[Yipee My 10 Pt Pref Got Me Something]

Ewwwww! FAFSA!!!!

[Success....]

What is a DRO Review?

[Success....]

Well, I received my letter from the VA today. My increase was awarded from 10% to 20% (nowhere near what I was expecting). I really can't stand VA math. I have almost no ROM on my right side, but since my left side is hardly crippled, and my forward and backward are only slightly crippled, it averaged out to 24.9%. Oh well, I guess having to walk with a limp since I was 19 is only work 10% for the first 10 years... and 20% from here on out...

Guess I shouldn't complain since I filed on 18 Feb and had my C&P exam on 5 Mar. Seems kind of quick to me!

[Yet Another Apology Letter]

Yeah, got my first today. I filed back in Feb. I'm gonna guess that I receive one or two more before they award my claim.

Good to know our tax dollars are funding the bailout so VA can print more letters!

[Check Was Deposited Last Night !]

That rocks!!! Congratulations!!! Still hanging on for my success story!

[Mayday, Mayday, Im Goin Down]

It seems to happen a lot these days. I was blindsided as well. I guess I lucked out that she made more money than me, then got hooked on drugs, quit her job, and can't hold a job to save her life now. I got the kids, the house, both cars, and I get to keep my money. But yeah, it is never easy when you have many years invested in something and it is taken from you.

Hang in there! We're all here for you!

[Shots In Spine]

I have my shot coming up on Tuesday. They are not bad at all. I hardly feel anything when they do it. The part that gets me is that they keep me waiting almost 2 hours before the Dr comes back there to do it. It's not bad, but like the others say, it doesn't help everyone. The shot actually goes next to injured disc. It is supposed to relieve any inflamation in the immediate area. If you have nerve problems, you probably won't notice a difference afterwards. My PCP is having me run the gauntlet of all possible treatments for my back to satisfy my insurance company...

[Limping-noob]

sammy,

Since you are already SC'd for your back at 10% - what you are going for is

an increase in disability percentage.

Personal statements from family or friends will be of no value nor carry any weight

as evidence towards a claim for increase on this issue.

As sharon stated the only evidence of concern to the decision maker will

be your ROM measurements.

At your current SC'd percentage of 10% you certainly do not currently meet

any of the requirements for TDIU. I'm just stating that for you, for now,

in case someone you converse with suggests filing for it, plus you are currently employed

so TDIU would also be denied on that basis.

Member Contin posted to you,

"Fifth. Do you have depression because of your back condition? If you do, it can be interpretered as service connected. You do not have to have been diagnosed by a doctor to be able to claim this."

This statement is only true by way that a Veteran or VA claimant can file a claim for

anything. Easy example, I have both arms and legs, but if I choose to I could file a VA

Claim for amputation of all four extremities that I contend happened on active duty.

Now would the claim stand any chance of being granted, no, no and no.

Regarding any decision you may make at this time to file a claim for depression

as a secondary SC, depression due to back disability, I would suggest if you have never

received any medical diagnosis or treatment for this, to discuss it with your PCP to get their opinion and see if they feel you need a consult or referral to Mental Health.

VA 101 - requirement for SC as either direct, secondary or even a grant due to an

1151 Claim - Claimant will need a medical diagnosis of a current disability.

Sure you can file the claim without a diagnosis and try to scurry around and obtain

some medical evidence, but that is truly not a way I would ever advise a Veteran

or VA claimant.

You also posted,

"Back to present-day... I have filed my 21-4138 (Feb '09) and I had my initial C&P exam. I was in a lot of pain that particular day, so I am kind of hoping that worked to my advantage. I called the other day and was told VA is waiting on my medical records from 3 different places, then it is off to the review board."

In my opinion, to file a Statement In Support requesting an increase in SC'd disability as recently

as Feb. 09 and to have already received a C&P for it, is miraculous in itself.

