silverdollar22

Had my latest MRI done before my C&P and the results are in. Thought my back was hurting worse and the numbness and pain in my legs worse but WOW did'nt know it was this bad. I'm fileing for Degenerative Disc Disease of Back (secondary to: low back pain with minimal degenerative changes of left sacroiliac joint) (Secondary), Spinal Stenosis (affecting both legs) (New), Degenerative Arthritis (left hip) (New), Degenerative Arthritis (Lumbar spine) (New), Intervertebral Disc Syndrome (New). Here are my results, Report: MRI Lumbar Spine Sagittal STIR and sagittal and axial T1 weighted, T2 weighted images of the lumbosacral spine were obtained. Findings: Comparison to MRI of the lumbar spine on 8/4/11. Normal alignment of the lumbar sacral spine is visualized. Heterogenuos bone marrow signal is noted likely due to degenerative changes. L5-S1 Modic type II changes. At T12-L1, L1-2 there is disc desiccation, mild diffuse disc bulging with mild facet joint hypertrophy without significant neural foramina narrowing. Normal appearance for the patient's age. At L2 L3 there is a right paracentral and foraminal disc protrusion with extrusion and mild superior migration, producing narrowing of the right CONFIDENTIAL Page 16 of 17 lateral recess and posterior displacement of the right L3 nerve root. Protrusion contacts and produce mild displacement of the a right L2 nerve root within the neural foramen. At L3-4 mild disc narrowing and desiccation, diffuse disc bulging without significant central spinal canal narrowing. Mild bilateral facet joint hypertrophy without significant neural foramen narrowing. Unchanged in comparison to prior At L4-5 there is disc narrowing, bulging and desiccation with moderate facet joint hypertrophy, ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and bilateral mild neural foramina narrowing. Unchanged in comparison to the prior. At L5-S1 severe disc narrowing and desiccation with moderate facet joint hypertrophy, ligamentum flavum hypertrophy and bilateral mild neural foramina narrowing. There is a mild degenerative retrolisthesis of L5 on S1. Unchanged in comparison to the prior. The conus medullaris ends at the lower portion of L2 body. Cauda equina demonstrated no compression. No evidence of paraspinous soft tissue abnormality. Impression: 1. L2 L3 right paracentral and foraminal disc protrusion with extrusion and mild superior migration, producing mild displacement of the right L2 nerve within the neural foramen and the right L3 nerve within the lateral recess. Please correlate clinically for right L2 and/or L3 radiculopathies. What do you Experts think my chances are ??? I am service connected for my sacroillac and lower back at 10%. Any help would be appreaciated, Eric

Check on E-Benifits. There's a video of how to submit a FDC on line.

Hope for the best, Plan for the worst!!!

Thanks for the reply. Since the C&P's are not from the Local VA, will it be posted on E-Bennies? Should it be posted on the big blue button site also? How long should it take to show up on those sites if it's going to show up?

congratulations! Well Done Friend!!!

Hello, I just recieved a letter from my RO in Atlanta after 12 days short of a year in Gathering Evidence (DUST), and noticed that the letter states that i am being scheduled for my C&P from an outside clinic. That's fine but I kept reading and noticed that their was two more copies of the same letter in the envelope. I commented to my wife that "do you really think that these people are that stupid to send the same letter three times"? I got to thinking today could this mean that I will be recieving three different C&P'S? Anyone else have this same thing happen to them? Either way I'm thrilled to death that something is happening after almost a year of nothing!! I'm ready for them this time after finding and reading this forum. You guys and gals are great!! Thanks for all the great info on this BROKE system. I feel confident about this next battle with these idiots. Thanks, Eric

Good fortune to you and I hope you get what you deserve!! With God all things are possible!!!

That sounds like pretty good advice on the credentials thing. I was so nieve the first go around that i would have tried to run two miles if the examiner would have said I had too. Also thanks for all the good advice from everyone . I guess I'll just hunker down and put on my waiting boots now!!! But thanks to all the fine people and good advice I've recieved here. I know what to expect and what to look out for on the next set of challenges.

