Just began the process

[HiOffcr]

In 2005, I "burnt in" from a nighttime combat load jump, while in the 82nd. After an ER visit, and several weeks of excruciating pain, I was diagnosed with a right side bulging L5-S1. I became hooked on pain meds for 5 years due to this. After 20+ LSI's, Physical Therapy, TENS, Massage therapy etc, my most recent MRI showed the disk is now bi-laterally bulging with transforaminal narrowing, causing sciatic nerve pain radiating down both buttocks and into the legs and causing numbness in my left big toe, and the occasional "pins and needles" in both feet. During some Crossfit PT during this last deployment, my back was "stressed", causing shooting pain in the lower extremities. I also lost bladder control, and have since had urinary urgency, and weak stream (I am still trying to have this linked to the back issues though).

While I know that I will be rated on ROM, will all issues be rated separately, or as DDD? And for my ROM test, I can bend rather far, as I have dealt with the pain for so long. Will the ROM at the onset of pain be taken into consideration.....or do I just stop at the pain?

 

[Zomglawlz]

Stop at the start if the pain.

 

[Warrior644]

In 2005, I "burnt in" from a nighttime combat load jump, while in the 82nd. After an ER visit, and several weeks of excruciating pain, I was diagnosed with a right side bulging L5-S1. I became hooked on pain meds for 5 years due to this. After 20+ LSI's, Physical Therapy, TENS, Massage therapy etc, my most recent MRI showed the disk is now bi-laterally bulging with transforaminal narrowing, causing sciatic nerve pain radiating down both buttocks and into the legs and causing numbness in my left big toe, and the occasional "pins and needles" in both feet. During some Crossfit PT during this last deployment, my back was "stressed", causing shooting pain in the lower extremities. I also lost bladder control, and have since had urinary urgency, and weak stream (I am still trying to have this linked to the back issues though).

While I know that I will be rated on ROM, will all issues be rated separately, or as DDD? And for my ROM test, I can bend rather far, as I have dealt with the pain for so long. Will the ROM at the onset of pain be taken into consideration.....or do I just stop at the pain?

Welcome to the PEB Forum!

In retrospect, I had similar L5-S1 lumbar radiating pain symptoms until my ALIF L4-5 disc fusion failed surgery which resulted in decreased lumbar ROM with continuing radiation of chronic pain.

After several follow-on automobile accidents/incidents, my current lumbar ROM severe pain issues start at a point which is equivalent to a DoVA rating of 40%, but the DoVA proposed rating is 20% since the new onset of lumbar ROM issues were after the DoVA C&P Examinations.

With that all said, I would offer that you "just stop at the pain" but ensure the DoVA C&P Examination clinician uses the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD) mandated goniometer for validation purposes.

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!