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I Have A C&p Exam This Friday (lumbar Spine)

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dangar67

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Hello everyone, I need some advice on what to expcect at my (lumbar spine) exam. First let me give you a really quick overview of my situation.

1. 1992 Awarded 10% for Meniscus and ACL repair. 9 surgeries followed to correct staph infect.

2. 1996 Increased to 30% complications w R knee n arthritis

3. 2001 Increased to 40% due to insability of knee>losening of ACL from anchor site and major tear of meniscus> adv degeneration medial compartment

4. 2001 was denied chronic lower back secondary to R knee

5. 2007 MRI showed DDD and a bunch of other stuff denied once again> reason it was not caused by Chronic Knee issues I've had for over 14 years by this time. Restricted to Cane n ALC brace. Appealed Denial w DRO

6. 2009 finally received result from the DRO on my appeal DRO reversed there decion and now they have awared me 10% more for a total rating of 50%. I left some stuff out not to cofuse things. They gave my all kind of reasons on why it wasn't rated at 20%! Its now been 18 years later. Barely getting around by now only a step here and on step there!

This takes me back to my original question on what should i expect at the exam.

The medical description given on the award letter states: Degenerative disc disease. spondylosis, lumbar spine associated with post operative right knee meniscectomy and cruciate ligament repair.

Underneath the Medical description it states: An examination will be scheduled at a future date to evaluate the severity of your service connected lumbar spine. What should I know going into this appt i have reviewed most topics on this site and they've been very helpfull. All suggustions would be greatly appreciated. Does this mean they could possibly adjust my rating once again? I can go on n tell you what i've gone thru physically and mentally but i believe most of us already know the uphill battle we face!

I sure hope this makes sense!

Thanks again, dangar67

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Hello everyone, I need some advice on what to expcect at my (lumbar spine) exam. First let me give you a really quick overview of my situation.

1. 1992 Awarded 10% for Meniscus and ACL repair. 9 surgeries followed to correct staph infect.

2. 1996 Increased to 30% complications w R knee n arthritis

3. 2001 Increased to 40% due to insability of knee>losening of ACL from anchor site and major tear of meniscus> adv degeneration medial compartment

4. 2001 was denied chronic lower back secondary to R knee

5. 2007 MRI showed DDD and a bunch of other stuff denied once again> reason it was not caused by Chronic Knee issues I've had for over 14 years by this time. Restricted to Cane n ALC brace. Appealed Denial w DRO

6. 2009 finally received result from the DRO on my appeal DRO reversed there decion and now they have awared me 10% more for a total rating of 50%. I left some stuff out not to cofuse things. They gave my all kind of reasons on why it wasn't rated at 20%! Its now been 18 years later. Barely getting around by now only a step here and on step there!

This takes me back to my original question on what should i expect at the exam.

The medical description given on the award letter states: Degenerative disc disease. spondylosis, lumbar spine associated with post operative right knee meniscectomy and cruciate ligament repair.

Underneath the Medical description it states: An examination will be scheduled at a future date to evaluate the severity of your service connected lumbar spine. What should I know going into this appt i have reviewed most topics on this site and they've been very helpfull. All suggustions would be greatly appreciated. Does this mean they could possibly adjust my rating once again? I can go on n tell you what i've gone thru physically and mentally but i believe most of us already know the uphill battle we face!

I sure hope this makes sense!

Thanks again, dangar67

here is what you should expect as well as what you should do. If your primary doctor has already written their findings and a copy was sent to the QTC doc then you are ok they will look at what your previous doc has said. But do remember do not go in their trying to be superman. If you can not bend forward then dont bend and tell them that it hurt when try. they will do xrays dont sewat that and do not let the tech bend you in ways that hurt. I have the same exact conditions and i now have a bulging disk in my back. do bend no more than you have to..

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Hello everyone, I need some advice on what to expcect at my (lumbar spine) exam. First let me give you a really quick overview of my situation.

1. 1992 Awarded 10% for Meniscus and ACL repair. 9 surgeries followed to correct staph infect.

2. 1996 Increased to 30% complications w R knee n arthritis

3. 2001 Increased to 40% due to insability of knee>losening of ACL from anchor site and major tear of meniscus> adv degeneration medial compartment

4. 2001 was denied chronic lower back secondary to R knee

5. 2007 MRI showed DDD and a bunch of other stuff denied once again> reason it was not caused by Chronic Knee issues I've had for over 14 years by this time. Restricted to Cane n ALC brace. Appealed Denial w DRO

6. 2009 finally received result from the DRO on my appeal DRO reversed there decion and now they have awared me 10% more for a total rating of 50%. I left some stuff out not to cofuse things. They gave my all kind of reasons on why it wasn't rated at 20%! Its now been 18 years later. Barely getting around by now only a step here and on step there!

This takes me back to my original question on what should i expect at the exam.

The medical description given on the award letter states: Degenerative disc disease. spondylosis, lumbar spine associated with post operative right knee meniscectomy and cruciate ligament repair.

Underneath the Medical description it states: An examination will be scheduled at a future date to evaluate the severity of your service connected lumbar spine. What should I know going into this appt i have reviewed most topics on this site and they've been very helpfull. All suggustions would be greatly appreciated. Does this mean they could possibly adjust my rating once again? I can go on n tell you what i've gone thru physically and mentally but i believe most of us already know the uphill battle we face!

I sure hope this makes sense!

Thanks again, dangar67

Hey Dangar67 and welcome to Hadit!

I'm sorry I hadn't already noticed your post earlier. I guess by now you've already had your exam, how did it go? It sounds as if they may adjust your rating, but I'm by far no expert on this. I also have an exam coming up in the near future for SC on lumbar back injury. I've been dealing with daily pain since 1995 which varies from mild to extreme, sometimes quite suddenly, so I know your pain. Since 1995 I've had a total of 9 spine surgeries, but I keep reminding myself that as bad as it is it could still be much worse.

I hope by now you have received some good news from the VA, I know you could use some. I know it's rough waiting and wondering about the "EXAM". May things go a little smoother for you now.

Good Luck!

Blackbird

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Gee _I missed this too-

are you employed? if not have you applied for SSA and -I suggest applying for TDIU too-

". 2007 MRI showed DDD and a bunch of other stuff denied once again> reason it was not caused by Chronic Knee issues I've had for over 14 years by this time. Restricted to Cane n ALC brace. Appealed Denial w DRO

6. 2009 finally received result from the DRO on my appeal DRO reversed there decion and now they have awared me 10% more for a total rating of 50%."

Was the ten percent for involvement of the knee issue?

Are they looking at your knees as bilateral disabilities?

I apologise it took so long for us to reply here-it happens-and we dont mean to overlook anyone.

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I just went though my exam in June for my back. When the doctor checks your range of motion you need to specific about your pain of motion. In my experience, if you do not say that there is any discomfort or pain the doctor will not ask and will assume everything is Ok. If you can go to your primary care physician or back specialist and see if they are willing to write a statement on your behalf showing any incapacitating episodes you have been experiencing over the past year that would be great. Any other tests such as: EMG evidences showing neurologic symptoms would be very important also if you have bladder or bowel problems get that document. Now that I have say all that check out my post from the 12th of Aug tilted Confused that will tell you where I stand. Good luck

Roy

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