Physical Conditions - Telemedica

Physical Conditions

VA Disability Rating for Knee Replacements
When it comes to veterans navigating the complexities of VA disability ratings, particularly concerning knee replacements, understanding the intricacies of the VA disability rating system is crucial.

In this guide, we will delve into the specifics of VA disability rating for knee replacements, shedding light on total knee replacement VA disability ratings and addressing common concerns, including the VA’s evaluation of knee replacement scars.

Let’s explore the key factors that influence these VA ratings and provide you with the knowledge you need to navigate the claims process with confidence.

Can I a Get VA Disability Rating for Knee Replacement?

Yes, the VA recognizes knee replacements stemming from service-related factors as qualifying VA disabilities.

If your knee condition is service-connected and necessitates a replacement, you will be granted a temporary 100% VA disability rating for knee replacement—for the initial four months post-operation.

Following this postoperative period, the VA conducts a reassessment of your condition, assigning a new VA rating accordingly.

In the case of a total knee replacement, a minimum knee replacement VA disability rating of 30% is awarded.

However, if you continue to experience pain or reduced functionality in the knee subsequent to the surgery, your rating may be higher, reflecting the extent of your impairment.

However, In order to be eligible for a VA disability rating for knee replacement, it’s crucial to establish a direct link between your condition and your military service.

Having a knee replacement alone is not sufficient, the key factor is demonstrating that the underlying issue is connected to your time in the military.

To establish service connection, you need to meet three requirements:
- Provide a medical diagnosis of your current disability
- Provide evidence of an injury or disease that occurred during your military service
- Establish a nexus (connection or link) between your in-service injury or disease and your present diagnosed disability through a competent medical evidence (e.g., a Nexus Letter)
Total Knee Replacement Disability Rating: Factors Considered

In determining the disability rating for total knee replacement, the VA considers the range of motion, pain, instability, and any additional complications resulting from the surgery.

The severity of these factors influences the final rating percentage assigned to the veteran.

It is crucial for veterans to provide detailed medical records and evidence to support their disability claim, including information about the surgery and its impact on their quality of life.

What is the VA Rating for Knee Replacement Scars?

The VA rating for knee replacement scars is typically 10%—unless your surgical scar is both unstable and painful, which would be rated at 20%.

VA rating for knee replacement scars involve assessing the size, location, and resulting impairment caused by the scar post-surgery. Typically, the evaluation considers the visibility and impact of the scar in terms of functionality and discomfort.

Factors such as the scar’s size, whether it causes pain or limitation in movement, and whether it affects the veteran’s ability to work or perform daily activities are taken into account.

A larger or more symptomatic scar might warrant a higher disability rating, especially if it significantly impairs the individual’s mobility or causes ongoing discomfort that affects their quality of life.

The rating process aims to fairly evaluate the scar’s impact on the veteran’s well-being and compensate accordingly for any resulting disability.

You should document your scars thoroughly, including photographs and medical records, to ensure accurate evaluation by the VA.

What is the Difference Between a Total and Partial Knee Replacement?

The main difference between a total and partial knee replacement lies in the extent of the surgery and the portion of the knee joint that is replaced.

In a total knee replacement, the entire knee joint is replaced with artificial components, including the femoral (thigh bone) and tibial (shin bone) components, as well as the patellar component (kneecap). This procedure is typically recommended for patients with widespread arthritis or significant damage across the entire knee joint.

On the other hand, a partial knee replacement, also known as unicompartmental knee replacement, involves replacing only the damaged portion of the knee joint while preserving the healthy parts. This option is suitable for patients with arthritis or damage limited to one specific compartment of the knee.

Unlike total knee replacement, partial knee replacement surgery is less invasive, preserves more natural bone, and often results in a quicker recovery time. The choice between total and partial knee replacement depends on the extent and location of the knee joint damage, as well as the patient’s overall health and medical history.

Conclusion

Understanding how to qualify for a VA disability rating for knee replacements is pivotal for veterans seeking support.

