Ivds/ddd And Spinal Fusion? Post-op

[Quint7]

Hi all, I'm almost 3 weeks post-op for a L4-5 spinal fusion (feel better than in 10 years!) and I am about 5 weeks post DRO hearing seeking SC for IVDS/DDD.

My question is, if I ever get another exam (as the DRO hearing officer said she wanted me to have), should I make a point of the fact that although I NOW have a spinal fusion at one level (L4-5), I STILL have IVDS/DDD at the next level down (L5-S1) and therefore should be service connected for BOTH. Not compensated, but SC. I don't think that now I will have any ratable issues from the IVDS/DDD in the short term other than surgery induced limited range of motion, and I'm pretty sure that a spinal fusion is an automatic 40%.

My issue is that the effects of IVDS/DDD don't go away, the fusion will put stress on the next level higher and therefore I want the VA to list me as SC for BOTH IVDS/DDD and the Fusion that resulted from it.

Any thoughts? I know seeking comp. for both at this time would be pyramiding..... or at least I think it would.

Thanks!

[mike/3/8/cav]

Not rated on that yet. I have just started this adventure and have had 3 exams since last year. The last exam was last week and the Neour doc just asked how my headaches were. I said the same if not worse and tried to explain that they may be caused from my neck problems caused from falling off of into and around armored vehicles. I don't know what he typed into my file or even if he understood what I was explaining to him, so I will wait and see what happens in the next few months. Sorry I could'nt be of much help. I am still a rookie at this but you all are making me smarter daily. Thanks to all you troops.

[Quint7]

Mike, I hear ya! I was an Amtracer in the Corps (A floating Bradley) and I hit a ship at 30+ mph driving while disembarking into the ocean, backed into a 12 foot bunker going into Kuwait, was one of the "big guys" that was always expected to be the first one to grab the tow bar (which, foolishly, I used to drag around by myself) so I totally know what you did. They VA people have NO CLUE! I spelled out all kinda stuff we did, explained how big the tools, parts, guns, etc. were and even submitted pics including of a similar bunker and me standing next to the Trac on the beach with the damage right next to me. They didn't care about any of it.

I was hoping that the DRO would have some questions, etc. Nah..... she just wanted to get outta there and my service rep was clueless and all hung up on pleases and thank you's for "the record".

[SFCTRUCKDRIVER]

I never even knew this fusion thing existed, then 5-10 people in my unit all got it done within a year LOL...

I think Cervical disc problems is a trucker problem or must be and not proven yet.

but the fusion did help ease the pain and burning in my hands alot.

[mike/3/8/cav]

you make me laugh, brings back memories. I would like them to take out a tankers tool bag and do some real work. Maybe then they would get it. We used to have faux olymic games with the sledg hammer throw, javelin using tankers bar and stuff. Fun then but hurts now.

[rentalguy1]

pffftttt...you tankers think you had it rough. You fellas should have been in aviation! As a helicopter crewchief I had it so rough, you guys just wouldn't understand. Those 10-200lbs/in torque wrenches are heavy, and the hand controls on the overhead cranes would give you blisters if you weren't careful... :D

[Quint7]

I know. Our big thing with new kids was "sledge qualification". They first had to take a sledge and at full arms length lower it slowly til the head touched their nose and then back up, all with the one arm and without dropping it. Then we told em they had to flatten a penny. You'd put a penny down, take their cover off and blindfold em and tell em to whale away. The whole time they were destroying their cover, which they were made to wear the rest of the day. I agree... fun, but man are we gonna pay in the long term. Hell, we never even sat down when we drove unless we were buttoned up. Standing while trying to use the gas pedal and going offroad..... just sounds stupid now.