Upcoming Retirement Physical Exam

[tnygaard]

I have my retirement exam from the VA in Louisville in mid January and need some advice/help.

I have cervical spine issues, confirmed by 3 MRIs and chronic pain since 1993 with the last one done 4 months ago. I recently had arthroscopic surgery on both of my knees due to torn meniscus, confirmed osteoarthritis based on X-rays, and still have occasional locking/catching of the knees. I am taking buproprion for Major Depressive Disorder and Chronic Pain Disorder and currently under the care of a psychiatrist due to the chronice pain and pissed off feeling I get from not being able to do the things I use to do or enjoy. I am taking continuous medications to control my Chronic Fatigue documented as Idiopathic Hyperinsomnia and am under care by a specialist. I have rhininitis and take zyrtek year round to control the symptoms. I occassionally trip on stairs to do my right ankle only having 1 degree of movement upward, I had an EMG and went through physical therapy for this condition and none of the drs could find out what is wrong, so they just stated the foot movement upward will not get any better. I have a history of back pain and recently diagnosed with arthritis with X-rays. I take medications to control daily headaches and reduce the amount of migraines I get (3-4 a month) and take sumatriptain to control the migraine once it starts. I typically go to an ER monthly (last 7 months) to see a dr to get it documented, get a shot of immitrex and get a slip from the dr stating something to the effect - bedrest until subdues or 48 hrs off duty.

I am hoping I can get a combined disability percentage of 50. I hear that is the golden number to get.

Can anyone give me some advice for the physical exam? Is there something special I should get done prior to the physical? What can expect at the physical exam?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Tom