Veterans Disability Lawyer
Musculoskeletal & Orthopedic VA Disability
When Pain, Injury, or Limited Movement Follows You Home
Musculoskeletal conditions can involve the spine, joints, bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other structures. For Veterans, these conditions may develop from an injury during service, repetitive physical demands, training, occupational duties, combat-related events, or another service-related circumstance.
Depending on the facts, a claim may involve direct service connection, secondary service connection, aggravation, or an increased rating. VA states that an original claim generally needs evidence of a current disability, an in-service event, injury, or disease, and a link between the current condition and service.
Conditions Veterans commonly claim
Back & Spine
Feet & Ankles
Joint injuries, chronic pain, instability, limited motion, and other service-related foot or ankle conditions.
Shoulders
Hips & Legs
Knees
Arthritis, meniscus injuries, ligament injuries, instability, chronic knee pain, and limited motion.
Other Joints & Muscles
How Military service can affect the Musculoskeletal System
Military duties can involve repetitive physical stress as well as acute injuries. Relevant service history may include:
- Physical training and running
- Marching and prolonged standing
- Carrying heavy equipment or packs
- Lifting and repetitive movements
- Falls and training injuries
- Vehicle accidents
- Combat-related trauma
- Kneeling, climbing, or crawling
- Occupational physical demands
- Repeated joint or spinal strain
How an Orthopedic condition can be connected to Service
Direct Service Connection
Secondary Service Connection
Aggravation
Range of Motion & Functional Loss
- Limited range of motion
- Painful movement
- Weakness
- Joint instability
- Reduced endurance
- Difficulty walking or standing
- Difficulty lifting
- Difficulty bending
- Flare-ups
- Functional limitations
When Your Orthopedic Condition gets worse
A service-connected condition can change over time. Increased pain, reduced mobility, additional treatment, injections, physical therapy, medication, or surgery may be relevant to an increased-rating claim.
VA states that Veterans with a rated service-connected disability that has gotten worse can file an increased claim and should submit up-to-date medical evidence showing the worsening.
When an Orthopedic Disability affects your ability to work
Some Veterans have musculoskeletal conditions that significantly affect their ability to work. Depending on the circumstances, TDIU may be another benefit to evaluate.
TDIU is different from simply receiving a higher schedular rating. It concerns whether service-connected disabilities prevent substantially gainful employment.
What If VA Denies Your Orthopedic Claim?
Supplemental Claim
Higher-Level Review
Board Appeal
How a VA Attorney at RLGVA can help
If VA determines that an examination is needed, the examiner may review your medical history and evaluate symptoms and functional limitations relevant to the claimed condition.
For orthopedic claims, this can include range of motion, pain, flare-ups, repetitive use, stability, and other physical findings. VA’s claims process may include medical examinations or medical opinions when additional information is needed.
