Diskectomy In 1989

[81150 CAFB]

First, great to find this site. I had this posted elsewhere,but I didn't know if was in the right place.

My question is regarding my back. In 1989, while in the USAF (1987-1991), I had an L4-L5 diskectomy (right side) and 20 years later I am currently recovering post-op for a micro-laminectomy/diskectomy on the left side along with removal of a bone spur...the imaging (MRI, myleogram w/ C-T scan) also showed additional protrusion on the right at L4-L5 and mild protusion at L5-S1 with possible nerve displacement. The private neurosurgen was only concerned with the l4-l5 issue and only does micro. He said that it would add a couple of hours to the surgery to reconstruct the right side. The only current problem I have on the right side is sciatica flair ups if I sit for extended periods of time and my toes are always insensitive/numb. He didn't want to mess with it since most of my pain was on the left. Should I get a letter from him saying that additional work is probabily needed and that I have DDD or IVDS?

I never filed for a claim when I was discharged in 1991 (why? no idea I guess something you really don't think about when you are 22 and no guidance).

Do I have a chance for a claim? I really haven't missed much work or have seen the doctor for my back in the last 20 years, since it was something you live with until about 4 months ago when the pain became severe and familiar except on the left side this time.

Do they rate you on how you are feeling now (he had surgery and is fine) or do they look at the surgeries as an indication of degeneration (ROM)? I am pretty sure that within 5 to 10 years, I will have additional surgeries...fushion or reconstruction.

Should I wait to see how this surgery effects me i.e does the sciatica pain go away etc...before starting a claim?

Additionally, I had a broken bone removed in my left foot about 5 years ago. I am constantly running into things and ended up breaking a small bone in my left foot that would not heal and had to be removed. Could this be related to my back (balance-gait-foot drop-atrophy)? Is there a test for this?

After reading some of the back pain/spine posts and repository, I'll admit that I am still confused about what compensation I would be entilted to (10%-40%)? I guess

Any help would be appriciated.

[81150 CAFB]

Just an update:

I had the nerve block shot last week at the l5-s1 nerve and it appears to have worked to some degree (main butt pain is gone). I have an appointment with ortho spine specialist in a couple of days. Hopefully we can figure out what to do with the l5-s1 problem. My biggest concern right now is that the amount of lower back pain has really increased and it is still very difficult to sit (still on short term disability) and even if I take it easy my back is trash by the end of the day . I don't know if this is from the shot or if my back is worse after having two suguries/disk removals on the same disk. I hope the Orto takes an x-ray to look for arthritis and bone spurs. I need some answers.

I think I will also add depression to my claim. I don' t know if it will work since I am already on lexapro for panic attacks/anexity, but I will talk to my physchiatrist (visit coming up).

Thanks for all of the advice and information on this site.