Hopefully someone here can answer a few questions I have concerning the rating of spine conditions.
Here are the results of my last two MRI’s for reference.
T4/5 - central disk extrusion present resulting in mass effect on the ventral margin of the thecal sac, and focal narrowing of the cord at this level. No abnormal signal noted within the cord at this level. There is no associated neuroforaminal narrowing present
T6/7 – Mild broad based bulge with preservation of the ventral epidural fat plane
T7/8, 8/9 - Incidental Schmorl’s nodes are identified
T10/11 – there is very minimal broad based bulge with preservation of the ventral epidural fat place.
L4/5 - Broad based disk bulge present which results in left moderate and right mild to moderate neuroforaminal narrowing.
L5/S1 – Broad based protrusion is noted resulting in bilateral mild neuroforaminal narrowing. The nerve roots themselves remain normal in size and morphology.
I know there are many variable in this process, but I will try to add some background to try to eliminate some of these variables. I have had back problems for years and have tried the Chiropractor, Physical Therapy, Tens Unit, and currently in Pain management. I have had ESI injections more times than I can count. I have had radiofrequency on L5/S1 and L4/5 with little results and continue to have ESI injections in my thoracic area. My pain doctor says it is time for a discectomy for the lumbar problems, I said that I wasn’t ready (waiting on winter…lived with the pain this long might as well wait until it turns cold). Several surgeons have said that the thoracic problems are too complicated and nothing will be done unless I start to lose lower body control. You can imagine the daily pain that I live with.
I have had a P2 profile for several years, thinking about getting it updated to a P3…therein lies the problem. I know this will send me down the MEB and possibly the PEB process.
So for my first question, do they take the problems noted above with my back and combine them as one disability and say here is your rating? Or do they grade each level of trauma individually?
If I elect to have surgery will that have any bearing on my rating?
I am over 20 years so retirement is safe, I am just concerned about my rating. I can’t sit at a computer for long, can’t do much manual labor, what in the world am I going to do when I retire?
Here are the results of my last two MRI’s for reference.
T4/5 - central disk extrusion present resulting in mass effect on the ventral margin of the thecal sac, and focal narrowing of the cord at this level. No abnormal signal noted within the cord at this level. There is no associated neuroforaminal narrowing present
T6/7 – Mild broad based bulge with preservation of the ventral epidural fat plane
T7/8, 8/9 - Incidental Schmorl’s nodes are identified
T10/11 – there is very minimal broad based bulge with preservation of the ventral epidural fat place.
L4/5 - Broad based disk bulge present which results in left moderate and right mild to moderate neuroforaminal narrowing.
L5/S1 – Broad based protrusion is noted resulting in bilateral mild neuroforaminal narrowing. The nerve roots themselves remain normal in size and morphology.
I know there are many variable in this process, but I will try to add some background to try to eliminate some of these variables. I have had back problems for years and have tried the Chiropractor, Physical Therapy, Tens Unit, and currently in Pain management. I have had ESI injections more times than I can count. I have had radiofrequency on L5/S1 and L4/5 with little results and continue to have ESI injections in my thoracic area. My pain doctor says it is time for a discectomy for the lumbar problems, I said that I wasn’t ready (waiting on winter…lived with the pain this long might as well wait until it turns cold). Several surgeons have said that the thoracic problems are too complicated and nothing will be done unless I start to lose lower body control. You can imagine the daily pain that I live with.
I have had a P2 profile for several years, thinking about getting it updated to a P3…therein lies the problem. I know this will send me down the MEB and possibly the PEB process.
So for my first question, do they take the problems noted above with my back and combine them as one disability and say here is your rating? Or do they grade each level of trauma individually?
If I elect to have surgery will that have any bearing on my rating?
I am over 20 years so retirement is safe, I am just concerned about my rating. I can’t sit at a computer for long, can’t do much manual labor, what in the world am I going to do when I retire?
I have several bulging dics in my lower back (L3-L4, L4-L5, L5-S1) as well as multiple pinched nerves, I am constantly at a level 7-8 pain. This occured in August 08 during a live fire training exercise. I also have a bulging dics in my neck with another pinched nerve and an annular tear. I have severe migraines that occur 8-12 times a month, that end up with me going to the emergency room, and getting quarters for days at a time, as the migraines last days at a time. I have been seeing a spinal specialist, whose prognosis is as follows: " has several disc with significant degenerative changes." " I think that returning to full duty will portend a poor prognosis for him. He has lost height and hydration at multiple levels, and my recommendation is that he not be returned to full duty." I am also seeing a neurologist for the migraines, but so far there has been nothing to stop them. I will be going to see an army doctor tomorrow morning to get my permanent profile, and from what i am told, start my MEB process. Can anyone give me an idea of what my PULHES score will be, as well as what % of disability i will recieve?