Might Be Looking At A Medboard

[Brandon15D]

I am currently serving and I am trying to navigate my way to ensure that I get what I deserve. I have spent the last 6 years in the service and I have deployed twice, one for 12 months, and one for 9, to Afghanistan. I am currently looking at a medboard for degenerative arthitis in my knee with sinovitis, IT Band swelling and Pain, Baker's Cyst as a result of the arthritis which causes sharp pain in my calf and numbness in my foot. I also get pain in my right knee from limping around and favoring my left knee for the last three years. Recently I have developed slipping and pain my left hip. Other then that I should be looking at ratings for GAD and Major Depression. I believe will also be rated for the loss of about a quarter of my right ring finger. The last thing on my list is my shoulders, they both sublux and dislocate which in turn leads to pain, pinched nerves and bursitis. I am mostly scared of leaving the service right now so I want to make sure that nothing falls in the cracks. All of what I have said is medically documented and is in my record.

My question is how do they rate my knee. Will they give me a rating for the Arthritis seperate from the ROM/Pain ratings? How would they rate my IT band getting messed up because of a surgery. The IT Band Pain and Swelling is almost as bad as the joint pain. As we all do, I am hoping for good ratings and a comfortable amount of disability pay because I have paid my dues and my body and mind show that. I just heard so many nightmare stories from my post active duty buddies that are fighting with the VA.

[Pete53]

Welcome to Hadit

[63SIERRA]

Make sure you have anything bothering you documented before you get out, it can make all the difference.. once you leave active duty and go to the VA you are a liar until proven otherwise and are just looking to get on the dole. thats how they will treat you.

Have you been tested for sleep apnea? have u had a hearing test. ? go to the home page of had it, and look at the 38CFR.

It is the laws the va is supposed to use to give you your ratings.. it lists everything from skeletal system, to mental issues.

Being you already have alot of in service documented evidence. the VA s usual move would be to service connect the issues but down play and lowball. if you have a specific back injury, neck injury, ect. and they just list it as " neck pain"" you should smell a rat.. neck pain is a symptom,, but they do that to lower your rating.

Once you start going to the VA make sure your primary care doctor list ALL of your problems on your problem list..... they seem to not want to list alot of your problems... ( no problem,, no treatment, no money spent on vet.... more to squander....

TRY LIKE HELL TO GET AN MRI BEFORE YOU LEAVE ACTIVE SERVICE..

if you cant get one, when you get to the VA chain yourself to the flagpole and tell them you aint leaving until you get an MRI...

once you get it, request a copy and go to a private specialist, pay to have it read, then go stick the evidence in your primary cdocs face and INSIST they add it to your problems list...

Also once your done with your appts at VA you can download the doctor notes from myhealthevet.. you just need to set up a free premium acct. STAY ON TOP OF THINGS. DONT BELIEVE ANYTHING THEY SAY,, CHECK OUT EVERYTHING..

The VA has lied to me so many times it isnt funny, ..

Stay on HAD IT ... it is your best friend .... The va will take advantage of your ignorance if you let them.. educate yourself and read, read, read, this forum.. listen to the radio shows...ask questions... theres ALOT to learn... Keeping up with things will be a lifelong endeavor, because everything keeps changing.

thanks for your service, and welcome.!!!!!

[SeattleShay]

and listen to 63SIERRA !

[Brandon15D]

Thank you for the reply. I am definitely not going to trust the VA to do the right thing. I have been looking over the CFR book and I have found multiple things that could be rated for my knee. I've noted the flexion, extension, degenerative arthritis, pain, removal of cartlidge, dislocation of cartlidge which causes swelling locking and pain. Will I get a rating for all of these or one big combined rating?

[Brandon15D]

Thank you for the reply. I am definitely not going to trust the VA to do the right thing. I have been looking over the CFR book and I have found multiple things that could be rated for my knee. I've noted the flexion, extension, degenerative arthritis, pain, removal of cartlidge, dislocation of cartlidge which causes swelling locking and pain. Will I get a rating for all of these or one big combined rating?

[Navy04]

Welcome aboard bud, but I will tell you that the Number 1 mistake Vets make is that they all think they are 100% VA disabled. Sadly, it takes a lot more then you think. I was Medically Retired from the Navy in 2013 at 30 years old, with a ton of Service Connections and was only granted 80%. Also, I am rated both knees at 10%, and that is after 2 knee surgeries, ACL/MCL and severe Arthritis and Tendonosis in both knees. Good luck and God Bless