My Monster

Finally got my C&P for what was just going to be for my deferred Migraines secondary to my SC'd Neck. Nope, it was for migraines, PN, and radiculopathy. I looked like a walking train wreck. SC Lumbar back has been killing me causing my leg to give out so there I am with a cane, I have my shades on due to a migraine starting to come on. Finally get seen, they note gross weight loss and my hobbling along. So we finally get to the migraine part of the exam, the examiner states she only sees my surgeon's notes and asked what he had to say about the headaches and the nerve damage. I told her he referred me to a neurologist and they both said that due to the damage in the neck and the length of time the nerves were pinched off that the damage was more than likely permanent. That the cervicogenic headaches/migraines from the neck surgery wouldn't improve and that we've tried 3 different meds to no avail either they work too slow or the rebounds are twice as severe. She said she didn't see any of the neurologists notes, showed me the file that the VA sent. I pointed out that I recognized the format and logo of my neurologists report, told her the referrering Dr was on the right and the neuro's name was on the left. That is would have how many, how long, how it impacts my life and how it is tied to my neck surgery. then the light bulb went off above her head. Holy smokes. I tried hard not to be short with her. She asked to see the meds I'm currently on. Some for tremors in right hand, some to try and prevent the headaches, something new for the migraines and then she saw the valium and asked why I was on it. Tried to explain that the flexeral wasn't working to relax the neck and shoulder muscles and they noticed I was a bit on the anxious side so they were trying the valium for a bit. I told her my head was thumping and just wanted to go home and lie down.... Next thing I know, I get a call from my local Out Patient Clinic for a MH appointment with a Psychiatrist. I had appointments last year and like an idiot blew them off. I have denied claims at the DRO for MDD and GAD currently. Just not sure what the hell to do at this point other than make sure I go to this appointment. Monster

Thanks Hoppy! The Neurologist cracked me up. He took a jab at Neurosurgeons, saying yup they "fix" your neck but send you to us when they can't figure out why you are still having pain. LOL You're right there is nothing in my SMR about headaches, I never associated them with my neck. I always thought it was sinuses, dehydration or tension headaches. The VA made no mention what so ever about the radiculopathy claim despite several surgeon notes stating it. Maybe I need to resend those reports with the radiculopathy part highlighted for them?

Nope. The legs and feet for me are caused by my lower back, lots of arthritis there. Not much fun.

I'm rated at 20% for cervical DDD at C5-6-7. I had put in a claim for Migraines and Radiculopathy bilaterally at the same time. No mention of radiculopathy in the decision letter or SOC and the Migraines were deferred. For the Radiculopathy Claim will the following help my case? The Surgical Notes following my fusion state "POST OP DIAGNOSIS: Cervical radiculopathy with cervical degenerative joint and disc disease." It goes on stating levels C5-6-7. 3 months after the Fusion, the surgeon set me up for an EMG/NCS. The notes from that state "Radiculopathic process affection the left lower cervical spinal root levels (C8/T1). Evidence is consistent with pathology that demonstrates acute axonal denervation and is preganglionic in nature. I also sent in an EMG/NCS from last June stating the same results but bilaterally in both my arms and legs. For the deferred Migraine Claim will this help move the claim along? I've read the rating criteria and I'm not sure where this would fall. Neurologist Notes: Improved tremor with popranolol. Head aches not improved, migraines 3 per week. May awaken with headache. May or may no have neck ache first, sometimes head aches start from top down, in the crown. Postive nausea, feels tense, sensitive to noise and light. Experiences visual auras, sparkling white lights prior to onset of migraine. Sleeping somewhat better, but may have problems falling asleep. Sleep is interrupted, may have problems falling back asleep. Reports that migraines significantly worsened after his neck surgery Sept of 2010. When he has full migraine, he has to stop all of his activities, and lie down in a dark, quiet room. This significantly impacts his ability to interact with his family. Assesment: 1. Essential tremor, improved 2. Migraines, non-responsive 3. Sleep disturbances 4. Cerivogenic headaches which may lead into a migraine. I still have quite a few NODs awaiting a DRO. Who knows when those will get looked at. Any input would be appreciated! Monster

no updates from the VA. I finally got in to see a neurologist this week, he diagnosed me with migraines and prescribed Mazalt and Propranol. He said they were tied to my neck issues and not surprised that they have gotten worse since my surgery. I will swing by tomorrow and see how his report is written up, hopefully it is enough to swing the deferred status of my claim to an award. The migraines hit once or twice a week and luckily don't last but a few hours. He did give me more ammo for my CTS claim that the VA denied last summer, I still need to file a CUE for an EED of my retirement date. Monster

Oh YES!!! I was lucky enough to get those tests done twice. Fun aren't they? Abnormal results for me...surgeon says PN, but I am not an alcoholic, nor a diabetic so who know's...I've got an appointment with a neurologist coming up to figure out what the hell is going on now. Monster

