We are here to represent veterans nationwide. Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 Over 100 conditions fall under the umbrella of arthritis, including arthritis in the hands, osteoarthritis, and degenerative joint diseases. Under Diagnostic Code 5002, the VA rates your rheumatoid arthritis case based on the following: 100%: The veteran's rheumatoid arthritis results in incapacitation. As mentioned, overuse during military service or an injury that happened during military service could directly cause arthritis. VA Disability Rating for Arthritis in Hands Joint pain and arthritis in the hands is a common condition faced by veterans. Theme by, and is the nations leading cause of disability. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. MGE3ZGU2NDJkZWQ1Y2U2YTU0MjM3YTYzOTBjM2E2M2M5MzFjOWM1YjcxOWM1 They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] Your service truly exceeded everything that I was expecting from this journey. Woods and Woods, LLC, Veterans Disability Lawyer, Veterans Disability Benefits Attorneys Helping Veterans Nationwide, Published on September 12, 2019 by Neil Woods Last Updated on October 10, 2022. The scale the VA uses to rate rheumatoid arthritis has four tiers at 20%, 40%, 60%, and 100%. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); The Veteran Appeal Lawyer assistance with denials and appellate cases nationwide. Some veterans have service-related disabilities that could cause arthritis, even rheumatoid arthritis. If you were misdiagnosed as having RA but it turns out that you have fibromyalgia and PTSD, we need to get you compensated for the correct rating instead of 20% for arthritis. Regardless of how serious their symptoms may be at the time of diagnosis, Veterans are advised to apply for benefits as soon as possible. In the most severe cases of gout, a Veteran might get a maximum VA disability rating of 100 percent. MTIzMWQ5ZjNmMGEyMjg5MjExMDljZGEwYzJmMjE5YTkzYzc2OGYzOTYzY2Y1 For example, if osteoarthritis is present in one joint, but another has a torn ACL, your disability rating will increase because each joints condition is evaluated separately. Some people may experience the following symptoms: If the inflammation caused by RA goes unchecked, it can cause damage to cartilage and to the bones. For example, both hands, knees, or ankles may be affected, as opposed to only one hand, knee, or ankle. It may be difficult to get 100% TDIU from one disability, but here one of our VA disability lawyers talks about common disabilities that add up to a 100% combined rating. We are here to represent veterans nationwide. Since rheumatic diseases are a type of disease that progresses, you want to get started on your claim as soon as symptoms affect you. VA Disability Rating 60% Condition Arthritis rheumatoid (atrophic) as an active process less than the criteria for 100% but with weight loss and anemia with symptom combinations productive of definite impairment of health objectively supported by examination findings or incapacitating exacerbations occurring three or more times a year How The VA Rates Arthritis - Military Benefits You may be owed compensation. RA can come in all levels of No combined rating will apply. VA Disability For Arthritis // Appeals, Claims, Denials - Vet One just should show that the reported symptoms of joint problems continued after they returned to civilian life. During the exam, the examiner may physically exam the joints which have been affected by rheumatoid arthritis. Spinal stenosis (diagnostic code 5238): Spinal stenosis is when the spaces in the spine are narrowed and . Lower ratings may be given for occasional incapacitating episodes. NjY3MzZkOTJiNjlkNDAxYjViYjE1YzUxNDM4MjZlNDMwMDJjYWQ1ZDQ3MzRl Since arthritis worsens over time, you should consider having your condition reviewed every few years. The nature of military service creates wear and tear on the muscles and bones of the back and spine, leading to chronic conditions later in life. A normal, healthy immune system operates by protecting the body and itself by attacking foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses. If you have joint pain or osteoarthritis in both hands, the rating for each disability can be combined for an increased rating. While we still have our home base in Florida, Over time there is a loss of cartilage, which caused the joint spacing between the bones to become smaller. NTVhOWUzYzMxMGQzMGIxMzc5Njg4NzMxMTUzNWI4ODA4NTg5ZmMwYmU3MjY4 Both degenerative and rheumatoid arthritis are rated under the musculoskeletal system conditions. Many veterans begin to settle back into civilian life when their hand arthritis becomes too painful and debilitating to ignore. The knuckles where your fingers meet your hands and those next knuckles are the ones most affected by swelling and pain from rheumatoid nodules. This communication with the firm or any member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Because the VA's rules and regulations keep them from giving higher ratings just for back pain, a Veteran will have to go . RA affects 1.3 million Americans The specific cause is unknown It is more common than any other autoimmune disorder, including psoriasis, Crohns disease, multiple sclerosis, and lupus. It happens when a persons antibodies attack their synovial joint fluid, which is the natural lubrication of your joints. NjFhZjg3YmEwYzliMTViODQ3MjNhMDgyNjgxNWZmNTcxODA0MWUzYWY0OGMz It will also consider how much pain you experience and the effect of the condition on your everyday life. If a veterans rheumatoid arthritis is less severe than the symptoms depicted above, they can be rated under the diagnostic codes for each specific major or group of minor joints. Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, is an autoimmune disease in which the bodys immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. Only if you win a CUE case. As a result, veterans who receive a rating for their rheumatoid arthritis may be able to receive compensation at the 100 percent rating level through TIDU. Before the exam, the examiner will review the veterans c-file. Contact Us Our firm was founded in 1986 in Orlando, Florida. Usually, the same joint on both sides of the body will be affected. YzJkYjI0MDE1ZDUxYmI2NzRlOTA5NTNkNjcyMGYwYjRiMjMyNmZkZGY3MjYz MTVkYmJjZWYzYjQ3MWYxNjI5NGYwYTQ0YTRjY2I4YmVhY2E4MzBmYmIyODZj Rheumatoid arthritis in the wrists and hands can sometimes be mistaken for soreness due to over-usage but will persist much longer and degrade the joint over time. The VA will also consider whether arthritis is an overall condition in the body such as in the case of rheumatoid arthritis or if it occurs in specific joints. San Jose, CA: 2880 Zanker Road, Ste. In comparison, a grade of 60% will be given if their ailment causes them to lose weight, anemia, or a reduction in their general health on more than four occasions each year. Since there are so many causes that are still misunderstood, drawing a service connection is more about making the case that your symptoms started because of your military service. Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. Read on to learn more about the VA ratings for joint pain and arthritis and how you may be able to get a higher disability rating to receive the maximum compensation youre entitled from the VA. VA disability ratingsfor rheumatoid arthritis start at 20% for one or two painful flareups per year. YWEwMGExZWNhMTMyN2YyODE1NWVmNmRiNjJkMzI5YjI1MTkyNjc5MDdjMGE2 Protected VA Disability Ratings: When Can VA Reduce My Rating? Richmond, VA: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA, 23225 But does your rating last forever? VA Disability for Neck Arthritis // Appeals, Claims, Denials Free Consult If you cant straighten it, you might get up to a 50% disability rating. Rheumatoid arthritis progression can be slow and only show itself after months of symptoms. In addition to the loss of function and pain in the hands, RA symptoms include low red blood cell count, skin lumps, fever, and fatigue. Your information is NEVER shared and kept secure and confidential. Arthritis is a common condition that can cause pain and difficulty moving. Can You Get Disability For Arthritis In Your Hands A frequent kind of arthritis in Veterans is degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis), which is classified under Diagnostic Code 5003 as the result of joint overuse or injury. U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), Disabilities Due to Agent Orange Exposure, Dependency Indemnity Compensation Appeals, Total Disability Individual Unemployability (IU) Appeals, Eligibility for PTSD-Related DIC Benefits. Advanced treatments range from steroid injections to hand braces. If your parents have rheumatoid arthritis, you have an increased risk, but that alone wont keep you out. If you believe Wordfence should be allowing you access to this site, please let them know using the steps below so they can investigate why this is happening. MTJiY2E0OWY5YWRhNzBjZWU4MGYxOTJkZTRhMDNmZTAyZjFhN2FhZDVjNWQ2 Lay evidence, or lay statements, can be written by the veteran or anyone who knows the veteran and can speak to their condition. You may be able to increase this rating if you also have symptoms of trigger finger.If you have lost the use of your hand and are can no longer work, you may be eligible for TDIU. Seattle, WA: 506 2nd Ave,Suite 1400,Seattle, WA 98104. Understanding which type of arthritis you have will affect the level of difficulty in establishing a service-related connection. Since the average VA disability claim can take 5 years, work with our lawyers to make sure you get everything listed on your application that you can. A Veteran may receive a rating of 100% if their rheumatoid arthritis is completely incapacitating. A Disability Benefits Questionnaire is a form created by VA so that the veteran may address important aspects of their condition, such as symptoms, severity, possible causes, and relation to other disabilities. To do this, the VA doctor will assign you a disability rating. Rheumatoid Arthritis VA Ratings, Benefits, and Conditions
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