Activedutysoldier....please Help Me

[topsecret1120]

I was injured in Iraq the in 2003...since I have went thru lots of treatment....I had phisical theropy, electric some-thing, chropractor, Spinal injections, root sleeve and have seen a neuro surgeon, had 3 MRI's....the MRI's say

1. T5-6, T6-7, T8-9, are herniated

it says....the worst is T8/9 it is the greatest...it says the protrusion effacesthe thecal sac anteriorly and abuts the thoracic cord.

2. L4-5, and L5-S have broad based disc bulge with no significant canal or foraminal stenosis apperciated on either...

I have tried to tough this thing out...but at first it was alot of pain with some down my left leg....and after alot of injections I even deployed back to Iraq for a second tour...

Now I have been feeling lots of pain in my chest....like a heart attack....

I am asking for some quality advice...

This injury hurts all day every day...now you add my chest...hip and leg hurts...

I just don't know what they are gonna give me for benifits...and I just had my 1st baby...

I JUST WANNA GET A GOOD % , BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE I AM FALLING APART....I HAVE 11 YRS IN SERVICE AND I AM A SFC (E7)....

ANY ADVICE????????????????

[Hoppy]

Call 911 for the chect pain. NOW

Concern yourself with the treatment and how you can get the pain to go away. Benefits are an issue you can deal with at anytime. Deal with the pain now.

It is really hard to give advise until you get some type of preliminary decision. I have been helping a veteran who is being processed out and he was given a preliminary decision and the right to submit additional evidence prior to the final determination.

[LOA]

I agree with Hoppy get treatment now for your chest pain. Congrad on the new baby. think about it and get treatment now. While you are still on active duty insist that the Army doctors sent you to whatever specialist you need to see (neuro, heart, rheumatologist, and even psychologist) whatever it takes to get a correct diagnosis and treatment. I know is hard some times as a SFC but it is time you put yourself first and get the treatment. Ask for a nerve test for the pain in your legs to see if you have nerve damage. I wrote psych-- although it is hard ask to see one. Chronic pain causes other issues, the psychologist will help you through these as you get treatment. Do not let your pride stand in the way.

I am telling you this because I understand. I am also a SFC on active duty. I was in a car accident 10 years ago and have gone through all the treatments you have listed. I was getting fustrated, but I now have a good PCM who took all the issues into consideration together and seperately. I ended up have a disc replacement and have fibromyalgia and nerve damage. I could hardly move, Getting in and out of the car was a task, could not walk up stairs but after about 2 months of a combination (cocktail) of medicines I am better. I still have some pain but nothing compared to what you are feeling now or I was feeling. There is hope do not give up, If I am correct you are too young and have a lifetime of playing with your child/children.

[Hoppy]

i came bank to add some to my post anf LOA added it for me. I have had l5-s1 and c4-c5 problems for decades. There have been months and even a period ocer a year where the pain was really high. I would go to trhe VA and beg them to operate because I was wasting to much of my life waiting for it to go away. Yet with conservative treatment and physical therapy at the VAMC the pain would go away. I am 59. I have back pain every day. Yet the levels are so low now I can play golf and hit a driver 300 yards.

[rdawg]

300yds...thats kids play. I hit my G2 at least 320- sometimes 350.

topsecret -- Are you taking a lot of nsaids? The chect pain could be acid reflux. I went to the er wit the same symptoms. They put me thru the ringer and finally said acid reflux. The muscles surroundin the esouphagus were spasming from severe acid relux. Also, the discs in your neck could be degenerating like the ones in your lumbar and thorasic area. Or, you are sore because you changed the way you walk due to back pain.

You have a baby on the way. If you want to be able to pick her up when she's 5 you better get this taken care of now.

Edited March 7, 2008 by rdawg

[71M10]

As others before have said get the chest pain looked at by a professional. I have 4 bulging discs in my thoracic spine that are contacting the cord and they do cause a burning sensation in my chest low just above the diapragm. Once they rule out heart/lung problem it is probably a sensation you will need to learn to live with (careful balance of meds and tolerance). Ultimately your back disability will be rated on range of motion and residuals due to nerve damage/impingements. It is on the residuals that you really need to remind VA about the rules.

If making it to retirement is a primary concern I would look for a good osteopath that has a specialization in manipulative medicine. They will be able to set you up with a superior program on rehabing your back.

Enjoy the sprout (aka Kid) and thank you for your service.

Best regards,

Tyler

[rentalguy1]

The chest pain is most likely coming from the T-spine herniations. Spinal injury/disease at this level can lead to death if not cared for properly. The nerve roots in the upper thoracic spine control brain inputs into all of the major cardiovascular organs. I agree with everyone else. See a doctor immediately if you are having chest pains. They could be something as mild as acid reflux from NSAID's, or it could be a heart attack, or something in between.

The leg neuropathy comes from the lumbar herniations/bulges. Your sciatic nerve is probably pinched, due to the swelling in your spine. Sometimes it will be worse than others, of course. The best thing to do for this is rest, ice/heat, and NSAID's.

For the rating, you will most definately be rated under dx code 5243, IVDS. It is rated on either incapacitating episodes, or based on ranges of motion. Since your still on active duty, I doubt seriously if you have enough incapacitating episodes to get you a very high rating. You're most likely going to get rated based on range of motion. The problem is that they combine spinal segments, and you would be rated based on ROM of the "thoracolumbar" spine. The best thing for you do to is look at the rating criteria and familiarize yourself with the exam worksheets. Also, don't forget to file claims for any secondary conditions you might have. For the spine, they are nerve neuropathy, bladder/bowel incontinence, and depression to name a few.

38 CFR 4.71a (spine ratings, etc.)

38 CFR 4 Schedule for rating disabilities

C&P exam worksheets