This guide has shed light on the complexities, emphasizing the initial 100% rating and the subsequent assessments post-surgery.

Establishing service connection remains key, requiring evidence linking the condition to military service, alongside meeting specific criteria.

Factors influencing total knee replacement ratings, including range of motion, pain, and complications, have been outlined, emphasizing the need for thorough medical records.

Additionally, the evaluation of knee replacement scars considers their impact on functionality and well-being.

The distinction between total and partial knee replacements clarifies the surgical variances, highlighting the importance of medical decisions based on individual circumstances.

Navigating VA disability ratings for knee replacements demands meticulous documentation and a clear understanding of how these ratings are determined. Armed with this knowledge, veterans can effectively pursue the support they deserve for service-related knee conditions.
Nexus Letter, Physical Conditions

Sleep Apnea Nexus Letter
In this post, we outline what you need to know about a Sleep Apnea Nexus Letter. We also explain how a nexus letter can be helpful and how veterans can get a nexus letter for sleep apnea.

If you’re a veteran, getting treatment for service-connected sleep apnea starts by getting a VA rating for sleep apnea. One way to bolster your chances of winning your claim is with a high-quality sleep apnea nexus letter.

Get a Nexus Letter

What is a Sleep Apnea Nexus Letter?

A sleep apnea nexus letter is a written statement from a qualified medical professional stating that, in their professional opinion, your sleep apnea is caused by an in-service event, injury, or illness.

For the VA to validate your claim, they need to determine if your condition was caused or made worse by your military service. This is known as “service connection.”

Proof of service connection is required for all VA claims and can be established by medical opinion or medical evidence. Nexus letters serve as a medical opinion.

A nexus letter can provide a statement connecting any disability to your military service, not just sleep apnea.

How To Get A Nexus Letter For Sleep Apnea

The VA only accepts nexus letters written by licensed providers.

It’s your responsibility to find a physician and request a nexus letter. The VA doesn’t identify qualified physicians or set up appointments specifically for nexus letters on your behalf like they do for C&P exams.

The VA accepts nexus letters from both VA or VA-contracted physicians and private physicians as long as they are qualified to evaluate your condition.

But the question still remains, “How do I find a doctor who writes nexus letters?”

The best way is through a service with a network of providers qualified to write a nexus letter for your specific disability. Telemedica is one such service that is qualified and able to assist.

Get a Nexus Letter

Do I Need a Sleep Apnea Nexus Letter?

The VA does not require you to get a nexus letter. Service connection can be established in other ways, such as with the medical evidence in your files. If your sleep apnea was diagnosed while in service and is in your military medical records—you many not need a nexus letter.

However, having a statement from a medical professional saying that your condition was caused or aggravated by your military service can really bolster your claim. The VA values the opinions of medical professionals, especially if they’re specialists in the field related to your condition.

Here’s a simple litmus test to help determine if you should pursue a nexus letter:
- If your disability was not diagnosed while in service or if it is not in your military medical records, then a nexus letter could benefit your VA claim.
- Are you re-filing for a previously denied claim or filing for a secondary condition? Nexus letters can strengthen these types of claims.
Elements of a Strong Nexus Letter

What your nexus letter looks like will vary depending on the source. However, all good nexus letters have these four things:
1. Supporting Evidence: Your provider should mention the medical and/or personnel records they’ve reviewed that are related to your claim.
2. Evidence-based Rationale: Your provider should explain how your in-service event, injury, or disease caused your disability. They can refer to medical studies, case laws, or research journals to help show that their opinion is evidence-based.
3. A Nexus Opinion: Your provider should provide a medical opinion as to how likely it is that your disability was caused or made worse by an in-service event, injury, or disease. The strength of their opinion will depend on the evidence. Make sure they use language like:
- “Is due to” = 100% certain
- “More likely than not” = greater than 50% certain
- “At least as likely as not” = equal to 50% certain
- “Not likely due to” = less than 50% certain
- “Is not due to” = 0% chance
Doctor’s Credentials: Make sure your provider signs and dates the letter and lists their title, specialty, and any other credential that proves they’re an expert.

