Recovery Time / 100%

[vet2010]

My doctor (military) recommended that I undergo a 3 or 4 level fusion, that was six months ago. I will be retiring in 2 weeks and my question is , once I retire and I undergo this surgery, the recovery time for this is any where between 12-24 months. Can I file for 100% during my recovery time if I am not working, also when should I file and after filing about how soon will I start receiving payments?

Thanks

vet2010

[jbasser]

File it before. A couple of days before. You can submit evidence during the process.

J

[Chuck75]

At one time, it was to your advantage to stay in the service until the operation was accomplished, and you were either fit for duty, or medically retired.

Things have changed, and the military would just as soon get you off their books and on someone else's.

Back surgery is not always completely successful. At least it's safer that it was in the past.

(I had been told many times by quite a few doctors to not have back surgery until pain is constant, and nerve damage threatens.)

Given a choice, I'd rather have a major operation by a surgeon that does back surgery on a daily basis, and has a very good record of success.

I'd compare my results of CABG (Open Heart Bi-Pass surgery) against that of my family doctor in the late 80's.

He referred me to one of the leading centers at that time for open heart surgery.

The surgeon preformed more CABG operations in two months or less than the "local" heart center did in a year.

Complex "Y" bi-passes were used in two instances. (Not commonly done at that time, but not unheard of either.)

Not to long after that, my family doctor had a heart attack, and was operated on at the "local" heart center.

The methodology used in his case was a simpler conventional CABG operation "by the book".

He had no choice but to go into first semi, then full retirement.

I was able to work for seventeen more years before I had to retire. (A.O. related)

My doctor (military) recommended that I undergo a 3 or 4 level fusion, that was six months ago. I will be retiring in 2 weeks and my question is , once I retire and I undergo this surgery, the recovery time for this is any where between 12-24 months. Can I file for 100% during my recovery time if I am not working, also when should I file and after filing about how soon will I start receiving payments?

Thanks

vet2010

[Philip Rogers]

Are you retiring having done over 20 yrs or because of your back?? Be careful if taking an under 20 yr disability retirement, as any monies advanced to you will need to be recovered, by the VA, before they pay any claim money. I'd definitely have the surgery done by a civilian doc, if I had it at all. You may want a second or third opinion. jmo

pr

My doctor (military) recommended that I undergo a 3 or 4 level fusion, that was rx months ago. I will be retiring in 2 weeks and my question is , once I retire and I undergo this surgery, the recovery time for this is any where between 12-24 months. Can I file for 100% during my recovery time if I am not working, also when should I file and after filing about how soon will I start receiving payments?

Thanks

vet2010

[vet2010]

I am retiring from the Army with 20yrs and not because of my Back. The doctors recommendation is or was the 3rd opinion and I am at the point where I cannot hardly walk on certain days. I am seeing a pain management specialist and I am currently taking a new and just approved earlier this year drug called EXALGO (morphine), I also take Nuvigil to counter the Exalgo every morning. Once I retire on 31 Oct I will be completly retired from the Army, I started terminal leave on 14 July. If having the surgery will bring me a 20 -50 % better life I will do it. Once I have the surgery and file 100%, how long does it normally take for VA to start paying. If I don't elect to have the surgery and I feel I am unable to work, I plan to have my doctor write a statment saying VET is unable to work.

vet2010