Hi Mike,
I need you more than you know!!!!
Don't mean to piggy back on this post.....but, I was getting prepared to write you!
No one has stated Ank Spond...but I have read some of your articles and I need your advice and input. I'm due for tdrl re-eval...just received the letter stating that I'm due...
My original NARSUM stated DDD, annular tears, and radiculopathy. DX was chronic low back pain with L4 radiculopathy associated with lumbar I was put on TDRL, 60% for incap episodes. Last year on my re-eval at Brooks/Lackland I was dropped to 40%-(20%for back, 20%for hip) hahaha...so the story goes.
I had new MRI on back and hip 6/2011. Back shows that in addition to all lumbar levels having DDD I have 3 hemangioma's (L1,S1,S3) and states "minor disc bulges, mild stenosis". Hip MRI came up as previous-I have a lesion 1.4cm (benign).....I've had fluroscope and they say its not causing radiculopathy..(which I would agree now, because I also have Left side radiculopathy now-it was only on the right side before). In addition, they found fibroids in my uterus and a cyst.
Mike-What I know is that I live in pain daily & its hard to just take care of myself. There are no extras. I take myself to the hot springs and to physical therapy (which really doesn't help-I know the exercises). I try not to take too many drugs....I need your input-I need this next TDRL to go well and I need it to be over! I couldn't think enough to help myself before-Pain is exhuasting! Emotionally, I'm DONE. Last time I had evidence and letters from friends and family-I guarantee that the board didn't even look at it-I'm sure they blew it all off! Mike, I clean up well and look decent. I walk upright without cane or any assistance so everyone assumes I'm not that bad. Take of my clothes and you see my left hip higher and swollen, my pelvis is tilted /right side. I have to walk slow or I hit the ground with shooting pain. I can't drive far without shooting pain. I am ready to do what I have to do to get treated fairly. Where do I start? I'm exhausted!