Schmoll74

That has no bearing for arthritis rating. It was all about limited movement per the CFR.

If you are just going for arthritis, you need to look at the CFR 38 and read what joints you are referring to. For my hands I got 0% because I can still touch all fingers to my thumb.

Yes. It was actually at the VA hospital. What I provided was the notes from my private Dr, x-rays of my hands and the lab results for the positive 'c' protein. It started with methotrexate and then humira. Make it easy on yourself, get it documented that you are prescribed the humira for Psoriasis as well as for the PoA.

I used the new RAMP program they sent out. They started a new claim in July and completed it just before Thanksgiving. They finally acknowledged the Humira and went all the way back to being on methotrexate. Now I have to wait on them to figure out back pay for 3.5 years of an increase from 50 % to 80% and 6 months of 30% to 80%. I appreciate all the information on this forum to help me get this settled.

I was told by the infectious disease Dr that I could stay on Humira as long as I did not see any side effects. I am seeing my regular dr to try and get something in writing about the Humira to add to my re- appeal. Now that I have tested positive for TB I will always test positive so no more tests. I just have to look for symptoms.

I was diagnoses with Psoriasis for the last 6 years in the navy but remained on steroid cremes since there was a chance I could be disqualified in my rating field if I was prescribed any biologic. I was diagnosed with PsA about a year and half after retirement and started on methotrexate but no change in PsA or my psoriasis. After I added the Humira my pain went away and so did my skin spots. I am working on my appeal to explain that the PsA which is rated as a secondary disability and the psoriasis are treated by the same drug and normally one Dr will not prescribe medicine you are already on. I have 30 days left on the 60 day appeal to get faster movement on the appeal. To top off all of that I now have a complication from the humira (latent TB) that puts me on antibiotics for 9 months.

I realize the compensation can only be for one issue however I am looking to get the humira applied to my psoriasis. My regular Dr did not put me on humira due to other symptoms and I was being evaluated. Once the specialist prescribed the meds my normal Dr said all is good it treats the cause of both issues which is the psoriasis. I have heard of getting a Dr to write a nexus letter to tie everything together, is that what I need to show this? Thanks

Hello I am looking for some help with understanding how the VA rates one disability to another and why receiving medicine for one is not the same as receiving it for the primary disability. I retired in 2013 from the Navy with documented psoriasis and was awarded a 0% rating. Within a year I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. I filed a claim and was awarded service connection at 0%. I was shorty thereafter placed on methotrexate and humira. I filled my appeal in December of 2014. I just received my letter and was awarded 10% for my psoriasis but denied anymore since the immune suppressive drugs were not prescribed for psoriasis but for the psoriatic arthritis. How do I get them to realize the meds are for both issues when I file my appeal to the appeal? Thanks.