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.

[fiasco007]

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?

One of the big questions I have is regarding my Shoulder and knee.

Like I said before. I have been to the Dr many many times regarding this issue. But it always ends up the same. I go to the Dr, he gives me Motrin/Ibuprophen and sends me home. 6 months to a year later, I repeat this process. Sometimes a profile sometimes not. It doesnt bother me not getting a profile, cause I mainly just want them to fix it.

So....do you guys reccomend that I keep doing this for the shoulder/knee? Or should I be the squeeky wheel until they give me a surgery? I've never had any x-rays/MRI for these, but I know something is wrong in there.

I know I will have this issue the rest of my life. So what would be better, 1) keep doing like I am and hope "hope" to get something out of it when I retire, or 2) push to get a surgery to help pad my records for when I retire?

[BasehorVet]

Before your profile run's out go back to Dr and tell them no improvement, please extend profile, after awhile you will be MEB'd and this is not a bad thing. Again, I cannot stress the importance of an outside medical opinion because it will be different from the military's, the AF looks only at disability that keeps your from doing your job in the military, the independent Dr will tell you what's really going on with all your issues, how it will effect you for the rest of your and why it hurts and how to fix it, if it can be fixed.

The ANGER you displayed at the Dr. when she mentioned a MEB is typical for someone in daily pain, it will only grow in proportion to the pain and since you are probably around 40 you can take my word for it that the pain isn't going anywhere. You may find some temporary relief but the damage is done and seeking surgery should be done with the outside medical opinion first. (NOTE: "OUTSIDE INDEPENDENT MEDICAL OPINION).

I cannot stress enough the importance of at least talking with a mental health specialist, you will find that the process your entering into is going to take mental toughness, I remember being called in by an E-8 and put on the carpet being accused of malingering, scared me to death but I stuck to the truth that my pain was real and it hurt to do my job.

I took control of my health care in the service and I suggest you do the same, do not place your hope with the Air Force and VA to do the right thing, they are impersonal departments of the DOD and no one is going to stop and say "Hey fiasco is in pain and injured we must do something to help and protect him", it ain't gonna happen.

[COOL BREEZE]

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.

Paint-can you expand on that a bit. I handled zinc chromate, red lead and numerous other paints on a daily basis for years in the NAVY. Does this caused diabetes later, and if so, how would you prove this. I apologize if I hijacked this thread but I never saw this info before about use of paints,chemicals in service-thanks

[jbasser]

With the carpal tunnel and shoulder problems, You should get the Cervical spine checked also. before you get out. As long as you have treatment in service and a chronic condition when you get out then these issues will be connected.

J

[Pete53]

Welcome to Hadit and thank you for your continued service.

I think you are on the right track of trying to do what you can to help your injuries during your service. Sleep apnea can be helped by using a CPAP machine. It can literally be a life saver.

Good Luck