What Is Considered "chronic"?

[JuanP]

I am trying to connect my current condition of severe neck pain back 16 years to my time in service. I have medical records that go back 11 years (am missing the first 6 because of a lack of insurance) ?

I have 5 instances of Sick Call for back and / or neck pain over a period of a year and a half while in the Navy. Is this considered to be "Chronic"?

[JuanP]

Sure enough Hoppy, after being jumped on the bridge, the visit to sick call does say headaches to go along with insomnia!! WOW, things are looking up!

[Ricky]

If you are looking for straight numbers the medical community considers a condition to be chronic if it has lasted for 3 months or more. The VA normally considers it chronic if it has lasted for 6 months or more. If you file a claim for a condition which was diagnosed as "chronic" in the military 5 years after you get out then you are going to have to show continuity of the symptoms then supply a medical opinion that the continuity of symptoms are more than likely caused by the chronic condition that began in service.