Most of your joints are filled with a fluid called synovial fluid. 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? There are many causes of arthritis among Veterans, but the most common are injuries and infections. Spinal stenosis (diagnostic code 5238): Spinal stenosis is when the spaces in the spine are narrowed and . VA Disability Ratings and Benefits for Psoriatic Arthritis For example, arthritis in the hands may cause depression if the condition affects participation in the same physical activities or completing the same tasks that you used to do. In the most severe cases of gout, a Veteran might get a maximum VA disability rating of 100 percent. Rheumatoid arthritis can also affect other body systems such as therespiratoryand cardiovascular systems. Notably, a thumb is rated higher than a finger. It is very important to make sure VA has the veterans up-to-date contact information so that no C&P exam requests are missed. Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 Specifically, eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains, and limit meat, fish, and poultry. ZjcwYzA0NGMyOTc0MjAyNGU3YmVlY2NkOGZlMGFhZWJlNjZjIn0= Have you been diagnosed with cancer, blood clots, or a heart problem? VA rates rheumatoid arthritis under Diagnostic Code 5002. Military service takes a significant toll on a veterans body. Thanks, Woods and Woods please keep up what you do in helping disabled veterans like myself. Xeljanz is a medicine prescribed for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and colitis. Veterans who are prevented from working because of their rheumatoid arthritis, or symptoms of their rheumatoid arthritis, may be able to receive a monthly VA disability benefit called total disability based on individual unemployability, or TDIU. you'll want to join this case. If your parents have rheumatoid arthritis, you have an increased risk, but that alone wont keep you out. Its critical to understand that the VA doesnt add your disability ratings, but rather, it combines them using a specific formula based on the whole person remaining concept. VA Disability Rating for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Total Disability / Individual Unemployability for Arthritis and Joint Pain Conditions (TDIU), VA Disability Rating for Arthritis in Hands, VA Disability Ratings for Knee Joint Pain and Arthritis. #34938Washington, D.C. 20090-6503, Phone: (888) 878-9350 Use our free VA Disability Calculator to estimate your combined VA rating and monthly entitlement here. The first stage in every VA disability claim is demonstrating a link to military service. VA Disability for Arthritis in the Hands | CCK Law By combining multiple disabilities, you may be able to get your disability rating up to 80% or higher depending on the rating assigned to each. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. VA Disability Ratings for Arthritis Under the schedule of ratings in the VA regulations, arthritis may be rated under degenerative arthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. A 100 percent VA disability rating can be given if the medical condition results in the veteran becoming bedridden or completely incapacitated. To treat rheumatoid arthritis, a person may be prescribed certain medications to reduce symptoms and keep inflammation at the lowest possible level. THE PHYSICAL OFFICE IS CLOSED BUT WE ARE FULLY OPERATIONAL. VA disability benefits fill the financial gap between veterans income and what they need. The VA Ratings Schedule for Rheumatoid Arthritis One or two painful flare-ups a year: 20% Rating Clear impairments to daily living and health diagnosed by a doctor or 3 or more incapacitating episodes a year: 40% Rating Genetics may play a role in a persons likelihood to develop rheumatoid arthritis. You may also be able to increase a disability rating for knee pain by combining the VAs bilateral factor. 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. Los Angeles, CA: 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Ste 1101, Los Angeles, CA 90025 Over time there is a loss of cartilage, which caused the joint spacing between the bones to become smaller. Rheumatoid arthritis can be service-connected as a presumptive condition during your first year of civilian life. VA Ratings for Spine Issues are Based on Movement, Pain, and X-Rays Different Types of Arthritis Can Get Different VA Ratings Bone Spurs Cause Burning or Tingling in Your Hands or Feet Don't Wait Until Arthritis and Back Pain is Unbearable Get a Free Consultation from our Certified VA Lawyer Team That is the essence of a secondary service connection claim. than the general population: one in 3 veterans has arthritis. The following materials have been linked to military burn pits: Enacted in August 2022, the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Actoffers needed relief to veterans suffering the toxic effects of burn pit exposure. