Confused...again.

[My Monster]

I will attempt to not get long-winded. I have been going to PT for my neck and shoulder. PT won't touch my shoulder until I go to Ortho, well I did that today. He says he wants to do surgery but won't do surgery on my rotator cuff until I get some more ROM in it first. He did give me a Cortizone shot and a note to PT to start on my shoulder. With me so far? Ortho says, yes there is arthritis, yes there is separation and yes RC is a fricken mess that will require surgery. He looked at my neck x-rays, (they were on the same CD) and stated that I need to get to a Neurosurgeon, that it looks "real bad". Great. He spent a lot of time looking and talking about my neck. He said that I am looking at surgery on my neck based off the x-rays and wanted to know why I was going to a Neurologist before a Neurosurgeon. I told him that my Primary wanted an EMG done first to figure out where my nerves were getting pinched off. So it ended with him telling me I needed to prioritize my surgeries.

1. Epidural for my lumbar spine. (Kinda want to hold off on that until I get my "new" C&P exam, SC for 10% DDD.)

2. Knee surgery to clean out some of my meniscus (10% SC for arthritis, didn't know you could claim meniscus separately but will put in for it.)

3. Shoulder surgery (VA denied and diagnosed shoulder strain, well I am going to fight that one with them as it is now diagnosed as arthritis, separation and R/C.)

4. Cervical neck surgery ( based off of the Ortho doc's opinion, and my Primary's.)

Which to do first...? I put in a claim for my neck, received the Notice to Assist, will send it back asking for more time to gather my "evidence" ( doc write-ups, MRI's and Radiologist's Report ). My VSO is waiting for my EMG results to fight my CTS denial, the Ortho and PT report to fight the shoulder denial. I am so fricken' confused on what to do...I am coming up on my 1-year post retirement date. I don't want to take the damn "shot-gun approach, but several of my doc's have said that I have a multitude of problems that I should of had addressed while I was on Active Duty and are amazed that I made it this far before bitching about the pain.

HELP!!!

Monster

[My Monster]

I have decided that an EMG and Nerve Velocity Test is kinda fun, not something I want to do again though. I asked the tech for some info on the results and got the "you REALLY need to speak to your doctor" answer, so I pushed a little further. He came right out and said that my last 3 vertebra a trashed and pinching off the nerves to my hands and arms. I am going tomorrow to get my report to send to the VA. I don't see the neurologist for another month, I still have my overnight EEG to go. The holding pattern continues, coming up on bingo and need to refuel. LOL

So my question now is... my neck is effecting my hands and arms, EMG-NCV study backs that up, what else do I claim besides, DDD of the neck, and Khyposis?

Monster...fueled by bourbon

[Mr cue]

are u in service or out i would wait for the emg and all report send at same time if you keep add report it slow up the claim.

what are you connected for is it your neck if so than just ask for increase and use all the reports

as for va using strain this there way of low balling a person condition i was release with neck spasms some way it turn to strain and there is a big different in rating

next get the report go on the bva site and type in your condition such c6 c7 and see what other get and send them a copy of that

[My Monster]

I retired in Aug 09. I filed a claim for arthritis in my neck in April so I am not SC'd yet, I wasn't aware of the nerve problems at the time. My doc started asking questions and sent me for an MRI, PT, and to Neuro, that is when I found out I have nerve issues as well as the arthritis. From what the doc's are saying I have severe issues with C-5, C-6, and C-7. That is causing the numbness, tingles and burning pain down my arms and into my hands. Hell I just thought I was getting clumsy by dropping stuff all the time. Evidently the straightening of my neck is causing balance issues too.

[Mr cue]

did u hirt your neck in service if so what did they call it on exit exam or doc reports.

i would wait a get all my eaxm and notes than send them in if u keep give them report it wil keep time going

[john999]

Do you have any private insurance or medicare? I would get second opinions on all that surgery especially your neck.

VA hospitals are teaching hospitals. They need bodies.

[My Monster]

I've got Tricare and they sent me out in town to see the specialists. I have a particular Neurosurgeon in mind if it comes to surgery. He takes a very conservative approach to surgery, won't cut unless it is necessary.