Yes, as long as the shoulder pain is service-connected, you can qualify for VA Disability. The Schedule of Ratings lists disabilities under different categories based on the part of the body affected. Rotator cuff tears and shoulder bursitis fall under the category of arm and shoulder muscles. Learn what youve been missing so you can FINALLY get the disability rating and compensation youve earned for your service. Sometimes, though, increases in the severity of your symptoms can be more unpredictable. The Schedule of Ratings expresses range of motion in degrees, making it easy for disabilities to be rated and categorized. The Ultimate Guide to VA Disability Ratings for Neck Pain Deland, FL: 1607 South State Road 15A Suite 12 Deland, FL 32720, Satellite Offices Under each category is a list of diagnostic codes representing common disabilities of that body part. According to Title 38, for a minor shoulder that can raise between 25 and 90 degrees is 20% disability. Veterans CANNOT have a total Combined rating for places in the body higher than a Veteran who had those areas amputated. The VA disability rating for shoulder rotator cuff tear is typically around 10%-20%. If the entire shoulder joint has been replaced by a prosthetic device, the condition is rated at 100 percent for one month after being discharged from the hospital following the replacement. Veterans who have a disability resulting from a shoulder injury during service may be entitled to VA benefits. VA Disability Ratings for Shoulder Injuries - Cuddigan Law VA Disability for Shoulder and Arm Injuries - Woods and Woods, LLC In these cases, youll receive the maximum rating for loss of use of that arm. Additionally, after the exam, veterans should be sure to request that a copy of the examiners report be sent to them. 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. How do I increase my rating percentages? shoulderarm - VeteransBenefits - Reddit If you have to have a shoulder replacement, the VA will place you on100 percent disabilityfor the first year after the surgery and you will get a code of 5051. Each condition gets its own code and is eligible for a certain level of disability rating. 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). Instead, the VA uses a system that calculates the total disability you are entitled to. 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. Your deltoid muscles extend down from your scapula and clavicle to the upper part of your humerus. Moreover, if there is pain (without limited motion), then the VA's painful motion principle kicks in. we represent clients nationwide. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14526-musculoskeletal-pain, https://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/health-strategies/musculoskeletal-disorders/index.html. For instance, if you were lifting weights during your free time while on base and you tore your rotator cuff, this would still count as a service-connected disability. VA Disability Ratings for Arthritis Conditions - Hill & Ponton Contact Us As more veterans serve flying drones or fighting from behind a desk, there will be more with long-term back pain from sitting too long. 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. Most veterans are underrated for their disabilities and therefore not getting the compensation theyre due. We know the pain of feeling stuck, frustrated, and alone, and we want to make this process as easy and painless as possible for you. Intrinsic muscles of shoulder girdle: (1) Pectoralis major I (clavicular); (2) deltoid, 5304 Group IV. Knee conditions are fairly common for U.S. veterans. This is often based on if you can rotate or extend your shoulder, using the criteria listed above. As part of its review of the Schedule for Rating Disabilities ( 38 CFR part 4 ), VA published a proposal to amend that portion of the Schedule pertaining to ankylosis and limitation of motion of the fingers and thumb. To file for disability, youll need to submit your documentation to the RO where it will be reviewed. All of the criteria include severe, moderately severe, moderate, or slight and corresponds to a disability rating ranging from 0 to 40 percent. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. If the knee can only bend to 15, then it is rated 30%. If you suffer from neck pain or stiffness, consider neck mobility exercises. In some cases though, such as the case of a right shoulder impingement syndrome, it may rate higher. 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. Once youve had this injury, you may find that youre prone to dislocating that joint over and over again. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on November 2, 2001 ( 66 FR 55614 ). This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. How will my torn tendon be rated? Using a measurable metric like range of motion (ROM) makes it easier for the VA to accurately assess a Veterans level of disability. Degenerative arthritis and osteoporosis can both affect your shoulders. The examiner will look for how your shoulder functions when you move your arm and how far you can move before you feel pain. They may inquire into the details of your arthroscopic surgery and the pain levels that youve experienced since. Make an appointment for a no-obligation consultation with us now online or by phone at 888.878.9350. 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. The VA does not rate a disability under limited range of motion and degenerative arthritis. Your range of motion may be better than normal on the day you take your C&P exam if so, communicate with your VA physician about the fact that your symptoms can get better and worse unpredictably. 