kymike

Congrats Sparkle!

I agree with John. I think you go to this consultation and learn more about this procedure and ow it relates to your specific spine issue. I have had three back surgeries. A micro lumbar discectomy, and 2 lumbar fusions( L2-S1). The only one I would do again if needed, is the micro lumbar discectomy( laser). In my case, it was quick, left a very small scar, and relieved a great deal of my back and leg pain. Recovery was about six weeks. I wish that all my spine procedures had been that easy. My second lumbar fusion eventually helped. But the whole process is painful, invasive, and takes a long time to recover from. I wouldn't wish it on my enemy. I hope your back gets better. I know what is like to have horrible back pain. I recommend that you get all the facts and find a treatment for your back that you can feel comfortable about. Mike

Funny story. Don't see the photo. Still it makes me want to take a helicopter ride.

Congrats Kimmy that is awesome news!

Carlie, this post was very helpful to clarify thoughts about my own cue claim for severance of service connection. I originally eluded to my claim issue in a 2011post. Should I go back to that post or start a one the VA cue?

I am just going out on a limb here, but why don't you apply for Sc for tinnitus? You were in the airborne. You say your ears are ringing. 10% isn't much , but it might your foot in the door. Mike.

Sorry Hollis, that makes sense. I had my hopes up that your VARO had made a mistake. Hoping you get the rest resolved soon. Mike.

I don't much but I plugged you 2 50% ratings into a SC disability calculator. I got 75% which I think rounds up to 80%. I would have to agree with rdawg. Mike.

That is awesome news! Now you can relax a little and enjoy your last year of service life. I am very happy for you.

I have the am a condition. They have never called it that. But it has been noted in My medical chart. I agree with you, but playing the devils advocate, I think the will try to say that it is caused by you own negligence. The direction on the heating pad says not to lay on it. Wlf! Like you are going to lay on your stomach and sit the pad on top. I hope you win this secondary claim . Please keep us posted. Mike.

In my medical( non) opinion,gabpentin sucks! The side effects for me are horrible. I think they add it sometimes so they don't have to increase your pain meds. Does it really decrease leg pain that is latter diagnosed as Avascular Necrosis of the hip? All I heard for a year while I was complaining of leg pain was we need to increase your gabapentin. The reality was that I needed both my hips replaced. Sorry for the rant. Just sharing my frustration with VA medical care. Mike.

Hi Ammo, if feel your plight. I also have an spine surgeon that can be a backwards, stubborn, insensitive pain in the butt. Well that what you're got to work with. Call the clinic and tell them your symptoms are worse. Get an appt. with you doc. Tell him that you would like to consider surgery,they love hearing that. Explain your worsening symptom including any neurological problems you are having. See if he will get you a referral to a Neurologist. Specialist love ordering tests. Let him. Try to get an MRI, telegram, emg, blood work or any other thing he can think of. Go to your follow-up appt. and listen to what he has to say. If he recommends surgery say you are interested because you are so miserable. Even though you probably would dream of letting him operate. Say that you would feel more comfortable with a second opinion to ease you anxiety. Ask the clinic for a fee base consult with another surgeon. If they say no ASK the surgeon to right you a referral. Take all of your new diagnostic testing and imaging to the second spine surgeon. Sounds complicated but it may be your best hope without spending a fortune. At the very least you would have updated imaging for your VA and SSDI claims. The EMG test could be important to establish any radiculopathy you might be having in you extremities. If it comes up positive, I would file a claim for those issues. This just my option. I am no expert but have experience d the frustration of being shuffled around by my Spine doc. Wish the best and hope something I said helps. Mike.

I am no CPA, but it makes since to tax the principle. But are they going to tax the interest? Check I would rather keep owing on my student loans than get a big tax bill from the IRS.

Hey fiasco, I wasn't trying get smart with you. When I filed for disability from the civilian side of the Federal gov. they required me to file for SSDI. I filed for SSDI on a computer while I was at work on light duty after back surgery. They turned me down. NO big deal right? I got SSDI when I applied four years latter. The problem is when I file for TDUI with the VA in 2010 they used my SSDI records against me i.e.since SSDI said I could do some kind of sedentary work. I was not eligible for TDUI. I want you to get approved for SSDI. I wasn't clear about that at all. Here are my suggestions: If denied SSDI, make sure your doctor's explain that you are unemployable, not just unable to do your military job. I would not reapply until you are discharged from service or st least on terminal leave. As soon as you get your SSDI apply for TDUI, if you don't get 100% from the VA anyway. I want you and your family to get every benefit you are entitled too! Plan, research, ask questions and get it all right the first time. I didn't do that. I just don't want you tangled up in the mess which is the VA appeals process. Sincerely, you have my best wishes. Mike.

Fiasco, I am no expert,but shouldn't you more concerned about them denying you claim. You state that you are on active duty in the AF. Unless you are on some kind of medical leave you haven't mentioned, It appears you are still working for disability purposes.JMHO. Best wishes. MIKE

You are right on both counts Pete. I forgot to mention that you really have five years from date Social Security deans that you became totally disabled. Both the SS folks and the state disability determination case worker were nice and helpful. They granted my claim about two weeks after I sent them My VA medical records, they were having trouble obtaining from the VA. Even though they have a record sharing agreement.

