[USMC_HVEQ]

thank you very much for that great response. My surgery was in 2003. I am not going to file for convalescence, but i thank you for the suggestion. It hurts everyday and painful to lift up to put shirts on. Most of the time I lean over. WHen I sleep at night, it kills. I'm always rolling around in the bed (other sleep issues, PTSD and possible sleep apnea). I'm weak as ever. I use to be strong. It prevents me from doin things. It hurts to throw anything (use to have a good arm). It hurts in the back of the arm, which is where most of my dislocations were. They would popout backwards and I would clasp my hands together and grab my knee and pop them back in. It's been very painful when that happens. Now they sublux a lot, which makes me feel like they are going to come out of the socket, very scary.

I will put in for an increase for limited motion and arthritis secondary to recurrent subluxation in both shoulders.

[JamesBreckenridge]

When did you have surgery? Were you in a sling? How long did it take to convalesce? You know that you can file for a temporary 100 percent rating for convalescence, right? Sure, it'll only be for a month or two most likely, but it's still a chunk of change. See 38 CFR 4.30

This is probably what you are rated under.

5202 Humerus, other impairment of:
Loss of head of (flail shoulder) 80 70
Nonunion of (false flail joint) 60 50
Fibrous union of 50 40
Recurrent dislocation of at scapulohumeral joint.
With frequent episodes and guarding of all arm movements 30 20
With infrequent episodes, and guarding of movement only at shoulder level 20 20

The left number is for your major (dominant) side. You might be able to claim an increase if there are frequent episodes of dislocation and guarding. That would give you 30 percent for your dominant side. But if I'm doing my math right, 30+20 still equals 40 percent, so no additional money.

How is your range of motion of your arms? You can be separately evaluated for limitation of motion of your arms.
5201 Arm, limitation of motion of:
To 25° from side 40 30
Midway between side and shoulder level 30 20
At shoulder level 20 20

Arthritis is also a separate condition from the shoulder instability. The question would be, is the arthritis service connected on a direct basis (unlikely unless it's traumatic arthritis from the same event that caused your shoulder problems), or presumptive (if it developed to a compensable degree within one year of your discharge) or best of all, secondary to your shoulder condition (and this requires a medical opinion). If a doctor reviews the records and examines you and gives a good opinion that you have arthritis in your shoulder due to your service connected shoulder problems, the arthritis would be service connected.

So, if I were you I would do the following:

If I was under doctors orders to not work and to baby my shoulder after that surgery, and it was less than a year ago, I would file a claim for "Paragraph 30 temporary 100 percent convalescence" on the shoulder. I would file a claim for arthritis in each shoulder secondary to whatever the underlying problem is. And if my arms were limited in motion, I would file a claim for that as well.

Hope that helps.

This post has been edited by JamesBreckenridge: 26 November 2009 - 01:03 PM

[USMC_HVEQ]

I'm currently rated at 20% per shoulder (40% total for bilateral factor) for Recurrent Shoulder sublaxation.

My shoulders hurt all the time and I am very weak. They keep me from lifting things most of the time. I have troulbe sleeping with them and feel as if they popout at night. I noticed in MRI notes, In which, I had 2 MRIs and 2 MRI-with Arthography. In it. Based on the notes below is there any way to get increase to higher percentage?? SHould I file for arthritis? what is in volved with that? ( I reposted this, as I posted it in the wrong section before). I appreciate all the input.

Right Shoulder-

• Acromioclavicular Joint-->mild acromioclavicular arthrosis
  
• Rotator Cuff-->mild tendinopathy of the distal supra and infraspinatus tendons is noted. subscapularis tendon is normal
  
• Labrum and Biceps-->anteroinferior labrum is diminutive and irregular, suspcious for tear. Superior and posterior labrum appear normal.
  
• Bones-->no bone edema, mild flattening of posterosuperior humeral head consistent with Hill-Sachs deformity. Moderate sized degenerative cysts are seen at the insertion of infraspinatus tendon. A subcortical T1 hypo and T2 hyperintensity 9mm lession along the lateral aspect of the proximal humeral shaft likely represents an enchondroma.

Conclusion--> diminutive and irregular appearance of the anteroinferior labrum suggesting chronic tear. There is a mild Hill-Sachs deformity of the humeral head , the runoff prior anterior dislocation. Mild supraspinatus tendinopathy.


Left Shoulder-(had Bankart shoulder surgery, findings are post surgery)

• Acromioclavicular Joint--> Mild Arthrosis
  
• Rotator Cuff--> thinning of distal supraspinatus tendon at insertion. No definite tear seen. Post surgical changes are seen along subcapularis tendon and anterior capsule. There is thinning of the infraspinatus tendon with articular surface fraying.
  
• Labrum and Biceps-->osseous Bankart lesion with a corticated ossific fragment inferiorly displaced measuring 11mm x 6mm x 5mm in size. labrum is almost absent in its anterior, inferior, and superior aspects. Small amount of residual posterior labrum is present. The bicipital tendon is normal.
  
• Bones-->Moderate Hill-Sachs deformity of posterosuperior humeral head likely engaging.
  
• Cartilage--> There is signifigant catilage loss of the glenoid articular cartilage.
  
• Miscellaneous-->the glenohumeral joint appears capacious with mild subluxation of posterior humeral head relative to glenoid raising the suspicion of multidirectional instability.

Conclusion-->Moderate sized Hill-sachs deformity of humeral head, likely engaging with displaced anteroinferior glenoid osseous rim fracture (osseous bankart lesion). Nearly absent anterior, inferior, and superior labrum. Post surgical changes along the subcapularis tendon and anterior capsule. Multidirectional instability with mild posterior subluxation of humeral head relative to glenoid. Secondary osteoarthritis. Diminutive supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons without any tear.