203, San Jose, CA 95134 The VAs Three Categories of Sleep Disorders, determine if youre eligible for benefits, statements from family members, friends, clergy, or law enforcement, A buddy claim is a statement from a fellow service member, When and How to Check your VA Claim Status, Healthcare provider records and diagnostic test results, Further information obtained from other sources including federal agencies, Became sick or injured during military service thats directly linked to service duties, A pre-existing illness or injury became worse due to military service activity, An illness or injury related to active duty appeared after separation, Demonstration of severe financial hardship, Veterans in the Fully Developed Claim program, Severe: 30% dominant and 20% non-dominant, Moderately severe: 20% for both shoulders, Severe: 40% for dominant and 30% for non-dominant, Moderately Severe: 30% for dominant and 20% for non-dominant, Moderately severe: 30% for dominant and 20% for non-dominant, 25 maximum movement from the side: 40% dominant and 30% non-dominant, Maximum movement midway between side and shoulder level: 30% dominant and 20% non-dominant, Maximum movement to shoulder level: 20% for both shoulders. Rotator cuff injuries can cause severe, chronic pain. While we still have our home base in Florida, These cookies are also used to let affiliates know if you came to one of our websites from an affiliate and if your visit resulted in the use or purchase of a product or service from us, including details of the product or service purchased. jQuery(".on-page-links ul > li a").click(function(){ As people grow older, the areas that make up the shoulder degenerate and become soft. Rotator cuff injuries are common among veterans who have experienced traumatic injuries while in service. The top of your upper arm bone (humerus) is the ball. Mobility & Disability; Orthopaedics & Supports; Orthotics, Braces & Sleeves; Share | . This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. 21 VA Shoulder Disability Application Process, VA Disability Rating for Shoulder Conditions, Appealing Your VA Rating Benefits Decision. You will only pay a fee if we win your VA disability benefits case together. Many people have trouble sleeping due to pain. following rotator cuff repair: a systematic review. To diagnose a rotator cuff tear, doctors will press on different parts of the shoulder and move the arm into different positions. We are sorry that this post was not as useful for you! Contact us for a free consultation today at 800-544-9144. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. It is wise to consult with doctors to determine if more testing, more office visits, and possibly more surgery is a possibility. Have Questions About Your Veterans Disability Claim? Bursitis is defined as inflammation and swelling of a fluid-filled sac called the bursae; typically this leads to thickening and pain in the area. Other types of shoulder injuries include dislocated and separated shoulders, impingement, bursitis, frozen shoulder, fractures and torn cartilage. Bill Fay has touched a lot of bases in his 45-year career. Conservative treatments consist of at-home remedies such as rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medications. The symptoms for frozen shoulder are pain and stiffness that can be worse at night. They immediately went to work for me. Also, submit all service treatment records. For instance, if you were lifting weights during your free time while on base and you tore your rotator cuff, this would still count as a service-connected disability. Shoulder Elb 2015; 7: 193-204. . For example, if you have a torn rotator cuff that makes it difficult to lift a gallon of milk or put your shirt on, the SSA can find that impairment potentially disabling. It is more common in older people and causes pain and swelling in the shoulder area, making it difficult to raise your arm. Hell have a temporary total disability for four months after the surgery. }); No matter what kind of work you do, youre at risk of injuring your shoulder on the job. The rotator cuff, which is the name given to a group of four tendons from four muscles, connects the humerus to the scapula and provides support to your shoulder, especially during movement. It is up to the employee and supervisor to determine what actions cause pain and whether activity common their work area causes more pain to the shoulder. There is no insurance Im aware of anywhere that pays all your medical bills down to the last penny at no cost and no deductible for the injured worker. Its also seen in people who perform repetitive overhead tasks or heavy lifting. The swelling causes pain and tenderness in the shoulder, making it difficult to get a full range of motion. If the pain doesnt subside, doctors will use x-rays, ultra-sound or MRIs to examine the shoulder joint and determine exactly where the problem is. This happens when you try to break your fall with an outstretched arm or receive a traumatic blow to your shoulder area in a car accident. A rotator cuff tear is one of the most common injuries related to the rotator cuff. Retrieved from, N.A. The staff members I spoke to were very supportive and personable. Its unusual, however, for a single incident or accident to lead directly to a shoulder injury. It should improve your shoulder strength and range of motion and lessen, if not eliminate, pain. Incomplete forms may cause delays in processing or rejection of your application. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Please answer a few more questions and then click "Go to Last The workers' compensation board hearing your claim considers several factors when calculating the dollar amount of your disability settlement. Again, rotator cuff tears may be the result of either a substantial injury to the shoulder or progressive degeneration of the tendon tissue. From there, the evaluator looks at several factors. We have updated our Privacy Policy. The information these cookies collect will not personally identify you, and they cannot track your browsing activity on other websites. Get in an awkward position trying any of that, and there is a chance youll come away with a shoulder injury. You can estimate your monthly disability payment using thisVA Disability Rating Calculator. The disability rating assigned also depends on whether the veterans dominant (higher evaluation) versus nondominant (lower evaluation) shoulder/arm is affected. All Rights Reserved. After that, you may receive permanent partial disability benefits or permanent disability benefits, depending on the severity of the injury. 