New Guy Here. Preperation For Decision

[gjrock]

First time here. Served 9 years Navy as a Damage Controlman. Waited 3 years and filed and got my initial rating of 10% for right ankle sprain, 10% for lower back and 10% for upper back. I went for a rate increase in 2008 and the made the back 20% and the ankle 10%. 30% again. I did not know what to do so I put it in my file and let it gather dust. In January of 2015 I submitted for a rate increase do to nerve pain and not being able to walk or stand when flared up. I went to the private doc for VA eval 2 days ago, he did not have me do range of motion due to me not being able to bend due to the pain. He wrote me a note for my VA doc that I don't have in front of me. He wrote it on a prescription pad. I delivered it to my doc's nurse at the VA. The note said he believes I have IVDS with nerve root (cant read the last word). He recommended to the VA doc for me to go to the back clinic at the VA 1.5 hrs away. He said I need to push the VA, they have missing diagnosing your IVDS/nerve issues. He said if the VA does not get you the help you need you need to use your private insurance and see a neurologist. I told him I can barley afford the monthly premium and don't have the money for all the co pays. I told him I can't stand or sit for longer than 15 minutes and tons of pain sleeping, tossing and turning all night. It effects my work and have missed work due to this nerve problem. Preparation for decision showed up today on e benefits. Chronic thoracic strain with scoliosis of the thoracic spine and lumbar strain with (Increase) Is what the previous ratings were for and how this new one is written up. I hope I am going the right direction. New to this site so I don't know the acronyms here yet. Thank you all for your service.

[Pete53]

Welcome to Hadit and than you for serving.

[Navy04]

Welcome aboard and sorry to hear of your issues, as I too have back and nerve damage. Good luck and God Bless!!!

[gjrock]

Just checked and they bumped me to 40% Here is the copy paste from the e benefits site. Not sure if they are going to keep my ankle at 10% I have not been in for it since rating.

lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome (previously rated as chronic thoracic strain with scoliosis of the thoracic spine and lumbar strain with levocurvature to lumbar spine under DC 5237 and previously rated separately under DC 5291 & 5292) 20% Service Connected 01/30/2015

radiculopathy, right lower extremity (sciatic nerve)

10% Service Connected 01/30/2015

radiculopathy, left lower extremity (sciatic nerve)

10% Service Connected 01/30/2015 right ankle sprain 10% Service Connected 01/07/2003

[gjrock]

I will wait for the letter in the mail. Do I just take what they offer?

[Buck52]

No you don't.

you can look up the disability's rating here on hadit and read what your ratings should be & if you don't agree with there decision you can File NOD based on a higher rating for the disability's.

jmo

...............Buck

[gjrock]

Thank you Buck. I am in the learning phase of this. I am not sure how to look up the disability's ratings on this site. I see my previous rating codes but nothing for the new. Thank you all for being here. I am trying to research prior to asking stupid questions.