Good day, I am currently in the Army now and I have been diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis mainly in my left hand, I do also have Psoriasis, both of which I have had for quite sometime but decided to surface with a vengance in the past several months! I am finding it difficult to get proper help to see if the arthritis has moved to other joints in my body.

However to my question, I have been in the military for a few years and it seems to have taken it's toll on my body, I have never really persued a discharge but is either one of these liable reasons for a medical discharge and if so what kind of pain am I looking at to start this?

I thank you all for your help, living with either of these is not easy, and so any help that anyone can provide will be very helpful.

Thank you again!!

Bennett
31E I/R Specialist

I can identify with your situation. I was medically retired from the Army 5 years ago due to psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. I know from my experience that it was not an easy process for the Army to determine that I had the arthritis and it was not until a rheumatologist in Landstuhl, Germany had a bone scan ordered that they were able to find it. I was put TDRL in 2002 and in 2007 they finally placed me on PDRL at 60% for my psoriasis. VA rated me in 2002 40% arthritis and 30% psoriasis. I have a claim in now for an increase in psoriasis. If you have any questions about this feel free to contact me either here or my email address is on my profile.

Tom

I'm AF and I had to get a civilian Dermatologist to do a full exam from head to toe. Then send me to a rheumatologist for the scan. Between them they were able to write a good support document to get the VA to rate me 40% but I get great medical support to include Embrel autoinjectors. Make sure you get this medicine. Makes life bearable! Also don't forget to file for clothing allowance through the Prosthesis Dept. You get an Annual allowance for what the creams,lotions and shampoos do to your clothes.

I'm a Vietnam Veteran(RA12896905). I have Arthritis so bad in my back,legs,arms, and hands. They (VA)gives me Tramadol to be taken with Ex-strngth Tyenol every six hours. This helps a little. Only if I take every two or three hours apart.

I'm not on any type of arthitis meication.WHY!!I cannot work atany job cause my pain and unable to handle tools and materal.

I'm not getting any money help of any kind.I'm living off my wife's SSI of about ^$600.00 a month. Plus $120.00 in food stamps.

I need help. I need somthing to relive the pain and help to make it so I can work.OR OR some kind of support. I'm 57 years old. Have Hep-C.Have PTSD.

Signed -At ropes end!!

Took me 48 mins. to type this. Sibned David Bell

Call AMVETS or the DAV to get a VSO. If these problems are not the result of your military service and you saw combat, you may be eligible for a VA pension. A VSO can help you. You will also be able to get medical care.

I suggest you go to the Agent Orange Discussion Boards and read the information there. You will also find a link to my website. There you will also find valuable information.
If you are currently totally disabled and met the low income requirements for VA pension, like Dave_M advised, apply for it. If you are hard pressed with finances and apply for pension and service connection, request VA do the pension first. That will get money into your house much quicker than the normal procedure.

http://forums.military.com/eve/forums/a/frm/f/739197221

I don't know how much I can help you with the arthritis I still haven't found a cure besides a hot shower . I have extream pustual psoriasis the hardest kind to deal with . I had it on over 80% of my body at one time . I have had bacterial infections from it and lots of nights with no sleep . A lady whom I worked with told me to mix up a home perm and dab it on it with a cotton ball leave it on for a few minutes and take a shower . I was desperate so I did most of it cleared up but what I have left is a killer . These are a few other things I do to help it if you don't want to try the home perm trick . I only use coal tar shampoo and oatmeal body wash and no lotion but if I have to use a lotion I use oatmeal . The dermatologist advise to use lotion it made mine worse ,they say not to bath everyday but bath everyday to was off old skin . I also use a persciption called Fluocinonide I put it on after a shower let it dry then I use a ointment called MG217 it is around 13.00 a jar bust last a while how ever I have only found it at Rite Aid stores . This has helped me alot. My hands and feet would crack and blead till I couldn't use them . I also have an all natural paste mix I uae to make it feel better when it is really bad . Place 2 cups oatmeal in a blender 1 cup brown sugar 3 spoonfulls of honey and enough can milk to make a paste and mix . Put the paste on for about 5 minutes and shower it off . I hope this helps all of you I know how you feel . Lots of Love to all .