You posted,

"I've been through rehab, cortizone shots, epidural steroid shots, electric stimulus, etc... Last MRI showed arthritis and what my doc called "moderate to severe degenerative disc disease." I've had numerous days when it has been hard to walk, or I can't stand straight up for a some time, or I have to take an extra 20-30 minutes just to be able to roll out of bed, but, last September, I had my most frightening experience... I felt a sharp pinch and hit the floor with intense spasming. I was on the floor for 8 hours before my girlfriend talked me into letting her call the EMTs. so, I spent the next 30+ hours in the hospital unable to put any weight on my legs due to the pain in my back."

I feel it will be important for a Medical doctor to relate the above to your currently

SC'd disability.

I myself would be absolutely positive, that VA has all of this Medical Evidence to use for consideration in the adjudication of your current claim.

For research on your back,I suggest reading thru this topic from the first post thru the

end of the thread.

http://www.hadit.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=16436

If you have concerns relating to a claim for depression (secondary to back disability),

I suggest reading thru this topic.

http://www.hadit.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=17041

Hope this helps a vet.

carlie

Wow! Great information Carrie! Thanks!

Really, I would never have even thought about this if my buddy didn't say anything. He's trying to get me to think of the future if my condition worsens and make sure I can still take care of my family.

I have no intention of filing a claim for anything else, but I can see where my back has affected my everyday life and it is getting worse. Like I said to Contin, "I have trouble with flexibility, missing a few days of work over the past 10-13 yrs, pain (3-6 out of 10) just about everyday, but I am still living and the only physical requirement of my job is being able to walk 1/4 mile from the parking lot to the bldg."

I really am grateful for everything I can still do, which is almost everything (just more work now!), and the only thing I cannot do is skiing and snowboarding...

As for the depression... There are so many factors in life that can cause depression. I am not concerned with wasting a lot of time trying to get the VA to believe I am depressed because of my back...

[Limping-noob]

Personal statements were extremly effective in my case. I had statement from both my parents and my in-laws. Although they are not statements from people in the medical field, they attest to what you go through on a daily basis. The statements should cover who they are, what relation they have to you, how your disability affects you, any changes or restrictions of what you can and cant do on a daily basis, and any other related problems from your condition.

An x-ray will show arthritis in your lower back. That is what they are concerned with at this time. If your prior doctor told you that you have DDC, then arthritis will show up. While you may not be able to pinpoint the source of your depression, constant daily pain while play heavily on your mental state. Find the root of your depression and have it looked at.

If there is more that I can offer you, please let me know.

I didn't realize arthiritis showed up on an x-ray. Thanks Contin. I'm gonna go solicit for those personal statements... LOL

[Permissions?]

Thanks Tbird! The places I was trying to access last night work now. Now I am getting the error when I try to click on the Calendar link in the upper right. Blogs and Members work now though.

[Limping-noob]

;)

Can't say it enough, pain is worth 10%. Back conditions are based on range of motion. Look at the range of motion chart.

My friend asked me about that, but I don't really remember the numbers. I think for bending on the right side was 0-20 degrees, forwared was 20-40 degrees and left was 20-40 degrees. I can squat just fine as along as my back doesn't move, but I could not lean backwards. Rotating was only an issue when turning to the right.

The biggest worry for me was the Dr did not seem too interested in my case. I understand she probably sees hundreds of people come in and out of there, but after all the questions and range of motion tests, she sent me to x-ray and that was it. Anybody with disc problems know an x-ray isn't going to show anything.

[Limping-noob]

For your case - you sound a lot like what I have gone through since i got out in '97.

Here is the advice that I can give you since I went through lower back condition that was originally rated at 20% and is now rated at 100% IU.

First off, make sure to get copies off all treatments concerning to your back condition. This would include rehab, emergency room visits, etc. The more information the better.

Second. If you have missed any work because of yourr back, see if your employer can give you any attendance records that show you have missed work over the last 12 months.

Third. Get personal statements from people that have known you over the time that you got out of the Military. Ask them to be honest in what you have been limited to because of your back condition. The more and more detailed, the better.

