Tsgt

Gratz..... Long time waiting... Good Job.

Thank you, I have all records from active duty. I have all doctor documents from release to now with continous problems primary doctors and 2 specialists that figured out what I actually had. Its the waiting game now.

Good to know thank you. The thing is they knew I had the arthritis when I was diagnosed with the knee problems, its my fault when I did my first claim not to add the arthritis. Live and learn I guess but its all documented on my active duty med. files they even stated I had it when I received my award packet etc. So we shall see thanks again.

I just got my mail now I have a VA letter dated 24 jan saying. We have recieved your application for benifits. It is our sincere desire to decide your case promptly. However, as we have a great number of claims, action on your may be delayed. We are now in the process of deciding whether additional evidence is needed. Etc. etc. Seems they got back to kinda fast must be because i'm already in the system.

Ok well I turned in all my med. files from my doctors to the local VA rep. Beginning of Jan. Now I received a letter from the DAV office in Los Angeles Ca. on Jan. 19,2011 Stating there submitting my Claim for me. Has anything happened like this to anyone else? I thought your had to submit your claims your self to the DAV.

When I filled the first time for my knees it was about 9 months to get to the VA for a exam. After that was done it took roughly (2 months) to recieve my award and have the funds deposited in the bank . Hope this helps.

Is there a grace period where med. files can be included as far as connection to actve duty? I'm looking at my med files that I have now and I was seen for rashes about 1 month after active duty.

I just got home from a round trip paying all the fees to have a copy from my doctors and walk in clicks files except the currect specialist I dont want to get that one untill im sure what I need etc. After my next visit, I might have something documented in the walkin clinic one about rashes but we shall see. That can be picked up in 2 days. Now to work on my wifes VA stuff .

I'm working on something also. This is what i'm going to do to try to eliminate maybe this prob. i'm getting copies and delivering them to my local VA rep at the VA home near me they can then send it to where it needs to go, this process was allowed by the people at my regional VA office. Or ask for a person you can send it to certified, as far as proof they got it from your doc. not sure.

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.

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

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.

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.