Conrad G

Thank you for your help and information. I will see what I can do when applying for the increase and give you an update when I've received word from the VA. Happy New Year!

Thank you for your response. To clarify, I live abroad in Colombia, South America. Here, they generally speak Spanish, so all the documents would be in Spanish. The ones that also speak English, do their medical reports in Spanish. With regards to what is covered by the VA/not covered, it's what is covered by the Foreign Medical Program (FMP). Travel is not covered in this. Only medical treatments/procedures/etc. associated with VA disability covered items. About the relocation solely for a C&P exam, according to what I've read is that the VA goes off of what the foreign documents show or they have someone fly out solely for the purpose of the exam. Relocating to the US is not currently an option as I'm a resident of a foreign country and here for the foreseeable future. About the Epidurals being a treatment, I can understand this. I am trying to clarify if it's a secondary condition or not, as they are 'burning the nerve' in order to relieve pain. DDD - I'll just have to apply for this and see what happens. Thank you again for your quick response. -Conrad

Hello community, This is my first post, so hopefully, I'm posting it correctly! I have a service-connected disability in my lower back for 'Lumbar Strain' at 10% in 2012. (L4/L5) - I'm also currently 34 years old. Since then, I received ~4 or 5 epidurals through the VA and then 1 nerve blocker procedure through the VA as well in 2013/2014. Also, here it showed the beginning sign of DDD on L4 only. I moved abroad in 2015, and from 2015-2017 I would take hydrocodone either 5 or 10mg very often for the lower back pain. Through the Foreign Medical Program abroad in 2018, I was seen twice for my lower back and recommended for more back injections, but then moved to another country and had to start the process over again. In November 2018, I went to the ER room because I was unable to get out of bed by myself. I was in the hospital for 6 days on a pain medicine drip and finally ended with another nerve block injections on both sides of the spine. Here the doctor also stated that the DDD is now on L4/L5/S1. My questions: 1) I'll want to get seen for the 'Range of Motion' as I think I fit the criteria for an increase to 20%. If I live abroad how can I get this evaluated by the VA? I assume having a doctor where I'm at currently do the exam and provide notes to file with my claim? 2) Epidurals - Because I've received these injections and nerve block procedures, what should I be claiming for these? I don't know how to properly claim this and what disability I believe should be associated with the information I've provided. 3) DDD - Same as #2. What should I be claiming for this? Also, if there's any other information you need, please let me know and I'll answer to the best of my knowledge. Thank you in advance for your help. -Conrad