How the VA Rates Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is rated by the VA at 0%, 30%, 50%, or 100%.

Figure 2. VA Sleep Apnea Rating Chart

These rating percentages come from the Veteran Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD).

The VASRD is a list of diagnostic codes for every condition the VA rates. Listed with the codes are the symptoms of each condition and their respective rating percentage.

The percentage the VA awards a disability depends on how negatively the symptoms affect your life. The more debilitating your sleep apnea symptoms, the higher your rating.

Key Takeaways
- A Sleep Apnea Nexus Letter is a statement from a medical professional that can help a veteran establish service connection.
- The VA doesn’t require nexus letters, but they can help strengthen your claim.
- The VA rates sleep apnea at 0%, 30%, 50%, or 100%.
Medical Evidence Wins VA Claims

Our mission at Telemedica is to provide innovative, quality care to the veteran community. Our standard of care applies to everything we do, including nexus letters. If you need a nexus letter for sleep apnea, don’t hesitate to reach out.

Book your free 20-minute Consultation Call now and a qualified provider will review your medical records and provide a comprehensive chart review summarizing your medical records and documents that may support your claim.
Physical Conditions

What Veterans Can Do About Chronic Pain
Veterans living from chronic pain is an all-too-familiar story. In 2019, military veterans of nearly every age were more likely to experience chronic pain than nonveterans:
- 27.1% vs. 9.4% for ages 20–34
- 27.7% vs. 17.7% for ages 35–49
- 37.2% vs. 26.3% for ages 50–64
While unfortunate, if you’re a veteran experiencing chronic pain, there is some relief. In addition to the suggestions below, you can get help from veteran-friendly providers to help diagnose and treat your chronic pain. With the proper medical evidence and treatment plan, you can address your chronic pain head on and manage your symptoms.

Before we go any further, let’s cover the definition of chronic pain.

Veteran Chronic Pain Defined

Johns Hopkins Medicine defines chronic pain as “longstanding pain that persists beyond the usual recovery period.”

This pain may be “on-and-off” or continuous and may affect you to the point that you “can’t work, eat properly, take part in physical activity, or enjoy life.”

Just a few of the types of chronic pain that veterans may experience are:
- Neck, back, and/or joint pain
- Headaches and/or migraines
- Scar tissue pain
- Muscle/myofascial pain (like fibromyalgia)
- Neurogenic (nerve) pain
The VA considers chronic pain to qualify for disability (you may qualify for VA disability benefits for Chronic Pain) if all three of these conditions are met:

1. It is a medically diagnosed condition.

2. It is the result of an in-service event, injury, or illness.

3. The veteran is in possession of a medical Nexus Letter, which connects the condition to military service.

When you’re ready to move forward with the process of getting VA disability benefits, it’s important to seek out a diagnosis and/or a Nexus Letter to provide as medical evidence and bolster your claim.

6 Suggestions for Managing Veteran Chronic Pain

You’re not forced to let chronic pain manage your life. These tips can help you manage your pain, so it doesn’t manage you.

1. Goals

Goal setting can help you be productive and progress toward something you want—like taking a hike with your dog. One step at a time, you’ll get closer to achieving your goal, keeping your mind motivated and engaged while you’re at it.

2. Relaxation Techniques

Since pain instinctively puts and keeps the body and mind in fight or flight mode, veterans with chronic pain suffer physically and mentally from all the ongoing stress. To combat this stress and allow the body/mind to relax, learn and practice the following techniques:
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Diaphragmatic breathing
- Meditation/guided imagery
- Yoga/tai chi/qigong
3. Cognitive Behavior and Acceptance and Commitment Therapies

Patients of CBT and ACT work to change their mindset from “Why me?” to “What now?” This can be a very empowering paradigm shift. These therapies help you, as a veteran, move past the guilt and depression chronic pain can cause so you can feel more in control of your present and future life.

