Dear Veteran,

If you have severe back pain your doctor will assess your condition and make recommendations on a possible course of treatment. If surgery is necessary, and the CHARITE® Artificial Disc is a potential treatment option, your VA Hospital can refer you directly to a spine surgeon who is qualified to perform the surgery or the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC. Walter Reed has an arrangement with the VA hospitals that allows appropriate patients to be referred directly to Walter Reed.

This arrangement allows veterans who may be appropriate candidates for treatment with the CHARITE® Artificial Disc to receive treatment from a nationally recognized center of spinal excellence. Please ask yiour doctor if the CHARITE® Artificial Disc may be an appropriate treatment option for you, or call: 

202 782-8742

Alternatively, you can contact Walter Reed using:

Patricia Knapp, BSN, BBA, RN
Neurosurgery Case Manager
WRAMC Neuroscience Center/WD61
6900 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20307-5001
Phone: (202) 782-8742
Email: patricia.knapp@na.amedd.army.mil

or visit http://www.wramc.army.mil for more information on Walter Reed.

It is important that you discuss all your treatment options with your doctor. If you both feel that the CHARITE® Artificial Disc is an appropriate treatment option, you should let your primary care doctor and the surgeon to whom you are referred know that you receive VA benefits.

The CHARITE® Artificial Disc treatment maybe  available to you through your VA benefits. If the CHARITE® Artificial Disc is a possible treatment option, please ask your doctor to refer you to a spine surgeon who is qualified to perform the surgery or the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.