VA Disability Ratings for Knee Pain Disabilities - Hill & Ponton, P.A. (YouTube), Play Compensation 101: What is service connection? 4.71(a) diagnostic codes 5335 to 5243. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. It takes a 100% rating from the VA to determine whether a veteran is completely incapable of working. All Rights Reserved. CCK Recognized for Donations to American Veterans Disabled For Life Memorial, CCK Successfully Argues for a Precedential Decision About Protected Work Environment, A Day in the Life of a Paralegal (Claims Advocate) at CCK. If you have degenerative joint disease in your hips, you may find it helpful to read our article on getting disability for degenerative hip joints or, if you've had a hip replacement, getting disability after hip surgery. Social Securitys own statistics show that most claimants who persevere with the help of an experienced attorney are found to be disabled at the next stages of the processwhen proof of disability is based on a combination of medical and vocational factors at Step 4 and Step 5. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. If arthritis has caused you to lose function in your hands, you may also be entitled to Special Monthly Compensation. Play Compensation 101: How did I get this rating? Causes of degenerative disc disease can vary. 4.71(a) diagnostic code 5002. Even when conditions are completely debilitating, many veterans only have an 80% disability rating for arthritis and conditions related to joint pain. There are a few different ways you canrequest an increasein an existing disability rating. It adds 10% to the combined disability rating. If two or more major OR minor groups are affected a 20% rating will be assigned if the arthritis is occasionally incapacitating. they provide a medical nexus linking their pain to the occurrence in service. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. Hear from fellow Veterans just like you, with many of our Business Development Representatives having gone through our programs. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. 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. In this case, you'd have trouble doing a lot of jobs, but you wouldn't meet one of the above listings. Usually this happens when a veteran experiences symptoms or limitations that are not considered by the rating schedule. 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. physical examination reports with detailed descriptions of orthopedic, neurologic, or other objective findings, imaging and diagnostic tests showing evidence of joint abnormalities, reports of your subjective symptoms, such as how often you are in pain and whether you can perform activities of daily living (, a documented need for an assistive device, such as a cane or walker, operative reports for any surgical procedures, and. 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. The agency will try to find jobs you know how to do, or could easily learn to do, that are within your physical limitations. Insurance providers often deny credible disability claims for degenerative disc disease and other back and neck disorders, by asserting various reasons including: Marc Whitehead & Associates are ready to help you. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to determine your degenerative disc disease disability rating. Here one of our VA disability lawyers talks about how SMC (Special Monthly Compensation) works to help you get more money for extra expenses related to your disabling condition every month. Providing sufficient evidence of the pain you experience may be able to help significantly increase your rating. If multiple areas of the body are affected, you may be able to show that your rheumatoid arthritis condition is incapacitating, warranting a 100% disability rating. you'll want to join this case, Increased VA Disability Ratings for Joint Pain and Arthritis. Despite how much pain the condition causes, the maximum VA disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as mentioned above, is typically 20 percent. Under 38 CFR 4.71a, the VA evaluates conditions of the musculoskeletal system. For instance, which pages you go to most. Winning your Social Security Disability Claim for Degenerative Disc Disease. Arthritis especially tends to affect those who are overweight, as well as older men. Increase Your VA Ratings For Joint Pain And Arthritis Disability