Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion Military & Veterans Board Mike-The VA checklist web address

Mike, the web address you gave me is now listed as now found. Could you direct me to it some other way? Still no word from the DAV so I'm realizing that I'm going to have to do all the research myself and then forward on that information to the DAV. Thanks, Diane

Which information do you need? There may be a link on the Ft Spondy website linked in my signature. That is a site that Mike, Ken and I started.


If that doesn't help, please keep us posted, and we'll see what we can do to help.

Hi Jay,

I it was the http:www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/Benefits/examinations/index.htm. that Mike said to check out because we were denied (see post "well, we got denied".) I'm doing most of the leg work for my husband. Any help will be appreciated. Diane

what is it you're looking for? The appeal form? or something else?

Maybe I can find a new source.

http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/text/i133239p.txt try this as it relates to the rating issue.

As for AS there are diferent codes. 5002 for the general diagnosis..which got me a whopping 20%. Then there is 5029 (someone correct me if I'm wrong) for the active process and how it effects the joints. This should use the diluca criteria for measuring limited rang of motion.

Get a complete up to date copy of your husbands civilian medical records and get then to the person handling the claim. Your doctors office should not charge for the copy since it is for the VA.

If there are no measurements in his records to show limited mobility ask for an appointment to get the measurements...although we all know AS has good days and bad and the measurements change.

I'll check back in later this afternoon/evening.

Thanks for your help, Jay, I'll check that site and let you know if it's what we're looking for. We were denied and we have that one year window to submit more. Diane

If you call the VA, the should be able to get you a link that works. I'll keep looking at will let you knoe if I find anything.

Thanks, Mike, I'm going to try that now. Diane

I found it! The web address is :
www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefits/exams/index.htm

Now I'll get started on your advice, Mike, thank you, Diane

Wrote a letter to the DAV voicing my concerns and received a long phone call from one of the supervisors. It pays to be the squeaky wheel. I think that sometimes we are too timid and sometimes we need to tell the powers that be, so a problem can get fixed. He gave me a lot of helpful information and I think should go forward now. Thanks Mike and Jay, couldn't do any research without you because I would never have known where to look. I will still be doing a lot on my end but this tied up a lot of loose ends on our part. Diane