88mike101

Hello all!!! I need advice on what to do with my VA disability claim. I was medically discharged from the Army in 1999 for lumbar strain. Since being discharged my back has continually gotten worse. I am currently rated at 50% for the following disabilities: 40% for lumbar strain and 20% for radiculopathy for my right leg. Since I have received this rating I have had a laminectomy on my l4-l5 which my neurosurgeon didn't release me back to work for an entire year due to complications. I only received temporary 100% for 6 months. To say the least the surgery wasn't a success and I begged the doctor to release me to work because I couldn't afford to be out of work any longer. A year later I continued to see my neurosurgeon and he gave me a permanent lifting restriction of no more than 15lbs. I lost my job in 2013 that I held for 8 years due to my job requiring a me to lift up to 50lbs. I didn't work from Feb 2013 to September 2014 due to my lifting restriction. After running out of money and support from family and friends and being evicted from my apartment I reentered the work force. Since September 2014 I have had 5 jobs and I struggle physically and mentally everyday while at work. My current employer provides accommodations for my disabilities and doesn't hold me to the same standards as the other employees. I also have a letter from my employer stating how my employer accommodates me. I have exhausted much of my PTO at work due to my medical conditions. I also have a letter from my neurosurgeon stating that my surgery wasn't successful, how much time I was not able to work after my surgery and the course of treatment he has tried on me. The letter also stated that I have spinal Stenosis throughout my lumbar spine and if he was to perform surgery it would entail a fusion operation and major reconstructive surgery. My MRI states that I have congenitally short pedicles contributing to overall diminutive spinal canal diameter, bilateral neural foraminal stenosis from my l1-l5 with the l3-l5 being the most severe, bulging disc from l3-l5, flavum thickening l4-l5 and facet hypertrophy l4-l5. I also have been seeing a psychiatrist at the VA and was diagnosed with major depressive disorder due to chronic pain. I have also have been diagnosed with bilateral plantar fasciitis due to my flat feet. I was given custom heel inserts for this. I was also treated for this while serving on active duty and given the same inserts. Can anyone assist me on how to go about filling my claim?