Connecting Hip issue service

[USMCVMO]

Hi All -

I have been out since 1995 - I am at 70% due to medical discharge with my back and related issues.  Over the last 8-10 years I have had hip discomfort and has got really bad.  I saw a hip specialist who looked at the MRI.  He said at my age my hip joint has way more wear and tear than it should at my age.  Its bone against bone and I am getting injections to treat.   He said he normally sees this condition in marathon runners.  I am by no means a runner.  I have a desk job.  I did play rugby and soccer in the marines and general PT of course.  I cant explain this wear and tear other than those activities. I have not played any sports after getting out.  Does anyone think this could be connected if I put in a claim?   I have included the MRI notes.

[AllTheWay]

USMC what all service connected disabilities do you have? Can you list them? You are thinking right but you are just focusing on your service connected back. Now if you are service connected for knees, shins, feet, that can also alter your gait which can lead to hip problems.

Also, I would make an appointment with my primary care about the hip issues and ask if he thinks that your service connected disabilities contribute to your hip issues and if so, would he/she be able to provide a letter for you. He/she must have a good rationale as to why. UMD is a great source. It would help if you were to get a letter from a specialist as well. The magic statement is " as least as likely"

[USMCVMO]

10 minutes ago, AllTheWay said:

USMC what all service connected disabilities do you have? Can you list them? You are thinking right but you are just focusing on your service connected back. Now if you are service connected for knees, shins, feet, that can also alter your gait which can lead to hip problems.

Also, I would make an appointment with my primary care about the hip issues and ask if he thinks that your service connected disabilities contribute to your hip issues and if so, would he/she be able to provide a letter for you. He/she must have a good rationale as to why. UMD is a great source. It would help if you were to get a letter from a specialist as well. The magic statement is " as least as likely"

I listed above but here they are again

20% lower left extremity sciatic radiculopathy

20% lower right extremity sciatic radiculopathy

Thoracolumbar spine disc herniations 20% - this is primary.

[brokensoldier244th]

So its all back/nerve related, okay. The altered gait shouldn' be too hard to show if its there. Do you wear out shoes more on that side? Do you have pes planus/fallen arches? Lower back conditions can contribute to that as well, as another secondary condition, usually more one foot than the other. When the back doesn't transfer mechanically as well as it should other skeletal systems take the brunt of the weight. I am SC for low back DDD and bilat sciatica among other thing, and pes planus is aggravated by it. I had that before I went in a little bit but its been accelerated by my shorter steps extension and my walking on my heels (due to nerves/sciatic I can hardly feel my toes anymore). 

[AllTheWay]

By no means USMC that I am a VSO or anything in that nature, I just love helping Vets as to the rest on this site does. I do not know your military history or background but from what I do know is that you should have files for just more than your back.

In order to remain in the military, we all have to qualify with our weapon. We all have been exposed to loud noise. Most of of us have filed for tinnitus.

Most of us have deployed, maybe some event happened as to where we have PTSD.

Some of us have pain from a service connected condition and cannot do the things that we use to do. That can lead to depression.

 

Some of us like me was ignorant to the VA system but thanks to this great site with great moderators and Vets that will guide you in the right direction.  When you open up a claim, try to get the most out of it so that the needle can move more to the right.

 

Sounds like to me, your hip could be a good claim for a secondary condition being that you have never complained about it or had an event or injury while in service. You just need a good nexus.

 

Also, go through your medical records if you have them, look for all that you have went on sick call for while in service and file for those things as well.

I am saying this is because, claims can take awhile. You want the needle to move, the hip may just move it a little. Later on down the road, you want the needle to move again. Why not do it all at once.

I would do an intent to file, get all of your documents and proof together.  You have 1 year to submit the claim once you have done your intent to file.

 

[AllTheWay]

Amen broken soldier. You are on it. I agree with you.

[deedub75]

Do you have an orthopedic for your back and radiculopathy issues?  As others have said, your back issues and radiculopathy will likely affect your gait. An abnormal gait can cause a host of knee and hip issues.  If you are seeing someone for you hip, just ask if it could be caused by an abnormal gait.  If your doctor agrees, just have him or her put a note in your medical records that your hip issue is more than likely caused by your abnormal gait.

Be careful with these VA examiners. For some reason, I don't think they know what an abnormal gait is. On my exit exam from the military, it was noted that I had an abnormal gait. I have 2 bad ankles, pes planus, tarsal tunnel, radiculopathy, and I have severely reduced dorsiflexion is both ankles. I've had multiple surgeries on my feet and ankles and probably need a couple more. I walk with a permanent limp and on every C&P exam I have they say I have a normal gait.