4. Slow and Steady Activity

Keeping your body immobile seems like a good idea to reduce pain, but the opposite can sometimes be the best choice. Getting up and moving gets the blood flowing and keeps the muscles strong.

Just be careful to not push yourself too hard. Even if your body feels like it’s good to keep going, you may suffer for it in the following days. Take it slow and steady—your body will thank you. As always, check with your primary care physician before starting any exercise regime, especially if you are living with an ongoing condition.

5. Healthy Diet

While it’s not always easiest to reach for healthy options, healthy diet and lifestyle changes can have a profound impact on overall health and even mental wellbeing. Eating an anti-inflammatory, colorful diet will go a long way toward fighting painful flare-ups.

6. Make the Most of the Good Times

When your body feels relatively good, be sure to take advantage of it by spending quality time with those you care about the most. It can be helpful to keep a symptoms log so you can track which activities or situations improve your pain and which activities or situations tend to worsen your symptoms. That way you can focus on more of the good things that help improve your condition and be mindful of the things and activities that have a tendency to set you back.

Telemedica is Here to Help

If you’re a veteran with chronic pain, you may be able to receive VA disability benefits. Telemedica can help you take the first step. We help veterans get proper medical evidence for their condition so they can file a stronger claim.

Contact us today through email, phone, or live chat and get the support you deserve.
Nexus Letter, Physical Conditions

Nexus Letters for Veterans with Skin Conditions
How to Get a Nexus Letter for VA-ratable skin conditions like Rosacea, Psoriasis, and Vitiligo

When you think of getting help for service-related issues, your thoughts may immediately turn to PTSD or muscle pain. But the breadth of service-related issues reaches further than these commonalities. Even chronic skin conditions can be attributed to your service.

If you think your chronic skin condition may result from your time in the military, let’s talk about how to get help with a VA Nexus letter.

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Nexus Letters for Veterans with Skin Conditions

The Link Between Service & Chronic Skin Conditions

Certain events during your service may have led to your current chronic skin condition. Chemical exposure can lead your skin to absorb the toxin into your body, causing health hazards, including chronic skin conditions.

Meanwhile, chronic stress from service-related anxiety or PTSD can also exacerbate skin ailments.

There are several skin conditions common among Veterans, including:
- Rosacea: Characterized by a large collection of small red bumps on your cheeks and around your face. It may also create small, pus-filled blisters. Rosacea tends to flare up for a few weeks to a few months and can disappear on its own, though it often returns.
- Psoriasis: An immune-mediated disease that produces a scaly rash anywhere on your body. This happens when your immune system accelerates skin cell growth without telling your body to shed your existing skin, leading to a build-up of excess skin.
- Vitiligo: A pigmentation disorder where patients see small or large patches of skin slowly lose color. While vitiligo may be triggered by genetics or an autoimmune disorder, intense stress or trauma to your skin can also cause the condition.
Get a Nexus Letter

Getting a Skin Condition Diagnosis Can Help

Many people with these types of skin conditions may not feel compelled to seek a diagnosis or treatment. However, a diagnosis for your chronic skin condition is the first step toward living more comfortably within your own skin. A doctor can reveal what treatment options are available to you and what you can do in your day-to-day life to better manage the symptoms.

Diagnosing skin conditions is a relatively simple process. Most doctors only need to look at the affected area to get a good idea of what the condition is. They’ll also ask for your medical history, possible allergic reactions that might be causing the condition, and other skin-affecting problems.

In some cases, your doctor may have to perform a skin biopsy or culture test to diagnose more complicated or nuanced conditions. You are then educated on next steps and optional treatments.

Why You Should Get a Nexus Letter for Your Skin Condition

A Nexus Letter is a document that makes the case that your condition is related to either direct, secondary, or presumptive service connections.

The Nexus letter can then be added to your VA claims file, which makes it much easier for Veterans to win their claim for medical compensation from your VA disabilty benefits.

