Lower Back; Help Please

[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.

[TexasCop]

Spondylosis is not completely congenital. It is also a byproduct of disc degeneration disease, which can be caused by injury. At the age of 23-25, your back shouldn't be like that unless you suffered an injury or there is a genetic link. During your appeal, you need to rule out genetics. If no one else in your immediately family suffers from DDD or spondylosis, have them write a buddy letter to that effect. If you didn't have any spinal traumas while in-service, you could articulate the constant heavy loads carried and/or all those runs we've all done on hard pavement/concrete. You should also get an IMO from a specialist tying it all together for you.

[john999]

Doctors nowdays don't prescribe bed rest for back problems. They want you to do PT and get injections. I just finished a month of PT on my neck and upper back. I got zero benefit. I have herniated disc in my neck and stenosis. Even if they fix it no doctor will swear the pain will end because I also had shoulder surgery about ten years ago that failed. What the doctors can do is take pressure of the nerve so your legs work and arms work. You may still hurt like SOB.

John