Military Disability and Psoriasis

[Lenny17019]

If there are any people with P out there who are in the military, I thought I'd add my 2 cents of advice.

I retired a couple of years ago from the Army after 20 years. I was diagnosed with P at 28 and spent about 13 years seeing military docs (including Walter Reed) concerning it. I have a moderate to severe case of it - no P arthritis, though. I suppose you could find lesions on just about every part of my body.

Anyway, after retiring, I went to the VA to be evaluated. They were very curious and did an extensive interview. They then took pictures and sent me home. I later got a letter in the mail saying I had 60% disability for P!

When I tell people about the disability, they are amazed since most people don't see the P on my arms, legs, back, nails . . . It does make me proud of the Army, though, still taking care of me even though I'm retired. Who knows, maybe the stress of the Pentagon, always wearing a hat or helmet, hanging around the motor pool, or sleeping in the woods aggravated the P.

Bottom line is:
1) Make sure your medical records are well documented as to when you got diagnosed with P and all the treatments.
2) Get pictures when you get evaluated for disability - they communicate much better than words to the board.
3) Don't be shy at the evaluation. Usually I'm embarrassed to tell, must less show, people about how bad I have P. I was open and honest with the VA docs. (I suppose you could blow them away by not using any meds or lotions prior to your evaluation, but I think they are smarter than that).

[Eve-Maridy_R]

Lenny,

Could you send me an email sometime? I work in the Advocacy Department at the Psoriasis Foundation and it's my understanding the psoriasis disqualifies someone from military service. Understandably, I've talked to several people who were pretty upset when they tried to enlist, but were told it wasn't possible. I would like to hear more about your experiences serving with psoriasis. Please send me an email.

Thanks,
Joey Shearer
Advocacy Coordinator
jshearer@psoriasis.org

[PJ Leary]

Hi,

My Dad served as an aircraft commander and fighter pilot and navigator during the Korean and Vietnam wars.

He has had severe p since he was 15, and had it all during his years of service. However, he was never determined to be disabled by it.

My friend David was serving in the Air Force when he got p at about the age of 23. He is on full disability from the VA.

FYI

[Amber22]

I am trying to enlist in the Navy right now and it is a disqualifing disorder.... I am having to go through an awful lot to get in..... and if i do get in if it becomes bothersome I might not ever get to sea.... but who knows.... It doesnt make sense to me i dont let it stop me from living my life... and I am currently on Enbrel and I just finished month 2 and I have seen amazing results....

[chefess]

I told him to keep his mouth shut about the "dry patches" he has on his knees...he's never been dx'd and I don't "know" that that is what it is...but since there's a heridity conection, I'm pretty sure it is p. He loves his military and would hate to be dischared for something dumb like p. Sounds like it didn't really effect your career too much (other then doc's and the over all nastiness of p)must have been strange to get the disability, sounded like you never even thought that might happen, right?
Glad to know they still take such good care of our military gusy even after service.
Bonnie

[hackjf]

Lenny,
Thank you so much for the info. I have been diagnosed with P since I have joined the Navy and I am getting out pretty soon. I would appreciate any additional help you can provide during my claims process. I have had everything documented except for the pictures. Do the pics need to be taken by the doctor or will my own digtal ones be useful. Thanks for the info, I never even new P was something I could claim.

John

[Lenny17019]

John,
All you have to do is make sure you have a copy of your records to give to the VA (The Army collects our originals before separating and then we have to ask them to send a copy). It helps to pinpoint the day that you were diagnosed with psoriasis. (I assume you have your medical records memorized since there is nothing else to do while waiting for appointments in the military system.)

When you get screened by the VA, ask the docs to take pictures of your P if it looks like they are going to try to describe your condition in words. As I said earlier, this is not the time to be modest about your P. I told the docs I could literally find P on any part of my body. Before you leave the evaluation, ask them what you should do if your P gets worse. Assuming you get some level of disability, the VA should treat you.

I didn't expect much disability either. It was a pleasant surprise and is also now a good conversation topic when people notice my P. People think of P differently when they realize that it can be labeled as "disabling" by the government.

Lenny