Hey all,
I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease about 2 years ago. Referred to the MEB in NOV2020 and just got my proposed ratings. However, I think I got rated for the wrong condition but I can't tell for sure. I'll be submitting a rebuttal, but I'd like some opinions on my case.
Diagnosis: granulomatosis with polyangiitis -- A type of Vasculitis or systemic inflammation of the blood vessels, also called Wegener's granulomatosis
Rated for: 20% --- Granulomatous rhinitis (6524) -- Inflammation of the nose
I believe I should've been rated for: 60% (7826) Vasculitis, primary cutaneous because the description and the overall diagnosis fits this rating better due to Persistent documented vasculitis episodes refractory to continuous immunosuppressive therapy (I had a flare up symptoms even with medication and the doctor increased my dosage of Methotrexate). The current proposed rating does not take into account the fact that my condition is systemic, not just focused on the nose or the respiratory organs.
My thought is that I was rated under Granulomatous rhinitis because there is a rating of 100% for Wegener's granulomatosis, lethal midline granuloma under it, which matches the specific name of my illness. Under this rating I would not be able to get above 20% rating unless my face/nose was essentially destroyed, which doesn't quite sound right.
Schedule of ratings:
7826 Vasculitis, primary cutaneous:
Persistent documented vasculitis episodes refractory to continuous
immunosuppressive therapy........................................................................................ 60
All of the following..................................................................................................... 30
Recurrent documented vasculitic episodes occurring four or more times
over the past 12-month period; and Requiring intermittent systemic
immunosuppressive therapy for control...................................................................... 30
At least one of the following....................................................................................... 10
Recurrent documented vasculitic episodes occurring one to three times
over the past 12-month period, and requiring intermittent systemic
immunosuppressive therapy for control; or
Without recurrent documented vasculitic episodes but requiring continuous
systemic medication for control.
Or rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800) or scars (DCs 7801,
7802, 7804, or 7805), depending upon the predominant disability
6524 Granulomatous rhinitis:
Wegener's granulomatosis, lethal midline granuloma 100
Other types of granulomatous infection 20
I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease about 2 years ago. Referred to the MEB in NOV2020 and just got my proposed ratings. However, I think I got rated for the wrong condition but I can't tell for sure. I'll be submitting a rebuttal, but I'd like some opinions on my case.
Diagnosis: granulomatosis with polyangiitis -- A type of Vasculitis or systemic inflammation of the blood vessels, also called Wegener's granulomatosis
Rated for: 20% --- Granulomatous rhinitis (6524) -- Inflammation of the nose
I believe I should've been rated for: 60% (7826) Vasculitis, primary cutaneous because the description and the overall diagnosis fits this rating better due to Persistent documented vasculitis episodes refractory to continuous immunosuppressive therapy (I had a flare up symptoms even with medication and the doctor increased my dosage of Methotrexate). The current proposed rating does not take into account the fact that my condition is systemic, not just focused on the nose or the respiratory organs.
My thought is that I was rated under Granulomatous rhinitis because there is a rating of 100% for Wegener's granulomatosis, lethal midline granuloma under it, which matches the specific name of my illness. Under this rating I would not be able to get above 20% rating unless my face/nose was essentially destroyed, which doesn't quite sound right.
Schedule of ratings:
7826 Vasculitis, primary cutaneous:
Persistent documented vasculitis episodes refractory to continuous
immunosuppressive therapy........................................................................................ 60
All of the following..................................................................................................... 30
Recurrent documented vasculitic episodes occurring four or more times
over the past 12-month period; and Requiring intermittent systemic
immunosuppressive therapy for control...................................................................... 30
At least one of the following....................................................................................... 10
Recurrent documented vasculitic episodes occurring one to three times
over the past 12-month period, and requiring intermittent systemic
immunosuppressive therapy for control; or
Without recurrent documented vasculitic episodes but requiring continuous
systemic medication for control.
Or rate as disfigurement of the head, face, or neck (DC 7800) or scars (DCs 7801,
7802, 7804, or 7805), depending upon the predominant disability
6524 Granulomatous rhinitis:
Wegener's granulomatosis, lethal midline granuloma 100
Other types of granulomatous infection 20
