If you’re a veteran with elbow pain, you might be all too familiar with elbow tendonitis or tennis elbow. This common condition is caused by inflammation of the tendons that connect your forearm muscles to your elbow. It can make everyday tasks like gripping, lifting, or even turning a doorknob a real challenge. The good news is that the VA recognizes the impact this condition can have on your life and offers disability benefits for veterans with service-connected elbow tendonitis.
What is elbow tendonitis?
Elbow tendonitis typically causes pain and tenderness on the outer part of your elbow. This pain can get worse when you’re using your forearm muscles, like when you’re gripping, lifting, or twisting. You might also experience stiffness, weakness, or a burning sensation in your elbow.
This condition often develops from overuse or repetitive strain of the muscles and tendons in your forearm. If you’ve spent time in the military doing repetitive tasks or activities that put stress on your elbows, you might be more prone to developing elbow tendonitis.
VA Disability Ratings for Elbow Tendonitis
The VA uses a system to rate the severity of your elbow tendonitis, which falls under Diagnostic Code 5206. This rating can range from 0% to 40%, depending on how much the condition affects your ability to function.
- A 0% rating means there’s evidence of elbow tendonitis, but it doesn’t significantly affect your daily life or ability to work.
- A 10% rating is for mild impairment, where you might have occasional pain or discomfort, but it doesn’t majorly interfere with your activities.
- A 20% rating is for moderate impairment, where the pain or discomfort is more frequent and starts to limit some of your daily activities or work tasks.
- A 30% rating is for severe impairment, where you experience constant pain or discomfort that significantly impacts your daily life and work.
- A 40% rating is the highest and is reserved for cases where the elbow tendonitis is completely debilitating, causing severe pain or loss of function.
Can I get VA disability for tendonitis?
Yes, you can get VA disability for tendonitis if it is service-connected and affects your ability to work. The VA will evaluate your medical history, the severity of your condition, and the impact on your daily life to determine your disability rating. To be eligible for benefits, you will need to file a claim, and through the VA claims process, the VA will then determine if your elbow tendonitis is related to service or a service-connected condition, either by direct causation or aggravation.
The VA claims process can be complex, but you don’t have to go through it alone. Seeking guidance from a legal professional experienced in VA disability claims can be invaluable. They can help you gather the necessary evidence, navigate the paperwork, and advocate for your rights throughout the process.
The Bottom Line
Elbow tendonitis, or tennis elbow, is a common issue among veterans, often caused by the wear and tear of military service. The VA recognizes this and provides disability benefits based on the severity of your condition. These ratings range from 0% to 40%, depending on how much the tendonitis affects your daily life and ability to work.
If you’re a veteran experiencing elbow pain, don’t tough it out. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to managing elbow tendonitis and preventing it from worsening. If you believe your elbow tendonitis is related to your service, don’t hesitate to explore your options for VA disability benefits.
If you’ve already filed a claim for elbow tendonitis and it was denied or received a lower rating than you expected, the Cameron Firm, PC, may be able to help. We specialize in assisting veterans with the appeals process to ensure they receive the benefits they deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