4604 49th St N, Suite 5006 St. Petersburg, FL 33709. All of those should increase the value of your settlement. Oliver wont be able to work with a broken shoulder. Bursitis could also be related to other disabling conditions like Diabetes, tendonitis, gout, or arthritis. And dont forget that you are not able to return to your old job, you are entitled to vocational benefits to train for a new position. These cookies allow the website to remember choices you make to give you better functionality and personal features. Some vets dont realize how their bodies may experience some form of atrophy through active duty due to unknown injuries or dislocations. Individuals are more likely to suffer a rotator cuff tear if they engage in certain repetitive motions (e.g., overhead motions). Under this regulatory provision, a rating of 20 percent is warranted when major arm motion is limited to shoulder level. Rotator cuff injuries occur more often in older individuals. Oliver is rushed to the hospital, where he has to stay for a week while he recovers from his injuries. 38 CFR 4.71a Diagnostic Code 5200 Scapulohumeral articulation, ankylosis of: 38 CFR 4.71a Diagnostic Code 5201 Arm, limitation of motion of: Recurring pain when using your shoulder (e.g., lifting, pushing, etc. }); Copyright 2023 Hill & Ponton, P.A.. All Rights Reserved. Retrieved from, N.A. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_3" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_4" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Were you stationed at Camp Lejeune before 1987? These statements should describe your condition and how its progressing. You want an experienced workers' compensation attorney at your side to make sure you get what you deserve for your rotator cuff injury. The VA compensation is a tax-free check thats sent to you monthly. Rotator cuff tears are the leading cause of shoulder pain and shoulder-related disability. An inflammation of the bursa, called bursitis, can also occur. We have experience in filing these applications. Unfortunately, based on your answers, we will not be able to help you. In the case of broken bones, the surgeon will assess the number of pieces . Home Injury Types of Work-Related Injuries Workers Comp Shoulder Injury. He is given a 4% rating. Anyone doing repetitive work that requires lifting your arms over your head like painting or stocking shelves, is a good candidate to suffer a shoulder injury. They must clearly document a worsening of your condition. . You can also get a good portion of your lost wages. But that does not mean you do not qualify. This article will discuss shoulders, rotator cuff surgeries, and a recent study concerning rotator cuff surgeries. Job duties during deployments accounted for 7.7% of the injuries. Partial disability injuries that need surgery, but dont prevent you from working, see a significant jump in value $30,000 to $60,000. The Shoulder Girdle and Arm The Forearm and Hand The Foot and Leg The Pelvic Girdle and Thigh This may feel like an overwhelming task for some individuals. Unfavorable, abduction limited to 25 from side: Intermediate between favorable and unfavorable: Favorable, abduction to 60, can reach mouth and head: Flexion and/or abduction limited to 25 from side: Midway between side and shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction limited to 45), At shoulder level (flexion and/or abduction limited to 90). Chronic shoulder pain has been estimated to affect approximately 8% of all American adults, second only to chronic knee pain in our society's burden of musculoskeletal disease. Ligaments, tendons and muscles weave in between those bones. The Veteran's service-connected right rotator cuff impingement syndrome has been rated by the RO under the provisions of Diagnostic Code 5201. Rotator cuff tears may also happen due to aging, with degeneration of the tissues. Its based on the severity of your disability and not on income. For what it's worth, the #1 most common shoulder injury is a rotator cuff tear of varying degrees. Read honest and unbiased product reviews from our users. Some situations dictate which option you may choose. Completing these tasks over a long period of time while serving may contribute to subsequent shoulder injuries. By using our website, you agree to the use of certain cookies. There is a range of percentages. Oliver works as a bicycle messenger for a company in New York City. In this specific post well cover the Rotator Cuff and we will also discuss bursitis briefly as it can lead to rotator cuff injuries. Depending on the size of the tear, you may require surgery and need 2-3 months of rehabilitation. His most recent work is as an internet content marketing specialist. The rotator cuff is made up of muscles and tendons that keep the head of the upper arm bone (i.e., humerus) firmly within the socket of the shoulder. In situations like this, the settlements could go from $50,000 to as much as $100,000. A dislocated shoulder happens when the ball that sits in a socket of your shoulder blade, pops out of the socket. Complications such as dislocation (ball in the new joint comes out of the socket), implant loosening over time, nerve damage and infections can occur, but are very rare. During this procedure, a VA doctor will examine your injuries. Thus, its best to have everything ready before you file. If pain persists, you may need cortisone shots and if it is more severe, surgery is possible. As of July 2020, the average wait for a VA disability claim application completion was124.8 days. This article is intended to provide some general helpful information about permanent partial disability benefits generally but focuses more specifically on permanent partial disability ratings for shoulder injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered a work-related accident resulting in a shoulder injury, you need to act soon. Rotator cuff tears fall under the classification of musculoskeletal impairments. Typically, the situation gradually gets worse over a period of 1-2 years, then eventually thaws and you recover your range of motion. Retrieved from, N.A. All of the criteria include severe, moderately severe, moderate, or slight and corresponds to a disability rating ranging from 0 to 40 percent. He started as a sports writer, gaining national attention for work on college and professional sports. Whether you suffered a partial or complete tear, Your age at the time of your injury or diagnosis, Your medical history, including any pre-existing conditions, Whether you required surgery to treat your injury, Your wages at the time of your injury or diagnosis, Your employer, their insurance provider, and how they handle your claim, N.A.