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). 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. Estimate range of motion in degrees for this joint during flare-ups based on information procured from relevant sources including the lay statements of the veteran. 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). An issue with just one of these parts can affect your range of motion. If youre trying to increase your VA disability for knee pain, you need to prove to the VA that your symptoms are now worse and warrant the higher rating criteria by law. The Schedule of Ratings for the musculoskeletal system is found at 38 C.F.R 4.71a, and it contains numerous subcategories. Shoulder injuries in the military are a common source of VA disability compensation. If you are rated 20% or less from the DoD, then you will receive a single separation payment. Often shoulder and arm conditions are rated based on range of motion. Your doctor will diagnose a potential issue through a series of tests, which may include: If youre worried about the range of motion of your shoulder, you should mention the issue to your doctor. What if you went to your C&P examination on a great day with minimal symptoms? Dear Veteran, Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: According to our data, 8/10 (80%) of veterans reading this message right now are underrated by the VA. 0000003068 00000 n
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. 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. The ball of your upper arm fits into your shoulder socket. VA Rating Chart for Knee 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. VA also proposes to assign a 30 percent rating for a major . Copyright 2023 VA Claims Insider, LLC. document.getElementById('copyright').appendChild(document.createTextNode(new Date().getFullYear())) PTSD Lawyers | Berry Law Firm. 2020 MilitaryDisabilityMadeEasy.com - All rights reserved, The Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES), Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC), Concurrent Retirement & Disability Pay (CRDP), Limitation of Motion of the Shoulder and Upper Arm, Injuries to the Clavicle and Scapula Bones. Yes or no. After the one-year period, the condition is then given a permanent rating. 367 0 obj
<>stream
#3. Describe below. Indicate angle of ankylosis in degrees: _____ degrees. , making each day a different experience for Veterans with these conditions. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. If your chest or biceps are particularly muscular, it may be difficult to move your arms inward. Many veterans experience chronic or worsening pain after they leave active duty. Shoulder range of motion. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? Is there ankylosis of the knee and/or lower leg? 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. The Schedule of Ratings expresses range of motion in degrees, making it easy for disabilities to be rated and categorized. The rotator cuff is a network of four tendons that connect the humerus to the scapula. VA disability ratings can range from 0% up to 100% total disability depending on the severity of one's range of motion injury. Apply passive range of motion techniques to the lower extremity + + + OVERVIEW + + Physiologic motions are joint and soft tissue movements that can be produced actively or passively. Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Protective tissues called the labrum line the joint socket. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. #2. 0000003377 00000 n
We avoid using tertiary references. The VA rates range of motion differently for different areas of the body. Veterans should provide copies of medical records detailing symptoms, treatment, and results. 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. Veterans who are granted TDIU are paid at the one hundred percent rate, which is the highest form of compensation VA awards. C&P examiners are instructed to ask about both repetitive motion and flare-ups for musculoskeletal conditions. From the VA, you will receive a monthly payment as well as full medical care from the VA for the qualifying conditions. Do you have less strength in your shoulder and/or arm than you did before your injury; Certain shoulder impairments have specific defined ratings under the AMA Guides. representing common disabilities of that body part. VA Knee Disability Rating: Is Knee Pain a VA Disability? Is the Veteran being examined immediately after repeated use over time? This involves moving your arms from palms against the side of your body to the highest point you can raise your arms over your head. Under 38 CFR 4.73, injuries to neck muscles are compensated differently depending on the severity of the impairment and the muscles affected. 0000002843 00000 n