Fourth. Do you have any conditions of numbness, cramping, loss of reflexes in either legs or feet. They can be connected to your lower back condition if you do.

Fifth. Do you have depression because of your back condition? If you do, it can be interpretered as service connected. You do not have to have been diagnosed by a doctor to be able to claim this.

Last, do not take no for an answer. Research the rating schedules and get what you deserve. No one will ever understand the pain you go through on a daily basis because people can not see an injury in your back.

Hey Contin, thanks for the info. Let me see if I can clarify some of this.

- First, I have copies of everything.

- Second, I have access to all my timecards. Do I need the company to sign off on anything? My leave and my sick are one category, so I would have to determine each individual day on them.

- Third, I never thought of this. Do statements from friends and co-workers really have any weight?

- Fourth, the only pain not centrally located around my back was that one weekend while I was in the hospital.

- Fifth, I really wouldn't know where to begin to target the cause of any depression. Whether it be that my girlfriend is working severe overtime and I'm not getting any for weeks at a time to feeling like a fat sow (I'm only about 10lbs overweight) because I can't exercise for long periods of time, if at all...

- Last, I never take no for answer if it is something I believe in. My only issue with this is that for all of my life, I have worked for everything and earned everything I have. I do not believe in 'milking' a system and I rarely complain when I have to suck it up because of others... That being said, how do you really know what your pain is worth. I have trouble with flexibility, missing a few days of work over the past 10-13 yrs, pain (3-6 out of 10) just about everyday, but I am still living and the only physical requirement of my job is being able to walk 1/4 mile from the parking lot to the bldg.

Anyway, thanks for the info Contin! I am definitely going to look into all of this!

[Limping-noob]

Hi & Welcome-

as far as your claim goes....do you know the 3 places where the VA is waiting on your medical records from? those should have been sent in with your claim. you need to get copies of all of that ASAP and send in the pertinent info yourself (certified, return receipt requested, mail).

otherwise, the VA will claim that they never received these records and might deny your claim.

Thanks Purp! Just called VA today. They verified they have 2 of the 3. I submitted the claim first, then sent in the medical release forms afterwards.

[Permissions?]

It is happening sporadically... I'll click on a link and get a "Sorry, you do not have permission to reply to that topic" error. Am I not a member?!?!? I registered and posted an introduction... Pls help!

[Limping-noob]

Hey everyone, an old childhood friend of mine works for the VA in West Va and told me about this site. I have been registered for almost a week now and have found some great stuff here. If only I knew about this site 10 yrs ago.

I herniated my L4/L5 back in Jan 1996 while on AD. I gutted out my remainding 3 yrs and VA granted me a SC-10% within a month of ETSing. I went for an immediate rebuttal, but was denied. Ok, being uneducated (VA-wise), I left it at that and went on with my life. Well, I've been out since 1999 and I am still having problems. I've been through rehab, cortizone shots, epidural steroid shots, electric stimulus, etc... Last MRI showed arthritis and what my doc called "moderate to severe degenerative disc disease." I've had numerous days when it has been hard to walk, or I can't stand straight up for a some time, or I have to take an extra 20-30 minutes just to be able to roll out of bed, but, last September, I had my most frightening experience... I felt a sharp pinch and hit the floor with intense spasming. I was on the floor for 8 hours before my girlfriend talked me into letting her call the EMTs. so, I spent the next 30+ hours in the hospital unable to put any weight on my legs due to the pain in my back. Then my buddy told me to go back to VA.

Back to present-day... I have filed my 21-4138 (Feb '09) and I had my initial C&P exam. I was in a lot of pain that particular day, so I am kind of hoping that worked to my advantage. I called the other day and was told VA is waiting on my medical records from 3 different places, then it is off to the review board.

Anyway, if anyone has any guidance, tips, helpful information.... anything! Feel free to bombard my email or message boards. I will try to help anyone I can as well!