It can develop in a joint with a past injury, such as from a car accident, military injury, or a fall. Many of them developed it in their ankles after marching, walking, running, jumping, or even parachuting during their time in service. The situation will not get better. One out of three vets suffers from arthritis. L. Code L-1 h, i (38 CFR 3.350(b)). However, because the pain impedes the use of the knee at a 10% compensable level, a rating of 10% would be appropriate. We'll also cover some common secondary conditions to ankle disabilities for which Veterans can receive VA disability compensation. When naming a rated disability that may not be perfectly noted in The Schedule For Rating Disabilities, VA is allowed and often does use a known and named condition that is similar. If the examiner concludes that their ankle instability is at least as likely as not due to their time in service, then service connection should be awarded. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. Typically, this condition develops after repeated ankle sprains. If a nerve condition also exists in the Ankle, then that can be rated separately under one of the Lower Nerve codes since the Nervous System is separate and distinct. These cookies dont collect information that identifies you. In this post, well reveal and explain how to download copies of your VA benefit letters online. The normal range for the ankle is between 45 to 0 degrees for plantar flexion (when the top of your foot points away from your leg) and between 20 to 0 degrees for dorsiflexion (moving your foot up toward the shin). Cookies help us deliver the best experience on our website. The ankle is one of the main weight-bearing joints, therefore when it is injured other pains and bodily issues can follow. And don't forget to SUBSCRIBE so you wont miss future videos. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. Limitation of Range of Motion of the Ankle #10. However, you might not receive these results if you dont ask for them. Table II - Ratings for Multiple Losses of Extremities With Dictator's Rating Code and 38 CFR Citation. FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND DOES NOT REPLACE 38 CFR SCHEDULE OF RATINGS, https://www.HowVADisabilityRatingsWork.com Copyright 2023 Douglas Haynes REV: January 2023, FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND DOES NOT REPLACE, https://www.HowVADisabilityRatingsWork.com. Ankle disabilities are extremely common among veterans and should not be taken lightly due to the effect they can have on other parts of the body if they are not treated correctly. Disability Benefits Questionnaire Neck Box 449, Deland, FL 32721, Orlando, FL: 605 E. Robinson Street Suite 635, Orlando, FL 32801 How VA Disability Ratings Work - Musculoskeletal Musculoskeletal Arthritis Disability Benefits Questionnaire Ankle Including Shin Splints Disability Benefits Questionnaire Back Disability Benefits Questionnaire Elbow Disability Benefits Questionnaire Knee including Shin Splints. And dont forget to SUBSCRIBE so you wont miss future videos. The VASRD rates two main types of arthritis: Degenerative Arthritis (code 5003), and Rheumatoid Arthritis (code 5002). We have helped thousands of veterans get the benefits they deserve. Dear Veteran, Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: According to our data, 8/10 (80%) of veterans reading this message right now are underrated by the VA. of Defense or any governmental entity. Brian Reese here, Air Force service-disabled Veteran and Founder @ VA Claims Insider. 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. By favoring either your left or right side for an extended amount of time you may begin to experience problems in your knees, hips, or back. The ankle finally got to the point I could not walk on it and the V.A. History : Injured ankle in 1987. Arthritis in the ankles will especially limit your ability to walk or do any kind of physical activity on your feet. Ankle Condition Ratings. The VA rating schedule for joint problems, including ankle instability, is based on the range of motion as well as other specific criteria that affect the joints and musculoskeletal system. An important thing to note along these lines is the VAs stance on arthritis as a condition. List Of The Top 50 Va Disability Claims: #3. You will not be able to work a physical job and keep your ankle. The only thing you can do is keep bugging them. Veterans that have current disabilities that were a result of their military service are entitled to compensation, and there is a long list of disabilities that a Veteran could claim disability benefits for. Note that you generally receive separate ratings for your lumbar spine and your cervical spine, unless the severity of your overall spine disorder warrants a 100-percent evaluation. Dont let years pass you by of not claiming what you deserve! From there, they will likely examine the ankle for tender areas, signs of swelling, and evidence of instability by turning the foot inwards. Estimate your 2023 VA Rating & Compensation for FREE! These are: Another way of obtaining a VA rating for ankle instability is by proving a secondary service connection. Evaluation of Ankylosis or Limitation of Motion of Single or Multiple Digits of the Hand. Consider using online and community-based physical activity and arthritis-management programs. Any type of arthritis can make everyday activities difficult, including climbing stairs, bending or kneeling, and doing housework. Ankle instability is a chronic condition that is often caused by an acute injury such as an ankle sprain. For some veterans, the objective criteria in the disability rating schedule may not accurately reflect their true level of disability. WHAT DO I DO IF I DISAGREE WITH MY RATING? This would occur if your ankle instability was aggravated by something that occurred during service. 