VA may request a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam to examine the veteran’s shoulder or arm condition. In the exam, either a VA physician or VA contracted physician will generally ask questions about the shoulder or arm condition and the veteran’s time in service. The examiner may also perform a physical exam on the veteran.
Full Answer
What is the VA code for a shoulder replacement?
These will be replaced with prosthetic components that will act in place of the damaged structures. If you have to have a shoulder replacement, the VA will place you on 100 percent disability for the first year after the surgery and you will get a code of 5051.
What types of shoulder injuries qualify for VA disability compensation?
Shoulder injuries in the military are a common source of VA disability compensation. Rotator cuffs, dislocations, and poorly healed bones all contribute to long-term disabilities in veterans.
How does the VA determine my shoulder Disability Rating?
There are a few principles the VA uses in determining disability ratings that apply to shoulder conditions. For instance, the Painful Motion principle states that if you have any pain when you move the joint, you are entitled to the minimum disability rating for that body part.
Can you get VA disability for a frozen shoulder?
Veterans who lost an arm, hand, or finger during military service are eligible for VA disability benefits and other compensation. In some cases, you may still have your arm and shoulder, but you may not be able to move them. If your shoulder is completely frozen, how it’s rated will depend on where it’s frozen.
What is the VA disability rating for shoulder impingement?
The Veteran's impingement syndrome of the right and left shoulder has been rated as 40 percent and 30 percent disabling, respectively, under Diagnostic Code 5201-5203, which rates limitation of motion of the arm and impairment of the clavicle or scapula. 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a.
What is the average VA rating for shoulder pain?
As long as you can prove that the shoulder pain you're experiencing is service-connected, you'll likely receive at least a 10% disability rating. One principle the VA uses to determine the rating for shoulder injuries is the “Painful Motion” principle.
Can you get disability for shoulder impingement?
If you can prove that your shoulder injury is serious enough that it leaves you unable to perform fine and gross movements, you may be eligible for disability.
What is the VA disability rating for torn rotator cuff?
Rotator cuff surgery is rated based on the severity of the pain and the thickness of the rotator cuff tear. Most often, VA rates this condition as 10 or 20 percent disabling.
How does the VA rate shoulder conditions?
Often shoulder and arm conditions are rated based on range of motion. To obtain an official measurement of range of motion, the examiner will typically use a tool called a goniometer. After the exam, the examiner will use the findings to issue an opinion, which will either be favorable or unfavorable.
How does the VA rate shoulder arthritis?
Degenerative arthritis will be rated at 10 or 20 percent based upon the number of joints/joint groups affected and the level of incapacitation. VA requires that limitation of motion be confirmed by observations such as swelling, muscle spasms, or evidence of painful motion.
Is shoulder impingement permanent?
Shoulder impingement usually takes about three to six months to heal completely. More severe cases can take up to a year to heal. However, you can usually start returning to your normal activities within two to four weeks. Just make sure you regularly check in with your doctor to make sure you aren't overdoing it.
How long does it take to recover from shoulder impingement?
Most cases will heal in three to six months, but more severe cases can take up to a year to heal.
Can I go on disability for shoulder surgery?
To qualify for SSD benefits, you'll need to prove you're unable to work in your previous field of employment. You must also show your shoulder replacement imposes such severe limitations that you can't maintain gainful employment in any other field either.
What is settlement for rotator cuff surgery?
The most severe shoulder injuries may have a typical settlement payout in the range of $150,0000 to $300,000 or more. What Impacts the Settlement Amount of a Rotator Cuff Injury? The severity of the rotator cuff injury has the most impact on the potential settlement value of the case.
Is a torn rotator cuff permanent?
Without treatment, rotator cuff problems may lead to permanent loss of motion or weakness of the shoulder joint.
Is rotator cuff a major surgery?
Rotator cuff repair can help restore pain-free range of motion and full function in a damaged shoulder joint. Rotator cuff tears are common, but not all rotator cuff tears require surgery. Rotator cuff surgery is a major surgery with serious risks, a long recovery, and potential complications.
Why GAO Did This Study
VA provides services and benefits to veterans through hospitals and other facilities nationwide. Misconduct by VA employees can have serious consequences for some veterans, including poor quality of care. GAO was asked to review employee misconduct across VA.
What GAO Found
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) collects data related to employee misconduct and disciplinary actions, but fragmentation and data-reliability issues impede department-wide analysis of those data. VA maintains six information systems that include partial data related to employee misconduct.
What GAO Recommends
GAO makes numerous recommendations to Veterans Affairs to help enhance its ability to address misconduct issues.
