New To The Board, Usaf Vet Of 18 Years, Need Advice.

[fiasco007]

Hey guys whats up? Just stumbled upon this site and i'm already hooked. anyway;

Im currently and active duty AF member, E-7, with almost 18 years total service. I have a few problems, and needed your advice on how to go about getting this disability thing situated for when I retire. Anyway. The list is'

1 Herniated disc, had the back surgery in Oct, but the pain and symptoms are starting to return. Next week I am going to a pian clinic for some injections.

2 Sleep apnea - diagnosed with mild case, but havnt pushed the issue and i am currently not on the machine.

3 GERD- off and on. severe sometimes, havnt been to the doc in a few years

4 Carpal Tunnel syndrom - been to the doc, they gave me the wrist braces and motrin. Thats about it.

5 Bad shoulder. Been to the doc, got motrin/ibuprophen

6 Bad knee. been to the doc, got motrin/ibuprophen

7 Tinitis

Now besides the herniated disc and Sleep apnea. How do you think I should go about getting these conditions documented? Like I said before, I have been to the doc for the shoulder/knee/carpal tunnel several times in the past. So I know it is in my records. But everytime I go, it is the same result. Doc says take it easy for awhile, and take some ibuprophen. These things hurt me everyday, but i still push forward and do my job.

Is this enough to be compensated when I retire? Or should I push to have something else done like PT or surgery.

I am a air plane mechanic, and it has been a rough ride. hard on the body. Now that I am getting older, i feel like I am falling apart.

any advice you guys could give on this, plus your thoughts on what my rating might be, is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[carlie]

Welcome,

Here's some things to chew on.

http://www.hadit.com...help_guide.html

http://ecfr.gpoacces...fr4_main_02.tpl

http://cfr.vlex.com/vid/appendix-4-alphabetical-index-disabilities-19775104

[Notorious Kelly]

Welcome, fiasco, and thank you for your service!

[justrluk]

Welcome - you're in good (virtual) hands. First, make sure you get a copy of all your medical records, both internal and outside providers. Request a copy before you exit. Second, make sure all your issues listed are detailed in nature as to the severity. If you can get x-rays for the 'bad....' do so. The AF tends to under-treat for things that are obvious until you bug the crap out of the clinic, then they send you to a specialist. I'd try to get as much of this started, as needed, as soon as possible. You need to be a squeaky wheel, because when you exit and apply for VA benefits, your conditions will be presumptive but the percent granted will most likely be based on your records. Are you being considered for an MEB?

[rdawg]

make sure your supervisors document any use of solvents, CARC paint, trichloroethylene, benzene, chromium VI, zinc chromate primer, welding, etc. If it's in your records it eliminates one step of proof of service connection of any disabilities that arise later in life like diabetes or cancer.

[fanaticbooks]

Welcome Fiasco007,

I suggest you look at my website. There is a lot of info there including links to added places. I think it could help you.

It is totally free, by the way.

Now is a good time to get all your ducks in a row while you can still have everything documented in-service.

I wish you good journey. Thank you for protecting me and mine.

fanaticbooks

(see my signature for site)

[BasehorVet]

With the conditions you have listed it seems that you should be on physical limitation profiles that would stop you from being able to be world wide deployed and unable to perform your duties due to the pain from use. Depression is a common secondary disability that arises from the daily pain, are you having problems with sadness? If so talk with a psychologist and get it noted so that later when it really becomes frustrating after your retirement you can connect the dots. If you can set the basis for your VA claim now, you will have an easier time to achieve the 50% disability rating, this is important because your retirement pay will be reduced by your disability pay if you do not get to the 50%.

My best advice is to step outside of your military doctors opinions and get an independent opinion on the status of your disabilities, you can check out your x-rays and other tests conducted by the military doctors and take them to a civilian doctor. This will save you a lot of money since the military has provided diagnostics, you may even ask your military doctor for any tests that a civilian doctor says is neccessary to determine your limitations (updated MRI).

A MEB is just the first step in a long process and it's a good time to start it now, I was discharged from the AF with 10% w severance pay, I was an aircraft mechanic and it took almost 24 months to complete the process from MEB to separation. You have opportunities to climb the appeal ladder after every decision, keep going and get used to it because it is the same when dealing with the VA after your separation. You will get low balled by the military and the civilian opinion will not hold the same weight as it does with the VA but it becomes part of your Service Military Records and this is what you are building so the VA cannot low ball you so easily.

I ran out of time on my appeal process in the Air Force, there is a law where they cannot hold you over to increase your disability rating and will just issue orders to separate you, my appeal went to the Secretary of the Air Force and within 4 weeks they agreed with the formal PEB and 3 weeks later I was out and the fight with the VA started, they claimed there is no records of an injury or disease that occurred or was aggravated by military service. I did not appeal that decision because I was just so tired of the bull from the military and now 26 years later I still am trying to get the VA to at least assign a 0% rating for the disability that the Air Force and DOD recognize as still existing.

Best advice is to take control of your medical problems, get outside second opinions and don't give up.............