Diskectomy In 1989

[81150 CAFB]

First, great to find this site. I had this posted elsewhere,but I didn't know if was in the right place.

My question is regarding my back. In 1989, while in the USAF (1987-1991), I had an L4-L5 diskectomy (right side) and 20 years later I am currently recovering post-op for a micro-laminectomy/diskectomy on the left side along with removal of a bone spur...the imaging (MRI, myleogram w/ C-T scan) also showed additional protrusion on the right at L4-L5 and mild protusion at L5-S1 with possible nerve displacement. The private neurosurgen was only concerned with the l4-l5 issue and only does micro. He said that it would add a couple of hours to the surgery to reconstruct the right side. The only current problem I have on the right side is sciatica flair ups if I sit for extended periods of time and my toes are always insensitive/numb. He didn't want to mess with it since most of my pain was on the left. Should I get a letter from him saying that additional work is probabily needed and that I have DDD or IVDS?

I never filed for a claim when I was discharged in 1991 (why? no idea I guess something you really don't think about when you are 22 and no guidance).

Do I have a chance for a claim? I really haven't missed much work or have seen the doctor for my back in the last 20 years, since it was something you live with until about 4 months ago when the pain became severe and familiar except on the left side this time.

Do they rate you on how you are feeling now (he had surgery and is fine) or do they look at the surgeries as an indication of degeneration (ROM)? I am pretty sure that within 5 to 10 years, I will have additional surgeries...fushion or reconstruction.

Should I wait to see how this surgery effects me i.e does the sciatica pain go away etc...before starting a claim?

Additionally, I had a broken bone removed in my left foot about 5 years ago. I am constantly running into things and ended up breaking a small bone in my left foot that would not heal and had to be removed. Could this be related to my back (balance-gait-foot drop-atrophy)? Is there a test for this?

After reading some of the back pain/spine posts and repository, I'll admit that I am still confused about what compensation I would be entilted to (10%-40%)? I guess

Any help would be appriciated.

[carlie]

81150CAFB,

Welcome to Hadit.

carlie

[jbasser]

First, great to find this site. I had this posted elsewhere,but I didn't know if was in the right place.

My question is regarding my back. In 1989, while in the USAF (1987-1991), I had an L4-L5 diskectomy (right side) and 20 years later I am currently recovering post-op for a micro-laminectomy/diskectomy on the left side along with removal of a bone spur...the imaging (MRI, myleogram w/ C-T scan) also showed additional protrusion on the right at L4-L5 and mild protusion at L5-S1 with possible nerve displacement. The private neurosurgen was only concerned with the l4-l5 issue and only does micro. He said that it would add a couple of hours to the surgery to reconstruct the right side. The only current problem I have on the right side is sciatica flair ups if I sit for extended periods of time and my toes are always insensitive/numb. He didn't want to mess with it since most of my pain was on the left. Should I get a letter from him saying that additional work is probabily needed and that I have DDD or IVDS?

I never filed for a claim when I was discharged in 1991 (why? no idea I guess something you really don't think about when you are 22 and no guidance).

Do I have a chance for a claim? I really haven't missed much work or have seen the doctor for my back in the last 20 years, since it was something you live with until about 4 months ago when the pain became severe and familiar except on the left side this time.

He has probally already said it. You should get a copy of the OR report.

You also need a DOc to relate your current condition to your Fision in 1989.

Most likely it will be traumatic arthritis since it is post fusion with a separate rating for the effected nerves.

But you need to file the claim.

The foot would be considered a far reaching long shot.

J

Do they rate you on how you are feeling now (he had surgery and is fine) or do they look at the surgeries as an indication of degeneration (ROM)? I am pretty sure that within 5 to 10 years, I will have additional surgeries...fushion or reconstruction.

Should I wait to see how this surgery effects me i.e does the sciatica pain go away etc...before starting a claim?

Additionally, I had a broken bone removed in my left foot about 5 years ago. I am constantly running into things and ended up breaking a small bone in my left foot that would not heal and had to be removed. Could this be related to my back (balance-gait-foot drop-atrophy)? Is there a test for this?

After reading some of the back pain/spine posts and repository, I'll admit that I am still confused about what compensation I would be entilted to (10%-40%)? I guess

Any help would be appriciated.

[81150 CAFB]

I am currently working on getting the OR report and the orginal surgery was on the same disk just a different side. Wouldn't this automatically be related -current condition vs old surgery or am I assuming to much. Luckily I didn't have a fusion in 1989 just a big cut diskectomy - I don't know much about traumatic arthritis, I would think it would be degenrative.

Thanks for the welcome.

[jbasser]

The Correlation between in service and post service is not guaranteed. According to the regs you need a Nexus for the conditions as in a medical opinion.

Degenerative arthritis is rated as traumatic arthritis.

J

[sharon]

Yes you can file a claim for your back condition as it is shown in your smrs. You also can file a claim for the scar. You will need a nexus letter for your foot as secondary to the back condition.

[81150 CAFB]

Thank you all for the information. I talked to my doctors office today and they can write me a letter regarding/connecting the herniated disk(s).

I guess my biggest mistake was not filing for a claim when I got out the USAF.

Do I just put herniated disk, sciatica, scar, arthritis (whatever is applicable) on the VA Form and send to them with the SMR's and current medical records or just put back problems (something general) and they decide how to code after looking at records and C&P? I would have never thought of scar or arthritis and that makes me think that I would miss listing/showing something that I would be entitled to...make sense?

