ArNG11

I have a few conditions rolled into one with, scoliosis, abnormal gait, muscles spasms,IVDS, DDD, DJD, and others related to my fall aong with nerve issues. These all should be rated separately as they are independent of each other and can and should be rated separately. At least that is what I have read and been advised. Both from members here, reading the CFR and my attorney.

Those exams, the ones outsourced and done by VA's hired guns, QTC and VES are not going to be available until after a decision is made on your claim and then only by a FOIA request. God forbid you should see the lies they sometimes write before a decision is made. That would put you closer to equal footing with the VA. JMHO

True to a degree. With spine injuries , it can go with segment damage, IVDS, nerve damage and muscle control such as muscle spasms. gait can also be abnormal. Those all should be seperate rateable ratings and not be considered pyramiding. JMO per rating criteria. Oh also pain is rateable as well with constant or chronic episodes.

Heh now don't dog Mac they are great machines just have to do a little work around. You have a few options print or save as pdf are the easiest. If you don't mind the larger files sizes you can save as a JPEG or a Bitmap. I would go with the PDF as its fairly a universally accepted format.

Always the green monster. I would like to disagree however, I can't, that is exactly how I perceive it to be as well. Heh it will work out I think. Persistence is the key and there are good medical professionals in the VA, there may not be many but those gems are out there.

Hopefully with the pressure here lately from the higher ups and the media, it may be a positive change, but I don't want to say that just yet, it is way too early for that. As always we, and I guess I will just have to wait and see.

I don't believe in luck when it comes to the VA but thanks. Im trying to be positive, but I can't help think that it is not a ploy of sorts. The VA has been the "only agency" supposedly capable of diagnosing PTSD upto recently so I'm trying to figure out there angle. I may be paranoid a bit I guess and it's way to early to come up with any logical explanation as with VA claims it seems that logic and commons sense go out the window but heh, the sun has to shine on a dogs rear end at some point.

congrats bud

That's why I like reading your posts John, you cut right to the chase.

So a C&P exam for my claims of knee, hips, and left pinky finger, anxiety and depression claims were done today. In true fashion VBMS was down and the doc couldn't access the information of evidence I submitted for my claim, not surprising but I was prepared, so I brought copies for her to review. The traumas to my finger, hips and knees were a no brainer, she was annoyed since the records clearly indicated in service injury and inservice medical treatment but those DBQ's were all positive. Plus I had current records with current diagnosi. That immensely helped. I did not submit a claim for PTSD, however, since I was precise in my claims and symptoms along with necessary stressors and corresponding records, the C&P examiner did a PTSD dbq as well. Now I don't know if this is a new tactic or whether I just lucked out with an honest examiner, that yet still remains to be seen, however, that threw me for a loop. I'm not counting my chicks before there are hatched but this is by far not the type of examination I am used to getting, let alone from a hired gun such as a QTC doc. A favorable report maybe, a smoke screen for a sneak attack not completely upsurd, but I have to acknowledge that it maybe a precise and consice exam for my claimed conditions which may lead to service connection and an adequate rating right out the gate. I'll keep this hive informed once I have decision results in front of me.

Personally I am in constant pain because of my back injury. At times it is too much to bare. I think a combination of treatments at once is the best option. Heat, Ice, stretches, physical therapy,TENS unit, cognitive behavior conditioning, lidocane, OTC, pain patches, and a whole lot of mind over matter. Nothing is a complete fix, however, it makes it bareable. Im still trying to get the VA to pay for chiroprator services,accupunture, steroid shots and rhizotomies at different levels. These things help and can help you make it through.

You fight! Use their tactics against them and give them enough to hand themselves. It's pain but you could try the fee based option. JMHO

I have it on the iPhone platform.

I happen to volunteer for this as well. If you can believe this it actually works better than the Ebennies site which I find odd as it pulls data from the same server. Personally I like it. It's has access to all the necessary info you usually get on ebennies for. Its still in beta testing but I think it will be a good app. JMHO

I wish you guys the best. I know and understand your pain. Please post your progress and results as I'm very interested because im at that point where surgery is a serious option Ive been considering.

That is some scary crap. my stenosis is at the T11-T12 area, there im at 7mm, normal spacing should be at 12-14 mm. I also have moderate compression at the L3 nerve root bundle so it makes things complicated. I feel for you and understand your pain. Most time for me it's too much to bare now. Surgery and a few irrational options have been jumping around in my mind as of late.

That is some scary crap. my stenosis is at the T11-T12 area, there im at 7mm, normal spacing should be at 12-14 mm. I also have moderate compression at the L3 nerve root bundle so it makes things complicated. I feel for you and understand your pain. Most time for me it's too much to bare now. Surgery and a few irrational options have been jumping around in my mind as of late. It's difficult to live with that is for certain.

I have been doing a lot of soul searching and basically doing the mirror test along with research.. I don't feel that I can submit a claim for ITP as a result of my military service. Although I have had a few exposures via jet gun inoculations, unserialized shots, and environmental exposures due to my Iraq tour, I have also been an aircraft mechanic at my Federal job since 2005. specifically a KC-135 tank rat. So although I have had a few exposure routes, my civilian career would most likely be the culprit. Ofcourse the booger here is a department of labor claim for ITP is as difficult as a claim as a VA claim would be. Yippee fun stuff huh. At least I am in remission, if I can call it that, from the ITP.

I have to agree with you 63Sierra. This does get a new set of eyes on the material evidence. Jaszper hang in there.

No worries, it's hard to know what to expect, there are good doctors in the VA and there are bad ones, just like the orivate sector, I hope that you meet the good kind. Good luck and take it step by step, day by day, in your recovery.

No problem, but frankly this topic hits home with me as I am still dealing with it. Follow the advise of the senior members as they have been around a lot longer than i and know the games that are played by the VA. The most important item here is that you get the care and treatment you need. At the same time, however, take everyone's opinions into consideration and make the best decision you can with the information that applies to you. JMHO,

Congrats. It's always good to read about successes.

Thanks. It really is an outstanding benefit. I am sleeping a little easier now a days and so is my family.