Denied Service Connection for IC

[Hangin' Tough]

I thought that this would be a great place to lament the "system".
I applied last year for service connection for my IC through the VA. I was denied. :headbang: I am in the process of appealing already. It would be such a lifted burden to be able to get care and medication through the VA, as scarry as it sometimes is. I think that in reading through some info provided by the VA that I have a better than even chance of winning an appeal, but the time it takes will be detrimental to my health and finances. The Social Security Administration does not have the market cornered on "red tape". Just another bump in the road. Hope all are surviving.

Steve :rant:

[kelly McC]

good luck on your appeal. I remember when we took my dad to VA to apply it was alot of paperwork and lots of interviews and phone calls (yikes) in the end it all paid off. Best wishes,
Kelly

[blue]

What is service connection?

[Hangin' Tough]

Service connection means for me, that my IC is related to my kidney stones for which I am covered by the VA since they started while I was active duty. Service connection would mean that I could get all of my treatment for IC as well as kidney stones, and medication free of charge through the VA. It would be a God send. But such is life. I will appeal.

Steve

[tigger_gal]

oh man tough call, I don't think IC is related to kidney stones and I think thats why you may have been turned down.. I have never had a kidney stone and if it helps you my mom has had ic for over 30 years and has not had any. I hope you do win your appeal tho.... sending you lots of hugs and best wishes.
Brat

[dyno]

I also think you could have a tough time getting this through the VA system. I am very aware of how that system works and you better have concrete proof and I will be shocked if it happens that way. I wish you luck, but don't count on it.

[Neal]

I'm putting together my claim to the VA.
I was a mobilized reservist, took them 4 months and a surgery to figure out why I had blood in my urine. The Navy doc's determined it was IC and gave me a "fit for duty" determination.
I'm hoping since this was "discovered" on AD, it will qualify for the VA.
I guess we (vets) still rate medical care, it's just it's at a much lower priority than a "service related" category.
I'd be interested if you had any tips. I'm getting ready to put in my package in the next couple of weeks....

[dyno]

Neal,
Do your best to try to get it but if you can't show that something that happened in the military caused you to get IC, it will be a hard road.

My husband is service connected for injuries sustained while on active duty in the late 60's. His injuries caused osteo arthritis really bad. Two years ago he aquired Rheumatoid arthritis. We tried to get more disability trying to get the case that all the years of osteo arthritis were an irritant and may have been a factor in his getting the RA. He was denied the increase. The cause of RA is somewhat like IC in that they don't know for sure but lean toward it being an autoimmune disease, just like IC. That is why I am saying to both you and Steve to really try to put your ducks in a row because I think it could be a hard sell with auto immune as a possible cause of IC. The VA can be real tough to work with on disabiltiy claims and it can take months.

Good luck to both of you.

[blue]

I'm wishing you luck!