Va Disability Rating For Arthritis In Knee

Degenerative arthritis also known as osteoarthritis is given a disability rating of 10-20.

Va disability rating for arthritis in knee. Major joints include the shoulder wrist elbow hip knee and ankle while minor joints include toes fingers spine and sacroiliac. Three episodes of rheumatoid arthritis flareups each year can increase your disability rating to 40. 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. Can it qualify for VA disability.

000 Introduction011 Degenerative arthritis Osteoarthritis vs. Instability this is rated by the VA as slight 10 moderate 20 or severe 30 under Diagnostic Code 5257 3. After total knee replacement surgery there is an automatic 100 disability rating for one year. The VA uses the rules of the VASRD to rate knee and lower leg conditions based on pain limited motion damage to the bones diseases like arthritis etc.

The disability rating increases based on how many flareups you experience annually and how they affect your daily life. Osteoarthritis OA is the most common form of arthritis and is defined by Mayo Clinic as a degenerative condition in which the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time. Have your doctor specifically use this language when heshe explains your limitations due to knee arthritis. Under the VA rating schedule there is a standard 20 disability rating if there is x-ray evidence of involvement of two or more major joints or minor joint groups with occasional incapacitating exacerbations.

471a Diagnostic Code 5260 a noncompensable rating is warranted if flexion of the knee is limited to 60 degrees. Much depends on the nature and severity of the condition. The VA rating specialist will categorize instability of the joint in three ways. This knee pain condition is rated under diagnostic code 5261 and the disability ratings available are 0 10 20 30 40 and 50 percent.

For the purpose of rating disability from arthritis the knee is considered a major joint. Veterans suffering from osteoarthritis may be eligible for disability benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs VA. In order to get the highest evaluation the knee must be so unstable that it gives out or dislocates on a regular basis. Learn the common knee conditions Veterans experience how theyre rated.

The Department of Veterans Affairs does not assign a single disability rating for arthritis. VA disability ratings for rheumatoid arthritis start at 20 for one or two painful flareups per year. Slight 10 moderate 20 or severe 30 under Diagnostic Code 5257. Check out our Knee and Lower Leg Conditions Ratings page for the exact codes and ratings.

My knee condition wasnt diagnosed until after I was discharged. Typically the greater limitation of extension ie the harder it is to straighten the knee the higher the disability rating will be. Additionally he should explain why your condition falls into that particular category. Ankylosis of the Knee Diagnostic Code 5256.

The only time a temporary rating for knee pain is given is when a total knee replacement is performed. 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. After that year has lapsed veterans will require additional tests for knee flexion extension and instability. Under the provisions of 38 CFR.

Ive looked at it practically every day of my adult life. Its important that your doctor use these three terms to explain your limitations due to arthritis. Arthritis and a meniscus condition in your knee you can only receive a rating for one of the two conditions whichever gives the higher rating. The VA has 3 ways to categorize this aspect when rating arthritis of the knee.

So if your arthritis gives a higher rating than the meniscus condition then it is rated Only one rating per joint. Slight 10 moderate 20 or severe 30. Pain pain is the most common manifestation of arthritis and though pain is not normally a disability in the VA Rating scheme when it comes to arthritis of the knee it can yield a larger rating. The VA disability rating for knee arthritis can go up to 100 for rheumatoid arthritis if the condition causes you to be completely incapacitated.

Rheumatoid arthritis0310 In-service causes of arthritis0503 Presumption of service connec. VA Ratings for Arthritis Degenerative arthritis can receive the following disability compensation ratings from the VA. VA assigns a 0 10 20 or 30 percent disability rating for this knee pain condition based on the amount of instability present in the knee. A 10 percent rating is in order if flexion of the knee is limited to 45 degrees.