Update time. I was awarded 20% for Cervical DDD with an effective date of April 2010 instead of my retirement date of August 2009. Over all rating of 50%. Migraines secondary to claim is deferred for further development, absolutely no mention of my Cervical Radiculopathy claim despite the EMG/NCV report I sent them in July or the terrible tremors I had during my C&P exam in Oct. The surgeon has since sent me for another round of X-rays, MRIs, and the lovely EMG/NCV due to my headaches increasing in duration, frequency, and severeity, my tremors still present, numbness in my hands still present, pain in my wrists, elbows, shoulders and some balance issues. The hardware is set perfectly, the MRI looked "okay", the EMG/NCV report states: 1. radiculopathic process of the lower cervical spinal roots at C8/T1. Acute axonal denervation is preganglionic. 2. concomitant mild compressive neuropathic process affecting the right median nerve at or about the wrist (carpal tunnel). Pathology affects both sensory and motor fibers and consists predominantly of demylelination. No idea what the above means, I have an appointment with the surgeon tomorrow to discuss that. He did tell me after the fusion of C5-6-7 that I could have issues below those levels. SSDI is waiting on the doc's notes to make a determination. I was a little peeved he hasn't sent the notes in yet, however I think the latest EMG/NCV test will help with the SSDI claim. I think the only area I don't have the dreaded arthritis in my nose and that is only due to it being cartilage. LOL Any advice/comments? Monster

Looks like some of the retro will hit tomorrow. It appears to be about half of what I thought it would be. I think the VA only backdated it to June 2010 instead of my retirement date of Sept 2009. I wonder how long it will take DFAS to pony up their part of this? Time will tell, but in all it looks like Christmas is saved!!! Monster

Thank you all! I have been checking the account...LOL, if I forget the Mrs. reminds me.

The DAV letter said...20% for Cervical DDD. I had C5-6-7 fused in Sept. I am deferred on my claims for bilateral radiculopathy and migraines that I had claimed at the same time. If there is a silver lining, I am now at 50% and that should be back dated to my Sept 2009 retirement date. My fingers are crossed that it will hit before Christmas! I haven't received any paperwork from the VA yet on this rating so we shall see. Still waiting to see if SSDI will be granted as well. Monster

Thanks Basser! The surgeon, my PT, and neurologist said the same things about recovery that some of this just isn't going to go away. I just couldn't delay it any longer plus I got some really cool titanium parts. LOL I have a copy of the OR report and will be sending it off to the VA. The surgeon said the injuries and nerve compression looked like they have been around for a good while and asked why I never had them looked at before I got out. I never put 2 and 2 together until it got real bad and my PT asked a whole lot of questions and connected the dots for me as far as how the different headaches, tremors, shooting pains, spasms etc all were caused by my neck. I had a hard time getting my head wrapped around all that and the prospects of it not getting any better. The wife pushed real hard to get me to consent to the surgery, she's been great through the whole thing and is a lot less stressed now.

I was trying to put off my surgery until after my C&P for my neck but my symptoms were getting worse and the surgeon advised getting it done ASAP. Figures my notice for the C&P shows up days before I go in to get 3 vertebraes fused. Surgery went well, Doc told my wife and I that it was much worse than the MRI's were showing and that it was a damn good thing that I had it done when I did. That was 3 weeks ago, most of my symptoms are still present and a little worse than before but I am having an easier time telling the difference between hot and cold with my hands. Some of the pain in my right shoulder is gone but now I have the sharp pains in my left. My C&P for my neck and radiculopathy was today and seemed to have gone well. The examiner went over the questions in great detail, actually measured my ROMs ( no more than about 5 degrees in any direction ), noted the tremors in my hands, the pin prick test up and down my arms, noted the headaches, the muscle spasms, and of course how that all impacts my daily life. At the end of the exam he goes over exactly what he typed into the computer, that it was "at least as likely as not", and that he didn't really see much in my medical record pointing to any one traumatic event to cause the severity of my arthritis but that there is no way it happened in the year since I retired. So sounds like this might be a "win" for me. I am currently at 40% not sure where this will put me or how long it will take the VA to make a determination on whether or not they feel it is SC. Fingers crossed. I wonder how the radiculopathy will be rated, it is bilateral, and I already sent the EMG results to the VA (TRICARE doc did the test in June)? Will the fact that I had the surgery 3 weeks ago factor into the decision? Monster

UPDATE: I had my consult with the neurosurgeon I wanted. Looks like I am going to have my C5-6-7 fused. Radiculopathy issues at the C-5 level and at the L4-5 level. I have a claim in with the VA for my neck, hopefully I'll hear something soon on that. I sent the VA all of my PT, Neuro, and radiologist reports, for my neck, you would think that would be enough for them but I am still waiting for them to schedule a C7P exam...

Congrats Cowgirl...