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. VA disability for arthritis in the knee is generally determined through range of motion testing. Ratings on both hands will trigger the bilateral factor bonus of about 10% additional compensation. OWM4OTdjNWM2NDIwOTU3YzgzNWRhOGY3MTljN2E0NDFiOTdiMzY5MjE1ZjZm If your parents had it, your risk of having it increases 4 times over. Since that time, we have provided compassionate They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. Over 100 conditions fall under the umbrella of arthritis, including arthritis in the hands, osteoarthritis, and degenerative joint diseases. NGE5MTE2NmZmOWVkMTRiMzlkOGMxNGUwY2MzNDY0M2Q1MTIyNDAxYTJlMDUw The clear diagnosis from a doctor is the most important part of getting VA benefits for autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. An example of this may be if the veteran is bedridden by their arthritis. Make sure you are checked out by a doctor that knows to test for all of those diseases. A blood test might show high levels of the rheumatoid factor while your symptoms are still unclear. The VA is also looking into complementary treatments like nutritional supplements, massage treatments, and activity pacing. Even once a veteran passes away, a surviving spouse can file a DIC claim if their husband or wife died from complications related to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Copyright 2023 Woods and Woods, LLC | PO Box 1287 Evansville, IN 47706. YjVkOWY0YWQ4MWI0ZjMyNzk2ODU2N2U4NmMxZTAzYzk3MzdmNjNhNzBiMjY0 we represent clients nationwide. We never charge a fee to help you apply for disability benefits or increase your disability rating you only pay if we are successful and win your case case. It will also consider how much pain you experience and the effect of the condition on your everyday life. A normal, healthy immune system operates by protecting the body and itself by attacking foreign substances such as bacteria and viruses. Some of these things require X-Ray proof, while other times the pain and swelling are symptoms enough to get the diagnosis. Y2JkMTMyZThhMDNiZmZlMmM0ZmE5YmRkMWRlOWRkZTRiNmZkZmM2OGVhZjM0 You received a 70% disability rating from the VA. They base it on your dominance. According to the VA and CDC, arthritis affects one in five Americans and is the nation's leading cause of disability. The symptoms develop and aggravate other body systems which then slowly lead to death. COVID-19 UPDATE: WE ARE OPEN FOR PHONE AND EMAIL CONSULTATIONS - 24/7. NTVhOWUzYzMxMGQzMGIxMzc5Njg4NzMxMTUzNWI4ODA4NTg5ZmMwYmU3MjY4 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. There are so many variables involved with the diagnosis and the symptoms of RA, you dont have to give up when you receive a diagnosis. Most arthritis victims veterans, in particular have osteoarthritis or degenerative arthritis. This rating will determine the amount of benefits that the Veteran receives. If youre already receiving VA disability benefits for joint pain or arthritis and your current rating no longer reflects the severity of your condition, you may be able to file for anincreaseto your disability benefits. OWQxZiIsInNpZ25hdHVyZSI6IjljMTRkZTQ1MjQ5NWIyMTRhODMwNTE2MGY5 The lower levels basically depend on how many flare-ups you have in a year, while the higher levels assume constant pain affecting multiple systems of your body. The VA has 3 ways to categorize this aspect when rating arthritis of the knee: slight (10%), moderate (20%), or severe (30%) under Diagnostic Code 5257. (What most of us call VA Math.) Arthritis can be caused by a joint being overused, such as in athletes, or by a traumatic injury to the joint, such as a car accident. VA Disability Ratings for Arthritis Degenerative Arthritis (Diagnostic Code 5003) Degenerative arthritis is rated based on the limitation of range of motion of the affected joint (s). Pain medication, hot and cold therapy, and braces can help with pain in hand movement. Three episodes of rheumatoid arthritis flareups each year can increase your disability rating to 40%. How does the VA rate Arthritis in the hands? - Veterans Benefits Network MDNlYWEyZTA0OTYyYmU5MWJhOTFkOWIyNmI0NTM3OTYyZDRiMzNjNmI1MjFl RA can come in all levels of No combined rating will apply. The VA disability for hand pain (amputated fingers) is under diagnostic codes 5126 to 5156. Since Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, it could be caused by trauma or chemicals, not just physical wear and tear. 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 person that is diagnosed with RA today has a much better chance of living a normal life than their grandparents did. Both degenerative and rheumatoid arthritis are rated under the musculoskeletal system conditions. 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 would like to hear from you. Please send us a message by filling out the form below, and we will get back to you shortly. Rheumatoid arthritis, another common condition among veterans, is an autoimmune disease. -----END REPORT-----. Providing Training For Those Who Represent Americas Veterans and Their Dependents Since 1993. MTIzMWQ5ZjNmMGEyMjg5MjExMDljZGEwYzJmMjE5YTkzYzc2OGYzOTYzY2Y1 is found in about 80 percent of people who have rheumatoid arthritis. VA Ratings for Arthritis Degenerative arthritis can receive the following disability compensation ratings from the VA*: 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 VA Disability for Arthritis | Veterans Disability Info There is currently no cure for osteoarthritis, but treatments are available to help manage the symptoms. In most cases RA will affect the jointsbilaterally, meaning if you have RA in your right hand, then you will most likely also have it in your left hand. Some chemicals and traumatic events also have been known to trigger the body to begin attacking the synovial fluid.