Get a Nexus Letter

Woman Scratching an itch on white background . Sensitive Skin, Food allergy symptoms, Irritation. People scratch the itch with hand, Arm, itching, Concept with Healthcare And Medicine.

Benefits of Connecting with Veteran-Friendly Doctors

Every doctor should be sympathetic toward Veterans and the medical conditions they carry from their service. However, connecting with medical providers who have experience working with Veterans can help clients obtain a timely, professional, and positive resolution.

Telemedica’s network of medical professionals all have extensive experience helping Veterans obtain accurate and professional medical evidence. And with doctors licensed all across the US, you’re able to connect with a Veteran-friendly doctor near you, via telehealth appointment.

Take Back Control of Your Skin Condition

If you’re dealing with skin conditions as a result of your service, contact us today to talk to a member of our Customer Service team about getting started on your path to wellbeing.

To get help with your VA Nexus letter, Telemedica will match you with a medical professional qualified to diagnose your skin condition (or any other service-related condition). Once the provider has conducted a thorough review of your medical documents and related evidence (through what we call a chart review), they can draft a Nexus letter asserting the service connection to your condition, if warranted.

Get a Nexus Letter
Physical Conditions

The Top 5 Symptoms of Chronic Pain in Veterans
Chronic pain may affect more than 50% of the 18 million Veterans in the United States, so if you’re a Veteran living with the symptoms of chronic pain, you’re not alone. However, at Telemedica we believe that you deserve to live a pain free and healthy life after your time in service to your country.

While the symptoms of chronic pain may wax and wane, and can sometimes be difficult to identify, chronic pain can have lasting effects on the body – in some cases, chronic pain may arise as a result of another condition. This is what we would call a secondary service-connection. The symptoms of chronic pain might include phantom pains from an amputated limb, a back or spinal cord injury, or something similar. It is also possible to sustain an injury that goes unnoticed, or develop a small injury that can worsen over time with age or aggravation.

Chronic pain can surface unexpectedly for many Veterans at any point in their lives, so the topic of chronic pain is often a relevant conversation. We’re here to share five symptoms of chronic pain that can help you catch this condition sooner rather than later.

What is Chronic Pain?

If you’re experiencing discomfort in one or more areas, and you can’t seem to find relief, it may be time to see a medical professional and/or obtain a diagnosis.

Chronic pain is defined as persistent pain lasting for at least twelve weeks and that can significantly burden daily life – this pain can range from a nagging sensation to a pain that is more intense and overwhelming.

What Are the Symptoms of Chronic Pain?

It can be difficult to spot chronic pain symptoms if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

Since chronic pain can start as minor soreness and increase drastically in intensity, spotting this condition early can make long-term care much easier. Early detection and treatment can prevent this condition from worsening overtime.

If you were in active duty during your time in the military, you may have developed a habit of dismissing minor aches and pains – writing it off as something that simply “comes with the territory.” However, it is important to let your body rest and recover and seek help for these aches and pains – especially if they don’t have a logical explanation for developing.

When seeking out help or treatment, identifying the five most common signs of chronic pain is a great place to start. The most common signs are:
1. Joint pain
2. Burning pain
3. Muscle aches
4. Fatigue
5. Depression or anxiety
While chronic pain can be consistent, you may have some days where the flare-ups are worse than others. A great practice is to keep a pain journal so you can study your symptoms and make educated decisions in finding help.

How to Treat Chronic Pain

Treating chronic pain can feel like an uphill battle, especially when you’re trying to tackle it on your own.

Luckily, a wide range of resources and support is available to you. While we may not have found a cure-all solution for chronic pain, there are many options to ease symptoms and provide a higher quality of life while you are identifying the root cause of your pain.