What are the common shoulder and arm conditions among veterans?
Common Shoulder and Arm Conditions Among Veterans. Many activities in service, such as lifting heavy objects, transporting heavy supplies, or forms of physical training, can often cause shoulder and arm injuries.
When is VA disability rating for shoulder?
VA Disability Ratings for Shoulder and Arm Conditions. August 6, 2019. Injuries to the shoulder and arm commonly occur while performing both combat and non-combat duties during service. However, establishing service connection for shoulder and arm conditions can be difficult. Veterans must (1) have a current, diagnosed shoulder or arm condition;
What is shoulder tendonitis?
Shoulder Tendonitis – Shoulder tendonitis occurs when the rotator cuff and the biceps tendon become inflamed. The inflammation can be mild to severe. Symptoms include pain and limited mobility. Shoulder Bursitis – Like shoulder tendonitis, shoulder bursitis is caused by inflammation.
What is the subacromial bursa?
The subacromial bursa lies between the rotator cuff and shoulder blade and protects the tendons in this area. When the bursa becomes inflamed, it can cause pain and stiffness in the shoulder. Shoulder Replacement – A shoulder may need to be replaced to reduce pain and increase mobility, strength, and function.
What are the symptoms of a separated shoulder?
In some cases, a separated shoulder requires surgery to repair. Symptoms include pain, weakness, bruising, swelling, and limited movement. Rotator Cuff Tear – The rotator cuff is the collection of muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint.
What are some examples of shoulder injuries?
Below are some common examples of shoulder and arm conditions: Shoulder Dislocation – A dislocated shoulder occurs when the upper arm bone pops out of the socket in the shoulder blade.
What is the rated percentage of a veteran's arm?
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).
How to access VA mental health services?
To access free VA mental health services right away: Call or walk in to any VA medical center —anytime, day or night. Find your nearest VA health facility. Call or walk in to any Vet Center during clinic hours. Find your nearest Vet Center. Call us at 877-222-8387.
What is the VA mental health number?
We’re here Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET. If you have hearing loss, call TTY: 800-877-8339. You don’t need to be enrolled in VA health care to get care. Learn more about accessing VA mental health services. To connect with other resources for Veterans and transitioning service members:
How to contact the VA about homelessness?
Contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838 for help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A trained VA counselor will offer information about VA homelessness programs, health care, and other services in your area. The call is free and confidential.
How many hours a day does the VA provide mental health care?
This includes: Emergency mental health care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, through VA medical centers and some local, non-VA hospitals. The Veterans Crisis Line, which offers support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for Veterans in crisis and their families and friends. Learn more about VA mental health services.
What does it mean to maximize VA disability for headaches?
If your headaches result from a TBI, maximizing your VA disability compensation for headaches means getting a headache rating that is SEPARATE from the TBI rating. Another example are Tension Headaches. Tension headaches are not a listed disability in the rating schedule for VA disability compensation.
Can VA medication cause headaches?
More than that though, think about how many of your medications prescribed by the VA result in headaches as a side effect. When VA treatment results in another condition, you have 2 other legal theories to consider: secondary service connection, and service connection due to VA Medical treatment. Bottom line, if you have any service-connected ...
Can you get VA disability for headaches?
Bottom line – you can maximize your VA disability compensation for headaches by recognizing that ANY kind of headache that is relate to military service, caused by another service connected condition, or aggravated by treatment of a service-connected condition entiles you to VA disability compensation for headaches.
Can the VA deny a migraine rating?
It’s also pretty common to see the VA deny a compensable rating for migraines or headaches – or low-ball the rating – because you aren’t experiencing headaches at the time of the exam. That’s silly, when you think about it.
What is the VA disability code for shoulder replacement?
If you have to have a shoulder replacement, the VA will place you on 100 percent disability for the first year after the surgery and you will get a code of 5051. After the first year, you’ll receive a permanent disability rating based on your level of function once you’re fully healed.
What to do if you injure your shoulder?
Like with any other joint replacement, a surgeon will go in and take out the upper part of your humerus and a part of your scapula. These will be replaced with prosthetic components that will act in place of the damaged structures.
What is the code for a shoulder dislocation?
Code 5202 is a broad code that covers a wide range of injuries. In addition to shoulder dislocations, this code can also cover any injury to the humeral bone, including the humerus itself, the humeral head that sits inside your scapula, or the humeral neck that connects the two.
What is the clavicle in the VA?
The bone in your upper arm is called your humerus, and your collarbone is called your clavicle.
