What Do I Need To Establish "chronic Pain".

[sawgunner]

Greetings again...

I was under the impression that you had to be considered ''depressed" to get chronic pain second to depression.... From what I now understand, the depression is secondary to the pain.

I have a 10% rating for DDD in my lower back and my left hip condition. I just got my rating after first filing back in 2005 and then filing again in Jan 08. I was denied again but the DRO reversed the decesion.

My rating is 20% for both conditions.

I have been in PT 3 times over the years, seen multiple civi docs, been script anti inflamitory meds, issued a heal lift, seen chriopractors, and local clinics, etc....

I don't think I"ll have any trouble gettign my doc's to write letters for me linking my daily felt pain to my DDD and hip... Both hurt every hour of every day.

My questions are two fold......

Is there any certian way.... "besides "at least as likely as not" that my docs need to word the letter to link the pain to the condition and what position might the VA take to argue it? "I don't see how they can" I have tons of evidence on my side.

Do my doc's need to diagnose me with "chronic pain" as a seperate condition?

Also.....

How will the pain be rated?

Will i get an increased rating for each condition or will the pain be one seperate rating?

I assume the latter is true.... if so... How will the pain it's self be rated? would a % ammount be awarded for each area of the body or would I be looking at a 10% rating at best for the pain?

Whats the most I might see for the pain itself? I would rather get a service connection for the pain before I try for depression.

Thanks so much hadit.

[Commander Bob]

Greetings again...

I was under the impression that you had to be considered ''depressed" to get chronic pain second to depression.... From what I now understand, the depression is secondary to the pain.

I have a 10% rating for DDD in my lower back and my left hip condition. I just got my rating after first filing back in 2005 and then filing again in Jan 08. I was denied again but the DRO reversed the decesion.

My rating is 20% for both conditions.

I have been in PT 3 times over the years, seen multiple civi docs, been script anti inflamitory meds, issued a heal lift, seen chriopractors, and local clinics, etc....

I don't think I"ll have any trouble gettign my doc's to write letters for me linking my daily felt pain to my DDD and hip... Both hurt every hour of every day.

My questions are two fold......

Is there any certian way.... "besides "at least as likely as not" that my docs need to word the letter to link the pain to the condition and what position might the VA take to argue it? "I don't see how they can" I have tons of evidence on my side.

Do my doc's need to diagnose me with "chronic pain" as a seperate condition?

Also.....

How will the pain be rated?

Will i get an increased rating for each condition or will the pain be one seperate rating?

I assume the latter is true.... if so... How will the pain it's self be rated? would a % ammount be awarded for each area of the body or would I be looking at a 10% rating at best for the pain?

Whats the most I might see for the pain itself? I would rather get a service connection for the pain before I try for depression.

Thanks so much hadit.

I feel your pain, 'sawgunner". JMHO,.. your are on the right track... JHMO... I would think, most doctors who have read your military medical records and the VA medical notes, and also examined you, would want to help you with the bureaucrats. After all, you are going to ask them to write doctors' notes in your records stating that your pain is service connected, or as an IMO, in support of your claim... From what you have posted, Your pain is due to your service connected disability. If your doctors are honest, competent professionals, then they should have no problem writing that your pain is related to your Military service. You just have to ask.... I know that sometimes it is easier said than done. Other Hadit members, more up to date with the VA, than I, can help you with your questions and the suggested wording of your doctors' letters. Again, jmho... Good luck.

[Vync]

Greetings again...

I was under the impression that you had to be considered ''depressed" to get chronic pain second to depression.... From what I now understand, the depression is secondary to the pain.

I have a 10% rating for DDD in my lower back and my left hip condition. I just got my rating after first filing back in 2005 and then filing again in Jan 08. I was denied again but the DRO reversed the decesion.

My rating is 20% for both conditions.

I have been in PT 3 times over the years, seen multiple civi docs, been script anti inflamitory meds, issued a heal lift, seen chriopractors, and local clinics, etc....

I don't think I"ll have any trouble gettign my doc's to write letters for me linking my daily felt pain to my DDD and hip... Both hurt every hour of every day.

My questions are two fold......

Is there any certian way.... "besides "at least as likely as not" that my docs need to word the letter to link the pain to the condition and what position might the VA take to argue it? "I don't see how they can" I have tons of evidence on my side.

Do my doc's need to diagnose me with "chronic pain" as a seperate condition?

Also.....

How will the pain be rated?

Will i get an increased rating for each condition or will the pain be one seperate rating?

I assume the latter is true.... if so... How will the pain it's self be rated? would a % ammount be awarded for each area of the body or would I be looking at a 10% rating at best for the pain?

Whats the most I might see for the pain itself? I would rather get a service connection for the pain before I try for depression.

Thanks so much hadit.

Hey Sawgunner,

I totally know how you feel, but my DDD is not SC (yet). I'm not giving up, but am going for a pain block injection tomorrow to keep it at bay. I hope you get to feeling better.

Think about it from this perspective: What medication does the VA give you to treat your SC DDD?

The VA gives me naproxen (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory). I have been on it for years and they also have been giving me omeprazole (to treat reflux).

Check out the side effects of naproxen. Heartburn (me) and depression (you) is listed as side effects.

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/naproxen-side-effects.html

COMMON side effects

Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; gas; headache; heartburn; nausea; stomach upset; stuffy nose.

SEVERE side effects

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; trouble breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); bloody or black, tarry stools; change in the amount of urine produced; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; depression; fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; mental or mood changes; numbness of an arm or leg; one-sided weakness; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; ringing in the ears; seizures; severe headache or dizziness; severe or persistent stomach pain or nausea; severe vomiting; shortness of breath; sudden or unexplained weight gain; swelling of hands, legs, or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual joint or muscle pain; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision or speech changes; vomit that looks like coffee grounds; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Additional links

VA awarded SC reflux as secondary to medication

http://www4.va.gov/vetapp09/files1/0902694.txt

Hadit topic on reflux and SC

[john999]

Chronic pain syndrome is considered a psychological disorder. I am SC for it. All I get for it is free dope. This helps me stay out of jail because I don't have to buy drugs on the street. You will have access to the VA's marvelous pain clinic. It is a great clinic as long as you don't go there for pain relief. I have a choice of percoset, morphine or methadone. I have tried all three. You get a gallon of laxatives also since you will need them if you take the morphine or methadone. If you don't think a human being can turn into concrete just take the VA's long acting morphine. Your gut will hurt for a couple of hours, and then you turn into cement. You might even get some pain relief.

[Vync]

John,

It sounds like trading one poison for another...