Osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease), is the most common form affecting veterans. You could also be eligible for other VA programs, such as Total Disability Individual Unemployability. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. 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. VA math can be a mess when you are adding a 10% rating for your left elbow and a 30% rating for your right hand. VA disability ratings for back pain go from 10% to 100% depending on how severe your symptoms are, including your range of motion and pain frequency and level. These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 VA disability ratings for rheumatoid arthritis start at 20% for one or two painful flareups per year. This will cause pain and swelling and can even make the joint bulge out. It is also possible to establish a secondary service-connection under 38 CFR 4.58, which states that if you have received an amputation or a leg shortening and arthritis appears later in life, it may be service-connected on a secondary basis (so long as the arthritis is attributed to those conditions). the immune system does not work properly and attacks the lining of the joints, causing inflammation and pain. The VA also considers whether you have other health problems related to your rheumatoid arthritis. Joint deformity also may occur which is non-reversible. Rheumatoid arthritis can receive the following disability ratings from the VA: 20%- One or two incapacitating episodes per year 40%- If there is a definite decline in health; or, if incapacitating episodes occur 3 or more times per year is found in about 80 percent of people who have rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid Arthritis is an inflammatory disorder that can affect many parts of your body. Over time there is a loss of cartilage, which caused the joint spacing between the bones to become smaller. If you cant straighten it, you might get up to a 50% disability rating. Lower ratings may be given for occasional incapacitating episodes. This benefit compensates veterans at the 100 percent rating level, even if their disability rating may be less than that. As you may have noted, degenerative arthritis is rated lower than rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis is a common condition that can cause pain and difficulty moving. How to Get a 100 Percent VA Rating (if deserved)! Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. It may also develop from physical or emotional stress. To receive VA disability benefits, you must show that your service caused your arthritis. Your Knee Pain was caused or made worse by your active-duty military service OR by another service connected disability for secondary service connection ("Nexus" for service connection). We also connect veterans with independent medical professionals in our referral network for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible independent medical opinions and nexus statements (medical nexus letters) for a wide range of disability conditions. Ankle arthritis is most commonly rated under diagnostic code 5270, ankylosis of the ankle, or 5271, limited motion of the ankle. Arthritis can be managed with a combination of clinical therapy, healthy lifestyle choices, and weight management. As with degenerative arthritis, a rating for limited range of motion cannot be given in addition to a rating for rheumatoid arthritis. Your discharge must be under conditions other than dishonorable. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not assign a single disability rating for arthritis. Unfortunately, it is common for the VA to overlook information or make mistakes on arthritis claims. Disclaimer: This information is not legal advice. Specifically, eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and limit meat, fish, and poultry. Any opinions are those of the author alone, and not those of an advertiser to the site nor of Veteran.com. For instance, which pages you go to most. If possible, get opinions from more than one doctor that clearly show they believe your condition is related to your service. The VA does not require it, but it specifically asks for the information that goes into your disability rating, such as which joints are affected, whether it causes other health problems, and your level of incapacitation. The VA policy in this area includes a prohibition on combining ratings. These treatments may include medications, physical therapy, and surgery. Because the VA's rules and regulations keep them from giving higher ratings just for back pain, a Veteran will have to go . you viewed to avoid repetition. I have been telling other veteran's about this law firm and just how dynamic they really are! All Rights Reserved. VA rates disabilities from 0% to 100%, with 100% being the most severe. This broad spectrum of application means that those suffering from arthritis can experience a variety of symptoms in regards to location and severity. In total, the veteran will need to submit the following to VA: To support their claim for service connection, the veteran may submit lay evidence. Three or more incapacitating episodes per year result in a 40% rating, while two or more incapacitating episodes per year result in a 20% rating. Richmond, VA: 7400 Beaufont Springs Drive, Suite 300, Richmond, VA, 23225 To do this, VA may call the veteran or send a letter. Other causes of arthritis that may be linked to military service include exposure to chemicals and pollutants, such as asbestos, silica, and benzene. However, if your arthritis symptoms are at the degree of a 10 percent disability rating or more within the first year from discharge it is possible to obtain a presumptive service connection. The VA statistics in this area for veterans? Ratings on both hands will trigger the bilateral factor bonus of about 10% additional compensation. Extreme cases of RA, with the right (or wrong, depending on how you look at it) family medical history and age can decrease a persons lifespan by 15 years. For those with the condition, how does the Department of Veterans Affairs rate arthritis? There are outliers that break the curve in all of these situations. Veterans receive either a 10% or 20% rating depending on the severity of their symptoms and the number of joints affected. The different percentages available are 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. 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. Occasional incapacitating arthritis wont be enough to get you a high rating, but it will help you get your initial diagnosis. Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. Please call for an appointment before visiting: Mail Processing Center: P.O. To apply for these benefits, Veterans must submit a claim to the VA. due to their disabilities. If your TDIU claim is successful, you receive 100 percent disability benefits even if your rheumatoid arthritis VA rating is less than 100 percent. The VA recognizes these conditions in its disability rating systems. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); For many years prior to asking Woods & Woods Attorneys for assistance, I struggled mightily with trying to get some help with my disability claim from the VA, all to no avail. Proving your service connection for rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult because it is an autoimmune disorder often passed down through families. If you have questions about Veteran programs offered through or by the Dept. This rating is expressed as a percentage. We represent Veterans in all 50 states and U.S. territories, Europe, Asia and South America. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. 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. Consult a legal representative to determine whether or not you are eligible for VA disability benefits. The VA recognizes these conditions in its disability rating systems. You may also have ongoing review exams to determine the extent of your disability due to your arthritis. If the Veteran is eligible, the processor will award a rating based on the severity of the arthritis. From day one after accepting my case, they worked tirelessly on my behalf, and in the end, they had managed to do for me and my family [what all my years of trying to do on my own had failed to accomplish], they got me my desired results! Veterans who experience stiffness, pain, or even an occasional crick in the neck can sometimes trace that problem back to something that happened in the service. Before you convince yourself that I have been paid to give such a review as this one, let me put your mind at ease by saying that no one anywhere has paid me a single coin to say what I'm saying, I'm just an ordinary guy who was fortunate enough to find them, and even more so to have the best Veteran Law Attorneys working on my case. Linkedin. If you developed knee problems due to military service, you may be entitled to financial compensation from VA. The VA rates rheumatoid arthritis under Diagnostic Code 5002 based on your incapacitation level and the number of flare-ups you experience during a year. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. It can also affect your heart, lungs, blood vessels, eyes, and skin. These cookies may be set through our website by our advertising partners. The scale the VA uses to rate rheumatoid arthritis has four tiers at 20%, 40%, 60%, and 100%. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Veterans with knee pain connected to their service may be eligible for compensation. Back pain is one of the leading health problems that veterans face. Smoking can more than double your risk of getting RA. Rheumatoid arthritis is a common ailment suffered by military veterans. The rating schedule for the VA is as follows: It is important to note that these ratings cannot be used in addition to other ratings for limited motion to accrue more VA disability benefits. Depending on the symptoms and the number of joints affected, Veterans are mostly given a 10% or 20% grade. Rheumatoid arthritis may also affect a persons organs such as the heart, circulatory system, or lungs. Other lower than 100 percent ratings will be assigned for occasional incapacitating episodes. To be eligible, you must meet one of two criteria: To apply, fill out the TDIU benefits application and the request for employment information. Tucson, AZ: One South Church Avenue, 12th Floor, Tucson, AZ, 85701 That doesnt seem like a big deal, but if you notice the soreness and stiffness lasting hours or days longer than usual, pay attention to that pain. How the VA rates knee conditions The bilateral factor C&P exam for the knees Filing for benefits Woods and Woods can help Service connection for knee conditions Vigorous training, active-duty combat, and manual labor can contribute to knee problems during military service. https://www.rheumatoidarthritis.org/ra/facts-and-statistics/, have it reviewed every few years and apply for a change, Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your. Sometimes you can qualify for TDIU even if you could do a sedentary job that isnt the job that youve had all of your life. The VA official site states that 20% and 10% ratings mentioned above cannot be combined with ratings based on limitation of motion. Several rating criteria affect the total rating decision. Frequently during the course of service, a serviceman or woman may overuse their joints and/or have been affected by traumatic injuries to their joints. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Were you stationed at Camp Lejeune before 1987? This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. These ratings are assigned based on how much the knee can bend. Since rheumatoid arthritis is a degenerative condition, you can have it reviewed every few years and apply for a change. Arthritis as a secondary disability can also be used to get a service connection. Already working with us? Were Veterans helping Veterans Worldwide, and since 2016 weve helped 10,000+ Veterans just like you INCREASE their VA disability rating! These benefits require a veteran to have at least one service-connected disability rated 60% or more disabling. Unfortunately, pain alone isn't a diagnosis. Treatment for gout typically involves medications to help reduce inflammation and pain, as well as lifestyle changes to help prevent future attacks. Since swollen achy ankles can be caused by a number of things, you might not look for the RA diagnosis right away. Researchers arent entirely sure what causes rheumatoid arthritis. While we still have our home base in Florida, , or viral or bacterial infections you experienced while serving. Amanda Dejesus, Veterans' Advocate Updated: April 3, 2023. Did you take Xeljanz for at least one year? With satellite offices in Washington D.C. and San Juan, Puerto Rico. You can. It is much more Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: 10%- If two or more joint groups (major or minor) have arthritis but are never incapacitating, 20%- If two or more joint groups (major or minor) have arthritis and are occasionally incapacitating, 20%- One or two incapacitating episodes per year, 40%- If there is a definite decline in health; or, if incapacitating episodes occur 3 or more times per year, 60%- If there is an overall decline in health but is short of complete incapacitation, significant weight loss or anemia; or, if there are 4 or more severe incapacitating episodes per year. The 100% rating for all over pain in movement from rheumatoid arthritis might make more sense to your doctor too. . Any rheumatoid arthritis that is less severe than the above-listed symptoms is just rated on its own, such as limited motion or other rheumatic diseases. 