Psoriasis / Psoriatic Arthritis / Humira MEB; RAF Lakenheath

[AF_Taz]

The VARR approved my appeal and my Psoriasis w/Humira use was bumped from 30% to 60%,

What was the basis for giving 30% What evidence did you provide to get it up to 60%?

I suspect they may try and lowball me on this, since I have only been using Humira for 9 months at this point. Can you give any pointers to help so that doesn't happen?

Although the way things are going it may actually be another 3 months until I get my C&Ps...

 

[Nicole2482]

Question for you, so I am also on humira. I have been on in for 6 months. I recently got a letter from my derm stating that I will most likely continue medication for life. I havent completed all of my C/P appointments as of yet but I wanted know if the va is going to try and low ball me and not give me the max rating for humira even though I am going to continue to take it. Is that what happened with you?

 

[Bwit43]

This is a snippet from what the C&P examiner put in my exam notes that garnered the original 30% rating.

I think the best bet to get the 60% off the bat would be to show the examiner medical notes from the doctor stating you will be on the medication constantly for the rest of your life. I did have these notes and showed them to my examiner and didn't help me though. Even then, I would just expect them to give the 30% until you are at the 12 month mark anyways. At 9 or 6 months and still awaiting C&P exams, i would be pretty confident you could drag out the process until your 12 month marks and then do a VARR like I did. Worst case scenario, you medically retire and then get the VA rating bumped up after you separate. For me this, this alleviated some concerns, but with my high-3 pay the 60% DOD is going to be less then my VA compensation anyways.

 

[michaeljunior]

Hi All,

I'm Michael, and at 65, I wanted to share my journey with Psoriatic Arthritis. Over the years, I’ve dealt with joint pain, swelling, and stiffness—those pesky symptoms that can make even simple tasks feel like a challenge. While there isn’t a cure for arthritis, I've learned that managing the symptoms and leading a fulfilling life is definitely within reach.

When Psoriatic Arthritis first showed up, it started with morning stiffness that made my joints feel like they were glued together. It was as if my body needed extra time to get going. This stiffness was often accompanied by swelling, especially in my hands and knees, which made it hard to hold a coffee mug or take a morning walk without discomfort.

As time passed, the pain became a constant companion, not just after physical activity. I noticed my joints would feel warm, a clear sign of inflammation. These symptoms—pain, swelling, and stiffness—began to disrupt my daily life, turning routine tasks into challenges.

Even though Psoriatic Arthritis can be persistent, there are ways to manage it and keep living life on your own terms. Take care of yourself and don’t hesitate to explore different strategies for relief. Seeing how others cope and share their experiences in forums has been incredibly helpful for me.