Armed forces compensation Scheme - Fibromyalgia

iheartbristol · 28 November 2012 at 12:05PM

Hi Everyone.

Does anyone know if the above condition is claimable from the AFCS? I'm ex raf and sending in a claim for my wrecked knees and nerve damage but there's nothing on the Tariff about any type of physical condition.

It's a funny one, most closely related to rheumatic conditions, and it's also a lot like chronic fatigue but permanent and with a lot of pain. I understand that I've got to prove it was caused by my service.

stephenni1971 · 28 November 2012 at 12:39PM

In short - no.

Fibromyalgia is not a specified illness on the AFCS Tarrif and even if it was the liklihood of it being caused by a physical trauma is incredibly small.

iheartbristol · 29 November 2012 at 9:48AM

Thanks for helping, but I thought Fibromyalgia was generally accepted by the NHS to have been caused by either a physical trauma, or a prolonged period of stress, or both? I had the symptoms while I was still serving.

I did wonder if 'Physical Disorder' would cover it but the fact they give £19K for a physical disorder makes me suspect not - I wouldn't expect to get that much for it. Also they award war pensions for Fibromylagia. I take it there's no discretion when it comes to this tarriff? Does anyone know if there's any documentation anywhere elaborating on what the definitions of conditions mean?

stephenni1971 · 29 November 2012 at 1:15PM

The criteria for war pension and AFCS are quite different. You will find for example that the vast amount of circumstances covered under AFCS are for injuries attributable to an event or incident rather than a progressive condition.

It's a case of proving your condition was caused by your service - which I think you may find hard to do.

Poppie68 · 29 November 2012 at 2:03PM

stephenni1971 wrote: »

In short - no.

Fibromyalgia is not a specified illness on the AFCS Tarrif and even if it was the liklihood of it being caused by a physical trauma is incredibly small.

Totally incorrect, nobody has a definitive answer to the cause of fibro, but the majority of fibro studies have found most individuals have a history of physical trauma. OP look on UKfibromyalgia forums, there is some good advice on there.
If you haven't already seen a rheumatologist ask your gp to refer you, i was lucky and was orignally under a rheumatologist who was also a fibro specialist. Establishing the actual cause in an individual can sometimes be complicated, but if you have suffered a physical trauma and symptons were only recorded after the event PT is often given as the probable cause.

iheartbristol · 29 November 2012 at 3:07PM

Symptoms started after a fall during a training exercise (shark infested custard type stuff), injury then caused a lot of stress while I worried about my job prospects while trying to remain on the training course - two things combined are likely the cause. Rheumatologist has diagnosed - 'significant degree of Fibromyalgia'. I don't really think there's much doubt that it was caused by my service - if I couldn't persuade then with the evidence I have then there's no persuading them.

My main query is whether or not I'd be compensated under the AFCS. Sounds doubtful.

Poppie68 · 29 November 2012 at 3:58PM

iheartbristol wrote: »

Symptoms started after a fall during a training exercise (shark infested custard type stuff), injury then caused a lot of stress while I worried about my job prospects while trying to remain on the training course - two things combined are likely the cause. Rheumatologist has diagnosed - 'significant degree of Fibromyalgia'. I don't really think there's much doubt that it was caused by my service - if I couldn't persuade then with the evidence I have then there's no persuading them.

My main query is whether or not I'd be compensated under the AFCS. Sounds doubtful.

Have you contacted the British legion, they can help with claims for the AFCS?

stephenni1971 · 29 November 2012 at 4:37PM

By all means submit your claim - which I think is likely to be looked at under Table 4 - Physical Disorders.

All I am saying is that I think the main issue will be tying the cause of your illness to your service - if you get over that then I think you may be successful - as you will see from the Tarriff that many of the definitions are somewhat vague - so although fibromyalgia is not a specified illness it could be argued that it falls under Physical Disorder.

I guess the only way to know for sure is to send in the form and wait... and wait... and wait...

stephenni1971 · 29 November 2012 at 4:41PM

Poppie68 wrote: »

Totally incorrect, nobody has a definitive answer to the cause of fibro, but the majority of fibro studies have found most individuals have a history of physical trauma. OP look on UKfibromyalgia forums, there is some good advice on there.
If you haven't already seen a rheumatologist ask your gp to refer you, i was lucky and was orignally under a rheumatologist who was also a fibro specialist. Establishing the actual cause in an individual can sometimes be complicated, but if you have suffered a physical trauma and symptons were only recorded after the event PT is often given as the probable cause.

Sorry my bad that is poorly worded.

The is no definitive cause - physical injury is one of a number of possible risk factors.

I was simply stating that because of that it may be difficult for the board to accept the onset of illness was service related.

iheartbristol · 3 December 2012 at 1:17PM

Well the form is all sent off. I did use the RBL for a previous injury claim but wanted to get this in a reasonable time before Christmas and to be honest they only really helped me to do what I could already do myself, so thought it best not to waste their time and others more deserving could be helped instead!

As has already been said, now I wait..... and wait.

Ilovelife123 · 23 January 2013 at 10:29PM

Hi there.

Sorry you have been medically discharged. It must be stressful to to try and prove that they have made your condition worse.

I was medically discharged from the RAF after 9 years for Crohns. Not sure if you know but this is an autoimmune condition that some people say is worsened with stress.....

I successfully got compensation from the RAF, if you want any help on how I did it or any advice, please DM me.

It was such a stressful time as they dont give you any idea of what money, if any, you are getting until my discharge date.

Take care,

B x

Armed forces compensation Scheme - Fibromyalgia

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