10 Veterans Benefits You May Not Know About, Medal of Honor: Benefits, History and Facts, Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS), Security Clearance Jobs After the Military, Unemployment Compensation for Ex-servicemembers (UCX), Military Spouse Career Advancement (MyCAA) Scholarship Program, Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) for the GI Bill, Find Out What You Qualify For: Free Medical Evidence Evaluation for VA Disability, 2023 Retired Military and Annuitant Pay Dates, 2023 Reserve and National Guard Drill Pay. They may not have affected you during your active duty, but your active duty is what brought it about. Notably, rheumatoid arthritis is not currently on the VAs list of presumptive conditions for exposure to burn pits, so you must establish the connection with medical records and other evidence. Rheumatoid arthritis progression can be slow and only show itself after months of symptoms. Infections that can cause arthritis include Lyme disease, transmitted by ticks, and Reiters syndrome, a complication of certain sexually transmitted infections. 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 Rheumatoid arthritis may also cause joint deformity which is non-reversible. Use our VA disability calculator to estimate your combined VA rating and monthly payment. Most of your joints are filled with a fluid called synovial fluid. The VA won't let you double dip on any disability, so if you get a 10% rating for poor flexion in your knee, they won't consider giving you 30% for arthritis pain in the same knee. The knuckles where your fingers meet your hands and those next knuckles are the ones most affected by swelling and pain from rheumatoid nodules. Veterans Disability Info attorneys can help you increase your rating and get the compensation you deserve. . 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. You do not have to prove beyond all doubt that your arthritis is due to your service, but you must prove that it is at least as likely as not to be connected to your service. This can help manage functional limitations, stick with an exercise program designed to help with the condition, etc. A Veteran with arthritis might receive either a 10 or a 20 percent rating, depending on the specifics of their condition. There is also recent research linking rheumatoid arthritis to militaryburn pits. If you are diagnosed with a chronic disease within one year of active-duty release, you should apply for disability compensation. Veterans with service-connected arthritis are entitled to VA disability benefits. This means that these symptoms can be rated under their own specific diagnostic code for each major or minor group of joints. For example, some people with rheumatoid arthritis also experience weight loss or anemia that impacts their ability to perform daily activities. Spinal stenosis (diagnostic code 5238): Spinal stenosis is when the spaces in the spine are narrowed and . It is also very important to attend the exam, as failure to attend can result in VA denying the veterans claim. #1. 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. This means that ratings are given under 38 CFR 4.71a. How the VA Gives You Disability for Arthritis Is Rheumatoid Arthritis a Disability? If youre stuck, frustrated, underrated, and currently rated between 0%-90%, VA Claims Insider Elite is for you! Evidence points to genetic factors, , such as bacteria, viruses, physical or emotional stress, fibers or dust, or other factors. VA Disability for Arthritis in the Hands October 27, 2022 Arthritis can be a very painful condition that commonly affects the joints of the hand. There are many causes of arthritis among Veterans, but the most common are injuries and infections. Lay evidence, or lay statements, can be written by the veteran or anyone who knows the veteran and can speak to their condition. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. References to third-party products, rates and offers may change without notice. However, environmental factors, such as exposure to bacteria, viruses, fibers, and dust, can trigger it. The Department of VA has active arthritis research projects, from lab studies to new medications and therapy programs. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. In this instance, the veteran must prove that their condition is uniquely hinders their ability to obtain substantially gainful employment and therefore should not be rated on the standard disability rating criteria. VA Disability Ratings for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Manifestations of active joint involvement that is totally incapacitating, Less than criteria for 100 percent, but with anemia and weight loss that severely impact health or four or more incapacitating flare-ups per year, or fewer flare-ups but over prolonged periods, Symptom combinations that show impairment of health evidenced through examinations, or incapacitating flare-ups three or more times a year, A well-established diagnosis with one or two flare-ups per year. The VA wont let you double dip on any disability, so if you get a 10% rating for poor flexion in your knee, they wont consider giving you 30% for arthritis pain in the same knee. Gout also falls under the diagnostic code 5002 (38 CFR 4.71a). There is a 40% rating for three or more incapacitating episodes per year and a 20% rating for two or more incapacitating episodes per year. The assumption of service connection applies if your symptoms of arthritis occur within one year after release from service and meet the VAs 10% disability level. If a veteran has two or more service-connected disabilities, one must be rated at 40% or more disabling, and they must have a combined rating of 70% or more. It does not matter how many joints are affected. 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. The exam will usually be performed by a VA physician or a VA contracted physician. Additionally, some research indicates that genes may be affected by triggers in the environment, viruses, bacteria, physical and emotional stress, and other factors, which may then manifest in rheumatoid arthritis. You can unsubscribe anytime. Click the link below to learn more. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.
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