**********please Help*********************

[SSGmajik]

I am new to this please bare with me. I know I posted this message once, but I am trying to find some more help. I am currently service connected at 50% for a multiple of spinal conditions I will list below. If anyone can help me I would appreciate it. I am cuurently in for an increase, but have no idea if I will get one or not. My 50% is rated as 40% lower back mobility and 10% for neck mobility. I filed for an increase for everything below.

1.)Nerve damage in my lower back caused chronic radiating pain down through my right leg and foot; as a result, the muscles in these locations have deteriorated. Occasionally, I get the same pain in my left leg.

2.)Degenerative Disc Disease (Moderate to severe grade) has developed in both my cervical and lumbar levels of spine.

3.)Migraines that occur at least one every seven days due to the chronic pain and the difficulty to sleep. When I roll over at night, I experience intense radiating pain which contributes to the severity of the migraines.

4.)Spondylolisthesis/retrolisthesis (segmental instability) in my Lumbar and Cervical (Moderate to severe grade) spine has caused stiffness and pain, making it very difficult to move around.

5.)Scar from the microdiscectomy surgery approximately three inches in length and is sensitive to touch.

6.)Osteophytes and/or Bone-spurs in my Cervical and Lumbar spine (Moderate to severe grade) causing stiffness, pain, and risks further damage to the spine.

7.)Scoliosis also causes stiffness and pain.

8.)Bulging discs in my Cervical and Lumbar spine contributes to the severe radiating pain.

9.)Spinal Stenosis in my Cervical and Lumbar spine (Moderate to severe grade) which contributes to the severe radiating pain, stiffness, and numbness, in the right leg and foot.

10.)Facet arthropathy (Moderate to severe grade) in my Cervical and Lumbar spine and is contributing to the severe pain in my neck and lower back.

Thanks,

SSGmajik

[Tbird]

well this thread seems to be a hot button for a lot of folks.

would someone post the 38CFr law and the requirements for filling a claim for disability compensation, just point us to the law and then we will all know.

we don't want to give bad advice here, nor do we want to let our hot buttons get pushed, disagreeing with each other is one thing, and disagreements about the law can easily be settled by just referencing the law.

also it serves no one to put down another poster, i believe we can all use a more professional tone with each other when we disagree, and like i said if it's about the law just post the law.

tbird

[allan]

I would like to add that "MOOD SWINGS" is bipolar disorder.

If your not being properly treated for bipolar, your life will suffer.

I was simply told I had mood swings & never told exaxtly what that meant, nor treated for it for over a decade.

Without a diagnoses for "Chronic Pain Disorder" on record, it's highly unlikely your claim will be aproved. You need a current diagnoses, an illness or injury in service and a nexus connecting the two. The advice you've been given to have a complete claim before filing is very, very good advice. If it's not, it could take decades before it's approved.

It must be the heat. Seems like we've been biting each other alot lately. Im just as guilty & apologize to the boards members.

We are here to give what we can so others can get some of what they deserve from the VA. Not a place to chew on each other.

This heat sure doesn't help.

Lets all try to find patience with one another.

Edited August 6, 2008 by allan

[SSGmajik]

Thanks again to all. If it was not for HADIT I would be lost in the "paper trail" trying to get things accopmplished at the VA. I am far from done, but hadit has given me knowledge to help continue moving forward on my claim.

Thanks,

SSGmajik