Spine Claim Questions

[rdnkjeeper]

I am new here and been reading information on this site for the last couple of days. There is so much information here that it has made my head spin. A little history so maybe someone can help me ask for the right things. I hit a towel bar in the military on my middle back and a few days later I was playing racketball and jumped to get the ball and went numb from my chest down. Spent three days on bedrest. I do have all the records supporting this. These injuries occured a few months before getting out. The Dr at my final physical told me to keep my mouth shut about my back, until I get got out and then put in a claim with the VA.

I got out and put a claim in with the VA, it took them about a year and service connected my middle back with chronic muscle spasms. I have been complaining about my back for years, but the VA didn't want to do anything. I opened a claim in June about connecting my lower back. I started noticing shooting pains down both legs for about a year before opening a claim. The VA got a new Dr at the clinic I go to. He said he reviewed my records and found that I have had back issues for years and what did any Dr say was wrong with my back. I told him muscle spasms....he then asked if I had had an MRI, told him no. He was shocked and order one right away.

The MRI showed that I have......(will type in the report and maybe someone will help me decode it)

Finding:

Thoracic spine: There is preservation of vertebral body height and alighment throughout the thoracic spine. The bone marrow signal is unremarkable. The thoracic cord demonstrates normal caliber and signal. There is a prominent central disc herniation at T9/T10 resulting in a mild indentation of the cord at this level. There is also a disc herniation, asymmetric to the right resulting in narrowing of the right portion of the thecal sac at T3/T4. Disc bulges are also present at T4/T5, T7/T8, T8/T9, and T11/T12.

Lumbar spine: There is preservation of vertebral body height and alignment throughout the lumbar spine. The bone marrwow signal is unremarkable. There is a loss of T2 signal within the L4/L5 and the space height at L5/S1. There is a focus of increased T2 signal within the posterior aspect of the L5/S1 disc compatible with annular tear. The conus ends at L1. No abnormal conal signal is present.

The L1/L2 and L2/L3 levels were not image in the axial plane but appear unremarkable on sagittal images.

L3/L4: There is a diffuse posterior disc bulge with bilateral facet hypertrophy in mild to moderate central canal and mild bilateral neural foraminal stenosis.

L4/L5: There is a left posterolateral disc herniation resulting in mild narrowing of the left lateral recess and mild left neural foraminal stenosis.

L5/S1: There is a central disc herniation resulting in mild central canal stenosis.

Impression:

Multilevel degenerative changes are present as described within the thoracic and lumbar spine.

Like I said my head is spinning so any help anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated. I plan on waiting until this claim is done then opening another or appealing depending on what happens. Sorry for such a long post, but I also need to know what to ask for. I don't know what I am entitled to. They are pushing for surgery on the T9/T10 one right now. I am really nervous because I am the only bread winner in my house and if I can't work after the surgery what am I going to do? I have not decided if I am going to have surgery or not, but it is getting harder and harder to make it through a shift at work.

Thanks everyone.

[hollywoodnc]

I kind of stole or checked out a 1971 X-RAY ( it was still there ) of my lower back at the VA in about 1990 .I had it read by my local doctor and a radioligist(sp). I had the claim open and a personal hearing coming up.Long story short it was connected at 40 % because the hospital didnt care for the STRAIN as they called it and it deteroiated over the years due to there inattentiveness. Then later a mri verified the damage.

BUT IF YOU CAN GET THE ORIGINAL X-RAYS-JUST CHECK THEM OUT AND KINDA WALK OUT WITH THEM. Have your doctor look at them. Usually the VA destroys them after a few years.

The va got mine back -but I had the local hospital make me full copys-when they found out they were for VA claim THEY DID IT FOR FREE===

STEVE & PAT

Ooo...I'm telling!!! :D

I STEAL my x-rays all the time! I have x-rays dealing with conditions that I've had since 1974! hahaha

It's not considered stealing if they were paid for. Where do people get off by saying that when I check out x-rays... "They must be returned"!

Yeah...RIGHT! B)

[hollywoodnc]

One of the Doctors that I see says that the urinary frequency and IBS is due to my lower back IVDS. I thought it was due to a perforated appendectomy and a cholecystectomy 2 years later. If it's true, then the urinary frequency and IBS are secondary to IVDS.

Originally I thought I would get 20% for IVDS alone. And 40% for the urinary frequency and 30% for IBS would be by themselves. But now, will they be grouped? 20+40+30=90???? did I do it right?

How much does anyone want to bet that, PE1 at one time went to a VA doctor, and when PE1 mentioned Frequent Urination, the VA doctor claimed it was related to Prostate issues?

Look...I may be wrong, but did any VA doctor claim or even say that it may be related to an enlarged prostate? I wouldn't be surprised if at least ONE did.

I have lost ALL faith in DVA doctors. Some of these imbeciles at these hospitals/clinics cannot diagnose a hangnail!

My belief is that if you attend Medical school, that's with the intent that you plan on going into your own, or at least shared practice...not become a doctor on a Gov't payroll.

Most VA 'Doctors' are glorified interns, at best.

[SFCTRUCKDRIVER]

funny about the hang nail, my wife is a beautician, so I am gonna tell her to get a job at the VA as a Dr. LOL. You guys are right on about the records, Funny that the medical records are kept there and they dont let the vet maintain them.... You would think they would make a copy digitally and give the vet THEIR original back. I like the idea the company had about installing microchips in everyone and putting their medical history on it, I would do it rather than dig for stuff or expect the VA to have things they dont.

I feel it is simply a way to keep from paying a vet.....

[rentalguy1]

PE1..those disabilities are most likely secondary to the IVDS, but the would combine as normal. Off the top of my head I came up with 70% for those three disabilities.

[rdnkjeeper]

The wife and I are preparing for my appointment with the specialist (no we don't know when yet, but want to be prepared). One of the things we did was create a list of symptoms. I am sure there are others, but some of my symptoms come and go. What do you all think.

Most problems have been here since at least 2000.

1. Sleep problems

2. Depression/stressing

3. Moody

4. Chronic pain-shoulders, elbows, hands, hips, knees, heals

5. Shooting pains down legs and arms

6. Need to shift activity

7. Stabbing pains in upper and lower back (shoulder blades and buttocks)

8. Urge of bowel movements when straining and lifting

9. Pain while twisting

10. Feel popping in right hip

11. Lack of stamina

12. Arches appear collapsed/collapsing

13. Lack of sex drive

14. Bending hurts with a small loss of movement.

15. Difficulty walking with weight on my feet....more than just shoes.

I should have started this stuff a while ago.....at least things are moving. I put in a request to find out where my current claim is using IRIS, I have started the process to see a specialist. A lot of stuff depends on the VA. But hopefully things will move along quickly.

[PE1]

66% rounded up to 70% correct?

And the Dr is a Dr at the active duty clinic.