Have A Claims Appointment

[devildog1978]

I have a claims appointment for next Wednesday in Beaufort. I am nervous and do not want to be unprepared for the visit. I want to have my Rheumatoid arthritis rating changed. Since my discharge and initial rating of 40% for bilateral hands, wrists, and ankles I have had my methotrexate increased and Humira added to my medication.

I was rated at 10% for tinunitis but even when the ringing is not there I have extreme difficulties hearing out of my right ear.

I was also rated at 10% for depression and with the increase in medication and the loss of my daughter, I struggle. I do not know how to express this...not good at the feelings stuff. Any advice would be appreciated.

[devildog1978]

To everyone..thanks for the info. Where can I find the ratings table?

Bigoc

My range of motion is pretty much the same with some mild improvement in the morning stiffness. However I have decreased stanima in those joints. As for the medication as I am sure you are aware...it is more toxic to the body and they had to put me on it to keep everthing under control. They had me on sulfasalizne too but took me off because I kept getting mouth ulcers.

Carlie

I think it is just the part where I explain to them what is wrong. I am pretty sure it is with a VCO or VOC not sure what they are called.

[carlie]

Scroll down to the conditions in the Schedule of Ratings.

Subpart B--DISABILITY RATINGS

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-...fr4_main_02.tpl

[fanaticbooks]

To everyone..thanks for the info. Where can I find the ratings table?

Bigoc

My range of motion is pretty much the same with some mild improvement in the morning stiffness. However I have decreased stanima in those joints. As for the medication as I am sure you are aware...it is more toxic to the body and they had to put me on it to keep everthing under control. They had me on sulfasalizne too but took me off because I kept getting mouth ulcers.

Carlie

I think it is just the part where I explain to them what is wrong. I am pretty sure it is with a VCO or VOC not sure what they are called.

Devildog,

If for some reason Carlie''s link doesn't work, my website has a link to get to the ratings. Just as a backup to her info.

[jbasser]

Carlies links works fineon My PC.

Check your computers settings.

You may have an IE peroblem.

You may want to download Firefox.

J

[devildog1978]

In regards to the RA, they have increased the strength and quantities of my medication. I have less flareups and reduced morning stiffness. Is it possible that they would reduce my rating? I mean you increase the meds...the symptoms should be reduced right?

[Pete53]

The meds they goive you and your symptoms indicate at least a 60% rating according to some research I have been looking at.

For an active process, a 20 percent rating is assigned for

one or two exacerbations a year in a well-established

diagnosis. A 40 percent rating is assigned with symptom

combinations productive of definite impairment of health

objectively supported by examination findings or

incapacitating exacerbations occurring three or more times a

year. A 60 percent evaluation is assignable for less than

criteria for 100 percent, but with weight loss and anemia

productive of severe impairment of health or severely

incapacitating exacerbations occurring four or more times

yearly or a lesser number over prolonged periods. A 100

percent evaluation is assignable when there are

constitutional manifestations associated with active joint

involvement, totally incapacitating. 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a,

Diagnostic Code 5002 (2007).