Question About Ddd In My Lower Back.

[sawgunner]

If my civi doctor orders me to not lift anything in excess of 25 lbs,but I have ot had surgery, what kind of ratiing can I expect on my back?

[mags1023]

Sounds like a great plan. You are doing exactly what you need to do to get your claim through the VA BS. Good luck!

[sawgunner]

Thanks....

It's good to hear that I may be on the right path!

I am also getting family and friends to include my mother and sister to write letters stating how they have observed the changes in me over the years sence I was first injured.

I went to a chiropractor who advised me that the pain and loss of motion in my neck is realted to my back... But he did not want to write a letter or get invloved in any way.

Should I see another chiropractor in the NP or PT won't write a lietter linking the neck condition to my DDD?

[71M10]

sawgunner,

The finding of scoliosis at Eustis is positive for your argument. Scoliosis causes many people to tilt thier pelvis as a compensating action, this could be excaburating the leg problem as it could increase the length discrepancy between your limbs. You have to watch out for the "scoliosis is Congenital" BS they sometimes throw up. If you entered service at a young age your spine was not yet fully developed and any scoliosis during service would then be more environmental than congenital.

If you have scoliosis and it is recognized as service connected use that as an argument on your cervical spine. Since under "painful motion" malalignment is entitled to at least the minimum rating for the joint. Scoliosis creates a malaligned spine that puts abnormal stress on all other segements.

I am currently waiting for a DRO decision on Cervical Spine secondary to throaco-lumbar(kyphoscoliosis). Then I will be starting back in on them for the nuerological deficits.

Best regards,

Tyler

Edited May 12, 2009 by 71M10

[luvHIM]

The VARO loves to low ball vets on their spine ratings. You will probably get 100% for a short period time, then 10-20% there after. **Also, be aware of the "bedrest" requirement they use for IVDS, which is bull. I've have yet to see a physician prescribe it. The Dr. will want you up and about. Some Drs. recommend physical therapy and many just recommend walk, walk, walk. Bedrest is just not a common prescription for recovery----and I believe the VA knew that, the rating code sucks because of that requirement. The older rating criteria was much more fair and accurate.

I am in agreement with this poster's comments. It is NOT a prescribed therapy method...but you can get your doctor(s) to annotate in your records that you have had a flare up requiring inactivity. That seemed to work in my case. Best regards.

[sawgunner]

My hips are offset by more than an inch.. I was originally treated for my hip in AIT back in 1998. I requested xrays but did not get them and was told I had bursitis in my hip.

I now walk with a slight limp that I am sure is a result of my hips being offset.

Chiropractor stated that the DDD is likely caused by my hips being offset. He also stated that the DDD is causing the trouple in my neck. I can only move it so far to the left.

I need to be able to link my hips, back and neck together as they are all related.

I had asked about the rating for DDD becasue I want to have an idea as to what a fair rating would be for everything.

How hard will it be to get a rating on all counts? Hip, Back and Neck?

What is a fair rating percentage? At what rating percentage would you appeal?

At this point... Based on both my mlilitary records and civi records, I tend to think I will get a rating.. But I expected to be shafted in that rating.

What do you guys think?

Thanks a million!!!!

[71M10]

sawgunner,

You will need a strong nexus statement (how it is related to specific medical findings during training or NG service) from a physician (a specialist in the field would be best). Willie 74 directed you to the spine claim repository that will have a lot of what you need.

As for what is a fair rating, VA primarily rates back disabilities on limitation of motion and related neurological manifestations. If they SC you with IVDS they will alternatley rate on prescribed bed rest. They will take the higher of the two. This is a link to a section of the federal regulation that tells you how they rate disbilities. You will have to scroll down until you see ratings of the spine.

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-....26&idno=38

Do you have a copy of your entrance physical examination? Any condition they listed in that prior to service will only be service connected if you prove that your service increased its severity beyond the normal progression of the condition.

I hope this helps.

Tyler

Edited May 13, 2009 by 71M10