John
I don't think the VA will tell you to stop taking your civilian pain meds. You may be able to get the same meds for free via the VA. I would try and get a referral to a VA shrink to get a DX of chronic pain syndrome/depression. Almost everyone who has chronic pain and takes narcotic pain meds has some aspects of pain disorder/depression. I would bet you have some sleep problems, mobility problems, frustration and anguish at not being able to do what you used to be able to do. These things are all part of the syndrome. The physical cannot be separated from the mental. The VA likes to think they can and that we are just mechanical soldiers, but it isn't so. I would google Chronic Pain Disorder and see how you match up. What kinds of pain meds do you get from private doctor? The VA has limited formulary.