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AngryA

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Hello everyone,

stumbled upon this site looking for answers on the internet. I am an OIF/OEF vet and was rated for several conditions back in 2006; I was so grateful for the financial assistance (still am) that I never questioned the diagnoses, or the ratings. Now that I am around veterans a lot more I have realized that I should re-evaluate my disability rating and its conditions.

One of the things I would like to be re-evaluated/adjusted/edit is my back condition. I was a gunner on a Humvee and was thrown from the turrrett. I broke some ribs and also messed up my back. I was given 10% for UMBOSACRAL OR CERVICAL STRAIN, but going over my recent VA notes, I see that there are mentions of Degenerative arthritis of the spine and stuff like "Facet osteoarthropathy most pronounced at L5-S1".

The back pain I am having now is the same pain I had in 2006, however, it appears that the notes from the recent C&P exam state that the arthritis is not related to the back strain. To me that seems absurd; it seems I was given a wrong diagnosis back in 2006, whether intentionally, or not. I believe I should have gotten the arthritis diagnosis back then. I was only 26 back then, and even now, it appears awfully strange to have arthritis at this age.

How would I go about adding/modifying the diagnosis related to back trauma? Please advise, and I apologize if I posted in the wrong forum.

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AngryA UI is urinary incontinence, MRI is great however you need a good to excellent interpreter for the image.Thats what makes the truth or difference ! If your are in the Los Angeles VA system I will provide you the name and dept of a RadiologicalNeuro Doctor and a DO in Pain management. This NeuroRadiologic Phys. is the best interpreter of Magnetic Images I have ever seen. I have read hundreds of MRI diagnostic study Reports from VA. His knowledge, language, and descriptive medical ops are great. If your not in LA go to Radiology and ask the tech's who is the best reader for MRI.. The tech's or nurse's know who the writers are ! You also need a radiopathic study my spelling is incorrect sorry however just ask a tech about it. Basicly, they hookup a machine with wires and attached pads to you back and legs to determine nerve sciatic etc.,reaction and transmittal. They used it to determine pain generation from nerve endings and routes. AngryA have your PCP make a consul to painmangement for you. Take advantage of the VA system is great. Also again study tittle 38, the spine. Research and build your claim now, you can always used this as new evidence if you don't like their decision- I assume you filed a filed a claim already ?Good Luck Hud-Vash social worker thats good any help you need with this claim just ask. I have a great respect for Hud Vash people/

Edited by Fco75th25div
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Thank you for the support and encouragement. I am in FL, however, will follow up on your advice and talk to Radiology techs and also ask about pain management.Will post progress here.

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