VA Disability For A Torn Rotator Cuff

If you have suffered a shoulder injury that led to a torn rotator cuff, you may wonder if you are eligible for VA disability benefits. The short answer is yes. You may get VA disability for a torn rotator cuff. In this blog post, we will discuss the eligibility requirements for VA disability and what you can how to ensure the VA approves your claim. Keep reading to learn how to receive the rating you have earned.

VA Disability For A Torn Rotator Cuff (Non-Combat)

One of our current BOOT CAMP members suffered an injury during combatives training. The veteran believed it would matter that simulated combat caused the injury. However, that (typically) does not matter. You must only prove “service-connection” for your VA disability for a torn rotator cuff claim.

In short, you only prove that your active-duty service caused or aggravated your injury or illness. You do not need to prove that anything happened in combat or simulated combat. However, certain claims are easier to prove if you have combat deployments (PTSD, Gulf War presumptives, etc.). Ultimately, you are eligible to file a VA disability claim for a torn rotator cuff. This is regardless of whether it happened on deployment.

VA Disability For A Torn Rotator Cuff- What Percentage?

VA disability for a torn rotator cuff is rated using two primary diagnostic codes: 5200 and 5201. 5200 is scapulohumeral articulation, ankylosis (abnormal stiffening and immobility), and 5201 is arm, limitation of motion. Ultimately, the VA almost always rates a torn rotator cuff at 10% or 20%. However, the VA rates certain extreme cases as high as 50%. In short, that would require the shoulder to be damaged to the point it could barely move.

In addition, a VA disability rating for a torn rotator cuff can support a TDIU claim. However, this would need to be a severe case to articulate a TDIU claim. We would not recommend planning to receive 100% or TDIU solely on a torn rotator cuff. For example, let’s say a Veteran has a 50% rating for PTSD, and is also service-connected for a torn rotator cuff. The veteran can articulate that he is unemployable because of the combination of service-connected conditions.

How Do I Service-Connect My Torn Rotator Cuff?

The VA requires three things to assign a rating: current diagnosis with symptoms, nexus, and service-connection. In order to receive a rating, you need to actively receive medical care for your shoulder. It is essential that the VA have proof that your shoulder is still a problem. The doctor can assign a diagnosis, and note any symptoms. In addition, seeing the doctor will give you access to physical therapy and other treatment options. Don’t bitch out; go get treatment. You need to play the game.

How Do I Establish Service-Connection and Nexus?

You must establish that your active-duty service caused or aggravated your condition. In addition, you need to prove that your current issues stem from your active-duty issues. The VA refers to this as “nexus.” In a perfect world, you would file your claim while still on active duty. This eliminates the need to prove nexus. In fact, active duty is by far the easiest time to file a claim. You can force the VA to grant service-connection through a claim on active-duty.

However, most of us wait several years to file a VA claim. This creates a need to prove nexus. You can prove the nexus in several ways. First, you can show that you were continually being seen. However, few veterans can produce ongoing medical records.

In fact, most of us choose to simply deal with things on our own. However, you can overcome this gap in medical records by using a “nexus letter.” This is an opinion from a medical professional that states that your active-duty service caused or aggravated your current symptoms. Unfortunately, a nexus letter will be an out-of-pocket cost. You can expect to pay around $600 for a nexus letter. Remember, being underrated is costing you much more than $600.

Help!! I Need to Learn How to File My VA Claim

We will teach YOU how to file you your claim to receive VA disability for a torn rotator cuff. You earned it, and now you need to prove it. Do what I did. Check out COMBAT CRAIG’S BOOT CAMP today!