hypertension Usaf Retirement 1 March 2010

[byromh]

Hello to all,

I was referred here by some AF buddies, so I hope to gain some valuable info before I officially retire. I have been reading some posts and I feel that I am in very good hands here:)

I am located in Warner Robins, GA. My questions are in regards to my upcoming retirement physical and my particular medical issues that I have had in my 20 years in the Air Force.

I have had elbow surgery w/a nice scar ( LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS OF ELBOW) , problems with my shoulder, an upper GI for acid reflux, hypertension and several other minor issues, but my most severe issue has been my lower back and I have had problems for sometime. I have seen a neurologist, used may different pain meds, muscle relaxers and even nerve medications and none have really helped. I have also had physical therapy and seen a Chiorapractor and still no results. I have recently been referred to a Pain clinic and will be undergoing some injections, so I hope that this helps!

Has anyone had the same type of issue with their back? and since I will be retireing soon, will I have a chance at any disability for this or any other of my ailments? I know this is a long post and I may even be posting these questions in the wrong section, so any words of wisdom and advice would be greatly appreciated!!! I thank everyone in advance!

[JamesBreckenridge]

You are going to want to claim the conditions for which you have records.

How is your elbow now? Do you have full range of motion? Is there any pain? Claim it in any case; worst case scenario is that it's denied as "acute and transitory", or more likely be service connected but at a 0 percent if there are no residuals. However if there is loss of range of motion, or painful motion, that'd be good for ten percent. The scar could also be claimed, but would almost certainly be a 0 percent if it's not unstable or painful.

What sort of problems did you have with your shoulder? Do your service treatment records show that you sought treatment more than just once? What was done? If the records show a shoulder problem, it's getting a C&P exam to be evaluated. If the doctor finds a chronic problem, it should be service connected based on the residuals (loss of range of motion, or painful motion if there's no loss of painful motion).

Hypertension: Were you diagnosed with HTN while in in service? I mean regular Air Force, not Reserves. If your dx was in service, you'll be granted service connection. The rate would depend on what your readings are. Most likely 0 percent, but there's a reasonable chance you could get 10 percent. Modern medicine pretty much controls people's HTN so that they never reach the higher levels. Even if you're only rated 0 percent for HTN don't feel cheated; HTN is bad news and can hurt you. Plus, if or when your BP *does* increase later in life, you're already SC for it, so you can just ask for an increase.

Acid Reflux: Is this a recurring chronic problem? Is it in your treatment records? If so, it'd go for a specialist exam and it'd be rated accordingly.

Your back: Hopefully your treatment records show continous treatment and some sort of back condition. Off you go to a C&P exam, and they'll hopefully figure out what's wrong with you (if you have your own copies of your medical records, it may help the C&P examiner).

Don't forget about hearing loss, tinnitus, and possibly diabetes.

Hope that helps.

Hello to all,

I was referred here by some AF buddies, so I hope to gain some valuable info before I officially retire. I have been reading some posts and I feel that I am in very good hands here:)

I am located in Warner Robins, GA. My questions are in regards to my upcoming retirement physical and my particular medical issues that I have had in my 20 years in the Air Force.

I have had elbow surgery w/a nice scar ( LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS OF ELBOW) , problems with my shoulder, an upper GI for acid reflux, hypertension and several other minor issues, but my most severe issue has been my lower back and I have had problems for sometime. I have seen a neurologist, used may different pain meds, muscle relaxers and even nerve medications and none have really helped. I have also had physical therapy and seen a Chiorapractor and still no results. I have recently been referred to a Pain clinic and will be undergoing some injections, so I hope that this helps!

Has anyone had the same type of issue with their back? and since I will be retireing soon, will I have a chance at any disability for this or any other of my ailments? I know this is a long post and I may even be posting these questions in the wrong section, so any words of wisdom and advice would be greatly appreciated!!! I thank everyone in advance!

[john999]

I have the same kind of issues with my back but they are not service connected. The injections may help and they may not. Be sure you file for all these conditions within one year of discharge. These chronic back conditions are miserable. Don't accept the word of doctors that some surgery is going to cure all your pain. Proceed carefully with letting anyone do anything invasive. What did they say is wrong with your back? I can tell you that you should probably file for depression due to a medical condition. Chronic pain disorder almost always leads to depression because of the pills you take and you inability to do the things you used to do. I got service connected for chronic pain disorder due to a service connected medical condition.

[Penelope]

Hello to all,

I was referred here by some AF buddies, so I hope to gain some valuable info before I officially retire. I have been reading some posts and I feel that I am in very good hands here:)

I am located in Warner Robins, GA. My questions are in regards to my upcoming retirement physical and my particular medical issues that I have had in my 20 years in the Air Force.

I have had elbow surgery w/a nice scar ( LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS OF ELBOW) , problems with my shoulder, an upper GI for acid reflux, hypertension and several other minor issues, but my most severe issue has been my lower back and I have had problems for sometime. I have seen a neurologist, used may different pain meds, muscle relaxers and even nerve medications and none have really helped. I have also had physical therapy and seen a Chiorapractor and still no results. I have recently been referred to a Pain clinic and will be undergoing some injections, so I hope that this helps!

Has anyone had the same type of issue with their back? and since I will be retireing soon, will I have a chance at any disability for this or any other of my ailments? I know this is a long post and I may even be posting these questions in the wrong section, so any words of wisdom and advice would be greatly appreciated!!! I thank everyone in advance!

I just want to say that I am sorry to hear of your back problems. My husband has suffered for a long time with his back. I can't emphasize enough what another poster has said and not to let anyone do invasive surgery until you are sure. With back problems, everyone has an opinion. My husband has undergone epdidural steroid injections in his spine several times. The most effective way to have it dones is under fluroscope. This way they can pinpoint the area they want to hit. I have seen doctors give my husband this injection in the beginning without the fluroscope and just in an office setting and not only wasn't it effective, but knowing what I know now, I don't know why we even did it then. All in all, with the right doctor and the right tools he has achieved some relief. I hope you achieve some relief for your pain.

[Berta]

Now is the time to make sure all of this will be noted in your SMRs and dont leave the Mil without a copy of them. They should be noted on your exit physical too.

ALso it is always good idea to leave with contact info on your buddies-one never knows when a buddy statement might be required by the VA to verify an inservice injury or event.Are you expecting a MEB discharge?

All retirees should go over the CRDP and CRSC regs.CRDP is usually automatic if applicable but CRSC isn't.

CRDP/CRSC info is here under Search as well as at Military.com .

[myround0]

Copy and submit your entire package...Keep the originals...

[Pete53]

Welcome to Hadit