Reeldirtydawg

Thank you Doc25 and Berta...I have three other things I was also evaluated for and they all seemed favorable so hoping that they would put me at 50%. Trying to understand the back rating was just confusing to me and still is, will just have to wait and see what they come back with.

Newbie here!!!!! Thanks to fellow Veterans I finally filed a disability claim 15 years after I retired from USMC with 20 years of active duty service. Of course initial claim was denied(Jan 2015), not enough evidence to service connect. Thanks again to fellow veterans and this forum did some homework and filed an appeal Dec 2015. Opted into RAMP on July 2018, C&P exam a few weeks ago, still gathering evidence in Vets.gov Did not post all of the C&P Exam just what seemed to be relevant; can someone with experience let me know their thoughts? Back (Thoracolumbar Spine) Conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire Does the Veteran now have or has he/she ever been diagnosed with a thoracolumbar spine (back) condition? [X] Yes [ ] No Thoracolumbar Common Diagnoses: [ ] Ankylosing spondylitis [ ] Lumbosacral strain [X] Degenerative arthritis of the spine [X] Intervertebral disc syndrome [ ] Sacroiliac injury [ ] Sacroiliac weakness [ ] Segmental instability [ ] Spinal fusion [ ] Spinal stenosis [ ] Spondylolisthesis [ ] Vertebral dislocation [ ] Vertebral fracture Diagnosis #1: DDD ICD code: M51.36 Date of diagnosis: 2005 Diagnosis #2: IVDS ICD code: M51 Date of diagnosis: 2005 Diagnosis #3: Disc Herniation ICD code: M51.2 Date of diagnosis: 9/12/2016 2. Medical history ------------------ a. Describe the history (including onset and course) of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine (back) condition (brief summary): The veteran has years of chronic back pain and left leg radicular symptoms. The veterans initial back injury occured while repelling and loosing control of the rope and landing quite hard, also injuring his shoulder and ribs in this fall. The veteran has reported chronic back pain since that time. The veterans DDD has progressed and lead to bulging discs and radiculopathy. The veteran is currently experiencing a flare-up, he reports that for the last month his back has been flared-up and the pain is severe. The veteran today has antalgic short strided gait, if he takes a longer stride his left leg sciatica in unbearable. The veteran is clearly in significant pain due to his current flare-up. 3. Range of motion (ROM) and functional limitation -------------------------------------------------- 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 to 90): 0 to 20 degrees Extension (0 to 30): 0 to 5 degrees Right Lateral Flexion (0 to 30): 0 to 10 degrees Left Lateral Flexion (0 to 30): 0 to 10 degrees Right Lateral Rotation (0 to 30): 0 to 10 degrees Left Lateral Rotation (0 to 30): 0 to 10 degrees Observed repetitive use Is the Veteran able to perform repetitive use testing with at least three repetitions? [ ] Yes [X] No If no, please provide reason: current flare-up prevents further ROM testing. If the examination is not being conducted immediately after repetitive use over time: [X] The examination is medically consistent with the Veteran's statements describing functional loss with repetitive use over time. Does the Veteran have radicular pain or any other signs or symptoms due to radiculopathy? [X] Yes [ ] No a. Indicate symptoms' location and severity (check all that apply): Constant pain (may be excruciating at times) Right lower extremity: [X] None [ ] Mild [ ] Moderate [ ] Severe Left lower extremity: [ ] None [ ] Mild [X] Moderate Intermittent pain (usually dull) Right lower extremity: [X] None [ ] Mild [ ] Moderate [ ] Severe Left lower extremity: [X] None [ ] Mild [ ] Moderate [ ] Severe Paresthesias and/or dysesthesias Right lower extremity: [X] None [ ] Mild [ ] Moderate [ ] Severe Left lower extremity: [ ] None [ ] Mild [X] Moderate [ ] Severe Numbness Right lower extremity: [X] None [ ] Mild [ ] Moderate [ ] Severe Left lower extremity: [ ] None [ ] Mild [X] Moderate [ ] Severe TYPE OF MEDICAL OPINION PROVIDED: [ MEDICAL OPINION FOR DIRECT SERVICE CONNECTION ] a. The condition claimed was at least as likely as not (50% or greater probability) incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury, event or illness. c. Rationale: The veterans STR's show complaints of back pain throughout service, including his retirement physical in which he reported history of chronic recurrent back pain. The veterans back condition has progressed, his radiculopathy is the progression of the DDD and chronic pain. The post service records clearly chow no other injuries, and they all show he's has chronic back pain since the military. The current symptoms are reflective of the flare-up he was having during this appointment.