One in three veterans suffers from some type of arthritis. Many of them developed it in their ankles after marching, walking, running, jumping, or even parachuting during their time in service. Veterans might not realize that they can get VA disability for ankle arthritis.
In this article about veterans with ankle arthritis:
What is ankle arthritis?
Arthritis is a broad term for a group of more than 100 types of conditions. It affects more than 54 million adults in the U.S. and is the leading cause of work disability in the U.S. Arthritis can occur in any type of joint and is usually accompanied by swelling in and around the joints.
Ankle arthritis is the result of worn-out or damaged cartilage in the joint that connects the foot to the leg, which is called the tibiotalar or ankle joint. The most common foot joints affected by arthritis include the joint of the big toe and foot bone, the joint where the ankle and shinbone meet, and the three joints in the foot that involve the outer and inner mid-foot bone and heel bone.
Ankle arthritis symptoms
Arthritis can be invisible to others around you because it is not an outwardly visible disease. Any type of arthritis can make everyday activities difficult, including climbing stairs, bending or kneeling, and doing housework. Arthritis in the ankles will especially limit your ability to walk or do any kind of physical activity on your feet.
The most common symptoms of arthritis in the ankle include:
- Trouble walking, moving, or putting weight on the ankle
- Pain when the ankle is moved
- Joint stiffness, swelling, or warmth
- Tenderness or pain when the joint is touched
- More pain and swelling after rest, such as sleeping or sitting
Types of arthritis in the ankle
Here are the most common types of ankle arthritis:
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative arthritis, is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people globally. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones wears down over time. It is often called “wear and tear” arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune and inflammatory disease. That means your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body causing painful swelling in the affected areas of the body. It attacks many joints at one time and can cause long-lasting pain, lack of balance, and deformity.
Post-traumatic arthritis
Post-traumatic arthritis is a form of osteoarthritis caused by a past physical injury to any joint. It can develop in a joint with a past injury, such as from a car accident, military injury, or a fall. The cartilage in an injured joint wears out more quickly than in a non-injured joint.
Gout
Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that commonly occurs in the big toe joint but can also occur in other joints, such as the ankles. It is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood.
Gout usually occurs in flare-ups, meaning that symptoms will sometimes be worse and will sometimes be in remission.
Causes of ankle arthritis in veterans
Veterans most commonly develop arthritis from overuse or traumatic injuries during their time in service, but the VA recognizes some other possible causes of arthritis in veterans.
One possibility is a link between PTSD and autoimmune disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis. A 2015 study by researchers at the San Francisco VA Medical Center found that more than 666,000 Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who had PTSD were also more likely to have an autoimmune disorder like rheumatoid arthritis.
Ankle arthritis VA rating
The VA rates ankle arthritis using the Schedule for Rating Disabilities for the musculoskeletal system. Ankle arthritis is more commonly rated under diagnostic code 5270 for ankle ankylosis, or under 5271 for limited motion of the ankle.
Rheumatoid arthritis (except post-traumatic and gout) is diagnostic code 5002 and is rated as follows:
| Rating | Description |
|---|---|
| 100% | Totally incapacitating with whole-body symptoms associated with active joint involvement |
| 60% | Weight loss and anemia producing severe impairment of health or severely incapacitating episodes occurring four or more times a year or a lesser number over prolonged periods |
| 40% | Symptom combinations producing definite impairment of health objectively supported by exam findings or incapacitating episodes occurring three or more times a year |
| 20% | One or two episodes a year in a well-established diagnosis |
The ratings for osteoarthritis and post-traumatic arthritis are outlined under degenerative arthritis in the ratings schedule (diagnostic code 5003). The ratings are based on how severely movement is affected by arthritis in a specific joint (called “limitation of motion”), which is indicated by swelling, muscle spasms, or painful motion. Each major joint is covered by its own diagnostic code.
Gout is more commonly rated under the diagnostic code for rheumatoid arthritis.
How to get VA benefits for ankle arthritis
To get VA disability benefits for ankle arthritis, you first must file a disability claim through the VA either online or by mail. If you need help applying for the first time, we can help you file an initial claim at no charge.
If you disagree with the VA’s decision or were denied benefits, you can appeal your claim. You have one year to appeal the initial decision. Filing an appeal can be difficult. Hiring an experienced VA disability lawyer can ease the burden of the appeals process. At Woods and Woods, we want to help veterans like you get the benefits they deserve. We won’t charge a fee unless we win your appeal.
How Woods and Woods can help you
Whether you need help filing an initial claim or appealing a claim, our experienced team of VA disability lawyers can help you. We have helped thousands of veterans get the benefits they deserve. Contact us today by either filling out our online contact form or calling us.
Talk to Us About Your Claim:
(812) 426-7200
The VA rates ankle arthritis under the Schedule for Rating Disabilities for the musculoskeletal system. Ankle arthritis is most commonly rated under diagnostic code 5270, ankylosis of the ankle, or 5271, limited motion of the ankle. Ankle arthritis can also be rated under rheumatoid arthritis, but it is rare. You can receive up to a 100% rating if your ankle arthritis is rated under rheumatoid arthritis in the diagnostic code.
You need evidence that your ankle arthritis caused your back or knee injury. Back and knee injuries caused by ankle arthritis are common because it causes limping, which is hard on your knees and back. To prove this, you need a Compensation and Pension (C&P) exam to find medical evidence of how your back injury caused ankle arthritis.
