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Hello Everyone,
I have a question about arthritis rating table below. Is the rating applied for “EACH” major joint (or group of minor joints) affected or is it just one rating for the existence of the arthritis? Example: If rated in both left and right knees as well as left and right ankles … would that be one rating of 20% for all of them or would it be 20% for each major joint? Thank you in advance for spreading some light on this.
5003 Arthritis, degenerative (hypertrophic or osteoarthritis):
Degenerative arthritis established by X-ray findings will be rated on the basis of limitation of motion under the appropriate diagnostic codes for the specific joint or joints involved (DC 5200 etc.). When however, the limitation of motion of the specific joint or joints involved is noncompensable under the appropriate diagnostic codes, a rating of 10 pct is for application for each such major joint or group of minor joints affected by limitation of motion, to be combined, not added under diagnostic code 5003. Limitation of motion must be objectively confirmed by findings such as swelling, muscle spasm, or satisfactory evidence of painful motion. In the absence of limitation of motion, rate as below:
With X-ray evidence of involvement of 2 or more major joints or 2 or more minor joint groups, with occasional incapacitating exacerbations
20
With X-ray evidence of involvement of 2 or more major joints or 2 or more minor joint groups
10
Note (1): The 20 pct and 10 pct ratings based on X-ray findings, above, will not be combined with ratings based on limitation of motion.
Note (2): The 20 pct and 10 pct ratings based on X-ray findings, above, will not be utilized in rating conditions listed under diagnostic codes 5013 to 5024, inclusive.
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Arthritis Rating Question
Hello Everyone, I have a question about arthritis rating table below. Is the rating applied for EACH major joint (or group of minor joints) affected or is it just one rating for the existence of the arthritis? Example: If rated in both left and right knees as well as left and right ankles ...
