willie 74

I deal with cronic pain. I cant stand or sit more than an hour without the pain being unbearable. When I was first rated the rater said I should file for IU. I did and I was denied. I have just recently been scene at the VA for the deppression and have been on the depression meds for about two months. I have a appointment on the 4 of dec. I just dont know when to file for the depression.

I have been out of active duty for 6 months, I am service connected for back and bladder issues. I have been expiriencing some deppression since I am unable to do the physical things I once was able to do. I made a call to the VA and asked if I could file a claim for deppresion secondary to my physical disabilitys. I was told it would be unlikely for me to get anything unless it was in my records while i was on active duty. Well like I said, I did not start expirience this deppression until I got out. I have recently gone to the VA and starting taking deppression meds and I have an appointment with a physc doc soon. Is it possible for me to file for depreesion. I am really overwhelmed with this deppression, I had a fusion and it so limits the things I can do, I am in cronic pain and that is documented. I was given a tens unit for the pain and ofcourse the meds. Which I am given 120 Vicoden a month, not to mention the flexeral etc. I believe all of these things are a factor for my deppression.

Hello all, so I went to Home Depot in Wa state and purchased some items. I asked for the regular 10% discount and I was informed as of today the 10% off for vetrens is now 5%. He said to go the website and make a complaint about the decrease and if they get enough they might change it back. I am not pleased to see this, I am not sure if it is state wide or not. I went to the store in Tacoma Wa.

Thanks for the great info, I will turn the IU form in Monday. I will keep you all informed.

Hello all, I recieved a call from VA and I was told I have an initial disability rating at 80%. I am not sure how it is broke down yet, but mostly back issues, sciatica etc. I was told that RO suggested I file for IU. Is it the norm to wait for the VA decision on it before trying to file for SSD? Can I file for SSD?

Gulf Vet, QTC called and sent me my appointments about 2-3 weeks proir.

Any suggestions?

This is some of the things that were written on my C&P report and some of it does not make sense to me. For the claimants condition of DDD , the diagnosis is IVDS and the most likely involved peripheral nerve is Sciatic with bladder dysfunction. The subjective factors are pain. For the claimants claimed condition of Sciatica. The diagnosis is Intervertebral Disk Syndrome and the likely involved perpheral nerve is Sciatic with bladder dysfunction. It states the same thing for my claim for Ankylosis Lower Back and Lumbar radiculopathy. So I am confused, it does not say that I have Sciatica but it does state in the Thoracolumbar Spine section that the examination reveals no evidence of raidiating pain on movement. Muscle spasm is absent. There is tenderness noted on exam described as lumbar spine. There is positive straight leg raising test on the right. There is positive straight rasing test on the left. For the past 6 months I have been seen for the radiating pain and it is documentd. My ROM is 30fwd, ext 10, rht,10,left10,right rotation 20, left 20. So with the documentation I have how can the Sciatica be proved? Or is this report enough with my medical records. I have recieved a call and my case is being rated now.

Thank you for the reply's, I have every piece of medical documtation. I continue to do what I can to keep as healthy as possible, as we all know some things are just out of our hands. Thanks again..

Senoir, I have also had a disk fusion L5-S1 on Jan 08. I have had constant pain since, got out and had my C&P exam. Range of motion plays the biggest part in rating your back in my opinion. : Spine Claim Repository has some great info. The doc said I have IVDS which you might have as well. I should get my rating in the coming weeks. Will try to inform you on mine for the back. Take care

Sawgunner take a look in the : Spine Claim Repository Good info.

QTC saying that the doc report was finished, so at this point I am sure it goes to the VA for the rating. I was told it could be antwhere from 2-4 weeks from this point.

I believe it all depends on how many physicians you see and how many things you are claiming. I think the doc has 30-45 days to write there report and findings and submit it to qtc then it goes to the VA. I was seen on the 15of last month and I recieved a call yesterday from

I just had a test for it actually. They have you stand on a platform and have you drink different liqiuds, carbination and something that is very thick. While you are doing this they have some type of exray on the entire time and the doc is viewing everything as it goes down your throat etc. They place you in different positions, first standing up then you lean on this platform and it lies you down for more discusting liquids and viewing. Other than this test the only thing that was asked was if I was expiriencing any type of heart burn etc. Hope this helps.

So I went to my C&P and I had a forward Flex of 0-15 and a back flex of 0-10, bilaterial 0-10. The doc said I have IVDS, and instructed the nurse to write it down. Now if I am reading the Spine Claim Repository correctly I should have favorable ankylosis since I have my L5-S1 fused and lack of ROM right? The nurse stated that I have Favorable Ankylosis, but the doctor interupted and said no I dont since I am only fused in one area. I believe my sciaticia or radiculpy of the legs were written as mild. The leg raise exam that the doc gave, both legs came back as positive and the nurse once again wrote it down on the report. So if I am correct I would recieve a rating of 30 for the back and maybe 10 for each leg? I have read as much as possible on this site and now look for any input into this. Thanks in advance for your input.

Yes, got two certified full copies. Thanks, So Berta what you think about My possible rating?

