Physical Evaluation Board Forum

I spoke to a VA physician yesterday, who looked at my facet disease and bulging disc and said, "So what? You fit into 60% of the rest of the population, you fit into normal for your age group, etc."

Understandable! I am going through the VA C&Ps right now. I was told that I had the mobility of a 45 year old when dealing with my back ...which he said is just fine and dandy and normal. Normal? I am 28? If I have the mobility of a 45 year old due to herniated disks and sciatic nerve damage, how is that "normal?" or "fine and dandy?"

Some of these appointments I feel like the meps station all over again where we, the veterans, are just cattle being marched through systematically with a big red "VA APPROVED!" stamp slapped on our rumps.

Here is a big MOO out to all my comrades going through the same thing!

What I'm wondering is how this comes out to the rating. I imagine there's going to be appeals and NODs in my future.

I'm getting to the point that I can't stand this anymore. The constant having to prove that I'm in pain, or that my right leg is turned in. Sometimes I have gait issues, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I can move great but with constant pain, and sometimes I can't move and I'm still in pain. Now I have noticed in the last week or so that I am getting a "divot" kind of "dip" in my thigh, up at the top. I don't know if its atrophy or not, but its painful.
So here's what put me over the top...my brother paid $1000 and sent me to a neurosurgeon in Denver. He's been worried because I don't have any relief. The doctor called him tonight and told him that I'll be fine and I need to resume my "normal" activities. I can't walk a block with severe pain. I can't lift without pain. I can't even swim without pain. My feet turn purple and now I have the dent in the top of my thigh. My lucent hip lesion was 1.4cm and is now after 6months is 1.6-but that's not significant. Well, how many years before it is? I am a personal trainer, health and wellness specialist, athletic in nature, swimmer, Lifeguard Instructor, Swim Instructor and I was the Aquatic Director at the Air Force Academy. If I could go "resume my normal activity" I would be in a triathlon tomorrow! I'm so tired of this. I'm seeing an acupuncturist-and I think he's wonderful. I wouldn't be walking around the block if it wasn't for him. I pay out of my own pocket. And, I have faith in time I will heal-but does anyone know what my "dent" could be? Atrophy? Anyone with back issues every have anything like this? Sorry to go on. It's just one of those days...

Felicia aka Chinook

I have PLENTY of nerve damage going on after my second back surgery and "occasionally" get a dent on the outside of my right thigh right about the mid point. Does yours come and go? or is it constant? The idiot neurosurgeon that tried to kill me said that it's muscle spasms causing the thigh to cave inward. I also get spasms so severe in my lower back that it make s my already crooked spine to be off even more. Picture this ... if you hang a plumb line from your nose and let it dangle, it should hang even w/ your genital center ... w/ severe back spasms that plumb line will sometimes be off to the right 4 - 6 inches ... and the physical therapist tries to imply that I walk funny on purpose.

Hi there therin4pres,

I don't wish this on anyone and I'm sorry you've hurt so bad.

This dent is new and so I don't know if its going to go away and then come back. I did go see my dr of acupuncture today. He said don't worry, its a knot, but it'll go away. Its caused from acid build up or something like that. He said I've had stagnation in my back and now its getting out. So, very interesting. I'll keep you posted. I have more faith in him than anyone I have seen to this point.

You know, Tricare sent me to a dr that had 2 suits against him-wonder if its the same guy that tried to kill you ? Oh, and don't get me started about physical therapists-they can help twisted ankles and sh#$# like that...but they don't know backs. I can't ride a bicycle or have that pedal mtion because it severly cramps up my thigh-but they don't know why---and the therapist wanted me to bike because my legs are weak. I told her to review her notes and that I'd be walking in the pool...

Interesting about the plumb line-did you leave a little blue mark on your nose after you tried. I'm gonna try that.

Well, the good news today is that I just found out that my board should be wrapped up in 3-4weeks. Scarey, but good. I'm ready to fight if I have to. Were you boarded?

Thanks for posting...nice to share with someone. I'm in a much better mood today.

PS-I've contacted the governor of Colorado regarding military affairs and Tricare. I'm pushing to have alternative medicine covered. I'm going to be calling and emailing the medical commanders next. Do you think that Prolo therapy would be considered alternative medicine??? I still have to look it up.

Felicia

No. No blue line


Yes ... just got my results back the other day. Rated 60%. Although I'm only at 19 yrs 9 mon. Therefore I will take it to the formal review board to kill a month or so.
#1. I need to go over 20
#2. I wouldn't mind bringing up the %tage on the back thing.

I was rated 50% for Apnea and 20% for my back for an overall 60%.
I was VERY surprised at the 20% rating! My wife told me that I need to find a differant job where I don't have to where any tie up boots/shoes because she's been the one to help me get my boots off for the last several years. Even helps me get dressed in the morning occasionally ... when I get up in the morning, I feel like I'm in my 90s and I ONLY turning 42 next week.

Sure is ... insurances won't touch it. I've only had one treatment, but I already feel a small improvement.

My sons' Tea Kon Do Grand Master does acupuncture on the side ... he's in his late 60s and has been teaching Marshal Arts and practicing alternative medicines since he was in his early 20s he tells me. He wants to perform a few vacuum treatments on my back to get all the "bad blood" out before he attemts acupuncture. He's been nagging me for almost a year about it. I don't know ... maybe someday.

Have a great night!