Spondylitis Association of America Forums General Discussion Military & Veterans Board who would have thought....

My screwed up sleep patterns ( a key symptom used to diagnose my AS) and my hip issues (which were my initial complaint that got me MEB'ed and ended my career are NOT related to my service connected disability of AS?




or so says the letter/rationale I got yesterday from the 2 C and P exams I had last month. Of course, the lady I saw also said a few months ago that my symptoms are psychosymatic (sp?)


I admit it, I'm having a hard time loving this enemy.


I spent the summer by having a pain management doc added to my team. My rheumy think sI have hair line fractures in my pelvis. I have spent most of my summer taking darvocet every 4 hours, flexeril every 8, celebrex, cymbalta, enbrel tylenol PM, man what a crappy Summer it was.


I have contacted the VFW guy that's supposed to be working for me and aksing for his input and for an address to have my civilian medical records (including the pain management stuff and this summers x-rays and mri stuff) in for evidence.


The silly woman that says it's all my head (the c and p examiner) says my x-rays (from 99?) even though she's taken a crap load of films the last few years....show no problems in my si joints/hips.


I'm going insane, I'm exhausted, the weathers changing so I'm hurting again and I have too much to do....I got in zero camping trips this Summer and just want to be well enough to hunt a few days this season if I can.

Hang in there Jay. I am working with the VA in DC on getting clarification to the VA Rating Offices on how to rate this disease as well as other forms of spondylitis. They have stated this informatiion will go out on October 18th. At that time I will be able to get a copy of these insructions to share with all.

Mike

Mike,
Thanks for all you do for us veterans within the VA system. You truly understand how it works and are an advocate for all. During my appeal hearing, can/should I utilize my secondary condition (Iritis) as my:

Less than criteria for 100% but with weight loss and anemia productive of severe impairment of health or severely incapacitating exacerbations occurring 4 or more times a year or a lesser number over prolonged periods?

Please advise,

Thanks,
Brian