BACK PROBLEMS

[EDWIN]

Hi to every one. I served active duty in the Army in 1984. After falling into a hole I started to experience a lot of pain. I was diagnosed with PUBIS SYMPHYSIS DYSFUNCTION. After being treated with meds and "MUSCLE ENERGY TECHNIQUE" I started to experience constant pain in my lower back. X-rays neg, MRIS negative, CT scans negative. Now,  2016 i'm diagnosed with DDD in my lower back. VA says that my current condition is not related at all with what happened while in service. That it does not matter how long I was on profile for my back pain. ANY suggestions ????

[iceturkee]

i'm 40 percent for my back which was initially injured when i fell down two flights (but broke fall after first flight) of stairs. i never went to sick call. when i went back on active duty, i made sure my back problem was on my entrance physical (the navy gave me a waiver). i was medically discharged and given 10 percent for my back. it took me 17 years to get that to 40.

 

i took a brief look at what pubis symphysis dysfunction is. sounds like it deals primarily with the hips but could also affect the back. you may have grounds for a primary service connected disability. however, (my 2 cents), i am more inclined to think it would be secondary to your hips.

others feel free to chime in!!

[EDWIN]

Tks for your comments. As of today I don't have any problems with my hips at all, they are fine . My back is the one that is killing me with DDD, bone spurs, etc, etc. 

[EDWIN]

Also, i was on profile for more than 1 year for my back pain which they never found nothing while in service.

[ArNG11]

Without medical expertise,  he or she has no business making a medical determination to that effect. What evidence did they use to come to that conclusion?

Do you have medical records of any type for treatment?  Do you have the Line of Duty report of the incident? Do you have copies of any post service medical treatment?  Those treatment records are going to be very important? 

You have the report I take it when you went in for sick call, that is the event.  Get an independent medical opinion to back up your claim if you are going for an increase.

VA medical centers, personnel can't make a medical determination without backing it with medical science.  What medical facts or records were the doc's opinion (VA) based on? Or was it a physical therapist or nurse that stated this?  Find a new doc or nurse, because that is BS.  From what you wrote seems like a case of CYA.  

You have service connection for a back injury.  That is fact,you are service connected for this injury.  I am no doctor, however, common sense would dictate that unless you had any other injuries post service, that the pain could be related to your injury.  Again I'm not a doc, but logically this would seem like a strong possibility.  

Claim or not dump this medical personnel if you can.  Change doctors or something to that effect.  Doesn't sound like they are looking out for your health or your injury. JMO

 

 

 

Edited June 3, 2016 by ArNG11

[EDWIN]

I have copies of everything , even the least significant sick call slip. Copies of all the treatments and therapy appointments. The only negative thing is that every x-ray, mri, ct scan were negative.

The person who stated in writing that all that happened to me is not related with my current claim was the C&P examiner at VA HOSPITAL. I know that C&P examiner did not really read my records to the last word. I beleive the she didn't wanted to approve my claim. , maybe she had a bad day and I paid for it !!!!.....As of today i'm on waiting list for APPEAL.

 

[ArNG11]

Look at it this way, it is not the C&P that proves or disapproves the claim.  Their sole job in an initial exam is to ascertain whether the service injury or rather the injury/disease that you filed a claim for is service related.  This information gets to the rater and they are supposed to make the determination by evaluating all the evidence whether there is enough information to service connect.  If there is enough evidence and medical documentation then service connection is granted, if there is not then they don't. You have service connection, now you need to get a correct rating.  That can't be done without medical evidence.  A doctor or specialist has to make the determination of how bad your injury is.

  You have appeal options.  If you disagree then follow your appeal options with a Notice of Disagreement. If you have medical evidence in your service medical records then use that. If you do not, then you need contemporary medical records. Then it will be necessary for you to get a medical opinion to show that your condition is worse than what the VA states it is. 

Stay in treatment, not just for the claim but your health. You can use that later to help your claim out if you are going to go for an increase.

  

Edited June 4, 2016 by ArNG11