What are Orthopedic Injuries?

Musculoskeletal and Joint Injuries, Including Arthritis

Most service members will attest that a career in the military is physically demanding and challenging. Service members often participate in activities such as road marches, running, jumping from airplanes, running obstacles courses, conditioning, and many more. These activities, required by the military, take a toll on the body and often lead to long-term musculoskeletal injuries. Some of these injuries often lead to chronic conditions, such as arthritis.

Some of the most common orthopedic injuries sustained by service members include knees, hips, feet, legs, arms, back, neck, and other joints.

These injuries can set off a domino effect and cause the veteran to have issues with other areas of their body. For example, a veteran with a left knee problem may overcompensate with their right knee to take pressure and pain off their left knee. This overcompensation can cause problems with the veteran’s good right knee and other joints. In this scenario, compensation may be warranted for both the right knee, left knee and any other affected joints. The right knee problem and the other joint issues are “secondary” to the left knee problem. In these types of “secondary” conditions, an expert medical opinion is needed to link the conditions to each other.

The VA is more likely to accept findings from an independent doctor because they are impartial. This is just one of the many benefits of obtaining an independent medical opinion.  Were you denied or are you claiming VA disability benefits for residual joint issues such as limitation of motion, painful motion, arthritis, or “secondary” problems caused by your service-connected conditions? If so, let Vet Resource Group help so you can receive the VA benefits you deserve.  Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.

The Musculoskeletal System 38 CFR (§§ 4.40 – 4.73)

38 CFR § 4.73 Schedule of ratings – muscle injuries.