Arthritis

[cham1968]

With arthritis it shows where they give you 10 -20%. How do they go about rating you if you're basically have bi-lateral hips, wrists, knees, ankles and lumbar arthritis. Are these all total 20% for groups of 2 or more major or 2 or more minor or would they each be rated 10% individually. All with X-ray findings. I have incapacitation episodes monthly.

CODE

involvement of 2 or more major joints or 2 or more minor joint groups, with occasional incapacitating exacerbations: 20%

involvement of 2 or more major joints or 2 or more minor joint groups: 10%

[justrluk]

It's complicated. I've been rated for all major groups at 40%, reduced to 20% because they said it was pre-existing. Bilaterals count, but there are a lot of factors to consider: incapacitating frequencies, range of motion for any given affected joints, etc. You really need to dig into the VASRD and find the condition and how it's rated a given percentage. Also, take a look at the C&P questionaire for the condition that best meets your situation. Take a look at:

It's complicated. I've been rated for all major groups at 40%, reduced to 20% because they said it was pre-existing. Bilateral factors count, but there are a lot of factors to consider: incapacitating frequencies, range of motion for any given affected joints, etc. You really need to dig into the VASRD and find the condition and how it's rated a given percentage. Also, take a look at the C&P exam worksheets for the condition that best meets your situation. Take a look at:

http://www.benefits.va.gov/warms/bookc.asp

then scroll down to: The Musculoskeletal System.

For the C&P exam worksheets, go to:

http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefits/exams/disexm34.pdf

http://www.benefits.va.gov/warms/bookc.asp, then scroll down to: The Musculoskeletal System.

For the C&P exam worksheets, go to: http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefits/exams/disexm34.pdf