After looking around this great site and reading some of the other veterans problems with their backs, I would guess that my claim would be IVDS with range of motion as the rating factor and sciatica/numbness on the right side and who knows on the left, since I am still post-op (one week).

Regarding my left foot - I think it is related to foot drop (my foot drags/catches sometimes when I walk). The broken bone removed was just because when I walk I am "bumbly" and run into chairs, coffee tables etc... I am going to talk to my neurosurgen about foot drop when I see him.

Sorry if these are stupid questions - I just want to make sure that I do everything right before I submit the claim.

[81150 CAFB]

Since I am just over 1 week post -op, do I need to wait a couple of months to file the claim (still waiting on SMR's anyway and post op appointment with nuero) to see how the current sugery takes? I don't think the VA would want me to do a C&P so close to my surgery. Is there a time frame they prefer (6 weeks - 3 months post op)?

I will probably file for IVDS (herniated disk, stenosis, bone spur-arthritis) and sciatica (numbness, tingling & foot drop)

Thanks

81150 CAFB - both extinct

[jbasser]

File the claim now. you should already be service conected since you had the surgury in service.

The latest surgury may increase the rating.

You are costing yourself Money by waiting. EED is the date claimis filed or Enitilement arose whichever is later.

J

[81150 CAFB]

File the claim now. you should already be service conected since you had the surgury in service.

The latest surgury may increase the rating.

You are costing yourself Money by waiting. EED is the date claimis filed or Enitilement arose whichever is later.

J

Thank you. No problem if the schedule a C&P witin a month? I don't want them to discount the rating because I'm still recovering.

I appreciate all of the info on this site. I learn something evertime I look around.

[jbasser]

You should be rated on residuals. Post surgury.

It will depend on your range of motion, and any effected nerve issues.

If you have sciatica then file for your back and also file for the sciatic nerve.

J

[81150 CAFB]

You should be rated on residuals. Post surgury.

It will depend on your range of motion, and any effected nerve issues.

If you have sciatica then file for your back and also file for the sciatic nerve.

J

Thanks for the help!

81150 CAFB

[81150 CAFB]

Does anyone know where I can find a full listing of the ratings based on code? For example scitica code xxxx, IVDS, scar, muscle spasm, hemerroids, etc...? I am trying to figure out what the percentages are based on. I know I have seen it somewhere on the site but can not find it again. Additionally, does the VA automatically rate you as IVDS after looking at your history or do I need my neuro to specifically state in the connection letter with current diagnosis?

Finally got my op report and it looks like they did a little more work then I thought for a micro surgery (large bone spur at S-1 with "generous formontomy(?)" Know wonder why I had a 2-inch+ scar directly over the same one 20 years ago and still in a lot of pain two weeks post-op. Oh well.

Thanks for all of the help.

[jbasser]

38 CFR 38 4.71 schedule of ratings muscoskeletal system. Scroll down to Spine.

Look the other stuff up from the Same page. The Body segements are listed under each heading.

J

Edited September 12, 2009 by jbasser (see edit history)

[Berta]

You could be eligible for 100% Temp Comp for convalescence. Those regs too are here at hadit- But this depends on getting it all service connected first-

I believe there is a time limit on temp convalescent appls- maybe best to claim that with your formal SC claim.

Make sure you access the topic I wrote called Getting an Independent Medical Opinion. Available under search.

If a IMO doctor doesnt follow this criteria- as to making the nexus statement with full medical rationale based on referrals to your SMRs and also your clinical records, the VA will reject the IMO.

IMo docs should also have any C & P results too in order to shape their opinion well.

You dont need the IMOs to file the claim- also claim the scar too.

I think scar ratings have changed- will post that info after I check it.

[Berta]

Scar ratings changed as of Oct 23 2008. All I have is 73 Fed Reg 428-this is in the new VBM 2009 edition page 300 and might not have been in 38 CFR yet due to their publication date-

The new change states that all scars must be rated separately.

Also this change is discussed in the Veterans Advocate 2008.

The Schedule of Ratings here should have the updated scar criteria.

[Tanya]

http://www.warms.vba.va.gov/bookc.html#d

4.40 - 4.73 - The Musculoskeletal System

[81150 CAFB]

Thank you for all of your assistance. I have all the documents printed out and only need the nexus from my neuro (appointment in a couple of weeks). I should have enough ammo and by well prepared.

Thanks

81150 CAFB

[81150 CAFB]

I have a question regarding my recent myleogram that maybe some one can help me with. Reading the report it states that at L4-L5 there is a relatively prominent anterolateral defect on the right with a truncated apperance of the right L5 nerve root. This is the same side as my surgery in 1989 ..showing a herniated disc on the right that isn't bothering me to much (few sciatica spasms - right butt and insensativity in the foot, etc...). I am just wondering what the heck is a truncated apperance of the right L5 nerve root. I still don't have the op report from the NRPC, but it sounds weird to me.

I have my neuro appointment in a couple of days - maybe he will fill me in, but he has zero bedside manor and an ego to match.

Thanks

[jbasser]

Means cut short or covered by something like a plate. For exmple a perfect circle missing an edge.

J

Edited September 23, 2009 by jbasser (see edit history)

[81150 CAFB]

Do you think it means anything (physically) to have it truncated. Sounds like cut to me.