Opinion Of Receiving Disability Compensation - Please Help

[gossjl04]

Good afternoon everyone. I am a combat engineer sergeant with the national guard. In 2010, while at basic training, i suffered a fall which resulted in a separated shoulder. When I returned from basic training/AIT, an LOD was opened and it was determined that I was eligible to recieve care from my local doctors. I saw several doctors and went through physical therapy. X-ray and MRI imaging all revealed a widening of the acrcomioclavicular joint suggesting separation and a 3mm gap in the supraspinatus tendon consistent with a partial thickness tear (one of the rotator cuff tendons). A specialist suggested surgery but it was never authorized. In 2012, I fell off of a Stryker vehicle and again injured the same shoulder. The x-ray from the emergency room states:

"There is apparent loss of bone at the distal right clavicle either related to osteolysis, erosive changes, or prior distal clavicular resection. This leads to apparent widening of the superior aspect of the acromioclavicular interval. Several well-corticated adjacent ossicles are noted at the expected location of the superior acromioclavicular ligament. There is no dislocation. There is no widening of the coracoclavicular interval. IMPRESSION: No fracture is seen. Suspect osteolysis/erosion at the distal clavicle."

Bascially, my right shoulder sometimes bothers me. If I sleep on it wrong, then it may bother me for the entire next day, or, for example, if I shovel snow out of the driveway for two hours, it bothers me for two days, however, sometimes it is fine. My range of motion isn't bad except going behind my back bothers me, or heavy lifting. I have loads of treatment records and 2 LOD's documenting my shoulder injury.

I was wondering what everyone's opinion was to whether or not I should receive benefits, and if so, how much?

Thank you very much.

[Carl the Engineer]

You will only get 10% for your shoulder, except when you are measured for range of motion. Then you could get 20, 30 40 etc. Range of motion is everything. When tested stop at pain.

I have 10 on each shoulder for arthritis and or tendinitis. However, got a increase on my right to 20 for ROM. Also got 20 for my right elbow secondary to my right shoulder. This all takes time. First service connection, then work up.

Hamslice

[gossjl04]

I've never gotten measured for range of motion. On a good day, the only thing that bothers me is reaching behind my back (i.e.putting seat belt on). On a bad day like if I slept on it wrong or shoveled snow, then a slight pain throughout most of my motions and pain just with my arm by it's side. It's never been dislocated. It seems to get tired more easily than my other shoulder if I do overhead movements with it.

With that osteolysis of the humerus head, could there be a link to arthritis or a degenerative disease of the joint?

Thanks everyone...I truly appreciate it.

[gossjl04]

How would one go about proving evidence of malunion of the humerus head with marked or moderate deformity (specifically, what are the criteria?) Would clear bone loss of the humerus head be sufficient? I will measure my motions and report back. Thank you!

[gossjl04]

I performed the movements from the previously attached image that DOT09 included. My results are:

The shoulder forward elevation (flexion): 90 deg

The shoulder abduction: 135 deg

The shoulder external roation: 45 deg

The shoulder internal rotation: 90 deg

I should note that on days if I aggravate it (sleeping wrong, shovel snow, etc.), I would expect these measurements to decrease. On some days, there is a constant shoulder pain that never goes away. Is there a measurement for reaching behind the back, as this is the movement that is really painful.

Thanks!

[gossjl04]

Hi Dot,

You are correct, I mis-spoke. The osteolysis/erosion is with the distal right clavicle. I must have been confused with something I read on my MRI : "A small bone island is noted in the medial aspect of the humeral head". The MRI also stated that there is a small amount of fluid in the subacromion/subdeltoid bursa.

Also, should I be worried about "several well-corticated adjacent ossicles are noted at the expected location of the superior acromioclavicular ligament"?

I have filed a claim and I got a letter stating that the forms to release my medical records needed sent again, so I just did that, in addition to obtaining them all myself and I just sent them certified / return receipt yesterday. I'm worried because there is nothing in my records listing the degrees of my range of motion. Should I expect them to schedule a C&P exam soon?

As for anything else wrong with me, there is nothing major. I got tinnea versicolor while at summer Annual Training in Virginia but there is no line of duty for it, I just went to sick call and they diagnosed it as an unknown rash. Now every spring/summer I have it and I have little white circles of non-pigmentation on my arms, back, and abdomen. But that is all.

Thanks!

[Vync]

See if you can get a copy of your physical therapy records. Depending on the quality of the treatment notes, they sometimes include range of motion. Back when I was in (90-95), my PT notes consisted of a couple of sentences on a single page. However, I had PT a few years ago and it read like stereo instructions over several pages.

Edited December 18, 2013 by Vync