Lumbar Strain, Bulging Disc, Herniated Disc

[yelloownumber5]

Hi,

Can a lumbar strain be a connection to a herniated lumbar disc?

Edited April 16, 2010 by yelloownumber5

[girojai]

It is funny but, trying getting the VA to grant SC for back conditions, it is sometimes cumbersome and up the hill, yet, it can be achieve, specially if You can demostrate with evidence was  sustained hile in service. I for the time been, still fighting the VA sito this. I suffer a fall while stationed in Korea in 1978-79... There were no MRI, CT Scan machines or anything of that nature at Thats time. Today, I have herniases, bulging and canal stenosis, including sciatig nerve dammage, stated By VA Hospital Xrays, MRI's and CT Scan machines yet, the VA continous denying SC for low back. Itsn't Thats funny? Still, I'm continuing to fight untill someone withing the VA is able to se beyond just playing outdates rules. We'l see ...

[Vync]

3 hours ago, girojai said:

It is funny but, trying getting the VA to grant SC for back conditions, it is sometimes cumbersome and up the hill, yet, it can be achieve, specially if You can demostrate with evidence was  sustained hile in service. I for the time been, still fighting the VA sito this. I suffer a fall while stationed in Korea in 1978-79... There were no MRI, CT Scan machines or anything of that nature at Thats time. Today, I have herniases, bulging and canal stenosis, including sciatig nerve dammage, stated By VA Hospital Xrays, MRI's and CT Scan machines yet, the VA continous denying SC for low back. Itsn't Thats funny? Still, I'm continuing to fight untill someone withing the VA is able to se beyond just playing outdates rules. We'l see ...

Welcome to Hadit!

Although this is a rather old topic, I agree with you completely. It sounds like the typical VA red tape. They know you were injured in service, have a current diagnosis, but fail to connect the two.

I had the same battle with the VA to get my spine issues SC. The VA tried to deny stating that there were lengthy gaps where I had no treatment records, thus they assumed it was not related. I countered this by producing copies of intermittent medical treatment for my back, including more recent, more frequent, and more serious treatment visits. I also submitted buddy letters attesting to the fact that I had continuing symptomatology over these years. I think what helped me over the hurdle was to get an IMO/nexus from a non-VA orthopedic specialist stating he reviewed my service treatment records showing multiple injuries, buddy letters, treatment records, provided a current diagnosis, and topped it all off with an opinion stating that my current spine issues were "as likely as not" caused by my in-service injuries. The process took years, but I could have not done it without educating myself here on Hadit.

[pwrslm]

10 hours ago, girojai said:

It is funny but, trying getting the VA to grant SC for back conditions, it is sometimes cumbersome and up the hill, yet, it can be achieve, specially if You can demostrate with evidence was  sustained hile in service. I for the time been, still fighting the VA sito this. I suffer a fall while stationed in Korea in 1978-79... There were no MRI, CT Scan machines or anything of that nature at Thats time. Today, I have herniases, bulging and canal stenosis, including sciatig nerve dammage, stated By VA Hospital Xrays, MRI's and CT Scan machines yet, the VA continous denying SC for low back. Itsn't Thats funny? Still, I'm continuing to fight untill someone withing the VA is able to se beyond just playing outdates rules. We'l see ...

I was out since 84 and got SC for lumbar strain/scoliosis/DDD/IVDS in 2015.  The Key is to get an IMO from a spine specialists that will say that your injury, as shown on the current MRI's and Xrays, more likely than not began when you were in the service. The evidence of sick call incidents and complaints in my medical records was well documented, but they had no old xrays, and like you confirmed, no MRI or CT scans existed back then.  You wont get a VA specialists to provide this information for you, as you probably already know.

I had 4 level fusion for this, with partial paralysis of the sciatic nerve (left leg) after they granted my SC at 60%.

Edited July 8, 2016 by pwrslm

[cannoncocker]

11 hours ago, pwrslm said:

 The Key is to get an IMO from a spine specialists that will say that your injury, as shown on the current MRI's and Xrays, more likely than not began when you were in the service. The evidence of sick call incidents and complaints in my medical records was well documented, but they had no old xrays, and like you confirmed, no MRI or CT scans existed back then.  You wont get a VA specialists to provide this information for you, as you probably already know.

 

That was my experience and recommendation as well, i.e. independent medical opinion indicating more likely than not.. That will take some work to find a neurologist willing to do a work-up but some will. It was very difficult at least at the time I was involved with this. I found one in 2008 for 365.00 but I brought all the MRI(discs)/Radiology reports/medical records... It ultimately got down to presenting the examiner with this: what would a reasonable person conclude this disability originated from? After a moment of consideration she was onboard.

 

PS: may i add that the va in my experience will fight a back injury harder than any other disability. They will push back with every trick in their book rest assured.

Edited July 8, 2016 by cannoncocker
PS

[john999]

Yes, I think it can be the result of a severe strain. If you have good evidence of treatment and DX for a back strain in service and have any evidence of on-going treatment or symptoms then I think you can get SC. Back problems usually get worse with time, so if you hurt your back in service and now it has degenerated into herniation you should be able to get that SC'ed. What you need is a medical statement from a back doctor saying the strain led to the herniations.

[jbasser]

Actually a Lumbar strain is a precurser to herniated disks. That would be the event that caused a herniation.

J