I Got My Rating After Long Last.

[sawgunner]

I blew out my hip back in 1998 and again in 2003. I first filed in 2005 but was denied.. I re-opened my claim in Jan 2008 and after getting my Congressman involved I got a rating of 10% for the DDD in my lumbar spine and 10% for the IT band/ Hip Snap Syndrome in my left hip.

I have started developing probs in my neck over the last couple of years or so and have a history of treatment... I was at my orthopedic yesterday and he is going to write a letter to the VA stating that the probs in my neck C-5 and C-6, I believe.... were "at least as likely as not" caused by the DDD in L5-S1 lumbar spine. I am also going to have aletter from my chriopractor stating the same... These are the same doc's I used to get my claim on the DDD and hip.

I have limmited range of motion in my neck as well as chronic pain. I ahve been treated with steriod shots and PT for the condition...

Couple of questions....

What are the chances of getting a rating on my neck the first go around and what % might I be looking at? Again... the problems in my neck are related to a condition that I allready have a rating for, thee dd in my back.

Also.... How do I go about filing for any nerve damage that might have been caused by any of my conditions?

If any of you guys have any information to share, I sure would appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

saw-gunner

[john999]

You might try for a chronic pain disorder rating on the back and hip. You have a lot better chance of that than of connecting the neck to the lower back.

[sawgunner]

Larry....

That's what I"m asking....

I have never been tested for nerve damage and honestly dont know how to even ask for it.

All I can tell you is that I have noticed the nerve in the left side of my neck for sometime but have no idea as to how to explain it.

Are nerve conditions common with DDD and hip injuries?

[sixthscents]

simple testing for nerve damage normally is done by an EMG. Essentially they stick needles close to the nerve and record the reading.. also called a nerve conduction study or nerve velocity study. Neuropathy, or nerve damage shows up normally very clearly. The test is only somewhat painful, depending upon how they did around to find the nerve, etc.

[Philip Rogers]

Vync: If you are 0% you are already SC for DDD. Now you need to compare your current condition to the ratings chart to find out what you should be awarded and then secure the necessary evidence and present it to the VA. jmo

pr

Hey sawgunner,

I am 0% for DDD and am trying to fight a similar fight as you to get an SC rating. I lost on two appeals, but am looking at taking a new strategy. From what everyone says, you have to have a serious nexus letter, but even with that some folks are continuously denied. The rubber stamp at work...

[Vync]

Chronic pain disorder? I need to research that. The last doc visit shows my ROM has degraded significantly over the past year. I think the big obstacle is getting a nexus letter.