Lower Back Pain In Service Now Herniated Disk Connecting Dots

[mrmark1999]

I have currently have a diagnosis for bilateral patella phemorial syndrome I am rated at 20 %for that and 20 % for bilateral Achilles tendinitis .I have in my medical files after falling off a obstical course it says add back therapy to treatment and for months after that date continuation of back pain and therapy.

In my civilian records in more recent times i have been diagnosed with 2 herniated disks in my lower back. in the same area where the back pain was at in service. I have had pain in my back sense service .I was informed that the disk issue could be caused by the fall.
1) how do i connect the 2 in the VA's eyes ?

2) Other then the doctor's current notes and x rays showing the herniated disk what current medical evidence do i need?

The pain has Progressively been getting worse with age and weight gain

3)Other then getting an IMO what are the KEY WORDS they are looking for in a fully developed claim ?

​During service I was basically given Motrin for all pain and told to suck it up.Now I realize there could have been a real underlying issue

thank you for all you do i would appreciated any help you can be

[jbasser]

get a nexus from a doc to relate the injury to a current disability.

J

[kevin4998]

I found in my SMR's several documentation of "low back pain" where they just gave me over the counter pain meds. On that information and having a history noted by my private docs after my service time and surgery to correct but not resolving issue I filed for service connection. I stated spinal stenosis (diagnosed several years after my service time by my private physician) a claim based on the low back pain info in my SMR. That is ALL I had and I won my service connection. I believe I was either lucky or that IS all I needed. Of course everybody's chance's are different and the more "connecting dots" will most likely help than not. They also gave me radiography (spelling maybe) diagnoses with 10% in each leg. I did not file for that, but during the C&P the person noted it and they gave that to me as well. Good luck.

[mrmark1999]

great start i will go back to my regular doctor and see where it goes from there i really dont like the doctors but they are a nessary evill most of the time the just send me to get more x rays or surgery i really dont like having surgery that was the next sugestion for my back but i really dont like that option

[mrmark1999]

1) What would be considered current diagnosis ? the back x rays are 2 years old

2) Do i need to go back and get current diagnosis or will that do?

3) Do i need to got to a back specialist?

4) Are there any VA questionnaires that could help with the diagnosis during the CP exam?

[georgiapapa]

mrmark 1999,

You did not mention how long ago you were discharged. The longer the time period the more difficult it will be to prove service connection unless you have civilian medical records showing a continuity of treatment since your discharge.

I would definitely get a thorough IME by a orthopaedic doctor who specializes in back conditions. Make sure you provide the back specialist with copies of all (SMRs and civilian) of your medical records and diagnostic imaging (X-rays, MRIs, etc.). If the specialist believes your back conditions are at least as likely as not caused by your injuries from your military service, ask him/her to write you a detailed IMO supported by reasonable medical rationale. You should also make sure the doctor prepares the IMO in a format accepted by the VA. Provide the doctor with an IMO example which you can find on this website.

If you are able to find them, it also would not hurt to have some statements from your military buddies who witnessed the incident where you injured your back on the obstacle course.

Good luck to you.

[mrmark1999]

thank you

georgiapapa i was discharged in 2003 in service records it shows 1995 as first report of back pain and for several months it shows continued treatment for "lower back pain"and treat with Motrin and that's about it i had not went to a civilian doctor about my back specifically till about 2012 . As with most here i didn't want to complain so i did not go till 2012. i had sharp shpooting pains down my leg and slight numbness so i was sent for x rays .the x rays showed 2 herniated disks as for buddies hell i can not locate any one pluss on the obstical course i just got up and sucked it up and limped on till the next day