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Is A Increase In Va Award Possible?

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I was diagnosed with patellofemoral syndrome left and right knees. And VA awarded myself 10% left 10% right. Question is while I was at Camp Pendelton getting examined when I was on active duty they found Osteoarthritis in my knees. After active duty I went to a specialist ( rheumatologist ) I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritus not Osteoarthritis. I have been on Embril for well over 2 years and was on menotrexate for short time, is it possible to get this connected? Thank you.

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Welcome here to hadit...I am sure some versed in your conditions may pipe in soon. Hang in there and never give up. How long were you in-service? When did the injuries occur or when diagnosed?

What you need is valid statements from physicians stating your current status, limitations in mobility, s/e of medication, pain, any use of adaptive equipment, problems with ambulation, any periods of bed rest in service?

What medications you have been prescribed since the diagnoses.

Basically how it has impacted your life/job and issues you have had and continue to have. Also the fact that your knees are affected it could basically go up you skeletal system to hips, back, etc.

Also how and if side effects of medication have impacted you, ie nausea and vomiting, headache, muscle discomfort, twitching,sleep disturbances, swelling, and further damage to the joints too,driving problems, etc. Give the overall picture of how this has made your life and status more difficulty than post service.

Put in a claim for further damage, with progressive use, more pain, or whatever symptoms that have increased since your diagnosis. Make sure you have medical validation that would show how this has progressed and impacted your life. As far as original diagnosis and newer one it still is evident your knees suffered damage in-service, as you are compensated 20 for bilateral, sometimes newer more in depth diagnoses could generate an increase, BUT only is your symptoms and condition have worsened...usually.Hopefully with medical statements, IMO,IME treatment records and evidence from Dr treatments you could be increased.

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Welcome here to hadit...I am sure some versed in your conditions may pipe in soon. Hang in there and never give up. How long were you in-service? When did the injuries occur or when diagnosed?

Retired with over 21 years service in Aug 2007, Injuries occured while on active duty and diagnosed before I was released off title 10 orders. I also made it a point to see my personal doctor to make sure he had something in my file at his office. I have his file in my hands and it also includes my knees in his report. less then 1 year later my Psoriatic Arthritus was starting to take a toll on my joints really bad. Swelling of my anckle,toes,fingers, knees etc. After while of dealing with my primary doctor I went to a specialist ( Rheumatologist ) He immediately said it was Psoriatic Arthritus and did the x-rays etc. and put me on menotrexate and embril. I also have a second specialist concur with the first I had to switch due to insurance issues. I have or can get all the documentation needed. Also during this whole time on active duty they couldnt make to connection of my small rash and discolored toe nail and red eyes to Psoriatic Arthritus.

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I found this today doing research maybe this will some people as far as Psoriatic arthritis .

5 Types of Psoriatic Arthritis

The 5 types or patterns of psoriatic arthritis may evolve from one to another and they may overlap:

Asymmetric psoriatic arthritis

Most psoriatic arthritis is first noticed in this stage. Asymmetric psoriatic arthritis involves a few joints of the extremities randomly (i.e., left toes and right fingers). It affects about 30 to 50 percent of psoriatic arthritis patients.

Symmetric psoriatic arthritis

Many times, the asymmetric form eventually evolves into symmetric psoriatic arthritis, which is characterized by pain and swelling in joints on both sides of the body. The fingers and toes are often affected. This type is the most common form of psoriatic arthritis, affecting 30 to 50 percent of psoriatic arthritis patients.

Distal interphalangeal predominant psoriatic arthritis

This form mostly involves joints closest to the nails of the fingers and toes. Changes in the nails, including pitting, splitting, degeneration and other nail mainfestations are common. Other joints may also be affected. This type of psoriatic arthritis accounts for 25 percent of cases.

Arthritis mutilans

Arthritis mutilans is a rare (5 percent of all cases), painful, and destructive type of psoriatic arthritis. It is characterized by a condition called enthesitis (inflammation where tendons and ligaments attach to bone) and also is characterized by resorption of phalangeal bones.

Psoriatic spondylitis or axial arthritis

This form is characterized by sacroiliitis (inflammation of the pelvic area where the sacrum joins the ilium bone) and spondylitis (inflammation of one or more vertebrae) occurring separately or together. It affects between 30 and 35 percent of psoriatic arthritis patients.

According to the American College of Rheumatology, about 15 percent of psoriasis patients develop psoriatic arthritis. Arthritis may develop before psoriasis in some patients. Seems you dont need to have skin rashes showing to actually have ( Psoriatic Arthritus ) If i'm reading this correctly here is the link I found this info http://arthritis.abo.../a/symptoms.htm

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Maybe. If you can get a current diagnosis that agrees with the service diagnosis, and or an IMO from a specialist that links then and now.

Did the VA conduct a C&P? And did a specialist do it?

I was diagnosed with patellofemoral syndrome left and right knees. And VA awarded myself 10% left 10% right. Question is while I was at Camp Pendelton getting examined when I was on active duty they found Osteoarthritis in my knees. After active duty I went to a specialist ( rheumatologist ) I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritus not Osteoarthritis. I have been on Embril for well over 2 years and was on menotrexate for short time, is it possible to get this connected? Thank you.

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Maybe. If you can get a current diagnosis that agrees with the service diagnosis, and or an IMO from a specialist that links then and now.

Did the VA conduct a C&P? And did a specialist do it?

Thanks for the reply. I was seen at the VA facility near me and a C&P was done he awarded me 10% for left and 10% for right knee. The VA evaluator was a oropedics type. Not a rheumatologist, The award was for Patellofemoral syndrome (Basically runners knee etc. ) In his assesment they noted from x-rays there was mild osteoarthritus involving both knees. I was sent from my flight surgen of my wing to Camp Pendleton for my examination for Bilateral Knees, Osteoarthritis. No rheumatologist was involved at this point. I'm in the process of gathering all my personal doctors at the moment and getting copyies of my record to have a time line was my condition. My primary doctors file shows that my knees,ankles,fingers.toes etc. are swollen at this point less then 1 year later from being released from active duty. My last week on active duty I have 1 form from him most of it I cant read it also shows abdominal pain and more stuff about my knees and more. I need to take this back to him to have it decyphered.
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I am no expert on your diagnosed service condition but the VA is infamous for low ball ratings. Continuity of treatment is very important and the VA can be generous for secondary conditions cause by a service connected injury.

Good Luck

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