Ask Your VA Claims Questions | Read Current Posts
Read VA Disability Claims Articles
Search | View All Forums | Donate | Blogs | New Users | Rules
- 0
Lower Back; Help Please
Rate this question
-
Similar Content
-
- 15 answers
- 438 views
-
- 10 answers
- 618 views
-
- 2 answers
- 165 views
-
- 9 answers
- 345 views
-
VA websites login issues: VA.gov, ebenefits, myhelathevet helpful phone number
By RTCR65,
- ebenefits
- login issue
- (and 2 more)
- 2 answers
- 364 views
-
Question
Aremihc
This is my first post and I apologize if it's in the wrong area.
I researched other peoples issues but I find mine to be a bit unique.
I will do this chronologically and as summarized as possible:
I left the U.S. Army Infantry in May of 2009, after serving since Jan 2006.
I had not found any work but I was attending school (GI bill was coming in nice). When I received a recall packet (not unexpected at all) I dropped school happily to have my back checked out. Soon enough, they found the problem and released me.
9 Oct 2009
FINDINGS: There is bilateral spondylolysis at L5 with grade 1- spondylolisthesis of L5 on S1.
IMPRESSION: 1. Bilateral spondylolysis at L5 with grade 1 anterolisthesis of L5
on S1. 2. Indistinctness of the superior endplate of L5, this may be
artifactual, however a CT scan of the lumbar spine should be obtained for more
complete evaluation.
15 Oct 2009
Radiologic Examination Report
Procedure: CT L-Spine w/o contrast
CAT scan lumbar spine
There is grade 1 spondylolisthesis. No abnormality otherwise identified.
Transcription Date/Time: 15 Oct 2009
23 Oct 2009
Provisional Diagnosis:
ACQUIRED DEFORMITY - SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
Reason for Request:
23 yeat old USIRR male with grade 1 spondylolisthesis, please evaluate and provide recommendations for deployability.
---
Consult(s): -Referred To: PHYSICAL THEMPY CONSULT (72 Hours) Specialty: Clinic: PHYSICAL THERAPY
Primary Diagnosis: ACQUIRED DEFORMITY - SPONDYLOLISTHESIS
2. sleep disturbances: Pt reports trouble sleeping seocndary to his physical symptoms. Has tried Ambien in past, was not able to
tolerate med due to adverse side effects. Will start trial of Lunesta.
Medication(s): -ESZOPTCLONE (LUNESTA) 1MG--PO 1MG TAB - TAKE 1 TABLET By MOUTH AT BEDTIME #30
RFO Ql 30 Rf: 0
&
MedBoarded
Now, I spent some time trying to get school back organized (disaster) when I got back.
That and I took on the big ole VA alone:
Dear Mr. (so and so)
We made a decision on your claim for service connected compensation received on
December 10,2009.
We determined that the following condition was not related to your military service, so service
connection couldn't be granted: Spondylolisthesis (claimed as back and spinal condition)
During this time I was being made a cuckold by my now ex-wife who thankfully; bore none of my children.
So I deal with my divorce and struggle to survive. Having still worked absolutely no jobs, I try for school again.
Only this time I received my GI Bill a day after the last day to drop classes.
I'm basically living out of my car when Dec 2011 rolls around and----
*Ring ring ring*
"We want you to be Intelligence for the reserves"
Ummmm.... unemployed for 3 years; yea, i'll go intelligence.
BUT
I want my back taken care of first because it's worse than ever.
VA denied me so I never tried any support other than a chiropractor.
I'm a 11B grunt, what do people expect??
Reserves say: No problem
VA looks at my file like a train wreck, my unit gets SRP so probably deploying; my back gets checked:
LOD - now they're looking at a medboard (#2 by my recollection).
I'm stressed, I started to smoke marijuana because my g-ma that raised me (I moved one block from her nursing center to help feed/entertain) died a few months ago. I self referred to my command and now i'm in OSAP.
While OSAP will help me quite smoking cigarettes, I doubt it will be as useful for me with marijuana.
(My joke: Nicotine gum was my gateway drug.... didn't go over well)
I know i'm going to smoke, it helps better than all the meds.
My unit revoked my security so no longer can I "run S-2". Instead I'll be tasked to menial 11B labor for a stoner.
I came to work, I busted ass; I even said "I'll come in for the flag". What did I get in return?
First Ibuprofen, then;
Tramadol
Baclofen
Meloxicam
I initially opted out (myself!) of all of the higher end drugs because of my addictive personality.
I'll pass on the surgeries, i'm 25; I should be able to do therapy! (Not a therapy 2 hours away, making the event worthless because the drive back will destroy everything they do....)
All the meds either make me sick; or make me loopy.
I only take baclofen now for bedtime when necessary...
-----------
Now i'm supposed to talk to someone in the benefits section eh?
It's been 3 years, I feel pain in my UPPER back, shoulders, neck, and arms as well as my lower extremities. My spine looked dominoed at my chiropractors and now the VA tells me:
Treat it psychosomatically
The pressure has me curling my toes all day long, I am in pain, I have trouble finding and holding suitable work that doesn't make me feel like a bus ran over me.
They have had me shredding paper in the reserves because they know about my problem.
When I've been asked about my back from VA, they say "Can you touch your toes".
Never have they asked, "How far can you go before it hurts"....
I always touched my toes and said "Thanks, now my back feels like ice" to those bastards!
Any helpful data would be nice, I want to apply for 100% (Not looking to be a lifer people, I just have NO SUPPORT FOR MY CONDITION). I just want resolution so I can get back to a REGULAR life.
My doctor should write me a bed rest prescription; it will prevent me from being hard labored at Drill these next few months thank god.
Lastly; I exited the military over 200 pounds. Today I weigh 145.
I've done the exact OPPOSITE of the boy who cried wolf; yet i'm treated as a malingerer the ENTIRE process.
Any help at all, I will no doubt be homeless again soon when the paychecks stop coming next month.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Top Posters For This Question
6
3
3
1
Popular Days
May 1
8
May 2
4
Jun 5
4
Aug 18
2
Top Posters For This Question
Aremihc 6 posts
john999 3 posts
ntyler0341 3 posts
Teac 1 post
Popular Days
May 1 2012
8 posts
May 2 2012
4 posts
Jun 5 2012
4 posts
Aug 18 2012
2 posts
20 answers to this question
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now