Sprain and Strain - Injury to muscle or tendon or joint ligament Factor
There are two SOP factors combined under this contention for CCPS purposes.
- experiencing a significant physical force applied to or through the affected joint, at the time of the clinical onset/worsening of sprain to that joint ligament
- forceful stretching or high intensity use of a muscle or tendon at the time of the clinical onset/worsening of strain to that muscle or tendon.
The RMA does not provide any associated definitions.
General information
Sprains involve the tearing or stretching of one or more joint ligaments:
- joint ligament: Joints occur where two bones meet. Most of the joints in the body are freely moving joints called synovial joints. Ligaments are elastic bands of tissue that attach to the bones and form a joint. Ligaments provide stability and strength to the joint by restricting movement and holding the bones in place, and thereby facilitate bending, jumping and stretching.
Strains involve the tearing or stretching of a muscle or tendon:
- muscle or tendon: Muscles contract (shorten) to bring the ends closer together and relax (lengthen) to let the ends move apart. Muscles are attached to bones by cord-like extensions called tendons. In adolescents, tendons attach to a growthplate called an apopyses, and the area where the tendon attaches may be weaker than the tendon itself. In adults, where the growthplate fuses the tendon is weaker than the bone.
Establishing the onset of the injury
The history of the injury that resulted in the sprain or strain should have been noted on the medical records, although medical attention may not have been sought immediately. Therefore, a reliable history of an injury the meets the relevant description at the time of the onset of sprain or strain will generally be accepted unless there is contradictory evidence. If the evidence is unclear, seek medical advice.
Last reviewed for CCPS 10 June 2012.
Investigative Documents
| Type | Title | PDF Format | Word Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Report | Sprains and Strains |
Preliminary questions [7326]
7331 the veteran has established the causal connection between the injury to muscle, tendon or joint ligament and VEA service for the sprain or strain.
7332 the veteran has established the causal connection between the injury to muscle, tendon or joint ligament and VEA service for the clinical onset of the sprain or strain.
7338 the veteran has established the causal connection between the injury to muscle, tendon or joint ligament and operational service for the clinical onset of the sprain or strain.
or
7339 the veteran has established the causal connection between the injury to muscle, tendon or joint ligament and eligible service for the clinical onset of the sprain or strain.
or
7334 the clinical onset of the condition under consideration occurred after the end of the veteran's last period of VEA service.
7335 the condition under consideration permanently worsened.
7333 the veteran has established the causal connection between the injury to muscle, tendon or joint ligament and VEA service for the clinical worsening of the acute sprain or acute strain.
7340 the veteran has established the causal connection between the injury to muscle, tendon or joint ligament and operational service for the clinical worsening of the acute sprain or acute strain.
or
7341 the veteran has established the causal connection between the injury to muscle, tendon or joint ligament and eligible service for the clinical worsening of the acute sprain or acute strain.
Clinical onset and operational service [7338]
37553 the veteran had an injury to the muscle, tendon or joint ligament of side and site of the body, as described in the Statements of Principles for sprain and strain, at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, as a causal result of operational service.
37560 the injury to the muscle, tendon or joint ligament of side and site of the body, as defined in the Statements of Principles for sprain and strain, as a causal result of operational service and at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.
Clinical onset and eligible service [7339]
37555 the veteran had an injury to the muscle, tendon or joint ligament of side and site of the body, as described in the Statements of Principles for sprain and strain, at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, as a causal result of eligible service.
37561 the injury to the muscle, tendon or joint ligament of side and site of the body, as defined in the Statements of Principles for sprain and strain, as a causal result of eligible service and at the time of the clinical onset of the condition under consideration, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.
Clinical worsening and operational service [7340]
37557 the veteran had an injury to the muscle, tendon or joint ligament of side and site of the body, as described in the Statements of Principles for acute sprain and acute strain, at the time of the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration, as a causal result of operational service.
37562 the injury to the muscle, tendon or joint ligament of side and site of the body, as defined in the Statements of Principles for acute sprain and acute strain, as a causal result of operational service and at the time of the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.
Clinical worsening and eligible service [7341]
37559 the veteran had an injury to the muscle, tendon or joint ligament of side and site of the body, as described in the Statements of Principles for acute sprain and acute strain, at the time of the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration, as a causal result of eligible service.
37563 the injury to the muscle, tendon or joint ligament of side and site of the body, as defined in the Statements of Principles for acute sprain and acute strain, as a causal result of eligible service and at the time of the clinical worsening of the condition under consideration, was due to the veteran's serious default, wilful act or serious breach of discipline.