[Success Is Out There If You Keep At It!]

Congrats!

[Active Duty, Proposed Ratings Are In!]

Do what you feel is right. With that said, you have over 16 years of service and the VA has already rated you at 100%, yet the "DOD" has you at 20%.....No way in hell I would let the DOD off with that piddly 20% when you have medical that states different......IMO, I would appeal the DOD and hang around as long as possible to get a proper and just rating from DOD and all the benefits that come with it. I think you will leave to much at the table if you take the VA an run.......I also think you will regret doing so after the fact, which you will not be able to turn back from.

By all of the benefits you mean, being space A, there is nothing left on the table. What else comes with it that I do not already have? I've put about a years worth of research into this. I asked my PCM to place me on a permanent profile so I would go through the DAWG and start the med board process. I've done my research. Fighting for a higher DOD rating when I will be getting a 100% rating from the VA, does not appeal to me. I have no combat related injuries. I have no want or need to "hang around" I have been hanging around with these issues for years. What is there to regret? I have to wave my dod retirement for the VA compensation anyway. Fighting with the DOD for 10/20% does not appeal to me, nor will I be regretting it. I am not going to gain any additional compensation for it, and being able to wear a hat that says retired, also does not mean more to me. If my VA rating was less, or considerably less, I would definitely push for the "retirement benefits". However, again my spouse is active duty so I will continue tricare as a dependent. I will also reap the benefits of having 100% from the VA. I am not going to hang around constantly appealing an outcome that is not going to put any extra in my pocket. I personally feel that I have hung around too long trying already. With the current way of the AirForce and the toll that it has already taken on me personally as well as my marriage, it is not worth it to me. There will be no regrets. Life goes on.

I dont like to see words like " back pain" knee strain'' neck pain ect.... thats all horseshit .. those are symptoms..

I would get an MRI, of back, and neck, and go let a specialist BLIND read it.. in other words, dont tell them what the VA report says..

you will likely find out your " back Pain" is a slipped disc, pars defect, broken vertebre, arthritis ect..

From the long list of symptoms, you have did they check you for Fibromyalgia? rhumetoid arthritis?

I have had 6 MRIs in the past 3 years from my neck to my pelvis. I have changed PCMs, seen multiple neuro surgeons to go over my records, the 2nd one, being a 2nd opinion.

So no I wont find that my back pain is a slipped disc, I do understand that this forum is normally full of those simply dealing with the VA and left bad tastes in their mouths. The "va report" in my case is nothing more than being flown to a VA clinic for CP exams as I am stationed overseas and that is protocol. I have that many issues, I have been poked prodded, injected, taken every medication under the sun, spent 3 years going through pain management, physical therapy. I have had the most amazing and helpful Doc in the past 2.5 years than I have had in my entire career. He is that thorough and that legit. I've personally gone through my entire medical record page by page, I have sent all of my MRI results to not random doc but a personal friend of 20 years that is a civilian in the xray/mri/images field to explain everything in laymans terms.

My main issue pain wise that is way worse than the other physical ailments I have picked up over the years is my neck. I have exhausted everything that they can do at this time. Its not bad enough to need surgery and a fusion or anything of that sort would give me way worse range of motion and the pain that accompanies my neck would still be there.

Check out all of the CRSC/CRDP info here as you might be eligible for one of these programs.

Not sure on the severance...there is discussion here under a search on that....

You did well THANK YOU for getting a PEBLO to help ....I mention that many times here and Peblos are not always easy to find but some AD service people dont even seek them and need to.

I tried to find a PEBLO for a vet here about 2 years ago and the only thing I got under google in his base locale was PEBLO jobs being advertised.

One more way, in my opinion, VA was not prepared for OIF/OEF, neither the VHA or the VBA was.

I do not rate for either program.

PEBLOs are easy to find. Unless someone is at a base that has no military medical support/filing. Not only are they civilians but they are also military. Active duty members(CURRENTLY I cant speak for any other timeframe, talking right now in the Air Force) must go through PEBLOs prior to being medically retired or medically separated MUST. I've read their requirements, matter of fact before you sign ANYTHING you have to sign forms from the PEBLO stating that you have been briefed and you understand what is currently happening, before you even start the process.

I do not deal with the VA. Nor would anyone that is in my shoes, except to have their exams fulfilled. There are TOO many outlets for active duty military members. Transition assistance is mandated PERIOD. You cannot get out without taking the minimum transition briefing/program. Speaking for the Air Force, the AFRC(family readiness center) employs people to assist in every aspect of retirement/separation. Hell I went today to speak with a VA benefits contractor, not even employed by the VA but a contractor in place to make sure veterans are specifically informed about their benefits. I spoke with this woman for an hour today, prior veteran, married to an active duty AF guy. The entire reason her company slid in was due to so many members not taking advantage of all of the benefits available to them. I was intrigued because that is what I want to do when I am no longer in the military. I plan to assist vets by giving briefings at the VFW, to vets pretty much where ever about what they are owed.