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. Contact us today by either filling out our online contact form or calling us. For instance, which pages you go to most. Cincinnati, OH: 300 E Business Way, Suite 200, Summit Woods Corporate Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45241 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. If your left or right ankle is frozen in plantar flexion more than 40 degrees, or dorsiflexion more than 10 degrees, then a 40% rating will be assigned. VA gave me 10% left ankle, 10% right ankle and 10% back. 4:43 VA Disability Rating for Arthritis in Ankle 2 Also entitled to special monthly compensation. The VA disability rating for lumbar and cervical spine conditions is 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, or 100 percent depending upon the severity of the disability. Advertising Notice: Veteran.com and Three Creeks Media, its parent and affiliate companies, may receive compensation through advertising placements on Veteran.com; For any rankings or lists on this site, Veteran.com may receive compensation from the companies being ranked and this compensation may affect how, where and in what order products and companies appear in the rankings and lists. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, arthritis is the number one cause of disability in America, and most who suffer from the condition are working adults. Arthritis and ankle instability together might lead to a higher disability rating. Luckily it was found by V.A. The Department of VA has active arthritis research projects, from lab studies to new medications and therapy programs. Post-traumatic arthritis is a form of osteoarthritis caused by a past physical injury to any joint. They are not intended as a guarantee that we will obtain the same or similar results in every case we undertake. It found that they experienced ankle sprains at a rate five times greater than those in the civilian population.This is notable due to the fact that ankles that have been sprained have a high rate of re-injury. Bone and Joints Disability Ratings Table 4.71a Schedule of ratingsmusculoskeletal system. The latest data reports around 92% of all VA claims involving the ankle receive the rating between 0-20%. Please leave us your questions or comments, and we hope you enjoy the broadcast!VA Disability for Arthritis in Ankle: https://cck-law.com/blog/va-disability-for-arthritis-in-ankle/ VA Disability for Ankle Tendonitis: https://cck-law.com/blog/va-disability-for-ankle-tendonitis/ VA Disability for Ankle Instability: https://cck-law.com/blog/va-disability-rating-for-ankle-instability/ Learn More About CCK: https://cck-law.com/why-hire-cck-for-your-va-disability-appeal/ 0:00 Introduction1:37 Service Connection for Arthritis in Ankle4:43 VA Disability Rating for Arthritis in Ankle7:25 Service Connection for Ankle Tendonitis8:45 VA Disability Rating for Ankle Tendonitis10:04 Service Connection for Ankle Instability11:44 VA Disability Rating for Ankle Instability12:12 VA Secondary Conditions to Ankle Disabilities13:30 Closing Thoughts and Tips for VeteransFeel free to ask questions, give us feedback, or request new veterans' law topics below! Phoenix, AZ: One Renaissance Tower, Two North Center Avenue, 18th & 19th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85004 Limitation of Flexion of the Knee #4. SC 10%. All other types of arthritis or similar conditions are rated analogously as degenerative or rheumatoid, whichever is the most similar. VA Disability Rating for Ankle Instability, Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, - Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, VA Service Connection for Ankle Instability, VA Claim Denied? You're not alone. If you have questions of a specific nature consider consulting a financial professional, accountant or attorney to discuss. The veteran is currently rated as 10 percent disabling for each ankle disability. Filing an appeal can be difficult. If you are diagnosed with this disease and are incapacitated as a result, you are generally provided with 100 percent disability, regardless of how many joints are affected. It affects more than 54 million adults in the U.S. and is the leading cause of work disability in the U.S. Arthritis can occur in any type of joint and is usually accompanied by swelling in and around the joints. Other exceptions, if any, are noted in specific rating codes found on the Ankle Condition Ratings page. With severe instability, Diagnostic Code 5257 should be used to assign an additional 30% rating. You may also be able to get help with assistive devices that may be useful for arthritis sufferers. 