Hey Chuck I think there is a misunderstanding. By SSI I meant Supplementary Security Income. I wasn't sure about it so I checked the box for SSI on the online application. When they did my telephone interview, the told me I was ineligible.I was like okay, I didn't know.If you get 50% VA disability or more you make to much money. But checking that box held up my back pay for SSDI for 4 or so months till SSDI could make sure that I hadn't received any funds from SSI. Confusing right? Mike.

Hey guys, I just want to thank all the hadit members that suggested I file for SSDI. I was awards SSDI benefits in Nov. 2011. Based solely on my VA medical records for my service connected lumbar back problems. Date that disability Mar. 2009. Took about 2 months. No exam or other hassle. I was without internet access at the time of my award, or I would have thanked you all then. I was approaching the five year mark since my last employment. IF you guys hadn't gave me encouragement, I might have missed the deadline. Some tips I would give to others applying for SSDI benefits are these: 1. Obtain all your VA medical records ahead of time. The VA told Social security that it would take at least 90 days to obtain my medical records. 2.Do not apply for SSI without asking if you qualify. I didn't understand SSI and applying for it by mistake delayed my SSDI by about 120 days because the had to determine if there was on offset. There are other do' s and don't, that other hadit members are more qualified to chime in on. Do not hesitate to ask! Again thanks everybody. Mike.

My local Vet center helped me find a good federal job. The vet center was around the corner from my house. I had no clue what they did. I just walked in and asked if they could help me. No one asked if I was a combat vet( which I am ) or if I had a combat related MH issue. That was my experience. I don't think they will refuse to help any distressed veteran. If they can't help directly, they will probably point the vet in the right direction. JMHO. Mike.

71M10 thanks for responding. I will go down to the Ro tomorrow and request the transcript and ask my VSO about the hearing that we attended. I only live ten minutes away,so they may be seeing a lot of me.<br /><br />The person was DRO, but now not sure what kind of hearing it was.<br />My main contention at this hearing was a legal and technical one. My SC lunar back rating was reduced from 40% to 10 % . They claim that error was made in the 2005 decision that granted 40% for DDD and HNP be cause the rater failed to obtain a medical opinion( nexus) from the C&amp;P examiner. Basically, I was originally awarded SC for my lumbar spine in 1995 calling it back pain 10%… Then in 1997 changed to back pain/SI joint pain. 2005 C&amp;P exam changed the diagnosis to DDD with Hnp. The rater didn't ask for a medical opinion because it was for an increase. The dx code was 5243(Ivds). So I stay at 40% for lumbar spine for five years and 3 spine surgeries that the VA paid for and gave me 100% temp.<br />Then in July 2010 they order a C&amp;P exam which stated that my DDD and HIP was not related to service. They had made an error.<br /><br />So at the hearing I asked them what regulation they used to reduce my SC. Did they sever my SC for SED and HNP properly? I got a proposed reduction not a proposed severance. And the main point me and my VSO argued was this. Where does it say in the CFR. that a rater has to ask for a medical opinion?<br />They make rating decisions without them all the time.Since they don't often give reasons in award letters like they do in denials. The 2005 rather could have considered continuity of symptoms or that my DDD was diagnosed during one year post service. I argued that VA said the made an error but didn't call it closer and unmistakable. Never explained how that was an error. Reduced my percentage but kept the IVDS school code. I asked, if spine exam is based ROM and you didn't change Dx code why would dropping the DDD effect my rating? The DRO never asked me a question and didn't answer any.<br /><br />It gets better. In a July 2013 letter they award my claim for Sciatic nerve radiculopathy and scar from lumbar fusion secondary to my back and SI joint pain. But on the front page it said secondary to DDD and HNP.<br /><br />Sorry that was long. It is also hard to type on an Android!<br /><br />Thanks. Mike

I found you website to be very helpful and informative. If I would have found it and hadit, before I filed my claim for increase and TDUI in 2009, I might not be in this mess of an appeals process I have gotten into. Thanks again.Mike

Thank you Berta. My doc. rescheduled my appt. Life is great. I need advise on this topic and will repost in 3-4 hrs.

Berta, thanks for responding. I found the letter for my hearing. It says it is for a personal hearing .It states that your hearing will be before a DRO or other members of VCS staff. I went on record. What other staff does hearings? I know you are going at ask for me to post this document. I will latter today. I have a IME appt.at 13:00hrs .Again ,thank you.

CC. They gave us the plague1and 2 shots to our entire Battalion in 1991. 12 hrs latter when got an an airplane to the gulf. Not much fun being on a 747 for 24 plus hours with everyone sick.It does bring back memories.

I went to the RO in Louisville summer of 2011 and my VSO ( DAV) and his whole office had gone to a convention for the week. I filled out a VA form saying I disagreed with there rating decision and provided a LOD and a dd 214 for a period of service they keep ignoring and left. Forgot to ask for a copy. My mistake.