Gone are the days of members simply not knowing, if they dont know in todays military it is because they did not make half an attempt to get the information or just did not want it. I am well versed and light years ahead of my peers regarding everything to do with ratings, the VA, Dod percentages. The only way I would have more information would be for me to be a PEBLO or work for the VA(both of which I would gladly apply for) That is flat out fact. All they have to do is ask, I dont mean ask SSgt Bob, I mean get up and ask and go to the avenues that are provided to us. The reason why we have all of this available information and the reason why it is mandated that we are briefed the bare minimum(meaning the only one that you MUST attend) is because so many of you Vets were used and abused and had to fight tooth and nail for everything that you were owed. Will that ever end, maybe not, the difference is the available avenues. I've "briefed" this stuff at cookouts, burger burns, going aways, sent emails with the information to my current/former troops and friends I have been stationed with over the years.

What I am saying is, I'm a mechanic and I did all of this research for the past year, if I can find out and find the correct people to ask, so can the next guy. HOWEVER I know people just dont ask those questions or do the research, this is the reason why I want a VA job/counselor position/Family Readiness position, to help these people.

[Active Duty, Proposed Ratings Are In!]

Hello all,

Thank you so much to this site for all of the valuable information provided. I am active duty AF with 16.5 years of service. I met with my PEBLO to go over my proposed ratings and given 10 days to decide.
I am married mil to mil, so medically I am covered by Tricare. I will be 100% from the VA so medically I am covered there as well. The DOD rated me at 20% for DDD. I know the majority of the time everyone says to appeal and get the 30%, however I am not sure that I want to do that because my wife is active duty and I am also rated at 100% from the VA.

Here is the proposed list of ratings:
DOD
DDD cervical spine with spondylosis 20%

VA
Migraine 50%
Depression disorder 50%
mid back pain 20%
DDD cervical spine spondylosis(also claimed chronic pain) 20%
Radiculopathy of the upper, middle and lower radiculargroups, left 20%
radiculopathy of the upper.mid,low right(dominant) 20%
right shoulder strain(tendonitis) bilateral 10%
left shoulder strain(tendonitis) bilateral 10%
right elbow strain with limit of flexion(dominant) 10%
right elbow with impairment or supination 10%
hip strain left with painful motion 10%
left knee strain 10%
bilateral metatarsalgia 10%
tinnitus 10%
sinusitis 10%

host of 0%s
very surprised that I got 0% for epiditimitis as that has been ongoing.

It also says compensated at K rate...from what I have read here that is due to ED.

Total VA math is 96 and rounded up to 100%.

From the many calculators I have used, removing the 20% rating for DDD still keeps my rating at 100% VA, does that also mean that the severance would not be recouped?

Any assistance or opinion is welcomed.

Thank you thank you to this forum and a few others. I have been stressed and my anxiety has gone through the roof worrying about this and preparing for the absolute worst. My wife has said that my entire daily demeanor has changed just since last Friday when I was notified. This has been the most stressful past 1.5 years of my entire life. I cannot explain in words how great it feels to almost have this entire process completed.

[C&p Notes, Guesses On Ratings?]

Hello everyone, I am finally able to see notes regarding my recent exams. I am hoping that someone can give me a guestimate of what my ratings might be. Seems odd that my neck issues are simply "cervical strain" when it has been called degenerative disc disease, spondylosis and spinal stenosis.

1st my neck, and this is why the MEB began.The ROM part bothers me so much because it was eyeballed and I did not turn my head left, right or up much at all, because I cant!

1. Diagnosis

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

Does the Veteran now have or has he/she ever been diagnosed with a cervical

spine (neck) condition?

[X] Yes [ ] No

[ ] Ankylosing spondylitis

[X] Cervical strain

[ ] Degenerative arthritis of the spine

[ ] Intervertebral disc syndrome

[ ] Segmental instability

[ ] Spinal fusion

[ ] Spinal stenosis

[ ] Spondylolisthesis

[ ] Vertebral dislocation

[ ] Vertebral fracture

Diagnosis #1: Cervical spondylosis with radiculopathy

ICD code: 721.1

Date of diagnosis: 2010

2. Medical history

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

a. Describe the history (including onset and course) of the Veteran's

cervical spine (neck) condition (brief summary):

He developed neck pain in 2001 or so. He was deployed and was seen in

clinic for neck pain. His neck pain has continued through the years and

he has had multiple MRIs. He has had physical therapy, steroid and facet

injections and RFA. His radio frequency ablation was in 2014. His

symptoms

worsened after that and he is on daily narcotics and uses his TENs daily.