3. The final diagnostic code for this rating will either look like 5051-5002 or 5051-5203, where the first four-digit code defines the condition as a shoulder replacement, and the second code tells how the condition is rated. This is often based on if you can rotate or extend your shoulder, using the criteria listed above. Significant injuries from training or combat are a common source of chronic disability for veterans. You will probably only receive one rating for your condition per shoulder. VA Disability Rating for Rotator Cuff Repair and Shoulder Bursitis 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. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. 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. This is called shoulder separation, and it can cause serious damage to the ligaments surrounding the joint, too. 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. If there has been no local recurrence or metastasis, rate on residual . Yes! They can help to improve your range of motion, reduce pain and prevent further injury. Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. As with most medical conditions,. The attorneys at Berry Law Firm are dedicated to helping injured Veterans. Bursitis could also be related to other disabling conditions like Diabetes, tendonitis, gout, or arthritis. This refers to the range of motion a person has when their knee is moving towards the body. Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 A decision maker at the VA will review all of the evidence in your claim, including the C&P report, and decide your shoulder pain VA rating. From there, it is easy to see where each degree listed in the diagnostic code lies. You can file one of three options or file a new claim. The glenohumeral joint is where the ball at the top of the upper arm bone or humerus fits into the glenoid joint socket. At Jan Dils Attorneys at Law, we have the knowledge and resources to help you navigate the process VA rating for shoulder injury. For example, a veteran can be entitled to multipledisability ratings for a knee conditionif they experience instability in addition to limitation of motion. A full description of the events that led up to the shoulder pain and limitation of motion. But one of the biggest sources of aid for many veterans is the VA disability program. You still have options. VA Disability for Shoulder and Arm Injuries. When the VA is establishing ratings, they consider the shoulder to be a major joint. There are three options you should know about: If youve been denied a shoulder pain VA rating, dont give up. 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. Its also important to remember that certain arm conditions, shoulder bursitis, frozen shoulder syndrome,rheumatoid arthritis, and or nerves may result in similar symptoms to a tear. Many Different Conditions Could Be Causing Your Shoulder Pain, 2. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. OA is the most common type of arthritis, the inflammation of joints. Any change in evaluation based upon that or any subsequent examination shall be subject to the provisions of 3.105(e) of this chapter. 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. Using a measurable metric like range of motion (ROM) makes it easier for the VA to accurately assess a Veterans level of disability. Email: [hidden email], National Organization of Veterans Advocates. In that case, the VA would have the impression that your range of motion was much higher than it might be. 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. Shoulder injuries are often caused by overuse, repetitive motions, or sudden trauma. A fluid-filled sac called a joint capsule surrounds the joint and provides lubrication to ease movement in the shoulder. VA Disability Ratings for Shoulder and Arm Conditions Per the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA), you have several options to fight the decision: The VA will rate rotator cuff surgery based on the severity of the pain and the thickness rotator cuff tears, often around 10 20%. The disability rating assigned also depends on whether the veterans dominant (higher evaluation) versus nondominant (lower evaluation) arm is affected. There are many knee and leg conditions eligible for service connection. Sometimes, the VA does not accurately assess a Veterans condition, which can lead to a wrongful denial of a claim. VA Disability Ratings for Shoulder and Arm Conditions If you lost a pinky finger in the military, it may impact your ability to live a normal life a bit. In order for the VA to determine your disability rating, they have to assess both the nature and severity of your injury or condition. VA disability ratings can range from 0% up to 100% total disability depending on the severity of one's range of motion injury. Each measurement is rounded to the nearest five degrees. If youve filed your VA disability claim and have been denied or have received a low ratingor youre unsure how to get startedreach out to us! When taking your C&P exam, tell your VA physician everything you can about your condition, including how your symptoms may vary from day-to-day. Already working with us? If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. For example, you may not be able to safely drive, lift objects, care for children, or maintain your home. 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. There are a few principles the VA uses in determining disability ratings that apply to shoulder conditions. Take advantage of a FREE VA Claim Discovery Call. How to Service Connect Your Shoulder Pain, Direct Service Connection for a VA Rating for Shoulder Pain, Secondary Service Connection for a Shoulder Pain VA Rating, 3. 