Pending Dro Hearing With New Diagnosis

[slphelan]

Good evening. I need a little help in research.

I was granted a service connection for my right ankle achille's tendonitis 10 % and Facial Scars 0%. I have 4 other items on appeal (Migraine headaches, IBS, Lumbar Strain, and Left ankle instability secondary to sprains) and I am preparing for a DRO hearing for those conditions. I have good medical opinions for these claims to provide a nexus for service connection.

In the interim I have been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis of Bilateral Hips and the Cervical Spine with radiculopathy. I will post my MRI of the Lumbar and C-spine below. Currently treated at the Tampa VAMC for all conditions and my Regional Office is at the Bay Pines VAMC.

My Lumbar Spine MRI confirmed Degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease Cervical Spondolysis. Left posterolateral annular fissure and small protrusion of L3-L4; L5-S1 spondylitis bulge and left paracentral protrusion that may impinge on s1 nerve. Bilateral frontal encroachment on L5 nerves, and clinical correlation suggested. Suspected Filum terminale lipoma.

C-spine MRI # 1 revealed: Moderate multilevel degenerative change with compromise of the ventral subarachnoid space and neural, and encroachment on the spinal cord. Disc osteophyte complex C3-C4, C4-C5, and C5-C6. C6-C& bony spurring and broad central protrusion.

C-Spine MRI # 2 revealed: The patient has a congenitally narrow cervical canal secondary to short pedicles throughout the cervical spine. Stable multilevel disc disease is seen from C3-4 through C6-7 as described earlier. There is evidence of canal and foraminal stenoisis without significant interval change. The MRI signal within the cervical cord is normal. There is no evidence of intradural mass lesion or cervical cord edema or myelomalacia. Intervetebral discs and motion segments: C2-3 and C3-4: The C2-3 disc level is unremarkable. At C3-4 there is a broad bulge touching but not compressing the ventral cord. There is bilateral foraminal narrowing secondary to uncovetebral joint hypertrophy. C4-5 and C5-6: At C4-5 there is a broad disc bulge with asymmetric spondylitic protrusion and osteophyte complex to the right causing indentation of the ventral portin right lateral recess stenosis. There is marked compression of the right C5 nerve root and moderate canal stenosis. At C5-6 there is a broad disc bulge indenting the ventral cord with moderate canal stenosis. C6-7 There is a broad spondylitic disc bulge and osteophyte complex causing ventral indentation of the cord and mild to moderate canal stenosis.

My questions are:

I had no service injury disease for my Cervical or the Osteoarthritis of my hips: Other than 22 years of repetitive trauma in service. I did have multiple injuries to my lumbar spine but on initial submission was denied a service connection.

1. Would I file these as secondary to my Right ankle instability for which I have a service connection?

2. Should I wait until after the DRO hearing to see if I am granted service connection for my back strain?

3. Is there any research that will show a nexus to ankle, hip, lumbar, and cervical degeneration?

4. Do the neck and back qualify for Intevetebral disc syndrome?

5. What would be the appropriate way to file for service connection since I have been granted one and have a DRO hearing pending?

[slphelan]

One very simple question to ask.

When did you get out?

If the VA/VAMC has found these things within the first year it will simplify the issue of service connection.

Since arthritis is a chronic disease if it is diagnosed or you can prove conclusively that you had it within the first post year it is direct service connection not secondary.

Best regards,

Tyler

I got out active in 1995 and Retired from the USAR in 1999. Not presumptive within the first year post discharge.