Sciatic Nerve Damage

I'm awaiting the results for my IPEB (56 days and couting). About 2 week ago I went to the doc complaining of severe pain radiating from my lower back down to my heel accompanied with numbness/tingling. I originally sought help for this back in 2005. The flight doc did a few tests and discoverd that I had some weakness in my left leg (same place the pain is). I was told it was just a weak back and continued to press forward. Now it's got to the point where I can't even walk 1/2 mile without excrutiating pain that forces me to stop. When I went to Physical therapy the doc couldn't figure out the cause of my back pain. I then told him about the weakness in my left leg back in 2005. He then administed the same tests. Needless to say my left leg is the weakest it's ever been. I have 4 MRIs schedule next week to find the cause of the pain. From all the reseach I've down it sounds like I have scitica.

Has anyone dealt with this or know someone that has? I'm trying to figure out it if this is an unfitting condition. I know its listed on the VASRD but so is sleep apnea and it is hardly ever unfitting. Also, does anyone know the difference in the VASRD ratings of Mild, Moderate and moderatly sever?

And, if it is an unfitting condition what happens to my current MEB/IPEB? Does it get put on hold and sent back for another thing added or will it get concluded and then the new one is sent up? Thanks!
 
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Yes my old supervisor had that from a fall while carrying a two person carry item. That forced him to cross train then it went downhill from there. He eventually had surgery and that made it worse. They MEBed him and RTD then eventually became diabetic and got discharged for that.

From what I hear & see I would say surgery will give you 50/50 chance of getting better or worse. Never heard anyhow say they were the same after healing. Ummm
 
Dubber25: I too have the same pains. Everything started out as being a "SI (Sacroilliac) Dysfunction". Led to extreme bouts of pain in the back. And then into the radiating "shocks" of pain, known as sciatica. The sad thing is, I can deal with the sciatica pains, it's the darn "torturous aches" I get in both of my legs. I, like you, dealt with all these pains for quite some time, before I eventually kept going back and back and back because I couldn't deal with it physically, and mentally. I am a strong individual, mentally and physically dealing with a lot through out life. However, these pains are crippling. I hear you. It is an unfortunate thing to deal with.

I will say that if you get lucky enough to get a doctor, PA, anyone who has dealt with your pain-KEEP THEM. Those are the ones who understand and can document everything perfectly for you. Because if you haven't dealt with this type of pain, NO ONE understands. I DO. Even the weakness in the leg is horrible. I KNOW.

Now, is it an unfitting condition. Once you get your MRIs done you will more than likely have something pinching your nerves causing this. For your sake (and anyone else reading this) make sure you request a copy of the MRI and the report for it to be released to you (get a copy ASAP). I was SCREWED from the start-whoever it was in the ARMY that read my MRI was a complete 'tard, to be nice. They read it wrong. So everytime I went in to the clinic to be seen for these pains I would be called a malingerer, faker, or given Tylenol "Regular Strength". LOL! I wanted to die. But anyway-back to you! Your MRI will read that something is pinching something, whether it's a disc, or stenosis, or ALL THE ABOVE, that will lead to a possible cause. SO-is this considered UNFITTING? Depends. HOW BAD IS IT FOR YOU? DOES IT AFFECT YOUR MOS/JOB? WHAT DOES YOUR C-O THINK? ETC. I mean you have to look at the whole picture.

Now-does it affect your current MEB? What is the current MEB for? If you haven't signed much you may want to get this issue addressed on your NARSUM. I may not be correct in if you can do this or not, but someone else may be able to. But YEA-if you can, DO YOUR BEST to get it put on the NARSUM. This is definitely and can be a BIG crippler-I KNOW, I got MEBd for this-but they MEBd me under DDD because of the FALSE MRI. SUCKS! But now that the VA is phenomenal with my care, I have a lot of evidence supporting a fight against the ARMY for medical retirement, since I can not even get off the couch somedays. So-do whatever you can! Watch your back, you're the only one who will! Oh-and be careful with what your PEBLO says as well.

GOOD LUCK and Keep us informed!
Nick
 
UPDATE:
I got the results of the MRI and the only thing that stood out was some arthritis and a lightly herniated disc at S5 and L1. They said that there shouldn't be any pinching of the nerves based on the MRI's. So, They are sending me to a neurologist to figure it (I'm taking the MRIs and the report with me). The Doctors discoved I have hperreflexia. Usually hperreflexia is caused by a spinal injury and goes away with time. The kicker is I have not had a spinal injury in over 2 years. Now, here's the scary part, They've ruled out MS but other diseases that fall into the symptoms I have category are (upper motor neuron disease) : ALS (or Lou Gehrigs disease), progressive bulbar palsy, and primary lateral sclerosis.

All of them are pretty serious some needless to say I'm a little bit nervous.
 
Woohoo! I just found out that my case is awaiting adjudication. I should get results back in 2weeks or so.
 
I had my Sleep Study last night at St. Luke's/Presbyterian. Half way thru the night the nurse/med tech came in and put me on a CPAP. When asked she said, "I have sleep apnea." Obviously she is not a doctor and only he can make that call but she does this for a living and thus is probably pretty knowledgable. I know that the Air Force rarely founds this as an unfitting condition or rateable but the VA gives a 50% disability rating if using a CPAP so this is atleast good news. I'm awaiting my IPEB results and should (hopefully) receive my findings within 2-3 weeks. If it is under 30% and I opt for the FPEB, can I present this in my medical package as this will be a new diagnoisis?
 
Hey dubber 25, I am medically retired and my girlfriend is going through the same exact thing you are going through. She has pain radiating down her right leg and her left leg is completely numb. It sounds like you have a herniated or bulging disc. The problems we have ran in with the military docs and hospitals is that they drag their feet with test and such. I strongly suggest you go to your local er and tell them about your pain and your weakness and then transfer the records to the military. Tricare will pay for the er visit, you just have to call them 24 hrs after the visit and let them know you went. You seem like you dont have much time because of your IPEB is coming back soon, but this condition is just going to get worse if its the same thing my girlfriend has and it sounds exactly like it. Best of luck to you and if you need any more advice just email me. [email protected]
 
EOD123,
Thank you for the info I'll definitely look into it. Sorry for the late response but I was in the hospital last week and was unable to get to a computer. Thanks again.
 
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