Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. VA disability is awarded because you were injured while serving, regardless of the glory of the job. The most common cause of bursitis is injury or repetitive use. Have your doctor specifically use this language when he/she explains your limitations due to knee arthritis. In the exam, either a VA physician or VA contracted physician will generally ask questions about the shoulder or arm condition and the veterans time in service. If you break your humeral neck and the bone doesnt heal back together, youll receive a rating of either 60 percent or 50 percent. These will be replaced with prosthetic components that will act in place of the damaged structures. 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. These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. Every case needs to be treated differently. We explain where you can find your military records in this article. The VA may use several ratings schedules in combination when rating rotator cuff injuries. During surgery, the doctor might make a large incision into one of the major tendons of the cuff, such as the supraspinatus or labrum, or they might make smaller incisions for an arthroscopy procedure. Once service connection is granted, VA will assign a disability rating based on the severity of the veterans 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. Under more severe circumstances, such as shoulder replacement, the individual may also be granted a higher rating (at least until they recover from surgery). For example, you may not be able to safely drive, lift objects, care for children, or maintain your home. Shoulder issues can be extremely debilitating, making it difficult to perform even basic tasks. Veterans who lost an arm, hand, or finger during military service are eligible for VA disability benefits and other compensation. 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. Neck disabilities are usually rated on the neck's range of motion. These cookies collect information about how you use our website. For instance, if you can still shrug your shoulder but not move your arm, youll get a different rating than if you could not move your shoulder at all. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. Without these cookies, services you have asked for cannot be provided. The VA disability rating for shoulder impingement is usually rated either as an impairment of the clavicle or scapula OR limitation of motion of the arm. Shoulder injuries in the military are a common source of VA disability compensation. Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call with an experienced Team Member. What Causes Bursitis of the Shoulder in Veterans? The Schedule of Ratings expresses range of motion in degrees, making it easy for disabilities to be rated and categorized. If your arm cannot move 25 degrees away from your side, youll get a disability rating of 50 percent for a dominant arm or 40 percent for a non-dominant arm. Once it ends, the 100 percent rating will continue for a period of 3 months (unless otherwise specified). The glenohumeral joint is where the ball at the top of the upper arm bone or humerus fits into the glenoid joint socket. To file for disability, youll need to submit your documentation to the RO where it will be reviewed. . Rotator cuff tears can severely limit a persons range of motion, which may qualify them for disability benefits based on their inability to work. 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. First of all, you must have a diagnosed shoulder or arm condition. Copy this embed code to share the infographic on your own site. Limitation of extension for the knee is rated under diagnostic code 5261. VA Shoulder Pain Ratings and Grip Increases, Learn More About Shoulder Injuries in the Military, The VA has alsogenerated a systemto allow you to combine multiple injuries or conditions into one overall disability rating, How to Do VA Math with the VA Combined Ratings Table, Read More About VA Ratings for Arm and Hand Amputation, Multiple ratings for the same condition is called pyramiding, extra 10% rating from the bilateral factor, 7 Things to Consider When Thinking About Applying for VA Disability Years After Service, I am so glad I was referred to Woods and Woods. The Department of Veterans Affairs sees many VA disability claims for orthopedic impairments like severe shoulder issues, back problems, legs, arms, feet, etc. The description of the events must be verifiable and they present a clear narrative of what happened. Using a measurable metric like range of motion (ROM) makes it easier for the VA to accurately assess a Veterans level of disability. The examiner will look for how your shoulder functions when you move your arm and how far you can move before you feel pain. The most common shoulder injuries in veterans are rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement, bursitis, and tendinitis. Exercises such as Lateral Neck Flexion and Neck Rotations will help relieve neck pain and the other issues caused by poor posture and a shortening of the . Chicago, IL: 332 S. Michigan Avenue, Floors 8 and 9, Chicago, IL 60604 His victories for veterans are often featured in mainstream news, including the Miami Herald, Dallas Morning News, Sacramento Bee, and others, as well as in many military publications. 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. How do I apply to receive my ratings? 