What To Do With Increasing Disablitiy

[bigoc]

I am rated for arthritis.  My doctor has prescribed several different disease modifying drugs over the past year.  And I need to contact the VA to try to increase my rating.  

How would I do this and what supporting documentation is helpful for doing this?

Thanks for the help

[Pete53]

I would ask for the 60% or Maximum rating and submit the evidence of the Meds and a Doc's letter. I have been looking at how they rate and you are actually bilateral and not rated correctly.

My Veteran is asking for another Medical Exam C&P and to be rated properly and have a DRO review with a Hearing.

What joints are affected?

Good Luck

[bigoc]

Pete:  I am rated for the extremities.  Right hand 10%, Left wrist 10%, Right foot 0%, Left foot 0%, also service connected for psoriasis 0% does not state anything more specific, just psoriasis.

What is the issue with bilateral?

Interestingly on the VA letter it states that I am rated for psoriatic arthritis(claimed as arthritis).  This is the diagnosis that my private doctor gave me.  The use of the drugs to treat psoriasis is a basis for an increase in rating but I have not been able to find anything in the VA codes for the use of these drugs in arthritis.  I am going to use the basis of it being used to treat my psoriasis which is located with the joints affected by arthritis hence the diagnosis.  I would see it fit that because the type of arthritis I have is associated with psoriasis I should be able to use this for my basis for an increase.

Does anyone know if VA rating for arthritis has a section for the use of disease modifying anti-inflammatory drug therapy to control the disease as a basis for an increase.  

Thanks for the tips guys

[broncovet]

Regulations Require the VA to consider that the Veteran is seeking the MAXIMUM benefit allowable by law. Interestingly, I read something like 3 out of 5 rating specialists did not know the Veteran was seeking the maximum. It was in a survey given to rating specialists, and no, I can not supply the link as to where I read it. However, I dont think we should be suprised.

This is one regulation that makes sense. I mean, think about it. HOw many employees do you know who would go to work and (when the discussion came to salary) they say something like:

"Is there any way I can get a lower salary? I am seeking the lowest salary possible in order to save the government money. It isnt really that important that my family and I have nice things, I would rather take a pay cut and save the government money. Please put a request in that I can seek less than the minimum wage."

For the same reasons, should we expect Veterans to seek LESS than the maximum?

[Pete53]

Duty to assist and non adversarial treatment of Vets would indicate the VA should look for Maximum not to low ball Veterans.

big:

I am working on some things to help but it may take a couple of days to post regs ect. In the meantime what meds and creams are you using.

[bigoc]

I have been using Methotrexate, Enbrel, Humira, methylprednisolone

[Pete53]

Big:

I am not a Doctor but it appears that if you saw and arthritics Doc you should be diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis and with the meds you take you have definitely been low balled. If I were you I would see a Doc either at VA or in private and by the way you should see a reumatoloigist asap

Good Luck