From traditional avenues to lifestyle adjustments, here are some ways to find relief from chronic pain.
- Medication: For acute pain, many medications can ease symptoms in the short-term but may not be a sustainable long-term solution. It’s important to talk to your doctor before starting any new medications and to understand the potential risk factors and possible side effects involved. If your pain makes daily tasks feel unbearable, medication can alleviate your symptoms while you address the underlying issues. When you’re no longer in debilitating pain, you can seek out long-term treatments and solutions that better fit your needs if necessary.
- Massage therapy: Massage therapy can provide great relief for those struggling with joint and muscle pain. There are varying techniques, but overall it involves rubbing and kneading muscles and joints to relax tense muscles and alleviate pain.
- Talk therapy: Veterans seeking treatment for chronic pain may find that there’s a connection between their symptoms and PTSD. Mental health conditions can exacerbate pain and make it harder to manage. Talk therapy can be an effective way of managing both.
- Mindfulness: Just like talk therapy, mindfulness techniques can alleviate some of the daily struggles with pain. Meditation for relaxation and journaling about your symptoms can increase awareness and help you locate the source of the pain. In the long run, this can be a good way to find a long-term solution.
- Healthy living: Lifestyle changes can make all the difference in managing chronic pain. You’ll see improved results when your body is well-equipped to deal with your condition. Eating well and regularly exercising are great places to start. It’s also important to drink lots of water and take vitamins and supplements that support your overall cellular health. Be sure to discuss the right supplement regimen with your doctor or natural path before taking new vitamins or supplements.
The best way to alleviate your chronic pain is to treat it at the source. Talk to your doctor about your chronic pain and remember to include as much detail as possible when talking about your symptoms. It may be difficult to identify where the pain originated, but it is possible to reverse your chronic pain and live comfortably.

Many options are available to you for resources and support in your journey. You don’t have to struggle alone. After your time in service, it’s time to relax and focus on caring for yourself.

Reach Out to Telemedica to Start Your Journey

If you’re a Veteran experiencing chronic pain, contact Telemedica today. Our team can provide you with a Nexus Letter and get you started on the path to receiving your VA benefits.

Take a look at our provided services and begin easing your symptoms as soon as possible. Let us help you reclaim your health and your life.
Physical Conditions

Could Your Migraines Be Service Connected?
Could You Qualify for Service-Connected Migraines?

If you are a veteran and suffer from frequent migraines, you may be able to receive VA disability for headaches. Migraines are common among veterans—roughly 36 percent of veterans who served in Iraq for a year have been diagnosed with or experienced symptoms of migraines. Not to mention, veterans are more likely than civilians to develop chronic headache conditions in general.

Headaches every now and then might not be a cause for concern, but frequent and severe headaches should be evaluated by a medical professional. It may be related to a chronic medical condition and, more importantly, service related.

In order to know if you can attain additional benefits because of service-connected headaches, it’s helpful to understand what qualifies as a service-connected migraine. This quick guide will help you understand migraines as they relate to your time in service.

What Is a Migraine?

Migraines are headaches that cause moderate to severe throbbing or pulsing pain, usually on one side of the head.

Migraines can last anywhere from a few hours to several days and may come with symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, or sensitivity to light and sounds.

Migraines generally encompass four stages:
1. Prodrome: Prodrome is the period before the actual migraine. You might experience a stiff neck, a change in mood, constipation, food cravings, or increased thirst and urination.
2. Aura: Aura consists of visual disturbances such as flashes of light and blind spots. It may also cause a tingling sensation throughout the body and sensory or motor disturbances.
3. Migraine: This third stage is when the actual migraine occurs. As noted earlier, you will usually experience throbbing or pulsing pain on one side of your head, along with the other symptoms mentioned above. Migraines generally last from four to seventy-two hours if left untreated.
4. Post-drome: In this final phase, though the migraine has passed, people experience exhaustion, confusion, or moodiness. They can also continue to experience sensitivity to light or sound.
How Do You Get Your Migraines Service-Connected?

Receiving service connection for migraines and headaches requires providing the VA with three items:

1. A Current Medical Diagnosis For Your Headaches

You will need evidence of your migraine. This requires getting in touch with a medical professional who can discuss your symptoms and provide you with a diagnosis.

Telemedica can connect you with our network of independently contracted providers who can offer telehealth examinations.

