The VA appeals process starts at your regional Department Of Veterans Affairs Office. If your claim has been approved, you will be given a specific disability rating between ten and 100 percent. In some cases, your shoulder dislocation may not involve your humerus bone popping out of the scapula joint. 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. (Authority: 38 U.S.C. If you have to have your entire arm and shoulder amputated, youll receive a 90 percent disability rating, no matter which arm it is. Even if you did not lose your shoulder and/or arm, it's still possible you can't use . How do I increase my rating percentages? Stiffness and loss of range of motion can pop up due to consistent use of a certain muscle group or body part. The most trusted name in education-based resources for Veterans. Any test results or medical imaging records will be important, as well. In order for the VA to determine your disability rating, they have to assess both the nature and severity of your injury or condition. This is called shoulder separation, and it can cause serious damage to the ligaments surrounding the joint, too. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. Philadelphia, PA: 1 International Plaza, Suite 550, Philadelphia, PA, 19113 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! If a veterans shoulder or arm condition results in an amputation, then it will be rated differently. Is applying for VA benefits years after service allowed? Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form. If you cant raise your arm to the front or side more than 25 degrees, youll get a disability rating of 40 percent for a dominant arm and 30 percent for a non-dominant arm. This is commonly rated from 10% to 40%. Limited knee flexion. One of the most important aspects of qualifying for disability benefits from the VA is establishing a connection between your disability and your military service. Frozen shoulder. Every case needs to be treated differently. The examiner will also perform a physical examination of your shoulder. The disability rating assigned also depends on whether the veterans dominant (higher evaluation) versus nondominant (lower evaluation) arm is affected. Your clavicle can also dislocate from your scapula at your acromioclavicular joint. For a free consultation, call us at 1-877-526-3457. After the one-year period, the condition is then given a permanent rating. If the knee can only bend to 15, then it is rated 30%. Second, the veteran must be able to show that something happened in service There must be an in-service occurrence of something that led to the shoulder disability. Or, you can get help from an expert veteran coach who can help you navigate the VA claims process. Pro Tip: In accordance with the Painful Motion principle, if you have pain upon flexion or abduction of your shoulder, the VA is required to award the minimum compensable rating for the condition, which is 10%. Function: Extension of the elbow (long head of triceps is the stabilizer of shoulder joint). This could be something like a shoulder dislocation that occurred during a training exercise. At Veterans Disability Info, we can address any questions you may have about the claims or appeals procedure linked to your service-connected shoulder rating claims. Signs of inflammation: swelling, heat, redness, tenderness, or drainage. We have updated our Privacy Policy. Specifically, if the entire arm is amputated from the shoulder joint down, including the scapula, clavicle, and/or ribs, it is rated 100 percent regardless of whether it is the dominant or non-dominant arm (Diagnostic Code 5120). For example, a veteran can be entitled to multipledisability ratings for a knee conditionif they experience instability in addition to limitation of motion. 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. 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. Generally, any limitation in ordinary function such as limited range of motion or painful movement is likely to be eligible for service connection and compensation. These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. A Goniometer will probably be used at your C&P exam to measure Range of Motion (ROM) of your shoulder and arm. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. 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. VA FORM JAN 2011 . Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is the VA designation for a veteran who is unable to work due to the level of disability. The VA does not rate a disability under limited range of motion and degenerative arthritis. There are also a range of other diseases, injuries, and conditions that can impact your shoulder function. 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? Yes! If it's necessary for your entire arm and shoulder to be amputated, the VA will give you a 90% disability rating. Shoulder injuries are often caused by overuse, repetitive motions, or sudden trauma. Under each category is a list of. During the appeals process, you can present medical records, testimonials from fellow soldiers, and any other evidence that may play a role in changing the outcome of your claim. Conditions and injuries are organized into rating schedules, which get translated into percentages that represent what percent of your ability to work youve lost. These claims can be tricky to navigate, but they are cru. 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. Brian isalso the CEOofMilitary Disability Made Easy, which is the worlds largest free searchable database for all things related to DoD disability and VA disability claims and has served more than 4,600,000 military members and veterans since its founding in 2013. Veterans who are granted TDIU are paid at the one hundred percent rate, which is the highest form of compensation VA awards. 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. This can be difficult because the symptoms limiting functional loss are not usually related to range of motion. It only provides that VA policy is to recognize actually painful motion as entitled to at least the minimum compensable evaluation for the joint When each qualifying joint motion is painful but motion is not actually limited to a compensable degree under its applicable 52XX-series DC, only one compensable evaluation can be assigned To 45, it is rated 10%, and anything 60 or more is rated 0%. 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. The Department of Veterans Affairs sees many VA disability claims for orthopedic impairments like severe shoulder issues, back problems, legs, arms, feet, etc. If you lost a pinky finger in the military, it may impact your ability to live a normal life a bit. For example, a veteran would need to show diagnosis and treatment records for a medical condition, such as a shoulder disability. We consistently provide experienced, compassionate and ethical representation to our clients. That's why so many people turn to experienced law firms like Jan Dils, Attorneys at Law. 1. The VA approves nearly 53,000 disability claims each year related to limited ankle motion. We use cookies to optimize our website and our service. Other causes of restricted range of motion include: inflammation of the soft tissues surrounding the joint, or joint swelling. The shoulder also contains ligaments, the fibrous tissues that connect one bone to another bone. Theyll do a physical examination and ask questions about how the tear affects your ability to work. During a C&P exam, a doctor or medical professional will measure your range of motion and express the extension in degrees for rating purposes. The Schedule also provides charts to help assist with understanding what these degrees mean. Once it ends, the 100 percent rating will continue for a period of 3 months (unless otherwise specified). And your biceps connect from the front upper part of your humerus to the inside of your elbow, while your triceps connect the back upper part of your humerus to the outside of your elbow. All rights reserved. We can help you apply for disability benefits or appeal a denied application. This can make it tough to present the VA with an accurate representation of the severity of your disability because you may often be dealing with varying levels of pain or limited range of motion. Alternatively, they might suffer from more stiffness and loss of range of motion throughout the day. There are three options you should know about: If youve been denied a shoulder pain VA rating, dont give up. 