The Soldier may be rated with reference to shoulder abduction or shoulder forward elevation (flexion) - whichever provides the higher rating. Measuring ROM. The VA appeals process starts at your regional Department Of Veterans Affairs Office. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. For Reservists, the condition must have occurred in or resulted from an injury in the Line of Duty to qualify. Tendons are fibrous tissues that connect muscle to bone. With your arms at your sides, palms facing your body, bend your elbows 90 degrees. Or rate on impairment of the function of the contiguous joint. Yes or no. Learn more about the causes and what you can do about it. The VA rates shoulder conditions based on how they affect the use of shoulders and arms. With the help of an attorney, you can present additional evidence to the VA that can influence the VAs decision regarding your claim. In more serious cases, however, your knee may require surgery. trailer
#3: Unfavorable Ankylosis of the Knee with a rating of 30%, 40%, 50%, or 60%. If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! 4B. The highest schedular rating for knee pain, also called Limitation of Flexion of the Knee is 30%, and includes the following symptoms: Your final VA Disability Rating for Knee Pain depends upon the Frequency, Severity, and Duration of symptoms and any impairment or loss (e.g., negative work and life impacts). Thats good, my VA doctor said he was rating my shoulder at 70 degrees on my C&P exam and he ended up writing 140 degrees. 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. DOI: Common conditions affecting range of motion, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4690598/, dshs.wa.gov/sites/default/files/FSA/forms/pdf/13-585a.pdf, medlineplus.gov/shoulderinjuriesanddisorders.html, Pendulum and Codman Exercises for Shoulder Rehabilitation. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. Can I get VA Disability for shoulder pain? 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). Warrior644 Super Moderator Staff Member PEB Forum Veteran Lifetime Supporter Registered Member Apr 9, 2013 #2 Shoulder (Flexion - Extension) Left Left : Abduction 150: O . The VASRD gives rating rules for conditions based on their symptoms, treatment options, and the resulting level of disability they cause. The Schedule also provides charts to help assist with understanding what these degrees mean. and range of motion factors heavily in the determination of the benefits the veteran will receive. The Schedule of Ratings for the musculoskeletal system is found at, , and it contains numerous subcategories. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and preferences such as text size, fonts and other customizable website elements. Furthermore, as to case summaries, reports of past results, individual lawyer biographies, news posts and other information pertaining to past and present cases, these descriptions are meant only to provide information to the public about the activities and experience of our law firm. 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. See 38 C.F.R. (Must be specific to the case and based on all procurable evidence). We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Limita-tion of motion must be objectively confirmed This information is not a substitute for legal advice. 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. . Please note any characteristics of pain observed on examination (such as facial expression or wincing on pressure or manipulation). Function: Extension of the elbow (long head of triceps is the stabilizer of shoulder joint). Sometimes, the VA does not accurately assess a Veterans condition, which can lead to a wrongful denial of a claim. If you hug yourself, your shoulders are adducting. Whether your shoulder issues started immediately after leaving the military or decades later, you may be eligible for disability compensation. :#5$o 9j g`,,8QGD?1g`4K10/a ;"iD&` Om
Tight shoulders can affect your daily life. An unfavorable opinion will not. Ensure the security of your data and transactions USLegal fulfills industry-leading security and compliance standards. If your conditions have worsened since you last applied and now qualify for a higher rating, you can submit a new claim, checking the box for an increased evaluation. VA Disability Ratings for Shoulder and Arm Conditions, Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, - Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, 38 CFR 4.71a Schedule of Ratings Musculoskeletal System, 4.73, Schedule of Ratings Muscle Injuries, total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU), Common Shoulder and Arm Conditions Among Veterans, Compensation and Pension Exams (C&P) for Shoulder and Arm Conditions, Obtaining TDIU with a Shoulder or Arm Condition, 10 Most Common Disabilities for Veterans and How Theyre Rated, Recurrent dislocation of scapulohumeral joint. Over time, the joint disease results in decreased mobility of the joints. This means an in-service event, injury, or disease related to your military service caused you to develop Knee Pain. Please cite and discuss evidence. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. Once it ends, the 100 percent rating will continue for a period of 3 months (unless otherwise specified). The shoulder is two different joints and a network of connective tissue and muscles. Random flare-ups are common in musculoskeletal disabilities, making each day a different experience for Veterans with these conditions. Using a measurable metric like range of motion (ROM) makes it easier for the VA to accurately assess a Veterans level of disability. Flexor muscles of elbow: (1) Biceps; (2) brachialis; (3) brachioradialis. Examiners should also test the contralateral joint (unless medically contraindicated). For example, a veteran cannot receive two disability ratings to compensate them for their back pain caused by a single condition.14:05. 4. 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. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Lawyers 6940 O St, Suite 400 Lincoln, NE 68510. Is the examination being conducted during a flare-up? 1A. Veterans who have a disability resulting from a shoulder injury during service may be entitled to VA benefits. JavaScript is disabled. The VA uses the rules of the VASRD to rate shoulder conditions based on how they affect the ability to use the shoulder and arm. 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. Clinical descriptive measures of shoulder range of motion for a healthy, young and physically active cohort. endstream
endobj
startxref
Many musculoskeletal conditions are rated based on the range of motion, a mostly testable measure of how much loss of function the disability causes. In many cases, Veterans may find their claims denied even though their disabilities are related to their service in the military. If you are rated 30% or more, you will receive full retirement benefits. Because the severity of musculoskeletal disabilitys symptoms can vary from day to day, a Veteran might wake up in the morning unable to touch their toes when they could the day before. 2C. As anyone with musculoskeletal problems will know, your range of motion may vary from day-to-day. This motion is typically governed by contraction of the anterior fibers of the deltoid muscle and weakness is often a key indicator for several different pathologies. Yes or no. A normal range of motion for shoulder flexion is 180 degrees. Function: Postural support of body; extension and lateral movements of spine. In addition to or instead of the standard disability compensation for Shoulder and Upper Arm conditions, amputations or loss of use of the Shoulder and Upper Arm may also qualify for Special Monthly Compensation. The VA does allow veterans to file for shoulder pain if it was caused by their time in the service. Today, VA announced its next update: The musculoskeletal system and muscle injuries. Is range of motion the only thing VA considers or do they actually look at what you can and cannot do for daily living purposes? This is medial rotation also referred to as internal rotation and the normal range of motion for a healthy shoulder is 70 to 90 degrees. ROM is the predominant rating criteria, BUT under Deluca case, functional impairment (including pain, against resistance/with weight, loss of coordination, lack of endurance) MUST be considered. If range of motion was normal for all joints, please comment in . If ROM is outside of normal range but is normal for the Veteran (for reason other than a knee/lower leg condition, such as age, body habitus, neurologic disease), please describe. Flexion endpoint (140 degrees): _____ degrees. In this guide, well explore how to get a VA Rating for Knee Pain even if youve already filed, been denied, or gave up. Does the Veteran have muscle atrophy? If yes, was it Flexion, Extension, or both? Expand Table The Shoulder and Arm Expand Table The Elbow and Forearm Expand Table The Wrist Expand Table Evaluation of Ankylosis or Limitation of Motion of Single or Multiple Digits of the Hand Expand Table The Spine Expand Table The Hip and Thigh Keeping your elbows against your body swing your forearms away from your body. Today, we examine VA ratings for conditions affecting Veterans' shoulders and arms. Each movement has a different range of motion. 5B. Alternatively, they might suffer from more stiffness and loss of range of motion throughout the day. List the claimed conditions that pertain to this questionnaire. Select diagnoses associated with the claimed condition(s) (check all that apply): 2A. Yes, as long as the shoulder pain is service-connected, you can qualify for VA Disability. 229 0 obj
<>stream
