If I have surgery on my left knee, and it is related to the disability from my right knee, can I get more disability?

2017-04-21T21:58:48-04:00

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2017 11:12 PM

2017-04-21T23:12:51-04:00

If your other knee is causing the problems. i think it claimed as an secondary injury. But VA would be the best to talk to about this.

Response by TSgt David L. made Apr 21 at 2017 11:36 PM

2017-04-21T23:36:11-04:00

SPC Robert Borton, In my case, no. The VA says one is not related to the other. Obviously each case is different and VA's math is a little fuzzy. A lot fuzzy actually. Get with a service organization and have them help with the claim. The DAV helped me a lot but the VFW and Legion both are good as well. Don't give up if it's service related. Good luck.

Response by SGT Elizabeth Elliott made Apr 21 at 2017 11:37 PM

2017-04-21T23:37:51-04:00

You can but the the va/military may revisit your claim and you could lose what you are currently getting for your knee due to them saying you are better due to the surgery. A dav rep told me this when I asked if I should add my neck surgeries and I am complete and total

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 22 at 2017 12:28 AM

2017-04-22T00:28:35-04:00

You can get reevaluated but VA doesn't care what your Ortho thinks. They only care about what passes muster with their contracted doc you get sent to. Best bet is have a detailed report from your Ortho stipulating the cause and effect relationship between the left and right knee. Results will vary.

Response by SGT Anna Kleinschmidt made Apr 22 at 2017 2:13 PM

2017-04-22T14:13:28-04:00

Yes, I have Lupus and I had to take massive doses of steroids to put me in remission causing my bones to become extremely fragile ( the bone density of an 80 year old at the age of 35) it caused neck and back fractured to be worse than they should have been and I filed for an upgrade and went from 80% to 100% T&P they rarely downgrade a disability as it was explained to me. I had had a surgery before that to repair my jaw and they left it alone.

Response by SFC William H. made Apr 22 at 2017 3:51 PM

2017-04-22T15:51:12-04:00

Tricky question. If the surgery in your left knee improves the disability in the right knee the VA could send you for a re-evaluation. Not good. Best to talk with an orthopedic surgeon before the surgery. I know, not a good answer. You never know what the VA is going to do. VA decisions vary from region to region. Seek local info (within your region).

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2017 8:56 AM

2017-04-24T08:56:08-04:00

As with all things, maybe.
From a VA perspective, you would file a new claim for bilateral knee problems connected to service with supporting evidence from your orthopedist. You'd need a VA exam to document the degeneration.
It would not be a large jump in disability rating (probably), but these things have the tendency to worsen over time. Better to get it SC'd now than later.