I had Illi Anal bypass surgery in Jan 90, then retired from the AF in Sep 95 and received a 60% disability rating. Since then my condition has worsened. Are there any other veterans out there in the same boat as I am? Were you able to get your rating changed and if so how hard was it?

Hi Dale. I was diagnosed with UC in 2003 while in the Air Force. I was then medically discharged in 04. When I lost my colon in 05, I was very sick and my disability went up to 100% For the next 2 years I had 5 surgeries and had many problems with my health, and couldn't work. So I remained at 100% I then had my TD in March of this year. 7 months later, I was finally on the right track and my health is finally good. I recently had a review for my disability and they dropped me down to 60% Which is good because that means I am doing well. If your condition has worsened I think you should have no problem getting a higher rating depending on how bad you are. Especially if you're unable to work. I don't know if you have anyone representing you or not, but I highly recommend it. A service officer with the American Legion represents me and they can be very helpful. Private message me if you want any more info on this. It can be very difficult dealing with the VA. You are entitled to certain benefits, but they don't always let you know that. I have learned that you have to be VERY proactive in dealing with the VA. Please let me know how I can help.

Hi Justin. My colectomy was Jan '90, takedown was Mar 90. Major, Dr. Peter A. Cataldo, completed the operations at Wright Patterson AFB. He has since separated and is an associate professor of surgery at the University of Vermont in Burlington. I’d lost track of him till Jun ’04 when we were in Portland ME. I made an appointment for a checkup with him and he was very happy to see me.

I suffered from UC for about 4 yrs prior. From Mar 90 till Feb '02 my day-to-day life was like prior to getting UC. No accidents no leaking no pouchitis, no cuffitis, absolutely no problems what so ever.

Then in Jan ’02 I started experiencing sever abdominal cramping and was diagnosed with Pseudo Polyps by a Colo-rectal Surgeon in Atlanta GA. He talked me into having the cuff shortened, he said it was the cause of the polyps. Then during the Jun ’04 appointment Dr Cataldo said surgery should have been the very last action for Pseudo Polyps, there are medications that would have worked better. So now I’m experiencing constant cuffitis problems.

I’ve considered being reevaluated by the VA but have been told it’s a very long and drawn out process, your at their mercy. Some people have told me I need to hire a lawyer who specializes in this type of action. Plus because of our current life style I don’t have a lot of medical documents to support it.

My wife and I are what are known as Workampers. We own a class A RV and travel the country working at different campgrounds. The hours worked cover a site plus water, electric and sewer. So many hours per week cover our site cost and anything over that is paid. Then in our spare time we can site-see the areas.

I’ve gotten a little off track regarding my original post. You’ve told me what I wanted to hear, a reevaluation is a possibility. I’m just not sure how to approach it.

Dale.

I would say the first thing you should do is contact an American Legion service officer in your home state or a lawyer who specializes in VA stuff. Explain to them your situation and I'm sure they can advise you further on the next step. The bottom line is that you have to submit a claim to the VA so your disability rating and health can be reevaluated. If I were you, I would get going on this too. The VA does move pretty slow on stuff. Like I said, the need to be pro-active is very important.

Hello,
I am happy to see others in the military that have gone through the same experiences I have been through. Not happy, but I am relieved others have been there. I feel as though I am the only one in the military who is going through this stuff. However, I have not been released from AD yet. I have been going through an annual board every year and have not been released as of yet. I had the TD September 2006 and have not been having too much luck recently with it. It is getting harder and harder to stay in with the force draw downs and the deployments they levy on us these days. How has the VA treated you guys? Have they been there for you and provided you the support you have required?

Hey Gregory. I don't deal a lot with the VA. I move from the Northeast to the Southeast every 6 months. The VA system is not a seamless one, with every move I have to re-register and provide med history all over again. Are you TDRL? When I retired I obtained a secondary insurance plus I use Tricare Standard. UC effects such a small portion of the military comunity there aren't enough doctors in that specialty knowledgable of the disease. I have found that many Colo-rectal surgeons make the mistake of cutting the cuff to short which introduces cuffitis problems. They do this out of fear that this is an area that can foster rectal cancer. Good luck with your TD recovery.

Dale

Hi Gregory. I must say that the VA has actually came through for me. If it wasn't for them, I'd be in a world of hurt. At the time that I lost my colon I had no insurance. I was forced to do everything at the VA.(surgeries and all) Luckily, I live in Omaha, Nebraska and the University Of Nebraska Medical Center is just up the street from the VA. All of my surgeons and other doctors are from the Med Center, which is top notch. And the best part about it is I haven't payed a dime for my 5 surgeries and numerous procedures and many nights in the hospital or any medicines. I was service connected and had a high rating so that's why I haven't had to pay anything. It was a little tough at first dealing with the VA, but once I got over the bumps and figured out how to deal with them, it wasn't too bad. They are a bit slow on things and you have to be very pro active. But overall i am quite happy. It also depends on which VA you go to. Some aren't so great. I am lucky because Omaha has one of the best VA's in the country. Good luck with everything you are going through. I can't believe you are still in. I was medically discharged very soon after my diagnosis of UC. I would give anything to be back in the AF. I know some people are ready to get out, but the real world is a lot more cruel and not as great as being in the military. It truly becomes a family for you.

Dear Dale Paul;

the VA will change your rating if you now are unable to work.
I also sugest you use an agency that deals with these issues as it will go faster and be less work for you.
I used AMVETS they are in most VA hospitals and at VA federal buildings.
They always give you 100 % if unable to work and then if you improve you go back and they will reeval you and adjust your benefit.
I encourage you to file .
Also if not able to work remember to file for social security disability as you can receive both with out reduction.This will help you keep you financial life in order.Best of life AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU GARY