Psoriatic arthritis

[Schmoll74]

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.

[Schmoll74]

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.

[SPO]

Did you happen to get a C&P for the arthritis?  I'm starting up a claim dealing with this now, and trying to get some insight.

[Schmoll74]

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. 

[SPO]

Did they do ROM exam or anything?  I’m on stelara for mine but I don’t know if they specifically call it out that way in the record but they did say it on the dbq.  I should have X-rays by then but I don’t know what will show.  Mine is still early on

[Schmoll74]

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. 

[SPO]

If it hurts when you touch your fingers together did you make it obvious to the exmaniner