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. The VA does allow veterans to file for shoulder pain if it was caused by their time in the service. Now if the knee can move, but cannot either bend all the way or straighten all the way, then it can be rated TWICEonce under code 5261, and once under this code 5260. Date, circumstances of onset, and course since onset. 5237 - Lumbosacral or cervical strain: This diagnostic code applies to veterans experiencing general pain in their cervical or thoracolumbar spine. However, if your arthritis is bad enough that you arecompletely bedridden, youll be eligible for a 100 percent disability rating. This information is not a substitute for legal advice. The VA has 3 ways to categorize this aspect when rating arthritis of the knee: slight (10%), moderate (20%), or severe (30%) under Diagnostic Code 5257. Richmond, VA: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA, 23225 SECTION IV - INITIAL RANGE OF MOTION (ROM) MEASUREMENTS. Veterans may be more susceptible to shoulder injuries due to the physical nature of their service. Frequent aches and pains can add to the severity of a musculoskeletal disability in addition to problems with range of motion. This is the most common knee problem eligible for VA disability benefits, with ratings that typically range from 10% to 30%. If your musculoskeletal condition inhibits your range of motion significantly, you are more likely to receive a higher disability rating from the VA. To determine the extent to which your musculoskeletal disability affects your range of motion, youll need to visit a doctor and get your condition evaluated. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. Even. All of the criteria include severe, moderately severe, moderate, or slight and corresponds to a disability rating ranging from 0 to 40 percent. 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. Attorney Gang is frequently in the news with commentary on issues affecting veterans. If the veteran is unable to obtain substantially gainful employment as the result of a shoulder or arm condition, they may be eligible for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU). Columbus, OH: 100 E. Campus View Boulevard, Suite #250, Columbus, OH, 43235 Veterans may be eligible to receive as much as 50% disability compensation. The C&P examiner will then write a report about their findings and send it to the VA regional office. 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. 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. The VA assigns a percentage rating for disabilities stemming from limited use of shoulder muscles according to severity. The first is 38 CFR 4.71a (Schedule of Ratings Musculoskeletal System). This is why workers compensation claims may be filed even though the surgery was actually a result of a problem that one experienced in the service. Sometimes, though, increases in the severity of your symptoms can be more unpredictable. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. . Expand Table Amputations: Lower Extremity Youll also get 10 percent if your bones did heal back together, but not properly. When these muscles are overused or subjected to undue force, the tendons may tear from the stress. Some veterans may not be aware that VA disability ratings can be assigned for shoulder-specific impairments and painful motion like rotator cuff tears, bursitis, and more. The most common is called direct service connection. For instance, under the subcategory for The Knee and Leg, there are eight diagnostic codes: Several of these disabilities are rated based on the degree of motion, but we will look specifically at limitation of extension for an example. VA Claims Insider Submits Statement to Senate VA Committee: How to Protect Veterans From Financial Exploitation of Their VA Benefits. 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. All rights reserved. Tell Your C&P Examiner Everything You Can About Your Symptoms, Including Flare-Ups. 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. This is an examination that a VA-hired doctor conducts. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. We use cookies to optimize our website and our service. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! Some veterans may not be aware that VA disability ratings can be assigned for shoulder-specific impairments and painful motion like rotator cuff tears, bursitis, and more. What to Expect At Your VA C&P Exam for Your Shoulder Pain. If a veterans shoulder or arm condition results in an amputation, then it will be rated differently. Brooklyn, NY: 300 Cadman Plaza West, One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201 They are rated at 20 percent for either arm and regardless of severity. Proving the link between your service and an in-service event or injury will be the most difficult part of getting the VA to award you a shoulder pain VA rating. Shoulder separations are coded separately from shoulder dislocations. 10% rating: Flexion is between 30 and 45 degrees, or the combined range of motion is between 175 and 340 degrees. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. Shoulder instability can develop as a result of: As anyone with musculoskeletal problems will know, your range of motion may vary from day-to-day. 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. Again, whether youre connecting the tear to a clavicle or an elbow injury, its important to be as detailed as possible. VA Range of Motion Rating: A Guide to Disability Claims - Berry Law The Schedule of Ratings for the musculoskeletal system is found at 38 C.F.R 4.71a, and it contains numerous subcategories. yet assertive representation for our clients. Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Central Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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