Quick Tip: A great way to track the condition and severity of your headaches is to keep a log. Writing down how you’re feeling from day to day and keeping track of how your headaches affect you can help your provider understand the big picture. Keeping a log of your symptoms when they arise provides more evidence for your condition which will be beneficial when talking to your provider about your diagnosis. Consider keeping a small journal on you or starting a log in the notes app on your phone to get started.

2. Proof That An In-Service Event or Condition Caused Your Headaches

Several injuries that might be connected to migraines can happen during active duty. One of the common links is traumatic brain injury (TBI)—sudden damage to the brain caused by exposure to explosives, loud noises, or chemicals.

Proof that illustrates an in-service event or condition triggered your headache is required. Proof can be documented evidence that shows any of the following:
- You were treated for migraines in service
- You had an injury or illness during service that caused your migraines
- You were exposed to specific environments such as burn pits, or were near explosives
If your migraine is secondary to another condition (e.g. a cervical spine condition that causes migraines), you will need to document that your primary disability caused your migraines.

To read more about what our clients have to say about our services click here.

3. A Medical Nexus That Connects Your In-Service Event to Your Headaches

Your healthcare provider can issue a medical nexus letter, which links your migraine to military service with proof. A medical nexus from a healthcare provider is key in obtaining VA disability for headaches.

Telemedica’s independently-contracted providers can provide nexus letters based on previously diagnosed disability conditions related to:
- Direct service connections
- Secondary service connections
- Presumptive service connections
How Does the VA Rate Service-Connected Migraines?

When you file a service connection for your migraine along with medical proof, a VA will usually schedule a compensation and pension exam. The examiner will gather information about your condition to determine the severity of your migraines.

The VA rating for headaches ranges from zero to fifty percent: zero percent being less frequent and fifty percent being more frequent and prolonged – leading to prostrating.

Note: Prostrating refers to severe and debilitating migraines that cause one to lay down for an extended period of time.

The higher rating you get, the more likely you will be able to receive VA disability benefits for your migraines. Since these ratings indicate the frequency of migraine attacks, discuss this with your healthcare provider. They may include it in your medical record, which can be helpful when applying for disability.

Seek Help for Your Service-Connected Migraines Today

If you’re a veteran who is experiencing frequent headaches or migraines, contact Telemedica. Our medical team understands the needs of the Veteran community and can provides telemedicine examinations and the medical evidence necessary to acquire your VA benefits. Learn more about our services.
Physical Conditions

How to Cope with Veteran Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is something a lot of people deal with, but suffering from it isn’t as common among younger age groups. Typically, chronic pain develops as a result of a progressing medical condition, or due to the wear and tear of getting older. But there is one demographic that experiences it way more frequently, and often starting at a much younger age. Veterans.

Service-related chronic pain is a common complaint among vets, and service-connected disabilities or diseases are almost always the cause. Some examples of chronic pain include fibromyalgia, SSD, chronic back pain, chronic pelvic pain, repetitive stress injuries, training injuries, etc. Some Veteran’s chronic pain can be removed altogether or reduced in severity, but some chronic pain may be long-term or even life-long.

Either way, whether full or partial recovery is on the horizon, or the pain will be lifelong, it’s important to know what you can do to cope with the pain, so you can reclaim some of your normalcy and independence. In other words, with the right pain management techniques, you don’t have to be defined by your pain.

So, if you’ve been struggling to enjoy life the way you used to because of pain from a chronic medical condition, then keep reading.

The Mental Illness Connection

How to Help a Family Member with Mental Illness

Chronic pain usually has physical causes and effects, but there are often interactions with neurological and psychological aspects as well.

Some chronic pain is caused by issues in the brain, such as migraines caused by a traumatic brain injury or conditions like depression and anxiety.

Similarly, chronic pain disorders can often lead to secondary disabilities such as mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Even worse, as some vets seek to self medicate to alleviate the pain, they can develop substance abuse disorders.

The mental and emotional aspects of chronic pain can be debilitating. This is why we include both physical and psychological coping techniques for the chronic pain Veterans often suffer.

