Potential Wrist/Knee Rating Inputs Requested

NAV LDO

PEB Forum Regular Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Registered Member
So these are two conditions I'm also wondering about. I have pretty 'bad' tendinitis for my Wrist, but there's not much they can do, so I just press on. Same with my knees, but for those, it's Degenerative Joint Disease. To me, it looks as if possible 20% for wrist and 10% for knees...thoughts?? A lot of junk to wade through, but I would appreciate any input any of you would be willing to give. The Knees are the tough ones, based upon several factors. Thank you so much in advance!!

WRIST--

[X] Tendonitis, wrist
ICD Code: .
Side affected: Right
Date of diagnosis: Right 6/09/2013

b. Dominant hand:
[X] Right [ ] Left [ ] Ambidextrous

c. Does the Veteran report flare-ups of the wrist?
[X] Yes [ ] No
If yes, document the Veteran's description of the flare-ups in his or her own words:

Increase pain with use and the motions of ulnar deviation and flexion.

d. Does the Veteran report having any functional loss or functional impairment of the joint or extremity being evaluated on this DBQ (regardless of repetitive use)?

[X] Yes [ ] No

Has to limit physical and sedentary labor with acute exacerbations of his right wrist condition.

3. Range of motion (ROM) and functional limitations
---------------------------------------------------
a. Initial range of motion

Right Wrist

[] All Normal
[X] Abnormal or outside of normal range
[ ] Unable to test (please explain)
[ ] Not indicated (please explain)

Palmar Flexion (0-80): 0 to 80 degree
Dorsiflexion (0-70): 0 to 35 degree
Ulnar Deviation (0-45): 0 to 25 degree
Radial Deviation (0-20): 0 to 20 degree

Description of pain (select best response):

Pain noted on exam but does not result in/cause functional loss

If noted on examination, which ROM exhibited pain (select all that apply)?

Dorsiflexion, Ulnar Deviation

KNEES--

1. Diagnosis

a. List the claimed condition(s) that pertain to this DBQ:
S/P Right ACL; complete tear. (Reconstructive surgery 10/2004)
b. Select diagnoses associated with the claimed condition(s) (Check all that apply):

[X] Knee strain
Side affected: [X] Right [ ] Left [ ] Both
Date of diagnosis: Right 9/06/2006
[X] Knee anterior cruciate ligament tear
Side affected: [X] Right [ ] Left [ ] Both
ICD Code: .
Date of diagnosis: Right 7/2004
[X] Patellofemoral pain syndrome
Side affected: [X] Right [ ] Left [ ] Both
ICD Code: .
Date of diagnosis: Right 5/2004
[X] Arthritic conditions
[X] Arthritis, degenerative
Side affected: [ ] Right [ ] Left [X] Both
ICD Code: .
Date of diagnosis: Right 9/21/2015
Date of diagnosis: Left 9/21/2015

[X] Other (specify):
Other diagnosis: Lateral collateral sprain
Side affected: Right
ICD code: .
Date of diagnosis (right side): 6/2006
********************************************************************
Other diagnosis: ACL Reconstruction
Side affected: Right
ICD code: .
Date of diagnosis (right side): 10/2004
********************************************************************

2. Medical history

a. Describe the history (including onset and course) of the Veteran's knee and/or lower leg condition (brief summary):

Right knee pains: s/p ACL repair in 2004. He describes on and off right knee pains aggravated by certain activities such as prolonged walking or standing.

b. Does the Veteran report flare-ups of the knee and/or lower leg?

[X] Yes [ ] No

If yes, document the Veteran's description of the flare-ups in his or her own words:

Right knee pains aggravated by certain activities such as prolonged walking or standing.

c. Does the Veteran report having any functional loss or functional impairment of the joint or extremity being evaluated on this DBQ, including but not limited to repeated use over time?

[X] Yes [ ] No

Veteran has to limit physical activity with acute exacerbations of his B/L knee condition.

3. Range of motion (ROM) and functional limitation

a. Initial range of motion

Right Knee

[ ] All normal
[X] Abnormal or outside of normal range
[ ] Unable to test (please explain)
[ ] Not indicated (please explain)

Flexion (0 to 140): 0 to 120 degrees
Extension (140 to 0): 120 to 0 degrees

If abnormal, does the range of motion itself contribute to functional
loss?
[ ] Yes (please explain) [X] No

Description of pain (select best response):

Pain noted on exam but does not result in/cause functional loss

If noted on exam, which ROM exhibited pain (select all that apply)?

Flexion, Extension
Is there objective evidence of localized tenderness or pain on palpation of the joint or associated soft tissue? [X] Yes [ ] No

If yes, describe including location, severity and relationship to condition(s):

Right knee moderate tenderness to palpation with patellofemoral grind test.

Is there objective evidence of crepitus? [X] Yes [ ] No

Left Knee

[ ] All normal
[X] Abnormal or outside of normal range
[ ] Unable to test (please explain)
[ ] Not indicated (please explain)

Flexion (0 to 140): 0 to 120 degrees
Extension (140 to 0): 120 to 0 degrees

13. Diagnostic testing
If yes, is degenerative or traumatic arthritis documented?

[X] Yes [ ] No

If yes, indicate knee: [ ] Right [ ] Left [X] Both

b. Are there any other significant diagnostic test findings and/or results?

[X] Yes [ ] No

If yes, provide type of test or procedure, date and results (brief summary):

Bilateral knee series 9/21/2015

Impression:

Minimal symmetrical DJD


 
Like I said in the Migraines thread, I won't hold anyone's 'feet to the fire' if you suppose wrong on the rating, but every case is idiosyncratic, and one little piece a verbiage here or there could make a difference, right?

My Wrist, honestly, is the worse of the two, but my Knees DJD are no joke either, even if only 'mild', as we all know with arthritis, it's only going to get worse.

Anyway, I'm hoping for 20% on Right Wrist, as I is my dominant hand, an actually does affect my ability to type, use a mouse, etc. for any length of time, but I don't go 'whine' about it all the time, because it is what it is, and no surgery is going to help it.

Thanks again, in advance!
 
I am kind of in the same situation. I had pain noted on my C&P exams for my left knee and left wrist that do not cause functional loss. But with pain noted on exam should be given the lowest compensable rating of 10%. They gave me 0% for each one and I just sent my VARR in to challenge it.

Did you do a VARR? And did it changes in your the percentages in your favor?


Like I said in the Migraines thread, I won't hold anyone's 'feet to the fire' if you suppose wrong on the rating, but every case is idiosyncratic, and one little piece a verbiage here or there could make a difference, right?

My Wrist, honestly, is the worse of the two, but my Knees DJD are no joke either, even if only 'mild', as we all know with arthritis, it's only going to get worse.

Anyway, I'm hoping for 20% on Right Wrist, as I is my dominant hand, an actually does affect my ability to type, use a mouse, etc. for any length of time, but I don't go 'whine' about it all the time, because it is what it is, and no surgery is going to help it.

Like I said in the Migraines thread, I won't hold anyone's 'feet to the fire' if you suppose wrong on the rating, but every case is idiosyncratic, and one little piece a verbiage here or there could make a difference, right?

My Wrist, honestly, is the worse of the two, but my Knees DJD are no joke either, even if only 'mild', as we all know with arthritis, it's only going to get worse.

Anyway, I'm hoping for 20% on Right Wrist, as I is my dominant hand, an actually does affect my ability to type, use a mouse, etc. for any length of time, but I don't go 'whine' about it all the time, because it is what it is, and no surgery is going to help it.

Thanks again, in advance!

Thanks again, in advance![/QUO
 
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