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ArmyVet1981

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Everything posted by ArmyVet1981

  1. Hello again----- Just more of a question/input than anything, but would love to hear anyone's personal experience if you have dealt with Pittsburgh Appeal process. Try to make this short.... I developed an anxiety disorder while I was on active duty. I didn't apply for it on my initial claim in 2009 cause of the "stigma" (I know, silly on my part) However my generalized anxiety disorder got worse and worse, by this time I was on 3 times a day benzos, FMLA, seeing a psych at the VAMC as well as weekly sessions at the Women's Clinic... I applied for the anxiety claim in 2013, over a year later I was granted 10%. Due to moves and life changes, I put in my NOD (asking for a DRO De novo) I believed that having FMLA (missing more than a day or two of work a week due to panic attacks would constitute a higher rating??) My Appeal has been in since June 2015 (so just at a year...) Has anyone dealt with Pittsburgh in regards to appeals, especially a DRO De Novo? What was your wait time? What was your outcome? Someone told me they were working on 2012 and EARLIER appeals?!!! Thanks again for any input!!!
  2. Navy04, I'm sorry to hear the Humira did that to you... I will def be more aware of my body.. as I've been on it 2 years now.. and didn't realize it could cause such complications. And you know the VA......hurry up and wait..... (Just hoping that doesn't mean 5 years;)
  3. Thank you so much for your thorough and fast response... Unfortunately, they did not rate me as having PTSD, only Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I filed another claim in 2014 for Chronic Fatigue, and Insomnia (as I cannot sleep without aids of some kind) but that was also denied. However when I did talk to the C&P Mental Health eval for Insomnia, she was the one that stated I have severe Panic Disorder, along with other generalized anxiety/depression, impaired sleeping habits.... although that was denied, I am hoping that eval will help with my Anxiety Appeal, as that is the only appeal I have at the moment. I didn't appeal the other ones as I had already started the Anxiety Appeal, and did NOT want to "confuse" them or make them take longer on my appeal. I remember seeing the C&P report and the way my VSO and I read it sounded like I fell between the 50% and 70% rating under the Mental Health ratings... all FMLA, and documents were submitted with the appeal. I am just hoping it does not take 500 something days as everyone seems to be telling me. But, if I will wait, and wait, and fight to the end. That's all I can do. Thank you again, and thank you for serving our Veterans.
  4. Hello:) Pretty new to this site, but have read some great advice, and support, so I will ask for some input for my appeal. Back story... I filed for anxiety in 2013 (I should've claimed it in my separation exam in 2009-- but didn't want that "stigma"...silly I know) Claim closed in mid 2014. They rated me 10%... Mind you, I had anxiety in service (due to a traumatic event) and was on medication for many years. I filed my NOD in the summer of 2015 ( I know.. it took me a while to file it, but I was going through other family events, either way I got my appeal in within the year mark) When I did my initial C&P with the mental health DR... I had told them I was missing some work due to this, but wasn't on FMLA yet cause I hadn't been at my job for a year, and that was a requirement... Still.. 10% I sent in my NOD requesting a DRO De Novo Review, cause by this time I had been approved FMLA and had already lost over 150 hours of unpaid leave due to panic attacks.... also since then another VA Dr. diagnosed me with a Panic Disorder and other mental health issues, not just the Generalized Anxiety Attacks first stated to me. I know appeals can take forever.... but I submitted all new paperwork, my new exams are in the system, ..... Just hoping that they can see my issue is more than a 10% rating.. it has literally taken over my life. Do you think of what I just typed would at least warrant a 30% eval? It would be great to hear any stories of success, or not such good news on your appeal with similar background.... Thank you all, and God Bless :)
  5. I am so sorry to hear your experience with Humira. Fortunately for me, I have not experienced those issues, and they constantly check my blood work, which is good. I'm hoping the letter from my VSO is enough for them to at least stop and think about it before making me go through another exam..... I mean I get seen by a VA Derm every 6 weeks... all my records they can see..... But if I do have to have another exam and they try and decrease me solely based off my skin being clear now, ..... I will definitely file an appeal.
  6. Justrluk, Thanks for the response. However I don't take topicals anymore as they did nothing for my psoriasis... After so many years I was grateful that the VA Dermatologist FINALLY prescribed Humira... Although I hate the every other week shots..... They keep my skin clear! My VSO stated even though I don't have a flare up now, its only BECAUSE of the Humira, which I have been taking for over a year now... that would at least keep me at the 30% if not, higher... Fingers crossed that it stays at the 30%....if it goes higher.. even better. But I'm not pushing it;)
  7. Also spoke with my VSO and he stated ... I will ask the VA to reconsider the 30 percent evaluation and the need for future exam. I hope that works...
  8. Thank you all for your responses! It's nice knowing I can come onto a site where everyone is so inviting, and helpful
  9. Thank you for the fast response! So just to clarify, even though they might decrease my %, they still have to treat me? Also I looked up the rating for psoriasis and it states ; Seems to me I should be increased, not decreased.... or I can be reading this wrong..... More than 40 percent of the entire body or more than 40 percent of exposed areas affected, or; constant or near-constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs required during the past 12-month period............................................................ 60 20 to 40 percent of the entire body or 20 to 40 percent of exposed areas affected, or; systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs required for a total duration of six weeks or more, but not constantly, during the past 12-month period................................ 30 At least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body, or at least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of exposed areas affected, or; intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs required for a total duration of less than six weeks during the past 12-month period.......................................................... 10
  10. Hello everyone! this is my first post on this site, but I have been stalking it for a while now. I have a question that maybe someone can address. I'll try and make it short and sweet.... I received my SC disability for psoriasis 30% in 2009. At the time I was only on topicals that did nothing for me... For the last 2 years I have been on Humira which has been a blessing! I just received a phone call from a rep stating that I was coming up for an exam on my psoriasis... I told them I was on auto-immune suppressants, so of course my skin is clearer.. She stated that would drop my rating.....?? My issue is this... if they take away my 30% for my psoriasis... who would pay for my Humira?? And isn't the fact that I am on auto-immune suppressants enough to keep my rating as is?? any advice would be greatly appreciated:)
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