I wanted to drop a line regarding some SC issues, maybe it will help someone else. I had a spinal fusion of T8-L4 with Harrington rods while on AD in 1992. After being medically discharged, i began my appeals through the VA. Three years ago I had xrays of my spine done at the VA. It revealed extensive osteopenia of the spine. My VA doc told me it was probably due to the Harrington rods, which severely limited my range of motion to my spine. Around the same time I had a nerve conduction study that showed I had distal and sensory neuropathy with radiculopathy in my left leg. Once I had the results of these studies I submitted them as new evidence for an increase in my compensation. I had suggested to my VA doc that I be placed on Fosamax to help with my osteopenia. This request went unanswered. Recently my Medicare has kicked in and I began to see docs that could address these issues appropriately. I have been receiving spinal injections (steriods) for the neuropathy/radiculopathy. I also had another bone density test which revealed my T scores were off the chart. I now have full blown osteoporosis to the point if I fall I run the great risk of bone fracture in my spine, hip and or femur. I have been place on Actinil and will be getting Testosterone injections. My feeling is the osteopenia could have been arrested 3 years ago when it was first diagnosed by the VA. It has gone untreated until now. So I have submitted all of this new evidence to the VA for consideration for an increase and to have it retroactive to when being diagnosed 3 years ago. I will let you know how things turn out. I know this is probably a long shot but going form 10% to P&T was a long shot too.
Question
pkbivins
Hello Everyone,
I wanted to drop a line regarding some SC issues, maybe it will help someone else. I had a spinal fusion of T8-L4 with Harrington rods while on AD in 1992. After being medically discharged, i began my appeals through the VA. Three years ago I had xrays of my spine done at the VA. It revealed extensive osteopenia of the spine. My VA doc told me it was probably due to the Harrington rods, which severely limited my range of motion to my spine. Around the same time I had a nerve conduction study that showed I had distal and sensory neuropathy with radiculopathy in my left leg. Once I had the results of these studies I submitted them as new evidence for an increase in my compensation. I had suggested to my VA doc that I be placed on Fosamax to help with my osteopenia. This request went unanswered. Recently my Medicare has kicked in and I began to see docs that could address these issues appropriately. I have been receiving spinal injections (steriods) for the neuropathy/radiculopathy. I also had another bone density test which revealed my T scores were off the chart. I now have full blown osteoporosis to the point if I fall I run the great risk of bone fracture in my spine, hip and or femur. I have been place on Actinil and will be getting Testosterone injections. My feeling is the osteopenia could have been arrested 3 years ago when it was first diagnosed by the VA. It has gone untreated until now. So I have submitted all of this new evidence to the VA for consideration for an increase and to have it retroactive to when being diagnosed 3 years ago. I will let you know how things turn out. I know this is probably a long shot but going form 10% to P&T was a long shot too.
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Top Posters For This Question
2
Popular Days
Oct 19
2
Oct 20
1
Top Posters For This Question
pkbivins 2 posts
Popular Days
Oct 19 2005
2 posts
Oct 20 2005
1 post
2 answers to this question
Recommended Posts