lumbosacral Compensation Rating For Back

[alantleasure]

I am currently rated 10% for a lumbosacral strain in 2004. I am also rated for my Left knee and hip. I am currently in appeal status for secondary claims of my right hip and knee from my lower back. I was diagnosed with low back strain while on active duty so i understand that. I had an MRI that was used in the rating. It showed at the time L5-S1 disc herniation. Since that time, i have had 2 MRIs, with the latest showing a herniation of L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-S1 with herniation contacting the nerve roots. I have started injections into my back and it has become rather difficult to deal with the pain and numbness that are going on right now down both legs and in my back. I am planning on requesting an increase for the low back strain in the near future. After reading in here about the change to the rating for IVSD, is this something that i could claim as a separate claim to the Lumbar strain? Or is this something that would all fall under the same category? I wasn't sure if i could have 2 separate claims that would be VA rated or if they would either convert the strain to the IVSD.

Any help on this would be really appreciated.I am planning on meeting with the VSO in the coming month or so to see what the options are on this but just wanted another opinion.

Thanks yo much!!

[silverdollar22]

Hey bud,

I'm in about the same boat your in and just went thru a recent claim for my back(L5-S1 L4-L5 L3-L4 L3-L2 L1-C12) disk herniation with severe arthritis. also bad left knee and wanted to claim right knee in conjuction to my bad left knee and bad back. The answer to your question on the back part is this is all combined together ie.(IVDS DDD DJD ect.) as one. With all of my problems i got 20% from a bad QTC C&P but raised me from 10% so i was happy to a point. The knee issue is something that you have to tie into your back and right knee like going to the VA or a private doctor and have it treated and diagnosed as bad right first, then complain to your va doc via secured messaging about you having to use your right knee to compinsate for your left knee and back. Without having a diagnosis first and then having a issue or complaint about the issue you most likely be denied. Line up your evidence first. You can also claim the nerve pain in legs as seperate conditions but again you have to be diagnosed with it first. Hope this helped a little.

Take care,

Eric

[iceturkee]

you might be able to apply for radiculopathy if you are having pain radiating down your leg. somebody correct me if i am wrong but in't IVSD rated by prescribed bed rest?

and not to sound like a broken record but i am currently 40 percent for my back. i have five herniated discs, two torn discs, spinal and foraminal stenosis, a slipped vertabrae and arthritis.

Edited July 8, 2015 by iceturkee

[silverdollar22]

in't IVSD rated by prescribed bed rest? Yes but the va lumps all of these .(IVDS DDD DJD ect.) into one diagnosis. The DDD, DJD is rated on range of motion. you might be able to apply for radiculopathy if you are having pain radiating down your leg Again yes but they denied me because i didn't have a clinical diagnosis on this even though my MRI showed the evidence. Iceturkee did you get rated on ROM or bedrest? They lowballed me on my C&P because the doc didn't use the ginometer thing just looked at me bend over across the room. I may still NOD on that but for now just taking a break from all the stress.