What is the disability rating for a non dominant arm?
If your arm cannot move 25 degrees away from your side, you’ll get a disability rating of 50 percent for a dominant arm or 40 percent for a non-dominant arm. Further movement beyond that is coded differently and will receive ratings based on how severe the limitation is.
What percentage of disability is if you can raise your arm 90 degrees?
And if you can raise your arm to 90 degrees, or level with your shoulder, you’ll get a disability rating of 20 percent, no matter which arm the injury is on. How the VA measures range of motion in arms and shoulders – straight from the VA.
What are the long term disability benefits for veterans?
Rotator cuffs, dislocations, and poorly healed bones all contribute to long-term disabilities in veterans. If you’ve served in the military, the VA offers you a variety of aid programs and benefits. But one of the biggest sources of aid for many veterans is the VA disability program. This benefit gives injured veterans monthly compensation ...
How many veterans are receiving disability for burn scars?
More than 65,000 veterans are currently receiving disability compensation for burn scars, according to the same Department of Veterans Affairs report. All told, scars account for about 3.8 percent of all disability recipients.
Why is the VA scar rating system confusing?
This is because the VA actually superimposes two distinct ratings systems, and overlays them against one another.
What is VA disability rating?
In a nutshell, the VA’s disability rating criteria for scars is based on multiple factors: Deepness or superficiality – A deep scar adheres to underlying tissues; a superficial scar is not associated with underlying tissue loss. The amount you may receive for general scarring depends on several factors.
How to qualify for VA disability?
To qualify for disability compensation, you must have at least one scar that is unstable, painful, or both. In a nutshell, the VA’s disability rating criteria for scars is based on multiple factors: 1 Pain 2 Stability 3 Size – based on the total area of scar tissue 4 Shape – linear vs. non-linear 5 Affected areas of the body 6 Limitation of motion 7 Deepness or superficiality – A deep scar adheres to underlying tissues; a superficial scar is not associated with underlying tissue loss.
What percentage of disability is a scar on the left leg?
So if you have a significant scar on your left leg that qualifies you for a 20% disability rating, and another scar on your right arm that also separately qualifies for a 20% disability rating, your doctor may combine them together and you could receive a 40% rating.
How many veterans have burn scars?
According to the 2019 VA Benefits Report, Scars are the sixth most common service-connected disability for new disability compensation recipients, according to the VA, affecting more than a million veterans. Burn scars are accounted for separately.
Can scar tissue on elbow cause disability?
Additionally, the scars may themselves cause other conditions which could make you eligible for further VA disability compensation. For example, if scar tissue on your elbow makes it impossible for you to fully flex your arm, that would be considered a limitation of function, as well as a limitation of motion.
What is the most common orthopedic condition veterans are faced with?
Arthritis. When we talk about veteran orthopedic conditions, a common issue or diagnosis veterans are faced with is arthritis. Arthritis is degenerative changes in the joints. Some joints are affected more than others.
How much disability does the VA give for arthritis?
VA disability for arthritis will be rated at 10 or 20 percent based upon the number of joints affected and the level of debilitation it causes. Read this article to learn more about how the VA determines benefits for arthritis. This is the most common orthopedic condition among veterans.
What is VA claims insider?
VA Claims insider is an education-based coaching/consulting company. We’re here for disabled veterans exploring eligibility for increased VA disability benefits and who wish to learn more about that process. We also connect veteran s with independent medical professionals in our referral network for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible Independent Medical Opinions & Nexus Statements (Medical Nexus Letters) for a wide range of disability conditions.
What is the best treatment for sciatic nerve pain?
The treatment for this includes anti-inflammatory medication, stretches and exercises, heat and ice therapy, and physical therapy.
What are the most common orthopedic problems?
Orthopedic problems involve, but not limited to, soreness or rigidity of muscles and joints. Some commonly affected areas are knees, hips, back, shoulders, elbows, wrists, neck, feet, and ankles. When looking at these types of claims, know that you have options.
What is a non-invasive procedure?
The procedure involves non-invasive techniques to offer a completely natural approach to healing. Remember, every veteran is different and what might work for one, may not work for another. Veterans require holistic rehabilitative orthopedic care to get a healthy life back.
What is the treatment for lower back pain?
Pain in the lower back can restrict mobility and interfere with normal functioning. The doctor will be able to diagnose this with a simple X-Ray or CT-Scan. The treatment plan often includes activity modification, medicine, physical rehabilitation, therapy, osteopathic manipulation, occupational therapy, or surgery.