His neck pain is constant, aching/sharp and severe. About 2‐3 days a

week

he has more severe flare ups of pain. His pain is worse with

lifting/carrying, any movement of the head and cold weather. He has not

had surgery on the neck. His pain radiates into both shoulders as a

stabbing pain. It is worse on the right. It does not radiate into the

left

arm. It radiates as a sharp stabbing pain down the right arm to the

fingers. The stabbing pain will taper off when he goes back to his normal

positions. He takse narcotic pain medications, ice, TENs unit, and rest

daily. He does yoga stretches also to help. He also gets chiropractic

care and massage. He goes off base to get these and it is helpful.

b. Dominant hand:

[X] Right [ ] Left [ ] Ambidextrous

c. Does the Veteran report flare‐ups of the cervical spine (neck)?

[X] Yes [ ] No

If yes, document the Veteran's description of the flare‐ups in his or

her own words:

He has even more limited ROM with flare ups.4/23/2015 My HealtheVet

about:blank 25/101

d. Does the Veteran report having any functional loss or functional

impairment of the cervical spine (neck) (regardless of repetitive use)?

[X] Yes [ ] No

If yes, document the Veteran's description of functional loss or

functional impairment in his or her own words:

He has limited ROM on a daily basis.

3. Range of motion (ROM) and functional limitations

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

a. Initial range of motion

[ ] All Normal

[X] Abnormal or outside of normal range

[ ] Unable to test (please explain)

[ ] Not indicated (please explain)

Forward Flexion (0‐45): 0 to 45 degrees

Extension (0‐45): 0 to 30 degrees

Right Lateral Flexion (0‐45): 0 to 45 degrees

Left Lateral Flexion (0‐45): 0 to 30 degrees

Right Lateral Rotation (0‐80): 0 to 45 degrees

Left Lateral Rotation (0‐80): 0 to 45 degrees

If abnormal, does the range of motion itself contribute to a

functional loss? [X] Yes, (please explain) [ ] No

If yes, please explain:

Pt is unable to have normal ROM. He is limited in turning his head

Description of pain (select best response):

Pain noted on examination and causes functional loss

If noted on examination, which ROM exhibited pain (select all that

apply)?

Forward flexion, Extension, Right lateral flexion, Left lateral

flexion, Right lateral rotation, Left lateral rotation

Is there evidence of pain with weight bearing? [X] Yes [ ] No

Is there objective evidence of localized tenderness or pain on palpation

of the joint or associated soft tissue of the cervical spine (neck)?

[X] Yes [ ] No

If yes, describe including location, severity and relationship to

condition(s):

Pain with palpation over the trapezius muscle. Pain with palpation

over

the cervical paraspinous processes.

b. Observed repetitive use

Is the Veteran able to perform repetitive use testing with at least three

repetitions? [X] Yes [ ] No

Is there additional loss of function or range of motion after three

repetitions? [ ] Yes [X] No

Does the Veteran have radicular pain or any other signs or symptoms due to

radiculopathy?

[X] Yes [ ] No

If yes, complete the following section:

a. Indicate location and severity of symptoms (check all that apply):

Constant pain (may be excruciating at times)

Right upper extremity: [X] None [ ] Mild [ ] Moderate [ ]

Severe

Left upper extremity: [X] None [ ] Mild [ ] Moderate [ ]

Severe

Intermittent pain (usually dull)

Right upper extremity: [X] None [ ] Mild [ ] Moderate [ ]

Severe

Left upper extremity: [X] None [ ] Mild [ ] Moderate [ ]

Severe

Paresthesias and/or dysesthesias

Right upper extremity: [ ] None [X] Mild [ ] Moderate [ ]

Severe

Left upper extremity: [X] None [ ] Mild [ ] Moderate [ ]

Severe

Numbness

Right upper extremity: [ ] None [X] Mild [ ] Moderate [ ]

Severe

Left upper extremity: [X] None [ ] Mild [ ] Moderate [ ]

Severe

b. Does the Veteran have any other signs or symptoms of radiculopathy?

[ ] Yes [X] No

c. Indicate nerve roots involved: (check all that apply)

[X] Involvement of C5/C6 nerve roots (upper radicular group)

[X] Involvement of C7 nerve roots (middle radicular group)

[X] Involvement of C8/T1 nerve roots (lower radicular group)

d. Indicate severity of radiculopathy and side affected:

Right: [ ] Not affected [X] Mild [ ] Moderate [ ] Severe

Left: [ ] Not affected [X] Mild [ ] Moderate [ ] Severe

8. Ankylosis

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

Is there ankylosis of the spine? [ ] Yes [X] No

9. Other neurologic abnormalities

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

Does the Veteran have any other neurologic abnormalities related to a

cervical spine (neck) condition (such as bowel or bladder problems due to

cervical myelopathy)?

