Rating Increase (New Medication)

[Wooderson]

I am currently 10% for Chronic Urticaria, my dermatologist has changed my medication (because the antihistamines quit working) and for the past 4-5 months I have been on a second-line treatment (leukotriene inhibitors). Under the VA Schedule those medications when used to treat the condition looks like it should be rated at 30%.

I've never requested an increase, is there a certain amount of time you need to be on the new medication? Is there anything else I need to know/do to present the evidence properly when doing the claim. thanks

[brokensoldier244th]

No, though giving it time to work or not work is obviously an important factor. Is this a permanent medication? That’s the big question. If you only have a 1-2 time prescription it’s not worth filing as a claim as you’ll have no cause. Increases are the same as any other claim pretty much. You use a 526ez.

[Buck52]

You should go ahead and file for the increase, and just see what they decide?

Ask your dermatology Doc for his/her medical opinion if he thinks your condition has increase some?  do not mention your claim to this Dr  just simply ask him his/her opinion on rather or not your condition as worsen in anyway.

Then wait 3 days and check your medical notes on myhealthyvet.  if this Dr.  mention yes your condition has worse  then make a copy and send it in as your evidence to  warrant your  increase.

attatch the  regulation criteria ##'s that you mention above post Under the VA Schedule those medications when used to treat the condition looks like it should be rated at 30%

if denied this will at least start your EED on the increase when you have the evidence to support your increase and you are awarded the increase.

[Buck52]

I need to mention

If you ask the Dermatology Dr for his/her medical Opinion  and ask him/her to documente that in your medical notes  because sometimes they do not...  they are required to write in our medical notes everything they say to us...some Dr's don't do that.

and you check it on myhealthvet  medical notes and its not there  then  you can go back and ask the Dr why its not in your medical notes.?   they can make an addendum  correction an add what they didn't say, or supposedly mention and it was not in your medical notes.

[Buck52]

 here on hadit a few years ago....It was brought up to our attention  that when we go see the VA Dr's  we should record their conversation,  so if the deny they mention something  to you while you seen this Dr  and the Dr says he did not say that...you have it recorded that he did.

if this ever happens

but from  our discussion with this  is you better check the laws in your state about recording someone , if its legal in your state  because state laws will very.

[BJWhite]

I went to 60% after being prescribed immunosuppressants.  I have been on several and just statred a new one. I have hives with solar/wind exposure.

[broncovet]

If you want an increase, provide documentation of INCREASED symptoms.  

NOT necessariy a change in treatment or meds.  

Doctors can change your treatment for many different reasons..many.  After you get SC, you are compensated for SYMPTOMS, not treatments.  Treatments vary.  Doc "A" may prescribe 500 mg, of Med "A", and another doc may prescribe something else entirely.  

However, to get an increase you have to demonstrate your symptoms worsened and you meet the criteria for the higher percentage.  

Of course, YES, your doctor can note that your previous treatments were ineffective, and your symptoms got worse, so he is changing meds.  

Edited June 10, 2021 by broncovet