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? Since 2016, VA Claims Insider has helped thousands of Veterans just like you get the VA rating and compensation they deserve in less time. It is a low acid tomato with a unique flavor that has been described as sweet, yet slightly tangy. To establish service connection for ankle instability on a direct basis, veterans must establish the following: (1) a current diagnosis of ankle instability; (2) an in-service event, injury, or illness; and (3) a medical nexus linking the instability of the ankle to the in-service incurrence. If you are experiencing an ongoing ankle injury or functional loss of the joint, it can be frustrating if your VA benefits claim is denied or awarded a low rating. There is evidence that integrative health approaches or certain reputable alternative therapies may be useful for those suffering from arthritis. In late 2017, VA began a multi-year effort to revise and update the VASRD, or VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. A secondary service connection occurs when you can connect your ankle instability with another service-connected injury or issue. O. What you read here is current at the time of this writing, according to the VA, but disability percentage rating procedures, criteria, and amounts are always subject to change through legislation, VA policy, etc. Ankle conditions are common disabilities among Veterans. For example, the physical requirements of military service, like training and combat, could have make an existing ankle injury worse. To determine the rating for your ankle injury the VA will focus on two factors: flexion (limitation of range and motion) and pain. Copyright 2023 Chisholm Chisholm & Kilpatrick LTD. All Rights Reserved. I'd have to guess that your foot condition was called flat foot at some point so that you could receive the ratings of 0% and then 30%. 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. No tables, rankings or lists are fully comprehensive and do not include all companies or available products. Have you been affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination? We have updated our Privacy Policy. Check out the other resources we have to set you up to WIN! These cookies do not store any personal information. Neither Veteran.com nor Three Creeks Media are associated with or endorsed by the U.S. They will have the most information to determine if a rating may be incorrect. VA guidelines for this type of arthritis condition state that any diagnosed arthritis-related limited range of motion must be objectively confirmed by findings such as swelling, muscle spasm, or satisfactory evidence of painful motion. In cases where there is no limited motion, VA ratings are as follows: Degenerative arthritis with X-ray evidence of involvement of two or more major joints or minor joint groups, with occasional incapacitating exacerbations. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. We consistently provide experienced, compassionate and ethical representation to our clients. It is vitally important that you show up to your scheduled C&P exam or reschedule if you are unable to attend. 1155, unless otherwise noted. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Arthritis affects one out of every five Americans. That means your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body causing painful swelling in the affected areas of the body. Veteran.com is a property of Three Creeks Media. The DoD will also rate service-connected conditions as long as they also make the service memberUnfit for Duty. When going forward with your VA Claims, ensure that you do have the correct evidence in place for the VA to use. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease. Your conditions are eligible to be rated by the VA if they are the result of your military service. Some of the symptoms of ankle instability include: Not every incident will include all of the symptoms listed above, and there may be other issues caused by this condition. All information is completely confidential.By clicking Get Discounts you agree to our Privacy Policy. 4.71a Schedule of ratings - musculoskeletal system. You have a limited amount of time to appeal your decision and preserve the effective date of your claim. In addition to or instead of the standard disability compensation for Ankle conditions, amputations or loss of use of the Ankle may also qualify for Special Monthly Compensation. There are three elements necessary for a successful direct service connection claim. At Woods and Woods, we want to help veterans like you get the benefits they deserve. There are too many major and minor joint issues to comprehensively list here, but veterans should ask a VA representative about this type of VA rating and what the current percentages may be for the veterans specific medical issue related to joints, arthritis, etc. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If a ranking or list has a company noted to be a partner the indicated company is a corporate affiliate of Veteran.com. How to Download Your VA Benefit Letters Online (5-Step Process), Is It Possible to Get Free Nexus Letters? VA Claims insider is an education-based coaching/consulting company. Washington, D.C.: 1776 I Street, NW, 9th Floor, Washington, D.C 20006 How to File a Claim on VA.gov (step-by-step)! Last year I was given a 40% rating for the ankle plus special compensation for "loss of use of foot". For a limited time, you can book a free, no-obligation VA Claim Discovery Call with one of our experts. put me in an Arizona Brace to support it. 4.29 - Ratings for Service-Connected Disabilities Requiring Hospital Treatment or Observation 4.30 - Convalescent Ratings 4.31 - A No-Percent Rating return to top Subpart B - Disability Ratings The Musculoskeletal System 4.40 - Functional Loss 4.41 - History of Injury 4.42 - Complete Medical Examination of Injury Cases 4.43 - Osteomyelitis This can help manage functional limitations, stick with an exercise program designed to help with the condition, etc. Lumbosacral or Cervical Strain #6. Editorial Disclosure: Editorial content on Veteran.com may include opinions. Make regular appointments with a physical therapist. Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that commonly occurs in the big toe joint but can also occur in other joints, such as the ankles. My left ankle was reconstructed while in the Navy in 1971. Given the physicality required for many military occupations, this is not surprising. This may also be true if you had an existing ankle injury that was aggravated by active duty service. Scars, General #7. If accepted into our ELITE membership program, youll get free up-front access and permission to use $13,119 worth of proprietary VA claim resources, including access to our network of independent medical professionals for medical examinations, disability evaluations, and credible Medical Nexus Letters, which could help you get a HIGHER VA rating in LESS time. For help with your disability claims go to vaclaimsguide.com Sleep Apnea #13. Visit our website at cck-law.com. When you receive an unfavorable disability rating, you have a number of options available to you to appeal the claim. If you want to learn how to implement these strategies to get the VA benefits you deserve, click here to speak with a VA claim expert for free. One in three veterans suffers from some type of arthritis. These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be switched off in our systems. This 100% rating will remain in place for a year then will be examined to receive a permanent rating. #2: Direct Service Connection for Post-Traumatic Arthritis rated under DC 5010 with a rating of 10 percent or 20 percent. Surgery involves the repair or reconstruction of the damaged ligaments. This website adheres to the W3Cs AA Accessibility guidelines. Pittsburgh, PA: 201 Penn Center Boulevard, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA, 15235 The VA rates ankle arthritis using the Schedule for Rating Disabilities for the musculoskeletal system. Ankle arthritis is more commonly rated under diagnostic code 5270 for ankle ankylosis, or under 5271 for limited motion of the ankle. VA Disability rating percentages for musculoskeletal conditions The most common are strains, sprains, arthritis, and reduced flexion in arms, legs, backs, and necks. Get as much help from the VA as possible. Veterans most commonly develop arthritis from overuse or traumatic injuries during their time in service, but the VA recognizes some other possible causes of arthritis in veterans. Our firm was founded in 1986 in Orlando, Florida. I was injured in 1969 in an accident on an airfield. To honor the Pyramiding Principle, only a single rating can be given for conditions of the Ankle with a few exceptions. Cleveland, OH: 600 Superior Ave. East, Fifth Third Building, Suite 1300, Cleveland, OH, 44114 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. For the DoD, they will rate your service-connected conditions as long as they also make you Unfit for Duty. Only one rating for the entire joint. Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. Enter your email for updates and we'll send them straight to your inbox! 60%: The veteran has severe incapacitating episodes four or more times per year. Arthritis of the ankle joint is a common condition that can occur with ankle instability. Veterans will likely have to attend a Compensation & Pension (C&P) exam to obtain a medical nexus opinion. VA Disability Benefits for Arthritis in the Ankle. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant advertisements on other websites. Dr's and documented in my records as such. Because of this complexity, the VA simplified the rating system for musculoskeletal conditions to focus on the resulting disability from a condition or group of conditions existing in the same body part. Although ankle sprains heal, the ligaments often remain weak and stretched out. There are two types of ankle instability: mechanical and functional. A study by the U.S. National Library of Medicine studied ankle injuries among active service members. Ankle arthritis is more commonly rated under diagnostic code 5270 for ankle ankylosis, or under 5271 for limited motion of the ankle. In such cases, the VA is able to consider certain, When VA benefits are being discussed, we are generally referring to VA disability compensation benefits. When you visit web sites, they may store or retrieve data in your web browser. Updated: April 21, 2020. The Rating Schedule does not set forth a specific Diagnostic Code for instability of the ankle. Mechanical instability occurs when the ankle is physically unstable and unable to be weight-bearing.