Thanks Tiredcoastie, Yeah, i've gathered as much from reading this forum. On my next C&P I won't struggle to push past the pain like a dummy . I'll lift some weights and run a mile or two before my C&P that way I'll be good to go ! I was still wondering what the opinion would be as far as my rateing for my claim? My pain would put me at mabe 20% forward and more than likely the same side to side. I'm also claiming the pain and numbness running down my legs. Thanks again for the reply.

Just wanted some input on my chances for an increase form the 10% I get now for my Low Back Pain with Menimal Degenerative Changes of Left Sacroiliac Joint. The last time i put in for an increase i was denied and told i was getting better even though all of this was in my va med. records. From reading this forum and other research I know where i messed up at and it was my ROM test. I didn't understand just how this test effects your claim and i tried my best to touch my toes even though i was in bad pain. I have recently applied for an increase again, waiting for C&P, but according to this info in my records what can i expect? Any info would be helpful. TD-ADULT 01/01/2008 Augusta,ga Comments: est date per client ST - SKIN TESTS No data available IMPRESSION 1 HTN- good control, cont meds 2 Hypercholestrolemia- cont simvastatin fLP pending 3 Low back pain- disc protusion & spinal stenosis at L3-4 ,L4-5, L5-s1, using brace , pain meds,will write muscle relaxant, waiting on disability rating 4 numness- gabapenntin PLAN FUTURE APPOINTMENTS 10/17/2013 09:30 PCT(A)-DR SHARMA 11/14/2013 15:30 DERMATOLOGY SPECIAL (JOHNSON) Future Recall Dates: ^@@^ Return to Clinic:10 month I want to update you on your recent x ray results: x ray shows degerative arthritis . continue medication . If you want , will refer for physical therapy Thank you for your service to our country. Sincerely, SAROJ B SHARMA M.D. Primary Care Service Line Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Date/Time: Report: MRI of the lumbar spine on 08/04/11: Technique: Examination is performed with sagittal, axial and axial oblique T1 and T2-weighted images, and sagittal STIR fat suppressed T2 images. There are no prior examinations for comparison. Findings: There is normal alignment of the lumbar spine, with no retrolisthesis or spondylolistheses. Lumbar spinal canal is of normal caliber. Lower thoracic spinal cord and conus medullaris are normal in signal and appearance, with the conus tip ending in a low position at the inferior endplate L2. Cauda equina appears normal. Lumbar intervertebral discs from T11-12 through L2-3 demonstrate normal height, contour and signal intensity, with no evidence of intervertebral degenerative disc disease. L3-4 intervertebral disc shows a broad based annular protrusion centrally, abutting the ventral surface of the thecal sac, shown best on axial T2-weighted image 28. There is no associated canal stenoses or black out recess compromise. L4-5 level demonstrates intervertebral degenerative disc signal loss and mild disc space narrowing, with broad-based disc osteophyte complex producing ventral surface thecal sac flattening. There is mild narrowing of the lateral recesses bilaterally, more on the right. There is mild facet joint and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, shown best on axial T2-weighted image 38. L5-S1 level shows advanced disc space collapse, degenerative disc signal loss and broad-based osteophyte from the inferior endplate L5 projecting within the ventral epidural space, with an underlying small extruded disc herniation just to the right of midline as shown on axial oblique T2 weighted image 5. No thecal sac compression or exiting nerve root compromise is detected. Modic type II subchondral fatty bone marrow replacement is also present at L5-S1. Impression: Lumbar disc disease at L5-S1, L4-5 and L3-4 as described above. Low position of a conus medullaris tip ending at the inferior endplate L2. Somewhere else in my file it states that i have severe DDD and buldging discs at L3-L4, L4-L5,L5-SI. THANKS FOR THE HELP eric

