Axelbrain

Hey vets, I have been following these threads and threads on yoku.com for the past few months. So, first, I want to say thank you. These sites have helped tremendously. I filed for compensation for back problems during TAP in 2009. The whole process took about one year--I think I was one of the lucky ones because it didn't take two plus years or more--and I ended up getting 20%. Moving forward, my back problems became increasingly worse throughout 2014. However, I did not think I should ask for an increase because I thought I might lose the 20% I already had. Then, a few months ago, it got so bad that I couldn’t lift myself out of my car after driving for more than 15 minutes. I would try to get up and out using the door as leverage as usual and I would just fall back down. That is just one example--I have had some problems getting out of bed too... I’m really tolerant to pain, so, when there is pain, I could just fight through it and just get up, but this was something I couldn’t just fight with strength. So I thought this was insane. And, thus, I finally decided to ask for an increase at the beginning of January of this year. I went to the C&P exam at the end of March and the doctor asked me several questions and tested my range of motion (bending forward and turning side to side). She also did some other tests in regards to numbness and tingling I had in my right side. From that exam, I learned that my range of motion is less than 30 degrees from front to back and I have moderate to severe numbness and tingling in my right side from my hip down to my toes. When I check my benefits account now, it says “Preparation for Notification.” It has said this since Wednesday of last week. The only difference that I see is in the section of pending disability claims. This is the original claim and what I have been rated for: Lumbar Spine Disc Herniation And Degenerative Facet Changes Of L4-s1 10% Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy 10% Now it shows this: Lumbar Spine Disc Herniation And Degenerative Facet Changes Of L4-s1 --INC Right Lower Extremity Radiculopathy --INC Radiculopathy Femoral Nerve --NEW So, from what I have said, what do yall think my new rating will be? Also, looking through the forums, I have also noticed that I could claim disability for Pseudofolliculitis barbae. I know it is in my record. This has been documented since boot camp... where my face swelled up like a melon after they made me shave with a blade when I told them I could only use an electric shaver. I also still have several of the no shave chits that they gave to me for it. So my other questions are: Should I file for this? If I do, will they do a C&P exam? If I do, will they have to re-rate my back disability, as well? (I would wait to file for this after the claim I have clears)