Joint pain, stiffness, and trouble moving are common issues for veterans. These symptoms often come from different types of arthritis, a condition that can seriously affect your life. Conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis can make it hard to do daily activities. 

This guide will explain how the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) evaluates these conditions. We’ll show you how different types of arthritis can be connected to your military service, which is a crucial step in your benefits journey. 

Understanding Arthritis and Service Connection 

Arthritis is a general term for joint inflammation, but its causes are different. For veterans, various types can be linked to service in specific ways. 

• Osteoarthritis (OA) / Degenerative Arthritis: This is the most common type of arthritis among veterans. It’s often called “wear and tear” arthritis. Military life can cause it to develop faster due to repetitive stress from activities like running, marching, or lifting heavy gear. 

• Can osteoarthritis be service-connected to military service? Yes, it can be. If the condition started during your service, it can be directly connected. It can also be presumptive, meaning the VA may assume a connection if symptoms appear within one year of your discharge. A very common way to connect it is secondarily. This happens when a service-connected injury, like a knee or ankle sprain, changes the way you walk and causes extra stress on other joints (like your hips or back), leading to OA in those joints. 

• Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) / Inflammatory Arthritis: This is an autoimmune disease where your body attacks your joints. The exact cause is unknown, but a connection can be made if symptoms started during service and are documented in your records. 

• Post-Traumatic Arthritis (PTA): This is a form of osteoarthritis that develops after a specific injury to a joint. Since injuries are common in the military, this is a straightforward path to service connection. If your initial joint injury happened during service, and medical evidence shows the arthritis developed as a direct result, you may be able to connect it. 

We help veterans gain clarity on how their symptoms may be linked to their service. This is an essential step in exploring potential eligibility for benefits. 

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The Domino Effect: Linking Your Health Conditions 

Think of your health conditions not as separate problems, but as a series of interconnected events, like a row of dominoes. Your benefits journey is all about drawing a clear line, a medical nexus, from one condition to another. 

First, you must connect a condition to your military service. This is your primary link. From there, you can show how that service-connected condition led to a secondary condition. For instance, a service-connected knee injury that alters your walking may lead to arthritis in your hips and back because of the new stress placed on those joints. 

When this link is medically established, your conditions are no longer overlooked. This can be important for your rating because the VA considers the combined impact of all your service-connected conditions. By showing how one disability led to another, you create a more complete picture of your health. 

How the VA Rates Your Arthritis 

The VA rates arthritis based on how much it limits your joint motion and how often you have flare-ups. Arthritis is rated under the musculoskeletal system in the VA’s rules. 

• Rating for Osteoarthritis (OA): The VA rates OA based on the limited motion of the joint. A critical detail is the “painful motion rule.” This means that if a joint hurts when you move it, the VA can still assign a rating (at least 10%) for that joint, even if the range of motion is not severely limited. 

• Rating for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): The VA rates RA based on the overall effect on your health and the frequency of “incapacitating exacerbations” or flare-ups. A higher rating is given if you have many severe flare-ups or other symptoms that seriously affect your health. 

• Rating for Post-Traumatic Arthritis (PTA): The VA does not have a separate rating for PTA. Instead, it rates it under the code for the affected joint, using the same rules for limited motion or instability. 

What if Arthritis Affects Both Sides of My Body? 

If arthritis affects a paired joint on both sides of your body (for example, both knees or both shoulders), the VA may apply something called the “bilateral factor.” This can potentially increase your combined rating because it recognizes that having a disability in both limbs or paired joints can have a greater impact on your life. 

Essential Medical Evidence for Your Journey 

Strong medical evidence is the foundation of any successful benefits journey. For arthritis, this includes: 

• A Current Diagnosis: A clear diagnosis from a medical professional, like an orthopedist or rheumatologist. 

• Medical Imaging: X-rays or MRIs that show joint damage or inflammation. For inflammatory arthritis like RA, blood tests are also important. 

• Medical Nexus Letter: This is a crucial piece of evidence. It’s a professional medical opinion from a doctor that specifically links your arthritis to your military service or to an existing service-connected condition. A strong letter will explain the medical reasons for the connection and state that it is “at least as likely as not” that your arthritis is due to service. 

• Statements from You and Others: Personal statements (VA Form 21-4138) describing when your symptoms began and how they affect your daily life and ability to work are very important. Statements from family or friends who have witnessed your condition can also provide valuable context. 

What to Include in Your Statements: 

• Your Statement: Describe your “worst days.” How does your pain affect your ability to get out of a chair, go up and down stairs, or hold tools? Be specific about how the condition impacts your hobbies, sleep, or social life. 

• Buddy Statements: Ask a friend or family member to describe how they have seen your condition affect you. For example, they might mention how you limp after a short walk or how you struggle to lift things you once could.
  
  

What to Expect at Your VA Exam 

During a VA exam for arthritis, the examiner will likely measure your joints’ range of motion and ask you questions. It’s important to be honest and thorough about how you feel. 

Tell the examiner when you feel pain, even if you can push the joint a bit farther. The “painful motion rule” is a key part of your rating, and documenting your pain is important. Be ready to explain how your symptoms affect your daily life, like making it hard to walk, stand, or lift things. 

Can Arthritis Qualify for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU)? 

Yes, it can. If your arthritis, either alone or with other service-connected conditions, is so severe that it prevents you from holding a steady job, you may be able to qualify for TDIU. This would allow you to be compensated at the 100% disability rate, even if your combined rating is less than 100%. 

Taking the Next Step in Your Journey 

Arthritis can be a debilitating condition that greatly impacts your quality of life. You served our country, and you deserve support.  

If you want to learn more about medical evidence, contact us for free. Our medical specialists are ready to help you with the medical evidence you need for the benefits you’re qualified for.