Just wanted some input on my chances for an increase form the 10% I get now for my Low Back Pain with Menimal Degenerative Changes of Left Sacroiliac Joint. The last time i put in for an increase i was denied and told i was getting better even though all of this was in my va med. records. From reading this forum and other research I know where i messed up at and it was my ROM test. I didn't understand just how this test effects your claim and i tried my best to touch my toes even though i was in bad pain. I have recently applied for an increase again, waiting for C&P, but according to this info in my records what can i expect? Any info would be helpful. TD-ADULT 01/01/2008 Augusta,ga Comments: est date per client ST - SKIN TESTS No data available IMPRESSION 1 HTN- good control, cont meds 2 Hypercholestrolemia- cont simvastatin fLP pending 3 Low back pain- disc protusion & spinal stenosis at L3-4 ,L4-5, L5-s1, using brace , pain meds,will write muscle relaxant, waiting on disability rating 4 numness- gabapenntin PLAN FUTURE APPOINTMENTS 10/17/2013 09:30 PCT(A)-DR SHARMA 11/14/2013 15:30 DERMATOLOGY SPECIAL (JOHNSON) Future Recall Dates: ^@@^ Return to Clinic:10 month I want to update you on your recent x ray results: x ray shows degerative arthritis . continue medication . If you want , will refer for physical therapy Thank you for your service to our country. Sincerely, SAROJ B SHARMA M.D. Primary Care Service Line Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Date/Time: Report: MRI of the lumbar spine on 08/04/11: Technique: Examination is performed with sagittal, axial and axial oblique T1 and T2-weighted images, and sagittal STIR fat suppressed T2 images. There are no prior examinations for comparison. Findings: There is normal alignment of the lumbar spine, with no retrolisthesis or spondylolistheses. Lumbar spinal canal is of normal caliber. Lower thoracic spinal cord and conus medullaris are normal in signal and appearance, with the conus tip ending in a low position at the inferior endplate L2. Cauda equina appears normal. Lumbar intervertebral discs from T11-12 through L2-3 demonstrate normal height, contour and signal intensity, with no evidence of intervertebral degenerative disc disease. L3-4 intervertebral disc shows a broad based annular protrusion centrally, abutting the ventral surface of the thecal sac, shown best on axial T2-weighted image 28. There is no associated canal stenoses or black out recess compromise. L4-5 level demonstrates intervertebral degenerative disc signal loss and mild disc space narrowing, with broad-based disc osteophyte complex producing ventral surface thecal sac flattening. There is mild narrowing of the lateral recesses bilaterally, more on the right. There is mild facet joint and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy, shown best on axial T2-weighted image 38. L5-S1 level shows advanced disc space collapse, degenerative disc signal loss and broad-based osteophyte from the inferior endplate L5 projecting within the ventral epidural space, with an underlying small extruded disc herniation just to the right of midline as shown on axial oblique T2 weighted image 5. No thecal sac compression or exiting nerve root compromise is detected. Modic type II subchondral fatty bone marrow replacement is also present at L5-S1. Impression: Lumbar disc disease at L5-S1, L4-5 and L3-4 as described above. Low position of a conus medullaris tip ending at the inferior endplate L2. Somewhere else in my file it states that i have severe DDD and buldging discs at L3-L4, L4-L5,L5-SI. THANKS FOR THE HELP eric

I guess what I'm trying to say is, I did my new claim in june 2013 then after reasearch i did an online FDC on 4 apr 14, then on 7 apr 14 i went to my va rep and submitted another claim for more things that i think i missed. Will all of these claims be bundled together or will they be seperate claims because of the different dates and conditions?

I put a claim in for an increase last june and I was wondering if they had to give me a new C&P or can they use the one from 2011 where they denied my last claim? Got me worried when iris said they got my va records and my C&P results. My claim is under review . The only C&P i ever had was in 2011. Also can I put in multiple claims at one time? As i read up, (which i should have done before) I have found that I may have more claims than I clamed in 2013. Any help would be appreaciated, Silver

That's right suck it up and drive on isn't going to get us no where when it comes down to it. That wheel chair part scares me because most mornings i can barely walk not to mention tying my boots or using the rest room. I feel so helpless and a burden on my wife. It really stinks!!!!

