TMA Military Veterans with Myositis - The Myositis Association

Honoring Service. Supporting Strength. Building Community.

Welcome

Since 2022, the TMA Military Veterans with Myositis Affinity Group has been a dedicated community for veterans living with myositis, including inclusion body myositis (IBM), dermatomyositis (DM), polymyositis (PM), immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM) and other forms of inflammatory myopathies. This group provides connection, peer support, education, and advocacy specifically tailored to those who have served.

Whether you are navigating a new diagnosis, managing long-term disease progression, or pursuing VA claims and appeals, you are not alone.

Featured Documentary: “Not the Life We Wanted”

Although this group serves all myositis diagnoses, the majority of members have inclusion body myositis. To learn more, watch the documentary “Not the Life We Wanted” highlighting the lived experiences of veterans navigating IBM and the VA claims process.

Join the Community

Become a member of TMA and select the TMA Military Veterans with Myositis Affinity Group when choosing your groups during registration. You are free to join as many groups as you like.

Join TMA

This group meets on the second Saturday of each month at 12 PM ET | 11 AM CT | 10 AM MT | 9 AM PT. View Calendar »

Meetings provide a confidential and supportive space to share experiences, discuss treatment options, and connect with fellow veterans who understand both military service and life with myositis.

If you would like to connect with your fellow veterans on social media, please join the group’s Facebook page.

Facebook Group

Advocacy for Presumptive Status for IBM

The TMA Military Veterans with Myositis Affinity Group is actively advocating for inclusion body myositis (IBM) to be recognized by the US Department of Veterans Affairs as a presumptive service-connected condition, similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

ALS is classified as presumptive for veterans due to its serious, progressive nature and documented links to military service. Emerging research shows that IBM and ALS share certain pathological features, including abnormal accumulation of TDP-43 protein in affected tissues. Veterans living with IBM face progressive muscle weakness, loss of mobility, and significant disability—yet many must still fight lengthy battles to secure VA recognition and benefits.

Our advocacy efforts focus on:

Raising awareness within the VA system
Supporting research that strengthens the scientific case
Mobilizing veterans and families to sign petitions
Engaging policymakers to pursue regulatory change

Veterans should not have to prove—case by case—the legitimacy of a disease that is progressive, disabling, and life-altering. We are working to ensure that those who served receive timely recognition and the benefits they have earned. Our efforts have since drawn the attention of investigative reporters resulting in news stories across the country, as well as a new documentary called Diagnosis Denied.

Veterans with IBM in the News

Download Letters for your IBM VA Claim

Veterans living with inclusion body myositis can download letters from myositis medical experts about IBM to support VA disability claims and appeals.

IBM VA Claim Letters

Would you like more information about VA claims and appeals for veterans with myositis? Watch VA Compensation Basics presented by representatives from veterans disability attorneys Hill & Ponton. In this informal session, you will learn from legal and claims experts as well as your fellow veterans about the VA Claims & Appeal Process. For those who have served on active duty in the US Armed Forces, military reserves, or National Guard. A special thank you to our session sponsor Mallincrokdt.