During a C&P exam, a doctor or medical professional will measure your range of motion and express the extension in degrees for rating purposes. Examiners should also test the contralateral joint (unless medically contraindicated). According to Title 38, for a minor shoulder that can raise between 25 and 90 degrees is 20% disability. If you've served in the military, the VA offers you a variety of aid programs and benefits. If yes, is the frequent effusion a result of a diagnosis in Section I? However, when this is not feasible, an as clear as possible description of that loss should be provided. 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). To find out more, view our Privacy Policy. An issue with just one of these parts can affect your range of motion. As a fellow disabled Veteran this is shameful and Im on a mission to change it. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. Does the Veteran report or have a history of frequent effusion of the knee? Omaha 402-933-5405. . The VASRD offers ratings for the following musculoskeletal conditions of the Shoulder and Upper Arm: In reality, the majority ofShoulder and Upper Armconditions will be rated on limitation of motion since that is the most common symptom of these conditions that results in a measurable disability, but other rating options exist to rate theShoulder and Upper Armconditions that cause other forms of disability. Email: [hidden email], National Organization of Veterans Advocates. They may also be used to keep track of what [products, video, links, etc.] 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. 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. Under 38 CFR 4.73, injuries to neck muscles are compensated differently depending on the severity of the impairment and the muscles affected. Is there evidence of pain? Today, Brian Reese the VA Claims Insider reveals the Top 8 VA Benefits for Surviving Spouse this year. Is the examination being conducted during a flare-up? 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. The less you can move or bend your knee, the higher your VA rating will likely be. Range of motion of a joint is gauged during passive ROM (assisted) or active ROM (independent)). Other exceptions, if any, are noted in specific rating codes found on the Shoulder and Upper Arm Condition Ratings page. There are several types of range-of-motion exercises. The rating number correlates with the monthly payment amount veterans are entitled to receive. For shoulder disabilities that result from bone, tendon, or ligament issues, the VA assigns a percentage based on the severity of the range of motion limitation (see tables below). Under each category is a list of. One of the most important aspects of qualifying for disability benefits from the VA is establishing a connection between your disability and your military service. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising. The joint should allow the arm to move in multiple directions without any pain. In addition to testing for initial range of motion, your VA physician should also check your repetitive motion to see if there is a higher degree of functional loss afterward. The Soldier may be rated with reference to shoulder abduction or shoulder forward elevation (flexion) - whichever provides the higher rating. Shoulder replacements are evaluated under Diagnostic Code 5051. 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. Separate ratings occur when there is another distinct manifestation of a disability that is not currently rated. It only provides that VA policy is to recognize actually painful motion as entitled to at least the minimum compensable rating for the joint. startxref You must log in or register to reply here. Perform a range of motion examination using a goniometer. Medical diagnosis of Knee Pain, in a medical record (Service Treatment Records, VA medical records, or private medical records). 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. Apply passive range of motion techniques to the upper extremity. 0000005655 00000 n Please do not send any confidential information to us until such time as an attorney-client relationship has been established. Significant injuries from training or combat are a common source of chronic disability for veterans. Shoulder (Flexion - Extension) Left Left Abduction 150O Adduction 30O Extension 50O Flexion 150O Degrees . 353 15 Under each category is a list of diagnostic codes representing common disabilities of that body part. . This considers not only the objective findings noted on the examination, but also the subjective history provided by the claimant, as well as review of the available medical evidence. Hip external rotation averages 40-60 degrees and internal rotation averages 30-40 degrees. If yes, what was the Flexion degree endpoint (if different than above)? The shoulder also contains ligaments, the fibrous tissues that connect one bone to another bone. Is Age a Factor in VA Claims? Range of Motion (ROM) test: Perform active and/or passive range of motion and provide the ROM values. Whether your shoulder issues started immediately after leaving the military or decades later, you may be eligible for disability compensation. Shoulder (Flexion - Extension) Left Left Abduction 150O . I am able to lift my arm to 80 degrees but cannot carry ANYTHING with my left shoulder/arm. 3A. 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. 0000000844 00000 n Or rate on impairment of the function of the contiguous joint. 0 Amputations: Lower Extremity 2 Also entitled to special monthly compensation. . Sometimes, though, increases in the severity of your symptoms can be more unpredictable. You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, 9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claim, Unrepaired or failed repair of complete ligament tear causing persistent instability, and a medical provider prescribes both an assistive device (, (a) Sprain, incomplete ligament tear, or repaired complete ligament tear causing persistent instability, and a medical provider prescribes a brace and/or assistive device (, (b) Unrepaired or failed repair of complete ligament tear causing persistent instability, and a medical provider prescribes either an assistive device (, Sprain, incomplete ligament tear, or complete ligament tear (repaired, unrepaired, or failed repair) causing persistent instability, without a prescription from a medical provider for an assistive device (, Extremely unfavorable, in flexion at an angle of 45 or more, Favorable angle in full extension, or in slight flexion between 0 and 10. Check out our Shoulder and Upper Arm Condition Ratings page for the exact codes and ratings. Military disability ratings for elbow and forearm conditions. This is lateral rotation also referred to as external rotation and the normal range of motion for a healthy shoulder is 90 degrees. Yes or no. Active and passive ROM. End-range hip flexion is associated with a posterior rotation of the ilium bone. 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. So, if you cannot use the shoulder at all, sounds like you should get the maximum rating. 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. c. VASRD DC 5201. 0000001936 00000 n 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. These cookies do not store any personal information. 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. For flare-ups, the examiner should ask whether a Veteran deals with flare-ups and ask them to describe their functional loss as a result. The VA is looking for the impact that your disability has on your life on your ability to work, maintain relationships with family and friends, and carry out simple tasks. Here, learn how the VA rates shoulder injuries. Attorney Gang is frequently in the news with commentary on issues affecting veterans. In more serious cases, however, your knee may require surgery. The VA does allow veterans to file for shoulder pain if it was caused by their time in the service. 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. A normal range of motion for your shoulder depends on your flexibility and the overall health of your shoulder. Finally, we invite you to contact us and we welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. you viewed to avoid repetition. 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. 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. By continuing to use our website, you agree to these updates. 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. Upon VA examination in May 2000, clinical evaluation revealed limited active range of motion in the right shoulder with 90 degrees of abduction, 95 degrees of forward flexion, 70 degrees of internal rotation with the shoulder adducted and elbow flexed to 90 degrees, and additionally 20 degrees of external rotation in this position. 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.