Psoriatic Arthritis, MEB, and VA disability...
- Thread starter Str8-Ays
- Start date
Mike,
Thanks for the points of clarification and that helps out tremendously. It appears, from my limited reading about the two that VA's percentage is almost always higher than the DoD and I am guessing only because the VA is rating everything and the DoD is rating only the unfitting conditions. In my case, assuming a VA rating of at least 60%, it is always more than DoD rating. Perhaps it is because I would be retiring at or around 15 years. Thanks again for your help!
Andre'
Thanks for the points of clarification and that helps out tremendously. It appears, from my limited reading about the two that VA's percentage is almost always higher than the DoD and I am guessing only because the VA is rating everything and the DoD is rating only the unfitting conditions. In my case, assuming a VA rating of at least 60%, it is always more than DoD rating. Perhaps it is because I would be retiring at or around 15 years. Thanks again for your help!
Andre'
Mike,
Thanks for the points of clarification and that helps out tremendously. It appears, from my limited reading about the two that VA's percentage is almost always higher than the DoD and I am guessing only because the VA is rating everything and the DoD is rating only the unfitting conditions. In my case, assuming a VA rating of at least 60%, it is always more than DoD rating. Perhaps it is because I would be retiring at or around 15 years. Thanks again for your help!
Andre'
Thanks for the points of clarification and that helps out tremendously. It appears, from my limited reading about the two that VA's percentage is almost always higher than the DoD and I am guessing only because the VA is rating everything and the DoD is rating only the unfitting conditions. In my case, assuming a VA rating of at least 60%, it is always more than DoD rating. Perhaps it is because I would be retiring at or around 15 years. Thanks again for your help!
Andre'
Indeed the VA rating is usually higher, that does not mean the VA pay is higher than DoD retirement if the VA rating is higher. VA pay comes from a set table. DoD retirement is based on the high which varies greatly between members depending on rank and years of service.
Mike
Mike
Came across this post and see there are some knowledgeable folks so would like to get an opinion if possible. I was forced to retired in 2008 after 20 years AD due to Psoriatic Arthritis. I went through the MEB and was found unfit to continue serving. I filed my claim with the VA for PsA and for Psoriasis. I received a decision back from the VA in Nov 2008 stating the following:
1. Service connection for psoriasis with psoriatic arthritis of DIP joints of fingers
and toes.
We are granting service connection for psoriasis with psoriatic arthritis of distal interphalangeal joint joints of fingers and toes because the condition is directly related to military service. Your service treatment records show that you began having problems with a skin condition on your scalp in 1989. Diagnosis was psoriasis. In September 2005 you
reported pain in fingers and toes which was diagnosed as distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) form of psoriatic arthritis. You were started on Embrel at that time. Treatment reports from Dr. XXXX show you were referred for treatment of psoriatic arthritis in February 2008. At the VA general medical examination at V AMC Columbia, SC, on November 7, 2008, you said your psoriasis is associated with pruritis, but not pain. You use topical medications daily and also take Humira injections, one every two weeks. You denied being on systemic corticosteroids or light therapy. You reported good improvement with the Humira. Examination of your skin revealed 7 x 6-cm patches on both knees. The distal interphalangeal joints of all 10 digits were affected with psoriasis along with hands and nails of all toes. There were 5 x 4-cm patches on both elbows. Psoriasis was affecting 12 percent of exposed skin and 3 percent of entire body. You also complained of morning stiffness in both ankles and distal interphalangeal joints of all fingers and toes. X rays of your hands showed soft-tissue swelling at the distal portion of the left second digit but were otherwise normal. X rays of both feet showed degenerative change of the right first distal interphalangeal joint. X rays of both wrists were normal. We are granting an evaluation of 60 percent because you are on constant or near-constant systemic therapy with an immunosuppressive drug during the past 12-month period. A higher evaluation of 100 percent is not warranted unless there is a totally incapacitating process with constitutional manifestations and active joint involvement. Since there is a likelihood of improvement, the assigned evaluation is not considered permanent and is subject to a future review examination.
Recently doing research, I have seen that a lot of people have separate ratings for the PsA and Psoriasis. I spoke with a VA rep about filing a claim to have them separated and she said it is possible. My concern is that if I do, I may end up with a lower rating. I am still on immunosuppressive therapy. Any solid advice would be appreciated.
1. Service connection for psoriasis with psoriatic arthritis of DIP joints of fingers
and toes.
We are granting service connection for psoriasis with psoriatic arthritis of distal interphalangeal joint joints of fingers and toes because the condition is directly related to military service. Your service treatment records show that you began having problems with a skin condition on your scalp in 1989. Diagnosis was psoriasis. In September 2005 you
reported pain in fingers and toes which was diagnosed as distal interphalangeal joint (DIP) form of psoriatic arthritis. You were started on Embrel at that time. Treatment reports from Dr. XXXX show you were referred for treatment of psoriatic arthritis in February 2008. At the VA general medical examination at V AMC Columbia, SC, on November 7, 2008, you said your psoriasis is associated with pruritis, but not pain. You use topical medications daily and also take Humira injections, one every two weeks. You denied being on systemic corticosteroids or light therapy. You reported good improvement with the Humira. Examination of your skin revealed 7 x 6-cm patches on both knees. The distal interphalangeal joints of all 10 digits were affected with psoriasis along with hands and nails of all toes. There were 5 x 4-cm patches on both elbows. Psoriasis was affecting 12 percent of exposed skin and 3 percent of entire body. You also complained of morning stiffness in both ankles and distal interphalangeal joints of all fingers and toes. X rays of your hands showed soft-tissue swelling at the distal portion of the left second digit but were otherwise normal. X rays of both feet showed degenerative change of the right first distal interphalangeal joint. X rays of both wrists were normal. We are granting an evaluation of 60 percent because you are on constant or near-constant systemic therapy with an immunosuppressive drug during the past 12-month period. A higher evaluation of 100 percent is not warranted unless there is a totally incapacitating process with constitutional manifestations and active joint involvement. Since there is a likelihood of improvement, the assigned evaluation is not considered permanent and is subject to a future review examination.
Recently doing research, I have seen that a lot of people have separate ratings for the PsA and Psoriasis. I spoke with a VA rep about filing a claim to have them separated and she said it is possible. My concern is that if I do, I may end up with a lower rating. I am still on immunosuppressive therapy. Any solid advice would be appreciated.