Service Connected Osteoarthritis And Degenerative Joint Disease

[Old 5311]

The VA just determined the following conditions are related to my military service, so connection has been granted:

Degenerative joint disease cervical spine, assigned 10%.

Degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine, assigned 10%.

Osteoarthritis, Left Shoulder, assigned 10%.

Osteoarthritis, Right Shoulder, assigned 10%.

Osteoarthritis, Left Hip, assigned 10%.

Osteoarthritis, Right Hip, assigned 10%.

Osteoarthritis, Left Wrist, assigned 10%.

Osteoarthritis, Right Wrist, assigned 10%.

Osteoarthritis, Left knee, assigned 10%.

Osteoarthritis, Right knee, assigned 10%.

TOTAL 10%

Can this possibly be correct? I am crippled, and have continuous pain, even lying down. I cannot stand, walk or take stairs. The VA knows all this.

My hunch is they are waiting on attrition!

Someone please explain this decision to me or advise.

Thank You.

[ruby]

I don't know whats going on I am new to the game but I have arthritis degenerative in the neck wrist and foot/ankle

I get 20% for the neck

10% for the wrist (pain)

10% for the foot (pain)

40% but fuzzy math makes it less.

My xrays so the radiologist says doesn't show arthritis, but I can see it on my films.

I will NOD this I think my pain should be rated higher and the xrays they used were 18 months old.

If you have wrist and fingers involved that 2 joints, if you have both hands its bilateral. Check the rating codes it is explained there.

Re file a new claim for pain and limited motion.

[Old 5311]

Veteran Forum Friends, Thanks for your thoughts. I Faxed my DAV VSO and will wait for that reply. For the record, I waited nine years for this decision, with the condition worsening continuously. I really expected a >40% rating. Every claim I have submitted has been denied by the same person at St. Pete. You must understand, they are understaffed and have huge case loads. So the easiest thing to do is deny, deny and deny. Then you wait and wait. ATRITION is the main objective! Definitionof atrition: we are gone! I think these VA employees are in low pay grades, although I understand the majority are veterans who must comply with their boss's orders. Annual evals are important and now under NSPS it is a new ball game. Only the good ole boys will see promotions and bonuses. The managers are largely non-vets who avoided the draft somehow. They are promoted, rewarded and recognized for keeping costs low and below budget.

I guess I'm just too young to be this darn old!

39 nholdin, not bitter.

[BMCS00]

I plugged these numbers into my spreadsheet calculator, and assuming none is rated as 'bilateral', 10 tens crunches down to 67% - or 70% in comp terms. I would venture a guess there was an error somewhere on your letter or in your process. Did you submit a form for IU? Good luck,

--Jim

The VA just determined the following conditions are related to my military service, so connection has been granted:

Degenerative joint disease cervical spine, assigned 10%.

Degenerative joint disease, lumbar spine, assigned 10%.

Osteoarthritis, Left Shoulder, assigned 10%.

Osteoarthritis, Right Shoulder, assigned 10%.

Osteoarthritis, Left Hip, assigned 10%.

Osteoarthritis, Right Hip, assigned 10%.

Osteoarthritis, Left Wrist, assigned 10%.

Osteoarthritis, Right Wrist, assigned 10%.

Osteoarthritis, Left knee, assigned 10%.

Osteoarthritis, Right knee, assigned 10%.

TOTAL 10%

Can this possibly be correct? I am crippled, and have continuous pain, even lying down. I cannot stand, walk or take stairs. The VA knows all this.

My hunch is they are waiting on attrition!

Someone please explain this decision to me or advise.

Thank You.

[Old 5311]

Thanks Jim,

No I have not filed IU. Still working under special accomodation status. I'm Warm, Dry, and comfortable. Thank God! Still bewildered by this rating.

Jim

[Berta]

"Still working under special accomodation status"

Make sure you tell VA that and supply any documentation of this if you can-

that decision you got is outrageous.

In Voc Rehab my husband needed accomodations to his PTSD which the college gave him-and they documented this.

the VA never considered this as part of his evidence but there was plenty more evidence they had anyhow- still this shows to VA that

you are more disabed than they think.

And a picture of the braces might be worth a thousand words (or more comp)

[Old 5311]

Berta,

Since you slept on this, you really came up with excellent thoughts. I never considered these factors. The NOD, Pictures w/braces and w-o/braces, and employer's Special Accomodation document should make a good point. My VSO can carry it to the RO and place it in his hands. We'll do it! P.S. I did file for clothing allowance due to the wear and tear the braces have on my trousers.

Thanks for your message,

Jim

NEW WORLD DICITIONARY. Second College Edition.

"Outrageous"

1. having the nature of, involving, or doing great injury or wrong.

2. exceeding all bounds of decency or reasonableness; very offensive or shocking.

3. violent in action or disposition; unrestrained.