“Do you have an old military injury that’s been nagging you for years and can no longer be ignored?
“Hi, I’m Zack Evans, a VA disability benefits attorney with Woods and Woods, a nationwide veterans benefits firm.
“Although there are over 100 different subtypes of arthritis, there are two main types that comprise most diagnoses in the United States — rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. We have an entire video dedicated to rheumatoid arthritis. So, I wanted to take an opportunity to talk to you about osteoarthritic conditions.”
Veterans and osteoarthritis
“Osteoarthritis can affect major joints, including the spine, which is why it’s one of the most debilitating conditions that veterans can face. Load-bearing joints are especially at risk.
“Two serious risk factors that servicemen and women often encounter during their military careers are overuse and injury. Think about all of the PT you did in combat boots, all of your ruck marches, all of the fast roping, rappelling, and parachuting. The wear and tear on your load-bearing joints may have been a minor issue when you were younger, but as you age, those injuries can no longer be ignored.
“The VA, it seems, denies almost all of these claims by default. The common excuse is that osteoarthritis is age-related. You weren’t diagnosed until well after service — claim denied.
“I can’t count the number of times I’ve read denials like that, for say, a back condition, just to get into a client service treatment records and see a pattern of repetitive back injuries, multiple sick calls, and multiple complaints throughout the records of someone who’s suffering from a worsening condition in their lumbar, thoracic, or cervical spine.”
“Everyone was extremely professional and seemed to be very concerned with my case. They always keep me informed about my case and the process. I would recommend in a minute.”
M.S., an Army vet in Oklahoma
From a Google review for Woods & Woods
How to service connect osteoarthritis
“Oftentimes, the question is continuity. That’s why we consult medical professionals to connect these dots for you. The VA will bring their own doctors to the fight. That’s what the compensation and pension exams are all about.
“Because osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease, worsened by age and additional wear and tear, arthritis is a chronic condition, with treatment focused on management. Outside of a drastic joint replacement, few osteoarthritic vets can expect improvement in areas of pain or range of motion.
“Even so, the VA tries to reduce veterans’ ratings following biased medical opinions from VA paid contractors. We’ve seen it all — shoddy exams based on surface-level assessments, exams without range of motion testing at all, and yes, even forced range of motion performances where stiff joints were pushed or pulled too far.”
How Woods and Woods can help
“If you’re ready for an attorney to review your history of arthritis and associated ratings, if the VA is proposing to reduce your arthritis, and if you’re ready for someone to fight on your behalf, give us a call. We’re ready for the fight.”
Zack Evans
VA disability attorney
Woods & Woods
Zack is a former prosecuting attorney. He received his law degree from Southern Illinois University. He joined Woods & Woods in 2017.
