Hi all,
BL: I'm looking for advice on how I might be rated through IDES and whether I should be worried about my medical records. (Active duty AF)
I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in late 2020 and had a colonoscopy showing Mayo 2 severity disease in the lower colon. The doc put me on Lialda 4.8g/day, which helped me go into remission somewhat quickly.
Fast forward a few years (2022), and I started having flares again. I had flares off and on through late 2022, early 2023, and most of the first half of this year (2024). Those flares were anywhere from 3-12x/day BMs (some w/ blood). I also had a major flare in 2016 that I did not really report to the docs for fear of losing flying status (I lost ~25 lbs during that flare). I had other issues in 2014 that might have been UC-related, too. I've occasionally had high fevers that corresponded to the peak of these flares.
I have not been good about having my flares documented in my records because my goal has been to remain in the service. I think I am about to get to the point where I need to be more forthcoming with the docs and get the treatment I need so I can avoid more permanent damage to my colon.
I recently had another sigmoidoscopy that showed Mayo 1 severity disease (remission-ish). So, on paper, I look like I'm not doing that bad. But, every few months, I seem to have a pretty crushing flare.
Based on what I've said, what would you guess my rating would be (excerpt from the CFR below)? I want to avoid getting in a situation where being more straightforward with the doc results in me being separated instead of medically retired. What do I need to do to make sure my records show what they need to show to avoid a 10% rating?
Thanks.
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From the VA disability ratings section of the CFR:
60%: Moderate inflammatory bowel disease that is managed on an outpatient basis with immunosuppressants or other biologic agents; and is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, four to five daily episodes of diarrhea; and intermittent signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia, or anemia
30%: Mild to moderate inflammatory bowel disease that is managed with oral and topical agents (other than immunosuppressants or other biologic agents); and is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain with three or less daily episodes of diarrhea and minimal signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia, or anemia
10%: Minimal to mild symptomatic inflammatory bowel disease that is managed with oral or topical agents (other than immunosuppressants or other biologic agents); and is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain with three or less daily episodes of diarrhea and no signs of systemic toxicity
BL: I'm looking for advice on how I might be rated through IDES and whether I should be worried about my medical records. (Active duty AF)
I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in late 2020 and had a colonoscopy showing Mayo 2 severity disease in the lower colon. The doc put me on Lialda 4.8g/day, which helped me go into remission somewhat quickly.
Fast forward a few years (2022), and I started having flares again. I had flares off and on through late 2022, early 2023, and most of the first half of this year (2024). Those flares were anywhere from 3-12x/day BMs (some w/ blood). I also had a major flare in 2016 that I did not really report to the docs for fear of losing flying status (I lost ~25 lbs during that flare). I had other issues in 2014 that might have been UC-related, too. I've occasionally had high fevers that corresponded to the peak of these flares.
I have not been good about having my flares documented in my records because my goal has been to remain in the service. I think I am about to get to the point where I need to be more forthcoming with the docs and get the treatment I need so I can avoid more permanent damage to my colon.
I recently had another sigmoidoscopy that showed Mayo 1 severity disease (remission-ish). So, on paper, I look like I'm not doing that bad. But, every few months, I seem to have a pretty crushing flare.
Based on what I've said, what would you guess my rating would be (excerpt from the CFR below)? I want to avoid getting in a situation where being more straightforward with the doc results in me being separated instead of medically retired. What do I need to do to make sure my records show what they need to show to avoid a 10% rating?
Thanks.
----
From the VA disability ratings section of the CFR:
60%: Moderate inflammatory bowel disease that is managed on an outpatient basis with immunosuppressants or other biologic agents; and is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain, four to five daily episodes of diarrhea; and intermittent signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia, or anemia
30%: Mild to moderate inflammatory bowel disease that is managed with oral and topical agents (other than immunosuppressants or other biologic agents); and is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain with three or less daily episodes of diarrhea and minimal signs of toxicity such as fever, tachycardia, or anemia
10%: Minimal to mild symptomatic inflammatory bowel disease that is managed with oral or topical agents (other than immunosuppressants or other biologic agents); and is characterized by recurrent abdominal pain with three or less daily episodes of diarrhea and no signs of systemic toxicity
