VA Back, Knee, and Joint Claims Guide
A Step-by-Step System for Filing and Rating Back, Knee, and Joint VA Claims
Your Toolkit Includes
Editable guides, templates, trackers, and calculators designed to be used alongside the book. Each file mirrors a concept or chapter from the guide — download what you need, fill it in, and build your claim package at your own pace.
VA Back, Knee, and Joint Claims Guide
FWD Assist Publishing
Built by Joshua Christopherson. VA disability claims educator. Air Force and Air National Guard disabled veteran with hands-on VSO experience.
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About This Topic
A practical guide to VA disability claims for musculoskeletal conditions — the most common category of VA disability. Covers the range-of-motion ratings the VA uses for back and joint conditions, how to document pain and functional loss, how to file for bilateral conditions, and how to connect secondary orthopedic conditions to a primary claim.
What the Book Covers
Key topics and takeaways from VA Back, Knee, and Joint Claims Guide:
Who This Is For
- Veterans with back, knee, shoulder, or joint injuries from service
- Veterans whose musculoskeletal rating doesn't reflect their real condition
- Veterans with bilateral (both sides) joint conditions
- Anyone whose orthopedic problems have caused secondary conditions
Download the Entire Toolkit
All 22 files in one zip · 0.3 MB
Companion Toolkit
22 files for VA Back, Knee, and Joint Claims Guide — Organized by when you need them in the claims process.
Assessment & Preparation
3 files
Evidence Building
9 files
C&P Exam Battle Plan MSK
DOCXPrepare for your C&P exam with a day-of checklist and strategy guide
12 KB
C-File Request Guide Tracker
XLSXRequest and track your VA C-File to verify what evidence VA already has
10 KB
Evidence Package Organizer
DOCXAssemble the complete evidence package VA needs to rate your claim
12 KB
New Exam Request Letter Templates
DOCXLetter templates for requesting a new C&P exam for orthopedic conditions
11 KB
Secondary Conditions Mapper
XLSXMap primary conditions to the secondary conditions they commonly cause
10 KB
Statements & Letters
3 files
Buddy Statement Builder
DOCXGuide a buddy through writing a lay statement that supports your claim
39 KB
Personal Statement Builder
DOCXWrite a personal statement that maps symptoms to the VA rating criteria
11 KB
Filing & Submission
1 file
Tracking & Monitoring
5 files
Claims Master Tracker
XLSXTrack every claim, rating, effective date, and status in one master spreadsheet
11 KB
Decision Letter Decoder
DOCXBreak down a VA decision letter line by line to find errors and next steps
12 KB
Degenerative Progression Tracker
XLSXTrack progress across all recovery or transition milestones
15 KB
How to Use This Toolkit
Every file is yours to keep. The Word documents (.docx) are your guides, templates, and letter builders — open them, fill in your information, and use them with your claim. The spreadsheets (.xlsx) are your trackers and calculators — they include real formulas that do the math for you. Save them to your computer and update them as your situation changes.
Related Topics
Win Your VA Disability Claim
The Complete Step-by-Step Guide to Filing, Evidence, and Getting the VA Rating You've Earned
VA Secondary Claims Manual
How to Claim VA Disability for Conditions Caused or Aggravated by Your Service-Connected Injuries
The VA C&P Exam Playbook
The Complete Guide to Preparing for Your VA C&P Exam and Getting the Rating You Deserve
Disclaimer: FWD Assist HQ and FWD Assist Publishing provide educational resources only. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice, medical advice, or accredited representation. Always consult with an accredited VA attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Officer for personalized guidance.