Knee Replacement in VA Policies and Procedures Forum

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Knee Replacement

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bigd57	Use the VA	#41	[url]	[-]
Posts: 31 Apr 26 11 4:10 PM	I had my left knee TKR about 2 years ago at an outside facility in Baltimore, MD. One of the top medical facilities in the country. I was not impressed. It took me of rehab as far as fully recovered. Dr. I had had a poor bedside manner to go along with. I'm going VAMC this time next week. I'll have to let everyone know how it goes later. But let me contradict what someone was saying about up to date technology. I use to wrk for the Research & Development department of the VA and what they approve for funding to have developed fo veterans are just as up to date as any medical facility. What do you think they are using to our soldiers that have limbs amputated. They are using the very best technology availables so I know first hand that soldiers and veterans are being taken care of well through out the VA medical system. Don't let a few bad apples discourage anyone from using the VA. Edited 1 time by bigd57 Apr 26 11 4:13 PM.
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madmarine70	Knee Replacement	#42	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1 Jul 18 11 5:35 PM	I have 10% on my right knee and 10% on my left knee both service connected. My VA orthopedic doctor has told me my left knee needs to have a total replacement done on it now.I went to a Vet Center and spoke with a rep there. She said if you have the knee replaced the VA will take away any disability you have on it because it is considered to be fixed especially if there is no pain and good range of motion after the surgery. She said she knows someone this happened to. I have read in this forum that it is a minimum of 30%. I am a total of 70% service connected now which is all scheduler and would like to get to 100% scheduler because I know there are more benefits to this especially to my wife when I die. I actually have (All Service Connected) 60% +10%+10%=10% which looks like 90% but with the formula they use (which I do not agree with if all are service connected) I have a total award of 70%. Any ideas how I can find this out for sure?
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USNDW		#43	[url]	[-]
Posts: 4378 Jul 18 11 10:32 PM	I would recommend you get her name and ask the patient advocate to have a little chat with her about spreading false rumors. What, is she trying to scare Veterans away from getting care?? Holy freakin toledo. Yes, following a total knee replacement, or any knee replacement for that matter, the inital rating is 100% for the month of the surgery and then for the next 12 months. Following that the rating will automatically be reduced to 30%, unless you are having serious problems with chronic residuals of pain OR weakness and then it could be 60%, OR loss of range of motion and then the rating would be based on the measurements. You can look at the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations code 5055, or you can just read about knee replacements here on this site and the same information will be posted over & over again.
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BENJI	it doesnt matter	#44	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1 Sep 23 11 6:21 PM	it doesnt matter if you use the va or private you still get the temp 100percent i went to a private ortho for my surgery and turned in the paperwork to my vac and received mine but it do have to be service connected
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bluevet		#45	[url]	[-]
Posts: 62 Sep 26 11 3:45 PM	My husband doesn't need a TKR, but is getting ready for his 6th surgery for a torn meniscis this week. It is SC but he hasn't received his rating yet, just retired 5 months ago. Will he also receive 100% for the month of surgery and the following 12 months? Do they wait until he has his intial rating and then back pay us or somehow get it to him now? What will the rating drop too? Any advice is greatly appreciated!!
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dennis50	C and P exam	#46	[url]	[-]
Posts: 39 Jun 29 12 4:02 PM	I am going in for a C and P exam requested by the VA a year after my TKR surgery. I am rated at 30% minimum. an they lower this rating? I am having problems with other joints because I favor them since the surgery but wanted to make sure they could not lower the 30% already receiving. Thanks for your help
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USNDW		#47	[url]	[-]
Posts: 4378 Jun 30 12 11:44 AM	dennis50 it would be better if you started a new post rather than ask a question on an old one. Many people will not respond to old posts. You should always try to start your own topic. The TKR rating cannot be less than 30%, that is the minimum. Regardless if you can run, climb mountains, spinning back kicks, whatever, the minimum rating is 30%. If you start having problems with other joints, then see your doctor and ask if they are caused by or secondary to your TKR.
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mazboy		#48	[url]	[-]
Posts: 740 Jun 30 12 5:34 PM	Lots of input but one more....to me the bottom line is do you feel comfortable with your VA hospital? And, if not, can you afford to go to a private doctor? I have medicare/BC-BS. I would use a private doctor just because....usually you can get into the private doctor quicker and have the surgery done sooner than with the VA system.
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GeorgiaBoy	Complications after having TKR	#49	[url]	[-]
Posts: 4 Oct 23 12 2:37 AM	I had TKR of my left knee on 23 February 2012. A year later I started experiencing pain, numbness and swelling in my replaced joint. I went back to my surgeon, after looking at x-rays he didn't see any problems with my joint. He decided to refer me to physical therapy. After 8 weeks of therapy it was determined that the treatment was not helping, so I was refered back to my surgeon. After ordering second set of x-rays, this time he noticed a bone spur growing from my knee cap. He said that my knee cap had to be altered or (cut) during the TKR and the body's natural reaction is to try and replace the bone. After a few months of trying to stave of surgery by limiting my activities, the spur got even larger and I was forced to go through with a second surgery. I had my second surgery on the 18 October 2012 after which I was put on a regiment of medication to prevent returning bone spurs, however that's not a 100% guarantee. I will receive some compensation from the VA, but not the temp 100% for 13 months I received from the initial surgery. I currently receive 30 % after the initial TKR. My question is, should I apply for an increase based on having complications (bone spurs and 2nd surgery) with this TKR. Thanks
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USNDW		#50	[url]	[-]
Posts: 4378 Oct 26 12 11:48 PM	Yes, you should. Ask your surgeon to write a brief letter explaining that the TKR has caused complications. The wording for the 60% rating is "Severe chronic pain OR weakness OR loss of range of motion" that meets the degrees detailed in the CFR. Gather up your medical records, and the letter from your surgeon. But you should go ahead and request an increase in rating on the VA website under VONAPP, or call the 800# Monday morning. Don't wait until you get the records and letter, you will have plenty of time to get them and send them in.
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cdrjeanne	tkr scheduled	#51	[url]	[-]
Posts: 1 Feb 7 13 10:50 AM	So glad I found this forum - lots of great info that doesn't seem to be available from VA reps :-(. I have 10% disability for my left knee and now, 5 years after retirement, have no cartilidge left between the bones so no options left since the Dr. can barely get the needle in to give the cortizone shots. I'm only 52 and was also told it's time. I didn't know about the 13 mos. disability until I started poking around on this website so thanks for that. I asked two different VA reps about how long and what % disability I can expect from TKR and they both said they can't saw how much disabiltiy I might get since it varies from person to person. From this forum, it sounds like there is a specific temp. disability amount... just wondering why the reps don't know it. After calling the VA, the rep sent me a from on :Authorization and Consent to Release Information to the Dept. of Vets Affairs and told me that was what I needed to file but looking around on-line I found "Ap[plication for DIsability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits" and "Knee and Lower Leg Conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire" to be filled out by the Dr. I talked to another VA rep who told me "yes" I need to submitted all three forms. Does anyone know if I need to submit anything else? Just not sure I can trust the VA reps to provide correct info! thanks!
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