Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion Military & Veterans Board VA Ankylosing Spondylitis Ruling

I was discharged from the military in 1976 after a job related accident. I was discgarged with zero disability rating. The military didnt find that I had AS, but deemed me unfit for military service. After seeing a specialist for spine conditions, and getting the blood test to check for the HLA-27 gene, I was then diagnosed with AS.
I took these findings to the VA hospital and immediatly filed for a service connected disability. After about 18 months I was denied and had to file an appeal. After waiting another 6 months I was awarded 40% service connected disability rating. I stayed at 40% for 15 years until I suffered a fall at work. My rheumotoligst examined me, determined that my AS had been aggrevated to the point that I was no longer able to work, and I again filed for an increase in my VA SC compensation. I then joined the local DAV chapter as a lifetime member, and they represented me in my quest for an increase in my SC disability rating. Once again I was denied and had to file an appeal. After about 18 months I was awarded a total of 120% SC disability, with a status of unemployabilty. The total of 120% was a combination of limited range of motion of the thorasic spine, cervical spine, lumbar spine, restrictive lung disease, due to the kyphosis and not being able to get a full breath. I recieved back pay from the day I filed for the increase, which was paid in one lump sum.
I hope this will help some veteran with AS find some hope and perhaps recieve the help they deserve.

What is/was your disability rating? Since you have been rated unemployable, I think I can safely assume that you were rated under 100%. (I too have a unemployable rating for AS. I am rated 70% plus the unemployable to get the 100%).

I just found this board. I was recently discharged (medical) from the USAF less than a year ago. I was discharged because of an AS diagnosis. In January I recieved my VA rating of 10%. I am not sure what to do for medication of treatment. Can anyone give me some info on what do to and where to go. I am currently taking the last of my Enbrel and Methotrexate, but it will be running out very soon and I do not think that my new medical insurance will cover these exepensive meds.

You are covered for all of your treatment related to AS by the VA. Go to the nearest VAMC and have them start treating you. Since Enbrel is the big one, it will save you allot of $$$.

Oh, and BTW, Welcome to the group....

Hey everyone. I'm active duty in the Air Force right now as was just diagnosed with AS. I actually just found out today and will find out when my rheumatologist appointment is tomorrow. I was doing some searches and found this site. I've had the bad back pain for about a year now, which was triggered while I was on a deployment to Iraq. Basically I wanted to see if you guys could give me some advice on what I should do to take care of myself with the AS and the discharge I guess I will be getting? Thanks for the help in advance.

James

Well, finding us this early in the process is a definite, definite benefit. Read through the issues on this board and you will get a great education. Stay in touch and don't concur to any MEB's and PEB's without know what all the consequences are. We are here to help you along the way.

I am new here. I am a VietNam vet with 40% disability for Spondylolisthesis discharged with that medical condition early in May '71.

I always thought that Ankylosing Spondylolisthesis was different from just Spondylolisthesis - more severe. But from reading the first post, the VA is considering both the same? I'm not sure if I understood that.

Also, I understand that unless my x-rays show some serious slippage of vertebraes, I'm at the top of my rating scale and can't receive any higher percentage.

When I went for my C&P exam, the PA who examined me had me lay down and then proceeded to force my knee up to my chest. I guess he didn't believe me when I told him I couldn't stand to have him push it any harder. My wife was present in the room when this happened and I did file a complaint with the Patient Advocate at the VA Hospital but unfortunately for me she is also a patient of the PA (unbelieveable).

Tomorrow I am going to my own Orthopedic Surgeon to have him take a look at my back and my x-rays (unfortunately for me all my previous x-rays were destroyed so there is nothing to compare them to). I have not been able to work and before my exam I was working on a very limited basis.

I am looking for advice about if I am eligible for a higher percentage - what I have to show that my pain has increased - any advice you can give me. Thanks, John

John,

I think your condition is more of an issue of vertabra sliipage vice inflammatory process. However, the VA uses similar rating criteria for assigning rating for the disabilities caused by the residuals of spinal injury and disease. What code are they rating your condition under?

Mike

Thanks for the reply,Mike, my decision reads "chronic lumbosacral strain,with spondylolisthesis with spondylolsis 40%."

Is there a VA code attached to that decision. 5237? 5243?

Mike