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. Under the painful motion rule, the minimum compensable rating of 10% must be assigned. How do I apply to receive my ratings? 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. Bursitis is defined as inflammation and swelling of a fluid-filled sac called the bursae; typically this leads to thickening and pain in the area. 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. 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 . Veterans should provide copies of medical records detailing symptoms, treatment, and results. The VA approves more than 105,000 VA disability claims related to limited knee flexion every year. The disability rating is usually 10% or 20%. You're not alone. Using a measurable metric like range of motion (ROM) makes it easier for the VA to accurately assess a Veterans level of disability. If your condition makes it impossible for you to grasp things with your hand, you may be eligible for the VAs Special Monthly Compensation. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. This is different from the normal wear and tear of spinal discs. Bone and Joints Disability Ratings Table 4.71a Schedule of ratingsmusculoskeletal system. 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. Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. disability that limits your range of motion, you are entitled to disability compensation. 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. 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. Many veterans leave the service with shoulder problems. Learn more about us, Veterans Disability Claim representing common disabilities of that body part. Our lawyers are committed to helping veterans get disability compensation. Tendons are rated on how they affect the motion of the connected joint (s). The examiner will look for how your shoulder functions when you move your arm and how far you can move before you feel pain. Brooklyn, NY: 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 When you file for a VA disability rating for shoulder pain, you will most likely be scheduled for a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam. Without service connection, you will not be able to qualify for compensation the VA can only provide financial support to Veterans with verifiable, service-connected disabilities. During this procedure, a VA doctor will examine your injuries. Injuries in combat, such as a blow from an accident, a forceful impact, or a fall, could also result in shoulder or arm injury. Six months after discontinuance of such treatment, the appropriate disability rating shall be determined by mandatory VA examination. The Essentials on VA Disability Ratings for Bulging Disc, Total Disability Individual Unemployability, Unfavorable, abduction limited to 25 from the side, Intermediate between favorable and unfavorable, Favorable, abduction to 60, can reach the 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), With frequent episodes and guarding of all arm movements, With infrequent episodes and guarding of movement only at shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction at 90 ). Other causes. 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. Some shoulder injuries may require surgery. Fill out the short form below to contact us. If the doctor does not agree with you or you feel that the rating is too low, you do have the right to appeal. To prove service connection, a veteran must satisfy three basic criteria. 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). Youll also get 10 percent if your bones did heal back together, but not properly. While we still have our home base in Florida, Va disability rating for shoulder labral tear. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. These injuries are coded 5202. If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, rate on residual . Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! . They use the rules of the VASRD to determine that rating. The VA disability rating for shoulder rotator cuff tear is typically around 10%-20%. From there, it is easy to see where each degree listed in the diagnostic code lies. The rules of the VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) are used to assign rating percentages to conditions. - Your patient is applying to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for disability benefits. If you are a Veteran with a service-connected disability that limits your range of motion, you are entitled to disability compensation. Often shoulder and arm conditions are rated based on range of motion. All of these injuries fall under code 5203, the same code as a shoulder separation. Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call. Protective tissues called the labrum line the joint socket. In some cases though, such as the case of a right shoulder impingement syndrome, it may rate higher. However, you cannot simplycombine these ratingsto get an overall disability rating. 132K views 9 years ago Dr. Ebraheim's educational animated video describes the range of motion of the Shoulder Joint, and the ways to check for any medical problem associated with it's. 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 is often based on if you can rotate or extend your shoulder, using the criteria listed above. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. By asking the right questions and keeping tabs on a Veterans symptoms, the VA should get a more accurate sense of a Veterans disability and how its severity can vary from day-to-day. Your deltoid muscles extend down from your scapula and clavicle to the upper part of your humerus. But some injuries cause that ball topop out of its socket joint. Keep in mind the VA will likely rate your shoulder injury using one type of rating criteria. The code also takes into account whether the dominant or non-dominant side is affected. Post-traumatic arthritis is evaluated based on limitation of motion (LOM), dislocation, or other specified instability of the affected joint under the corresponding DC for the joint, and not evaluated utilizing arthritis criteria, such as 38 CFR 4.71a, DC 5003. 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. Many Different Conditions Could Be Causing Your Shoulder Pain, 2. Using a measurable metric like range of motion (ROM) makes it easier for the VA to accurately assess a Veterans level of disability. 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). But if you lost a whole arm, your impact will obviously be much more drastic. What Veterans Need to Know About Osteoarthritis? 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. Each measurement is rounded to the nearest five degrees. 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 medical evidence indicates that the veteran's right shoulder disability limits his range of motion; however, does not indicate limitation of motion such as to warrant a disability rating in excess of 30 percent. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. 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. VA officials will attempt to corroborate as many details as possible before determining the next steps. , making each day a different experience for Veterans with these conditions. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I am so glad I was referred to Woods and Woods as they have been there for me to fight my case with the VA. All I have ever gotten from the VA are blanket denials on virtually all my claims. VA disability ratings can range from 0% up to 100% total disability depending on the severity of one's range of motion injury. Or rate on impairment of the function of the contiguous joint. It is also important to note that you cannot receive two different ratings for effects stemming from the same root cause. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Business Development Representatives having gone through our programs. To file for disability, youll need to submit your documentation to the RO where it will be reviewed.

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