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Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Insurance, Benefits Programs & HIV => Topic started by: therobster on September 07, 2017, 05:15:07 pm

Title: retired military, T-cells dropped below 200, can va increase compesation?
Post by: therobster on September 07, 2017, 05:15:07 pm
Hello all,
    I retired from the military 15 years ago.  HIV was listed as a "service connected disability" however my T-cells were high and I received 0% compensation for it.
My last two labs have my T-cells below 200 (195) which is considered AIDS although otherwise, I'm very healthy.
I was just wondering if the VA will up my disability to 30% since 200 was the cutoff number. 
I did file a claim for increase and am waiting for the VA to respond.  If this is a fruitless effort, I will pull the claim.
Thanks for any advice.
Title: Re: retired military, T-cells dropped below 200, can va increase compesation?
Post by: leatherman on September 07, 2017, 08:28:35 pm
Quote from: therobster on September 07, 2017, 05:15:07 pm
My last two labs have my T-cells below 200 (195) which is considered AIDS although otherwise, I'm very healthy.
i can't answer your questions but this section of your post struck me as worrisome. Are you on ARVs? Just because you feel "healthy", sadly, means little while that advanced HIV diagnosis (aka AIDS) says otherwise.

I'm just highlighting this because probably anyone else reading or answering this post will want to know what's going on with that serious issue of <200 cd4s  :o

hopefully someone else will chime in soon on those VA questions
Title: Re: retired military, T-cells dropped below 200, can va increase compesation?
Post by: therobster on September 07, 2017, 08:36:34 pm
I'm taking Complera, v/l is undetectable. 
Title: Re: retired military, T-cells dropped below 200, can va increase compesation?
Post by: leatherman on September 07, 2017, 08:49:24 pm
Quote from: therobster on September 07, 2017, 08:36:34 pm
I'm taking Complera, v/l is undetectable.
well, that's good. Does the doc have an opinion as to why your cd4s have dropped so much? hopefully that situation will turn around ;)
Title: Re: retired military, T-cells dropped below 200, can va increase compesation?
Post by: den2542 on November 24, 2017, 10:00:51 pm
Hey Robster. I'm retired military and saw ur post about the VA and disability and perhaps we can compare notes. I got my disability so don't pull it. if your interested in communicating let me know. Are you going thru Jackson Foundation?
Title: Re: retired military, T-cells dropped below 200, can va increase compesation?
Post by: harleymc on December 08, 2017, 09:38:30 pm
Welcome to the sub 200 club. We rock!
I can't comment on your claim as I live in a different country with different regulations regarding disability.

However as someone who has lived with a fully suppressed viral load and cd4 counts below 200 for the last 6 years I've found my health is pretty good. I certainly have fewer sick days off work than my flat mate who is HIV negative and younger than me.

BTW In Australia I'm not regarded as having any kind of disability because of my HIV antibody status or cd4 counts.