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]

You want to address it from the perspective of the symptoms-always-not the medication or the therapy.  You can bring up the medication or treatment as a demonstration that your symptoms manifested, changed, or have escalated, thus the change in medication or treatment, but getting medication alone isn’t a rateable event except maybe in a specific use case. I can’t think of one but that doesn’t mean it’s not out there. 

[GBArmy]

BJWhite Welcome to Hadit. Stick around and maybe learn something that may be useful to you. If you're at 60% combined rating, that means you have some serious issues. Think about secondaries. For example, you can develope MH issues of anxiety and or depression because you may isolate and not venture out, join in family or friend gatherings, etc. If you have to also take ointments and creams for your skin condition, you could qualify for a clothing allowance of $800 a year. Your mileage may vary.

[brokensoldier244th]

FYI, OP,  ointments and creams, I think the clothing allowance applicAtion is due by 1Aug. 

[blahsaysme2u]

On 3/1/2021 at 9:12 AM, Buck52 said:

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.

 

On 3/1/2021 at 10:33 AM, Buck52 said:

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

this is great advice for any claim that you see a VA doc for. especially not mentioning your claim or intended claim! 

i tried to get an imo from my OSA doc and they refused bc "we arent allowed to comment on VA claims per department head instructions"...kida bull when all i wanted was opine if my symptoms from service were likely OSA or not...but i mentioned for my claim...i wonder if i can "sneak" this evidence into my medical record now with this advice for other claims! 

[brokensoldier244th]

They have the option to or not. Duty to assist doesn’t require them to get directly involved in the disability side. Many physicians see it as a conflict of interest since ultimately they all work for the same body. It works be like an outside doctor charging you,  writing an IMO, and then having an interest in the insurance company..... like that never happens. 

[blahsaysme2u]

sure- except the VA uses c&p exams from VA doctors. so not much different in my eyes...guess thats why they have gone to 'independent' exams...but not much different again- these doctors are contracted by the VA- if they continuedly give opinions in favor of the veteran, do you think the VA will keep that contract? just a thought