Trying To Start My Claim

[Redman34]

I have been having back pain for over 3 years and have been to the chiropractor and that didnt help then i got some MRI's to get some idea of what was going on. My whole Thorasic spine is herniated and i have 2 Bulging discs at l4-l5 and l5-s1. ive heard mixed answers from different people. some say its all about flexibility, some say pain has something to do with it. anyone have an idea of what my rating can be and how to file it.

Here are links to my Mri results

http://gyazo.com/341...08c9d3bd3ac04b2

http://gyazo.com/5f1...f8a08ca61714cbf

I also have shoulder impingement i can move the arm fine but it pops a little and clicks. it causes pain and fatigue. my shoulder is missing a ligament that holds shoulder in place. im not sure if this is even something they rate or not.

[JR Reihs]

Do you have SMR's that state you hurt your back and shoulder in service.........Thats the starting point.

[Philip Rogers]

You don't say when your service was, so we have no idea how hard it will be to service-connect (SC) your problems. The important part is to SC it, not how much you get. jmo

pr

[Fat]

1. Make sure you have documented incidents in your service medical records regarding your shoulder.

2. Visit a shoulder joint or bone specialist to receive a current diagnosis and to receive treatment.

3. Connect current issue to military records

a. include all medical information regarding the shoulder since leaving active duty

b. show injury or disease of joint is chronic by radiology report

c. By nexus letter (professional medical statement), show injury in military is connected to current injury/illness.

Good Luck.............

[Redman34]

Ive been in since 2010 and i seperate next month i work with a guy that says everything is just range of motion and pain has nothing to do with it. i can bend over but with a lot of pain standing for short periods of time hurt as well. and for my shoulder i can move it around but burns terrible from fatigue and all the popping in and out it does. All i have herd is people getting screwed over by va doctors and feel like i am going to get the same. and i dont see anything where it rates you for back problems such as chronic pain, Herniated discs, and bulging discs. is there more info on this. and when they do the range of motion is it how far i can bend or how far untill it hurts.

[JR Reihs]

You will get a separation Physical and you should also be hooked into the VA system at that time.........You move until the pain says no more, Period. Just make sure the the DOD does not try and screw you on the exit exam......I take it you are being medically discharged?

[Redman34]

You will get a separation Physical and you should also be hooked into the VA system at that time.........You move until the pain says no more, Period. Just make sure the the DOD does not try and screw you on the exit exam......I take it you are being medically discharged?

No i only signed up for 4 years and within the last year all the Pt and work i do caught up to me i guess. I knew if i signed up for another 4 years i wouldn't make it threw the enlistment so i decided its better to just get out and save a couple years to find something i can do.