the Neck and Back Veterans Disability Benefits for Neck Pain Caused by Arthritis Function: Elevation and abduction of arm to the level of the shoulder; act with 1 and 2 of Group II in forward and backward swing of the arm. If the doctor does not agree with you or you feel that the rating is too low, you do have the right to appeal. You can request for a higher authority to look at the case. The Schedule of Ratings lists disabilities under different categories based on the part of the body affected. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on November 2, 2001 ( 66 FR 55614 ). Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 M21-1, Part V, Subpart iii, Chapter 1, Section C - Arthritis Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call. Why Hire CCK for Your VA Disability Appeal? Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. The VA's painful motion rule entitles a veteran to a 10% rating even if they don't meet the specific diagnostic criteria as . Conditions and injuries are organized into rating schedules, which get translated into percentages that represent what percent of your ability to work youve lost. Intrinsic muscles of shoulder girdle: (1) Pectoralis major I (clavicular); (2) deltoid, 5304 Group IV. Most veterans are underrated for their disabilities and therefore not getting the compensation theyre due. If youve lost your humeral head entirely, a condition known as flail shoulder, youll get a disability rating of 80 percent for a dominant arm or 70 percent for a non-dominant one. If your musculoskeletal condition inhibits your range of motion significantly, you are more likely to receive a higher disability rating from the VA. At VA Claims Insider, we help you understand and take control of the claims process, so you can get the rating and compensation youre owed by law. Moreover, if there is pain (without limited motion), then the VA's painful motion principle kicks in. How do I increase my rating percentages? All of the criteria include severe, moderately severe, moderate, or slight and corresponds to a disability rating ranging from 0 to 40 percent. Once you have established these three things, the VA will move forward with your disability payments. In some cases, you may still have your arm and shoulder, but you may not be able to move them. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? All Rights Reserved. The experienced VA disability attorneys on our team understand how VA claims work and are dedicated to helping Veterans get the compensation they are entitled to. Shoulder instability develops when your muscles and ligaments are not strong enough to hold the shoulder bones securely in the socket. When you file for a VA disability rating for shoulder pain, you will most likely be scheduled for a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam. Like with any other joint replacement, a surgeon will go in and take out the upper part of your humerus and a part of your scapula. A rotator cuff tear caused by a shoulder injury will generally result in acute pain directly after it occurs. Learn what youve been missingso you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation YOU DESERVE! If you have a disability claim with the VA that you would like to appeal, please contact our team at (888) 682-0786 to schedule a free case evaluation. How The VA Rates Arthritis - Military Benefits Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. I Hurt My Wrist Bad in the Service. Can I Get VA Disability? However, many different conditions could be causing your shoulder pain, including: These conditions can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks such as reaching for items, combing your hair, or even putting on a shirt. All of the criteria include severe, moderately severe, moderate, or slight and correspond to a disability rating ranging from 0 to 40 percent. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. PDF Joints (Shoulder, Elbow, Wrist, Hip, Knee, and Ankle) Examination This storage is often necessary for basic functionality of the web site or the storage may be used for the purposes of marketing, analytics, and personalization of the web site such as storing your preferences. Limitation of extension for the knee is rated under diagnostic code 5261. A Goniometer will probably be used at your C&P exam to measure Range of Motion (ROM) of your shoulder and arm. If you feel that your claim has been denied wrongly, you can make an appeal with the help of an attorney. Your VA disability rating for this type of injury will receive a code of 5201 and will be based on whether your dominant or non-dominant arm is injured and how severe your limitation is. If you received shoulder injuries in the military, you may be entitled to monthly compensation from the VA. Talk to your physician about your diagnosis and start the process of applying for VA disability payments. For flare-ups, the examiner should ask whether a Veteran deals with flare-ups and ask them to describe their functional loss as a result. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. Whenever a Veteran applies to receive disability benefits from the VA, their claim will either be approved, deferred, or denied. Range-of-motion testing is one of the main ways the VA determines the severity of your orthopedic disability and therefore what rating you'll receive. Your VA benefits will be tax-free, and they can help you support yourself and your loved ones if your disability has made it difficult for you to work and live normally. A diagnosis from your treating physician for a torn rotator cuff. The first is 38 CFR 4.71a (Schedule of Ratings Musculoskeletal System). If the amputation is to the deltoid, the VA will give you 80%. If your disability has dramatically impaired your range of motion, the VA should recognize that you need and deserve disability benefits to support yourself and your loved ones. There are several range-of-motion tests that a doctor would do to assess your shoulder: To file for disability through the VA, veterans need to establish a link between military service and the current disability. muscle stiffness. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. You're not alone. Injuries in combat, such as a blow from an accident, a forceful impact, or a fall, could also result in shoulder or arm injury. You can submit new evidence, such as new documentation of thickness tears. 5237 - Lumbosacral or cervical strain: This diagnostic code applies to veterans experiencing general pain in their cervical or thoracolumbar spine. Intrinsic muscles of shoulder girdle: (1) Supraspinatus; (2) infraspinatus and teres minor; (3) subscapularis; (4) coracobrachialis, 5305 Group V. Function: Elbow supination (1) (long head of biceps is the stabilizer of shoulder joint); flexion of the elbow (1, 2, 3). Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. VA officials will attempt to corroborate as many details as possible before determining the next steps. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Bone and Joints Disability Rating Table - Dr. David Anaise, MD After the first year, you'll receive a permanent disability rating based on your level of function once you're fully healed. You DESERVE a HIGHER VA rating.WE CAN HELP. Amputation #34938Washington, D.C. 20090-6503, Phone: (888) 878-9350 Woods and Woods, LLC, Veterans Disability Lawyer, Veterans Disability Benefits Attorneys Helping Veterans Nationwide, Published on May 15, 2020 by Mike Woods Last Updated on March 23, 2023. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? After the first year, youll receive a permanent disability rating based on your level of function once youre fully healed. The bone in your upper arm is called your humerus, and your collarbone is called your clavicle. The rotator cuff is a network of four tendons that connect the humerus to the scapula. This is often based on if you can rotate or extend your shoulder, using the criteria listed above. There are also several different muscle groups that help you move your shoulders. We can help you apply for disability benefits or appeal a denied application. 20 / 20% - at shoulder level. Appeals to the Board of Veterans Appeals, Appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Increase Veterans Affairs Disability Rating, Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), VA Mental Health: Legal Help for Veterans, Veterans Affairs Compensation for Sleep Apnea, VA Rating for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Symptoms, 2023 Veterans Affairs Disability Rate Increase. You can file one of three options or file a new claim. If you file a Fully Developed Claim for your shoulder condition, you can expect to wait about 110 days for the VA to decide on your VA disability rating for shoulder pain (as of August 2022). 27K views 2 years ago Today, we examine VA ratings for conditions affecting Veterans' shoulders and arms. If you have to have your arm amputated up to the deltoid, youll get a rating of 80 percent. Understanding How Flare-Ups Impact Range of Motion Claims, Alternatively, they might suffer from more stiffness and loss of range of motion throughout the day. < I Can't Afford to Go to the Doctor. Range of Motion for the Shoulder | Veterans Disability