[ ] Yes [X] No

10. Intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and episodes requiring bed rest

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

a. Does the Veteran have IVDS of the cervical spine?

[ ] Yes [X] No

11. Assistive devices

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

a. Does the Veteran use any assistive device(s) as a normal mode of

locomotion, although occasional locomotion by other methods may be

possible?

[X] Yes [ ] No

If yes, identify assistive device(s) used (check all that apply and

indicate frequency):

Assistive Device: Frequency of use:

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

[X] Brace(s) [ ] Occasional [X] Regular [ ] Constant4/23/2015 My HealtheVet

about:blank 29/101

b. If the Veteran uses any assistive devices, specify the condition and

identify the assistive device used for each condition:

He uses a neck brace at home several days a week.

12. Remaining effective function of the extremities

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

Due to a cervical spine (neck) condition, is there functional impairment of

an extremity such that no effective function remains other than that which

would be equally well served by an amputation with prosthesis? (Functions of

the upper extremity include grasping, manipulation, etc.; functions of the

lower extremity include balance and propulsion, etc.)

[ ] Yes, functioning is so diminished that amputation with prosthesis would

equally serve the Veteran.

[X] No

13. Other pertinent physical findings, complications, conditions, signs,

symptoms and scars

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

a. Does the Veteran have any other pertinent physical findings,

complications, conditions, signs or symptoms related to any conditions

listed in the Diagnosis Section above?

[ ] Yes [X] No

b. Does the Veteran have any scars (surgical or otherwise) related to any

conditions or to the treatment of any conditions listed in the Diagnosis

Section above?

[ ] Yes [X] No

14. Diagnostic testing

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

a. Have imaging studies of the cervical spine been performed and are the

results available?

[X] Yes [ ] No

If yes, is arthritis (degenerative joint disease) documented?

[X] Yes [ ] No

b. Does the Veteran have a vertebral fracture with loss of 50 percent or

more

of height?

[ ] Yes [X] No

c. Are there any other significant diagnostic test findings and/or results?

15. Functional impact

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐‐

Does the Veteran's cervical spine (neck) condition impact on his or her

ability to work?

[X] Yes [ ] No

If yes, describe the impact of each of the Veteran's cervical spine

(neck) conditions, providing one or more examples:

He has missed about 1/3 to 1/2 of his work days due to his neck and

back pain in the last year.

I have many other ailments that were reviewed, I can post those as well. However the DOD is only looking at my neck as unfitting.

[Physical Portion Of Cp Complete, Behavioral Exam Next Week]

So completed all of my exams. I wont have any answers yet(still active duty). The CP exam for "mental health" lasted merely 45 mins. I was rather perplexed and thought, wow this is uh...it? Really?

The physical exam went rather well, however my ROM was eyeballed yet the examiner had the needed measurement tools right on her desk.

[Physical Portion Of Cp Complete, Behavioral Exam Next Week]

Well, for starters the examiner eye balled every measurement taken. Im interested to see how that goes. My neck rom was an inch in every direction. Neither arm could extend over my head or above shoulder level, barely reached behind me back. DOD is only looking at cervical disc disease/spondylosis. Was unable to bend all the way down or in many direction. Not sure what my rom %s are. I did have my schedule from work and CC letter stating that I had missed 50% or more of work due to daily pain. Plantar facilitis, erectile dysfunction, both shoulders repaired, knee popping and locking, left foot in daily pain. Lower back spams,.

For my behavioral exam, I am worried about. When I say worried, I have been diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. I have had insomnia for years. Guess Im just curious how it will go. I have no social life, no friends outside of my wife, and my marriage has been severely strained due to it. I choose not to go to work due to my social phobias and I just cant get out of my rut or funk of being around people My panic attacks are multiple each week. This is all in my medical records, which I printed out and brought with me. im just worried about what I should be saying and how much of that matters, I am active duty and I know I will be unfit. My depression has just changed the type of person that I am, I want to get back to being me. I just dont know how the hell I am going to be employed 4-5 months from now when I am separated or retired. I have over 16 years in and I'm terrorfied that I will not be able to work until I am better. Anyone have an idea of what to expect or what can help me?

I currently take anxiety pills, nerve pills, anti depressants and 8 percocets each day for pain.

[Cp Exam For Cervical Spondylosis]

How did your results go?Cervical is my main DOD unfit condition, I have my CP in 2 weeks.

[Notification Of C&p Exam (Overseas Okinawa)]

Wow interesting, I am also on Okinawa, however active duty and I will headed to California in 2 weeks for my initial C&P exam. Camp Foster has a sleep study clinic, I am actually scheduled for next week.