Veterans who undergo shoulder surgery may be eligible for a temporary total rating based on convalescence. 4C. Learn about its causes and home exercises that can help. I cannot put pressure on it (including sleep), cannot sit w/o my shoulder hurting, cannot use my left hand when driving, pretty much that arm is useless and is dead weight. The examiner may ask questions about the condition or time in service, as well as physically examine the veteran. This is lateral rotation also referred to as external rotation and the normal range of motion for a healthy shoulder is 90 degrees. 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. A normal range for abduction, starting with your palms at your sides, is around 150 degrees in a healthy shoulder. Brand new claims usually take 3-6 months to process. (A) The client is actively moving the right thigh into flexion. Normal Range: Photo/Video: Shoulder Flexion: On the lateral surface of the glenohumeral joint, about 1 inch below the acromion process. In instances where range of motion of the neck needs to be measured, the examiner will typically use a goniometer to obtain a precise measurement. 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. These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. With extensive experience working with VA disability claims, Berry Law can help you with your disability appeals. To prove service connection, a veteran must satisfy three basic criteria. 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. All of this is documented in my NARSUM. Range of motion measurements for any body part should be clearly measured with a goniometer. If your musculoskeletal condition inhibits your range of motion significantly, you are more likely to receive a higher disability rating from the VA. Learn about causes of uneven hips, such as scoliosis. 5. Function: Depression of the arm from vertical overhead to hanging at the side (1, 2); downward rotation of scapula (3, 4); 1 and 2 act with Group III in forward and backward swing of the arm. Range of Joint Motion Evaluation Chart NAME OF PATIENT SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER INSTRUCTIONS: For each affected joint, please indicate the existing limitation of motion by drawing a line(s) on the . Intrinsic muscles of shoulder girdle: (1) Pectoralis major I (clavicular); (2) deltoid: Severe: 40: 30 Moderately Severe: 30: 20 Moderate: 20: 20 Slight: 0: 0 5304 Group IV. For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. 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. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. The explanation should not be based on an examiners shortcomings or a general aversion to offering an estimate on issues not directly observed. A normal range of movement for shoulder adduction is 30 to 50 degrees depending on flexibility and body composition. Range of Motion on VA C & P ExamWe are retired #VA raters and we educate veterans on the VA claims process.You have VA claim questions? All of the criteria include severe, moderately severe, moderate, or slight and corresponds to a disability rating ranging from 0 to 40 percent. Vairo GL, et al. Return to Top Accurate Measurements ( 4.46): Measurements are essential to proper ratings. Learn about the Normal Joint Range of Motion Study | CDC People with bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia and Von Willebrand Disease, may develop chronic joint disease from repeated bleeding into their joints. 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. Relevant disabilities should be documented in military service treatment records. His eBook, the9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claimhas been downloaded more than 300,000 times in the past three years and is the #1 rated free VA disability claims guide for veterans. Hip external rotation averages 40-60 degrees and internal rotation averages 30-40 degrees. . Favorable angle in full extension or in slight flexion between 0 and 10 degrees. Function: Upward rotation of scapula; elevation of the arm above shoulder level. Significant injuries from training or combat are a common source of chronic disability for veterans. 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. Muscles do have their own rating system (see the Shoulder and Upper Arm Muscles page), but cannot be rated in addition to another musculoskeletal rating for the Shoulder and Upper Arm since they often result in similar symptoms (limitation of motion, etc.). Importantly, the minimum rating for any total shoulder replacement is 30 percent for the dominant arm and 20 percent for the non-dominant arm. If your claim has been approved, you will be given a specific disability rating between ten and 100 percent. Shoulder (Flexion - Extension) Left Left Abduction 150O . 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). These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. His frustration with the8-step VA disability claims processled him to createVA Claims Insider,which provides U.S. military veterans with tips, strategies, and lessons learned for successfully submitting or re-submitting a winning VA disability compensation claim. 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. Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If range of motion was normal for all joints, please comment in . However, as their joints warm up, they might have a more considerable degree of motion and be able to move and stretch more freely. The normal shoulder range of motion is 157 -162 for Forward Flexion Is an upgoing movement from the front side or the sagittal plane facilitated by the pectorals, anter More, 148-152 for Abduction Is a sideways upgoing movement in the frontal plane brought about by the supraspinatus and the mid, and 53 - 59 for External Rotation The range of shoulder external rotation is one of . For example, if the veteran lacks 10 degrees of full knee extension and has normal flexion, show the range of motion as extension to minus 10 degrees (or lacks 10 degrees of extension) and flexion 10 to 140 degrees. If yes, is the muscle atrophy due to the claimed condition in the diagnosis section? tation of motion of the specific joint or joints in-volved is noncompensable under the codes a rating of 10 percent is for application for each such major joint or group of minor joints af-fected by limitation of motion, to be combined, not added under diagnostic code 5002. In accordance with CFR Title 38, Part 4 How to Get a Knee Pain VA Rating: Basic Eligibility Criteria. VA Ratings for Shoulder Replacements Shoulder replacements are evaluated under Diagnostic Code 5051. With OA, the tissues in the joint break down over time or have an alteration in their structure. Specifically, veterans will be assigned a 100 percent rating until intensive treatment is over. However, if you have Unfavorable Ankylosis of the Knee, its rated under DC 5256 instead, which has VA ratings of 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60% depending on the frequency, severity, and duration of symptoms to include limitation of range of motion and functional impairment. The courts further likened the reasonable doubt rule as akin to the principle in baseball that the tie goes to the runner.. Limitation of Flexion of the Knee or Knee Pain is the #3 most common VA claim. 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 ). Range of Motion (ROM) test: Perform active and/or passive range of motion and provide the ROM values. Shoulder adduction occurs when you move your arms towards the middle of the body. Active range of motion shoulder. xb```b``a`a`` @1" P. It will be rated the minimum 10% unless there is limited motion that qualifies for a higher rating. xbbb`b``3
The DoD will also rate service-connected conditions as long as they also make the service memberUnfit for Duty. For example, you may not be able to safely drive, lift objects, care for children, or maintain your home. While theres no cure, treatments can help improve quality of life. For a free consultation, call us at 1-877-526-3457. After the exam, the examiner will use the findings to issue an opinion, which will either be favorable or unfavorable. How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! End-range hip flexion is associated with a posterior rotation of the ilium bone. Provide a complete description of all affected joints in your narrative summary. Please select all that apply and describe: 4A. The following are a list of five sections and common questions asked at a VA C&P exam for Knee Pain, based on the DBQ for Knee and Lower Leg conditions. Shoulder (Abduction - Adduction) 12. VA proposes to clarify the terminology used in these criteria by adding ranges of motion of the shoulder. The VA wants to . Is Age a Factor in VA Claims? What is the VA Knee Rating Chart? Additionally, after the exam, veterans should be sure to request that a copy of the examiners report be sent to them. According to Title 38, for a minor shoulder that can raise between 25 and 90 degrees is 20% disability. See VASRD Plate I. d. VASRD DC 5252, limitation of thigh flexion. Shoulder range of motion for Adduction is normally 50-75. Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. Because of this complexity, the VA simplified the rating system for musculoskeletal conditions to focus on the resulting disability from a condition or group of conditions existing in the same body part. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! The MEB Attorney said VA rates disability based on range of motion. VA Disability Rating. Recurrent subluxation or instability: Unrepaired or failed repair of complete ligament tear causing persistent instability, and a medical provider prescribes both an assistive device (e.g., cane(s), crutch(es), walker) and bracing for ambulation. If yes, document the Veterans description of instability/ recurrent subluxation in his/her own words. Does procured evidence (statements from the Veteran) suggest pain, fatigability, weakness, lack of endurance, or incoordination which significantly limits functional ability with flare-ups? These cookies are essential so that you can move around the website and use its features. The reasonable doubt rule, also known as the Benefit of the Doubt Doctrine, means that the evidence provided by the veteran must only persuade the decision maker that each factual matter is at least as likely as not.. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. Certain disabilities can correspond with a specific disability score from the VA.