4 Ways to Mentally Cope with Chronic Pain

Because of the strong connection between chronic pain and mental illness, we feel it’s important to talk about different emotional skills you can practice as you learn how to cope with chronic pain.

1. Receiving and Understanding Your Diagnosis

There are three main questions that patients with chronic pain tend to ask:
1. What is my medical condition?
2. How is it treated?
3. Will I ever feel better?
Although it can be tempting to go looking for answers to these questions online, it is best to seek out real, personalized answers for your specific scenario. Receiving a proper diagnosis from a medical professional and following the advice of your doctor on what to expect is the best first step.

You may have already been diagnosed with a chronic pain condition, but your condition may be worsening. In this instance you could request an increase in your disability rating by showing that you condition is progressing. If you are in need of medical diagnosis, Nexus, or evidence for your disability increase, Telemedica can help.

“I feel that the whole process from beginning (scheduling) to end, the actual appointment was very easy and stress-free!”

To read more about what our clients have to say about our services click here.

2. Accepting Your Situation

Acceptance means having an appropriate attitude and response to a chronic pain condition. Try not to “catastrophize” your pain (anticipating the worst possible outcome) as this can actually lead to less effective pain treatment outcomes. Also, it is best to limit saying things like “I should be feeling better by now,” or, “I should be able to help more around the house.” Everyone’s recovery journey looks different and healing takes time. Be gentle with yourself.

If you’re having a hard time coping with your recovery (which is understandable), it is a good idea to seek the help of a certified therapist. There are even some therapists that have additional training and specialization to help Veterans specifically. They can give specific counsel and motivational techniques that can shift your negative thinking into something more accurate and positive.

3. Calming Your Body

Pain is a stimulus, and having ongoing stimuli can cause a rise in stress levels. Therefore, a good skill to practice is calming yourself down when stress starts to take over. A few positive ways to manage stress include doing yoga or going for a walk. These activities allow your body’s endorphins to act as a natural painkiller which in turn can reduce your stress response. You can also try to reduce your stress by slowing your breathing (by taking long, deep breaths) and through positive self-talk.

4. Balancing Your Lifestyle

You can be more physically and emotionally present when you balance your time between activity and relaxation. Nothing good is born from pushing yourself beyond your limits, or by isolating yourself from others.

Managing your time well, setting realistic goals, and sticking to a healthy sleep schedule will give you the energy needed for spending quality time with family and friends.

How to Physically Cope with Veteran Chronic Pain

Simply taking a pill for your chronic condition is one way to treat pain, but “chemical coping” isn’t the answer. This only leads to other negative impacts on your health and can possibly even lead to a substance abuse disorder.

But that doesn’t mean you have to cope with chronic pain without any physical pain management. Closely follow a prescription treatment plan provided by your doctor and also try other pain treatments we suggest below.

There are plenty of other tried-and-true tips for treating veteran chronic pain. Here are just a few:
- Take a break before pain starts.
- Stretch and strengthen your muscles.
- Move your body throughout the day (motion is lotion).
- Get a massage.
- Try heat and cold therapy.
- Improve sleep habits.
- Make healthy food choices.
- Limit caffeine and alcohol.
- Don’t smoke.
- Do something you love.
- Share how you feel with your support network.
- Say something nice to yourself.
- Practice biofeedback.
- Consult your doctor and/or mental health professional, or set up an appointment with Telemedica today.
Additionally, depending on the cause of the pain and where it’s located, physical therapy can do a great deal to decrease the severity and improve normal body functionality.

4. Balancing Your Lifestyle

Taking a holistic approach to coping with chronic pain can lead to an outcome you can live with, which is why we at Telemedica offer psych evaluations and telemedicine evaluations via telehealth visits. We can provide Nexus Letters and other forms of medical evidence so that vets can get the benefits they need for their chronic pain or illness.

If you’re a veteran living with chronic pain due to an injury or event in service, schedule a Telemedica visit today.