General Compensation Question

[PEACHES1962]

Good Afternoon,
Quick question...can a person be service connected for both Rheumatoid Arthritis & Fibromyalgia?  I am already s/c for Fibromyalgia (40%).

Thank you

[Buck52]

Yes they can be rated separately  being you have the highest rating for Fibro @40% & Diagnostic   code 5025  and

Rheumatoid Arthritis is rated under Diagnostic Code 5002. RA can be evaluated at up to a 100 percent disability rating if it results in the veteran becoming bedridden or complete incapacitation. Lower ratings will be assigned for occasional incapacitating.

These have separate Diagnostic Codes.

file for it today!!!

Edited August 24, 2020 by Buck52

[broncovet]

I agree with Buck.  "However", you can only be compensated for "1" set of symptoms.  

Example:  Let's say you are SC for arthritis/fibromyalgia of your left knee.  One of the symptoms is "pain in the left knee".  

Pyramiding prevents you from getting compensated for "pain in the left knee" from arthritis "and also" pain due to fibromyalgia in that joint.  

 

[PEACHES1962]

Thank you both for your answers.  I am being treated for both, however I never applied for R/A.

Thanks again

[broncovet]

Make sure you understand.  While a "diagnosis" is required for SC, we dont get paid for "diagnosis", we get paid for "symptoms".  

Example:  Diagnosis  Rhumetoid Arthritis of the Left Knee.  

Symptoms:  Left knee is painful, has limited motion.  

Some people think we get paid for diagnosis. We dont.  You could be diagnosed with Rhumetoid Arthritis, but you may have "zero" symptoms.  If you have "no symptoms" then you will either get denied, or, a "0 percent" rating that is non compensable.    This is sometimes called "Asymptomatic" (no symptoms).  

Again, if you have "already been compensated" for the symptom of "pain in left knee" for Fibromyalgia, then you can not also get "pain in left knee" as a symptom for Rhuematiod Arthritis.  

[Buck52]

I believe a veteran can be rated for both conditions because they have different codes and the symptoms can be differentiated  between the two.

The VA Ratings Schedule for Rheumatoid Arthritis

One or two painful flare-ups a year: 20% Rating

Clear impairments to daily living and health diagnosed by a doctor or 3 or more incapacitating episodes a year: 40% Rating

Worse than 40% but not quite 100% incapacitated, with weight loss and anemia due to the long term affects and incapacitated 4 times a year or more: 60% Rating

Multiple systems of your body like lungs, veins, and eyes in addition to your joints affected, totally incapacitating RA: 100% Rating

This veteran has been rated for Fibromyalgia @ 40%

The VA has a long and checkered history with Fibromyalgia claims. Fibromyalgia symptoms, such as a body-wide ache, sensitivity to pain, muscle and joint stiffness, and numbness and tingling in the extremities, were sometimes viewed by the VA and physicians with skepticism. Fibromyalgia cannot be diagnosed using laboratory tests, so physicians rely on your description of your symptoms and their own subjective observations to diagnose Fibromyaliga.

if the R.A. is disabling you up to the rating criteria 40%  look up the R.A. Rating criteria  for your diagnose R.H.   if you get a rating for  the R.A.  FILE FOR THE TDIU because R.A. Can be crippling so- to-speak

 YOU CAN BE ELIGIBLE FOR THE TDIU  IF THESE BOTH CAUSE YOU  TO NOT BE ABLE TO FIND MARGINAL EMPLOYMENT  OR YOU CAN'T WORK DUE TO THESE COMBINED SERVICE CONNECTED DISABILITY'S 

 A LETTER FROM A Specialist opinion if he can mention you can't work due to these disability's    then that makes you a good candidate for the TDIU ..... (JMO) just my opinion

[PEACHES1962]

Thanks guys for both points of views and the information you both provided is great.  If it ends up being denied that is alright too.  Also, I don't need to me TDIU as I am already 100% P&T and employed.  But again I do appreciate both you guys input and as usual this site is very informative.

Thanks