No have not been seen by the VA yet. Just got out of active on the 15 of this month. No study on legs yet, like I said though the doc told the nurse I had IVDS and was positive for both leg raise test. I am just guessing but I think I might be around 30-40 percent.

It is hard to say since I had about 120 days limited duty and only 6 days on bed rest. Just got out of active duty on the 15.

Ya, he did the full exam. Im going to another appointment tomarrow for the prostate to find out for sure.

I had my first exam that the VA set up last week. I had a disk fusion on my L5-S1 last year after my disk collasped while still on active duty. I got out on the 15 of this month. I also have been having pain radiating down both legs and have been going to the clinic to have it checked out, which that did nothing for me but I do have it documented that I have been going to be seen for it. My discharge physical states that my ROM was 20 percent fwd and 0 percent back and 10 percent bilateral. It also say's decrease sharp/dull left calf lateral foot. The doc that I seen through the VA ROM measurments were 15 fwd ,10 back, 15 bilateral. He also performed the test where you lay on your back and he raises your legs one at a time, he told the nurse who was writing everything down that I was positive for both which I still am not sure what that means. The nurse told the doc that I also probally had Unfavorable ankylosis of the spine but the doc got a little upset with that and said no becuase it is ONLY one disk fused. B) He told the nurse to write that I have IVDS. He also found a lump in the wrong place and that I might have prostate cancer, he said he would set up an oppointment for that. I guess I am here to see what you all think, I also went to see the another doc about tinnitis. She said that I do have some hearing loss in my left ear, she said she would put in her report that my tinnitis is service connected or due to. I have applied for Voc Rehab and got the approval and they said that I am atleast 20 percent. I am not sure what percentage I am since ofcourse you dont see the doc report untill later.

Hang in there buddy, things will get better. One day at a time, I will pray for you..

I had my first exam that the VA set up last week. I had a disk fusion on my L5-S1 last year after my disk collasped while still on active duty. I got out on the 15 of this month. I also have been having pain radiating down both legs and have been going to the clinic to have it checked out, which that did nothing for me but I do have it documented that I have been going to be seen for it. My discharge physical states that my ROM was 20 percent fwd and 0 percent back and 10 percent bilateral. It also say's decrease sharp/dull left calf lateral foot. The doc that I seen through the VA ROM measurments were 15 fwd ,10 back, 15 bilateral. He also performed the test where you lay on your back and he raises your legs one at a time, he told the nurse who was writing everything down that I was positive for both which I still am not sure what that means. The nurse told the doc that I also probally had Unfavorable ankylosis of the spine but the doc got a little upset with that and said no becuase it is ONLY one disk fused. He told the nurse to write that I have IVDS. He also found a lump in the wrong place and that I might have prostate cancer, he said he would set up an oppointment for that. I guess I am here to see what you all think, I also went to see the another doc about tinnitis. She said that I do have some hearing loss in my left ear, she said she would put in her report that my tinnitis is service connected or due to. I have applied for Voc Rehab and got the approval and they said that I am atleast 20 percent. I am not sure what percentage I am since ofcourse you dont see the doc report untill later.

Thanks for the reply, I had someone in the VA look through my records after my fusion but before my radiating pain. That is when they unaficially told me about around 20%. Like you said I have everything documented and I will be seeing someone this week concerning some bladder issues. I should also have my discharge physical done around the first or second week of april. I will be getting the physical done by a doc who know's my history. At one point he wrote me a permanent waiver for the Sit and Reach portion of our physical fitness test, stating "The fusion has resulted in a permanent decrease in the range of motion and flexability of the low spine, which directly limits his ability to flex forward at the waist". I have the original copy of this. Thank you all for the advice, with loseing my flexability and the constant pain, and the radiating down my leg. I have been seen for all these sevaral times and it is on my SMR. So I hope it would be more than 20%, not that I am trying to play the system I just want to insure I get treated fairly. I would love to stay in but I know I physically cannot...

Hello all, I have two weeks left on active duty before I get discharged. I just started filling out form 21-526. I just want to be sure I claim what I need to. I will give some info about myself. I have served 6 yrs national guard, switched to reserve did 3, then joined active duty Coast Guard. Anyway I had disk fusion surgery last year: L5-S1 post complications include radiating pain down leg apparently from nerves. Loss of ROM, and possible bladder issues. Just looking for all and any advice into what not to do or what I need to do. I have been to all the forums and learned a great deal espicially from rental guy :) , I have everything documented and I have copies. Like I said from my records I have been told I would only probally recieve 20 % dis, I have been complaining about pain radiating down my leg now for about 6 months and ofcourse it is documented. I will be getting my discharge physical done next week sometime, what should I make sure the doc anitates on his report? I understand I prob have scatica and favorable ankylosis, just not sure. And what is a nexus statement? I know some of these questions seem elementarry but I do need some advice. Thank you all for the posts..... :)

Thank you very much for the info, I see you add alot to help fellow vetrens. I should be seeing someone this week concerning bladder issue's. It has got worse as time progressed so hoping for the best out come. I will let you know what they say.