Tests For Back Problems

Hello all,

So, my packet was sent to D.C. last week to be reviewed by the PEB. I was told it will be 4-6 weeks. I have some questions.

First the background information. I have an intervertabra herniation and sacrolitis and spondylesis and degenertive disc disease with depletion of plasma and finally myogia. The spelling is awful I know. Anyway, these disorders are common for the back on this forum as I have been reading.

I did my ROM and had a forward flexion of the thoralumbar spine of 68%.

From my understanding according to the ratings worksheet given to me by my PEBLO, I qualify for 10% due to my ROM forward flexion of being between 45 deg and 85 deg.

I dont believe that any of my other conditions qualify any % due to the lack of SIQ time pertaining to the sacrolitis and spondylesis and myogia as is stated in the ratings worksheet under the spine.

Can anyone tell me whether they will definately find me unfit and grant 10% due to my ROM?

You guys are the best!

Cheers!
 
OverqualifiedNavy,

You will be found unfit if your conditions are found to prevent reasonable performance of the duties expected of someone of your grade/rank/rate/or office. Having a disability does not mean automatic finding of unfitness. It really depends on how it impacts your duty performance.

Do you have incapacitating episodes (a period of acute signs and symptoms that requires bed rest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician) due to your back condition?

Hope you get the result you want.
 
Jason said:
OverqualifiedNavy,

You will be found unfit if your conditions are found to prevent reasonable performance of the duties expected of someone of your grade/rank/rate/or office. Having a disability does not mean automatic finding of unfitness. It really depends on how it impacts your duty performance.

Do you have incapacitating episodes (a period of acute signs and symptoms that requires bed rest prescribed by a physician and treatment by a physician) due to your back condition?

Hope you get the result you want.
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Jason,

I have not been sick in quarters for my back except for one period of three days. I also visited the ER twice due to pain. However, I have been LIMDU for a year and also I was treated by an Ortho and went to pain management for epidurals that did nothing and pain injections that did nothing and trigger point injections that did nothing. My EMG was negative and I am on a great big bag of meds...including Lyrica, Tramadol, Skelaxin and Mobic. My seperation physical found me UNFIT. Again, if my ROM says that I am entitled to 10% I believe that will do the trick. