imzdo

The C&P ROM testing results are included in the attached word document. chart.doc

Got my latest rating a few months ago with a combined 90% rating (50% right hip replacement; 50% left hip replacement; and 20% right ankle fusion). The question that I have been wrestling with is whether or not to file a NOD on the Hip Replacement ratings (Diag Code 5054) and request an increase to the next higher increment (70% for each hip). The 50 rating is for Moderately Severe limitation of motion and pain and the 70 rating is for Markedly Severe limitation of motion and pain. I can find no where in any of the VA regs where Moderately severe or Markedly severe are defined or compared and would like to know if anyone is aware whether this is an arbitrary decision on the part of a RO in making the decision between Moderately and Markedly Severe. I have pretty restrictive ROM in both my hips based on the C&P. Hip ROM ROM Standard My Right Hip My LeftHip Variance %Flexion 0-125 degrees 80 degrees 75 degrees 36 - 40 Extension 0-30 degrees 15 degrees 10 degrees 50 - 67 Adduction 0-25 degrees 20 degrees 20 degrees 20 - 20 Abduction 0-45 degrees 45 degrees 45 degrees 0 - 0 Ext Rotation 0-60 degrees 30 degrees 30 degrees 50 - 50 Int Rotation 0-40 degrees 7 degrees 5 degrees 82.5 – 87.5 And in addition: the C&P Doctor commented "Mr McGinty has increased pain as well as obvious decreased ROM in the hips bilaterally". He also noted that I have difficulty sleeping and requires frequently changing position to deal with pain and discomfort. I also need a dressing stick, sock aid, elastic laces on my shoes and a long handled sponge to take care of my daily grooming. Also, My left hip has dislocated once post-operativerly. If you have some experience with this type of thing I would welcome your feedback as to whether or not to rock the VA's boat on this as it mean the difference between 90 and 100% rating. IMZDO

Berta, Under Title 38, 4.71a, code 5055; the veteran should be entitled to 12 months plus any convelesence time of 100% following in implantation of a prosthetic Knee, Hip, Ankle, etc. Sounds like he will have a long convelesence based on the care he received at the VA hospital. Good luck IMZDO

Berta, Thanks for your concern in covering all aspects. I am a retired federal employee and currently working as a contractor. That's the main reason that I have not been using VA facilities to this point as I have good insurance for both medical, dental, and prescriptions; which gets me access to excellent doctors at pretty much no cost. I suppose that when I go for my next C&P that I should insist that they document the fact that I take 400mg of celebrex, 2 joint juices, and MSM every day so that I can get around comfortably. Again all, Thanks for your website and excellent advice and information that we can share. IMZDO

Thanks Berta. Appreciate the information and will take your advice about seeing the VA every once in a while to let them know that my hips are not getting better.

Good Morning all, I had an ankle fusion that was service connected and had been drawing 20% for quite a while. A couple of years ago, my hips started bothering me along with both of my knees. I filed for and was granted service connection for both hips and my left knee secondary to my fused right ankle because of analytic gait and have been entitled to 60% since December 2005. My question is: Since I provided all of the doctor statements, medical records, and went through an exhaustive C&P and the VA doctor agreed with and recommended service connection secondary to the fused right ankle, do I have to continue proving this connection for the rest of my life with VA or is the service connection now written in stone? As if anything is ever written in stone with the VA. Thanks IMZDO