Thanks T-M your right. Apparently their not going to tell you how you should do things, so you just have to beat them at their own game by knowing the ins and outs of the rules of the game. I guess the only way your able to get some X-Rays or MRI's done is if you flunk the Rom test, then they will have to find out what is causing you not to bend!!! My case will be a slam dunk if they just look at my lumbar region because all the evidence is in my service medical records. The VA chiropractor told me that I should be at least 30% if not more on my back. I guess all I have to do now is play the waiting game and see what happens!!!

I do have copies of my service medical records. Been using them to try to rub there noses into times and dates and outcome of every time i went on sick call for my back so they would be better informed. By the way, thanks again for the info on the back parts. Now i see that both parts of the back are one unit. In reply to commander bobs comment, my third claim is still in the gather evidence phase. I have been working with a va rep and trying to explain the doctors finding about my back and to relay this info to the RO and maybe it's doing some good because my claim went from the gather evidence phase to review of evidence phase back to where it is now at the gather evidence phase. Sometimes i think they just want you to give up and leave them alone!!! With all the help and reserch i know a whole lot more about certain things like the ROM test. I wont be straining to try to touch my toes this time like i did last time. No one at the test told me to stop when the pain starts so i just kept pushing myself to the limit. Thanks again for the time taken to respond to my thread an for the ongoing help!!

You said that "The lumbar, thoracic and Cervical spines are each considered groups of minor joints." Is the sacral part of the spine also a seperate group? If so should the lumbar and the Sacroiliac Joint be two different ratings?

71M10 First thanks for the reply. I don't really know what exactly my doctor found other than the buldging discs and artritis. My va chiropractor told me my back was pretty bad off and told me that their was not much else he could do for me. In 95 when i was discharged my records stated i had mild Degenerative Disc Desease, but when i had my increase denied in 2011, the ro said I was 0% for Degenerative Disc Desease based only on my ROM exam. Can they do that? Like I stated before in 16 yrs after i got out they said i was improving solely on my ROM test!!! No records were pulled or x-rays or MRIs to base their decision on. What do i need to do to get these people on the right track? By the way I have developed an irregular heart beat since.

Ok Thank You. I'm new to this and just looking for some help!

When i left the army in 1995 after 12 yrs service i filed a claim for my back, my knee, gulf war illness, and my blood preasure. I was given 10% for the blood pressure 10% for my Chondromalacia Left Knee and 10% for (and this is the kicker) Low Back Pain with Menimal Degenerative Changes of Left Sacroiliac Joint and 0% for Gulf War Illness. 16 yrs later my chiropracter told me that my back was through and i needed to go back to the va. I told him i had all but given up on the va because of how i was treated back then. I did go back and had my back x-rayed and an MRI done to find out i have 3 buldging discs L-3-L4, L4-L5, L5-SI and Degenerative Disc Desease with Artritis in my back. In 2011 i put a claim in for blood preasure, rt knee and back pain. It in turn, came out as Hypertension (Increase), Low Back Pain with Menimal Degenerative Changes of Left Sacroiliac Joint (Increase), Chondromalacia Left Knee (Increase), Degenerative Disc Disease of Back (initially claimed as arthritis all over body) (Increase), I was given a ROM at the vamc and nothing else and my claim came back as 0% increase and a statement saying your getting better!!!! I later found out that no x-ray or MRI was pulled and only the ROM was used for my claim. 2 yrs later i put for an increase again for back pain and this is what came back again: (low back pain with minimal degenerative changes of left sacroiliac joint (Increase), right knee condition secondary to chondromalacia left knee (Secondary), memory loss due to undiagnosed Gulf War illness (Reopen), joint pain as due to undiagnosed illnesses (Gulf War) (Reopen). What the heck is going on here everytime i say back pain they say Low Back Pain with Menimal Degenerative Changes of Left Sacroiliac Joint. How can they keep going back to my hip and sjould they have combined my hip with my lower back pain? Please help with any sugestions Thanks, silverdollar