Don’t Decline Range of Motion Testing if You Are in Pain

​Why you should never refuse range of motion testing for orthopedic injuries- many persons wonder why their back, neck and orthopedic injuries are rated rather low initially by the VA Rating Activity. The answer is often a poorly performed Range of Motion assessment or declining such a test due to pain. If you are given the option of declining a range of motion test, please do not refuse testing. Without test data, the Rating Activity will normally assign you a 10% rating for pain on motion, no matter how hurt you may be.   If you are in pain, this may be the ideal time to test your range of motion to obtain the highest rating possible.