Am I Being Treated Poorly?

[AchillesH]

Evening,

First, thank you for reading this post. Being my first post I know its long, but thank you for reading and for all the amazing information on this site.

I served for 4 years in a Stryker Infantry Battalion as a 19 Kilo, with one deployment to Iraq. I was honorably discharged Feb 2012. Current I am receiving 50% total disability, but the current issue is with my Degenerative Disc Disease, which is rated at 10%. I am a 27 year old male, I stay and shape and I eat healthy. Since Janurary of this year I have been dealing with a herniated disc that has limited practically all of my functionality. I've only been able to see my VA primary care provider 4 times. I am currently undergoing a 3rd month of physical therapy and had an EMG test done. My primary care provider has only done 2 X-rays, and when I asked him for an MRI (which a nurse at the hospital told me to do) he said, "only if I am considering surgery." He then followed it with "this isn't the Department of Defense, can't give MRI's for everything."

Today, when I confronted my primary care provider about my degenerative disc disease, he reverted back to saying everyone has DDD, and that he has no idea why the VA is giving me compensation for it. He also through in, this is normal for someone my age. I then proceeded to explain why I am so worried. I am 27, can't apply for work when I can barely walk, beside the fact I havn't been able to bend over or reach in 7 months. He said not to worry about the income and that everything eventually finds its way. He then proceeded to tell me that we all die from one thing or another and that everything we do leads us more into the disease that will kill us. He then itterated that I was not going to die.

When I asked him if he thought this was service connected, he immediately said no. He began to explain about, yes in the military we go through some stuff, rucking and running, but it is no different from the wear and tear that civillians face.

He is now sending me back to the EMG specialist for I don't know what. He says she'll give me more answers, even though I've already seen her....and asked her these questions. We also don't have any concrete evidence that its a herniated disc because it didn't show on an X-Ray; although the physical therapists thinks it is a herniated disc. He said the meeting with the EMG doctor again might show that I have a tear in a nerve now.

I understand everyone has DDD, but what I find hard to believe is that everyone is incapacitated for 7+ months in their late 20's due to a herniated disc that just randomly pops out. I am not asking for a handout and I am not lazy. I am working on my second degree because thats all I can do at the moment. I just don't know what to do, especially when all three of these experts say they don't know why the VA is giving me a % for DDD and that I will continue to go through this the rest of my life, and that what I am going through now is not in any way connected to DDD.

Is he treating me like some drone who will believe whatever he says or am I overreacting?

Thank you for your time, service and any input you can offer.

[Pete53]

Welcome to Hadit

[georgiapapa]

Welcome. Just because you are now under VA healthcare and not under DOD healthcare does not mean they have the right to lower the standard of healthcare you are entitled to receive. Your PCP sounds like a jerk who should not be working in the VA healthcare system. Ask for a new PCP and tell them why you are requesting the change.

[silverdollar22]

Don't let them kid you bud, to determine the condition of your back they should use any means possible to help you, to include an MRI. I have a bad back also and all I had to do was to request an MRI through my primary VA doctor and she scheduled one for me. Now it took 3 months to get one but i was given one. I also have DDD and six buldging discs and this would be the only way to determine the severity of your condition. If you have to go over his head or request a different doc. Don't let them give you anything less than the best care possible!!!!

Eric

[john999]

An MRI is standard, and yes you are being treated poorly by the cheap-ass VA. If you went to a private orthopedist he would do an X-ray and an MRI almost in the same day. An X-ray shows bone. You may have nerves that are entrapped etc. The VA actually has very good MRI machines which they don't like to use. Do you have private insurance? If I had it I would use it and not wait on the VA. I am 60% for agent orange related heart condition and I have never seen a cardiologist at the VA. I see a private doctor that I actually trust.

John

[AchillesH]

Thank you gentlemen for the info and feedback. I called the patient advocate today and I will see them tomorrow about changing my care provider.

John999, my wife has been pushing me to go to a private doctor but I have been putting it off due to income. I didn't enroll in the state health exchange because I had VA healthcare, but it seems I should check out the exchange as well. Guess I was just being naive thinking that the staff at the VA wouldn't intentionally or negligently screw me over.

Thanks again for the input everyone.

[PainterBK]

Welcome to Hadit,

You are being treated extremely bad. Don't stand for it. Change your doc immediately & file a complaint.

Don't let this self righteous jerk get away with it. You have to advocate for yourself with all healthcare,

private & VA. The VA treats MRI's like they're gold. It took me 3 mo's to get one for my hip. They

give you the run around, but eventually order the test. If you have access to private care you're

better off, if not you have to bitch. Its a shame its like that. You served your country proudly

& deserve some respect. Good luck & thanks for your service.

Bob K