2. Rotator cuff repair generally includes shoulder surgery followed by physical therapy. Stiffness and loss of range of motion can pop up due to consistent use of a certain muscle group or body part. All rights reserved. You can use your service medical records, military records, and a personal statement to prove your shoulder injury occurred while you were serving. Extrinsic muscles of the shoulder girdle: (1) Pectoralis major II (costosternal); (2) latissimus dorsi and teres major (teres major, although technically an intrinsic muscle, is included with latissimus dorsi); (3) pectoralis minor; (4) rhomboid, 5303 Group III. Make an appointment for a no-obligation consultation with us now online or by phone at 888.878.9350. A diagnosis from your treating physician for a torn rotator cuff. This can lead to multiple painful dislocations or prevent you from using the shoulder or lifting your arm. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. muscle stiffness. All of these conditions can lead to chronic shoulder pain and disability. Veterans who are granted TDIU are paid at the one hundred percent rate, which is the highest form of compensation VA awards. The exam aims to gather more information about your shoulder condition and how it affects your daily life. If there are occasional periods of weakness, pain, or limited motion then the condition should be rated analogously either under Diagnostic Code 5002 (i.e., rheumatoid arthritis) or 5203 (i.e., impairment of the clavicle or scapula), whichever most closely describes the veterans symptoms. This rating will grant you a specific amount of monthly compensation from the VA. The joint should allow the arm to move in multiple directions without any pain. Your clavicle can also dislocate from your scapula at your acromioclavicular joint. 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. Sometimes, the VA does not accurately assess a Veterans condition, which can lead to a wrongful denial of a claim. Factor #2: Instability. Do You Have Long-Term Disability Insurance Coverage? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Lawyers 6940 O St, Suite 400 Lincoln, NE 68510. 3. If you qualify for a VA disability benefit, youll receive a tax-free monthly payment. Your military records are important. All Rights Reserved. This article discusses four things you need to know about shoulder pain and VA disability. If your musculoskeletal condition inhibits your range of motion significantly, you are more likely to receive a higher disability rating from the VA. 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. The bone in your upper arm is called your humerus, and your collarbone is called your clavicle. 4. The VA disability rating for shoulder impingement is usually rated either as an impairment of the clavicle or scapula OR limitation of motion of the arm. Tendons are rated on how they affect the motion of the connected joint (s). 38 CFR 4.71a Diagnostic Code 5200 Scapulohumeral articulation, ankylosis of: 38 CFR 4.71a Diagnostic Code 5201 Arm, limitation of motion of: Recurring pain when using your shoulder (e.g., lifting, pushing, etc. VA officials will attempt to corroborate as many details as possible before determining the next steps. The VA does not rate a disability under limited range of motion and degenerative arthritis. Is applying for VA benefits years after service allowed? We have updated our Privacy Policy. Rotator cuff tears that stem from overuse may be less obvious to the veteran though. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination. If the amputation is below the deltoid, you'll receive 70%. Topics include shoulder surgeries and replacements, amputation, range of motion,. We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! Finally, if the amputation is below the deltoid but above the elbow, it is rated 80 percent for the dominant arm and 70 percent for the non-dominant arm (Diagnostic Code 5122). Since a musculoskeletal disability can significantly inhibit your movement, aspects of life that used to come easily may now be nearly impossible for you. Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. The attorneys at Berry Law Firm are dedicated to helping injured Veterans. If your knees are significantly inhibited in their range of motion to the point that they can only extend to more than 45 degrees of being completely straight, your disability score is likely to be as high as possible. In many cases, Veterans may find their claims denied even though their disabilities are related to their service in the military. The Schedule also provides charts to help assist with understanding what these degrees mean. By using this information, you understand that there is no attorney-client relationship created by you reading or using the information contained on this website or in this newsletter, article, or blog. Extrinsic muscles of shoulder girdle: (1) Trapezius; (2) levator scapulae; (3) serratus magnus, 5302 Group II. Bone and Joints Disability Ratings Table 4.71a Schedule of ratingsmusculoskeletal system. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Shoulder instability can develop as a result of: (Authority: 38 U.S.C. Shoulder instability develops when your muscles and ligaments are not strong enough to hold the shoulder bones securely in the socket. How will my torn tendon be rated? Yes, as long as the shoulder pain is service-connected, you can qualify for VA Disability. The VA disability rating for shoulder rotator cuff tear is typically around 10%-20%. VA FORM JAN 2011 . Injuries to the shoulder and arm commonly occur while performing both combat and non-combat duties during service. If your claim has been approved, you will be given a, Certain disabilities can correspond with a specific disability score from the VA. OA is the most common type of arthritis, the inflammation of joints. Thousands of other Veterans in our Community are here for you. When one or both sacroiliac joints are inflamed, veterans may receive a sacroiliitis VA disability rating. And if theres ever a question about which of two or more evaluations to use, the VA will always use the evaluation that provides the higher rating. Providing Training For Those Who Represent Americas Veterans and Their Dependents Since 1993. If you have a disability rating of 100 percent, one child, a dependent spouse, and two parents relying on you, you could receive more than $3,621.95 every month. Whenever a Veteran applies to receive disability benefits from the VA, they are asked to visit their regional VA office for a Compensation & Pension examination. This is different from the normal wear and tear of spinal discs. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. What to Expect At Your VA C&P Exam for Your Shoulder Pain. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. For shoulder disabilities that result from bone, tendon, or ligament issues, the VA assigns a percentage based on the severity of the range of motion limitation (see tables below). There are three options you should know about: If youve been denied a shoulder pain VA rating, dont give up. 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. However, if your arthritis is bad enough that you arecompletely bedridden, youll be eligible for a 100 percent disability rating. Function: Stabilization of shoulder against injury in strong movements, holding the head of the humerus in the socket; abduction; outward rotation and inward rotation of the arm. Veterans must (1) have a current, diagnosed shoulder or arm condition; (2) have experienced an event, injury, or illness during service; and (3) provide a medical nexus linking their shoulder or arm condition to their in-service event. Function: Extension of the elbow (long head of triceps is the stabilizer of shoulder joint). Brooklyn, NY: 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 After the exam, the examiner will use the findings to issue an opinion, which will either be favorable or unfavorable. Going back to the example, if a shoulder disability started after service, the veteran's current doctor should confirm that service-related activities contributed to the current disability. Here one of our certified VA disability lawyers talks about that increase. Specifically, veterans will be assigned a 100 percent rating until intensive treatment is over. Keep in mind all joints (shoulder, elbow, knee, and back) are based on a range of motion, not the amount of pain it causes or the amount of medication needed for relief. In this specific post well cover the Rotator Cuff and we will also discuss bursitis briefly as it can lead to rotator cuff injuries. The VA approves nearly 53,000 disability claims each year related to limited ankle motion. The VA Schedule of Rating Disabilities provides a basis for service connection and rating each disability. These cookies do not store any personal information. How the VA Will Assign you a Shoulder Pain VA Rating, 4. Degenerative disc disease PO Box 96503Dept. Below are some common examples of shoulder and arm conditions: 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 Muscle Injuries. 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. Other causes. It may surprise you to learn that rotator cuff tears do not need to have occurred during an active shift. This is an examination that a VA-hired doctor conducts. For example, a veteran cannot receive two disability ratings to compensate them for their back pain caused by a single condition.14:05. We consistently provide experienced, compassionate and ethical representation to our clients. From there, it is easy to see where each degree listed in the diagnostic code lies. document.getElementById('copyright').appendChild(document.createTextNode(new Date().getFullYear())) PTSD Lawyers | Berry Law Firm. After the one-year period, the condition is then given a permanent rating. Learn what youve been missingso you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation YOU DESERVE! These claims can be tricky to navigate, but they are cru. Limited knee flexion. 1. The most common is called direct service connection. 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. Military and private medical treatment records: Severe rated at 30% to 40% depending on dominant or non-dominant arm, Moderately severe rated at 20% to 30% depending on dominant or non-dominant arm, Moderate rated from 10% to 20% depending on shoulder function, File an Appeal with the Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA). Once a dislocation happens, it can cause long-term weakness in your shoulder. Knee conditions are fairly common for U.S. veterans. So if youre rated based on your musculoskeletal system, dont expect a rating for a muscle injury unless its a different condition. Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. The shoulder's anatomy is complex, but all the different moving parts allow a wide range of motion in the joint. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Again, whether youre connecting the tear to a clavicle or an elbow injury, its important to be as detailed as possible. The examiner will also perform a physical examination of your shoulder. Theyll do a physical examination and ask questions about how the tear affects your ability to work. Conditions and injuries are organized into rating schedules, which get translated into percentages that represent what percent of your ability to work youve lost. Before we get to a full-blown tear, lets talk about why its so frequent among veterans. You may also get cancer or other tumors in your shoulder that are a result of your military service. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. Each condition gets its own code and is eligible for a certain level of disability rating. Many Different Conditions Could Be Causing Your Shoulder Pain, 2. Pittsburgh, PA: 201 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235 If youre a veteran dealing with shoulder pain, you may be wondering how to get a shoulder pain VA rating. Once you have established these three things, the VA will move forward with your disability payments.
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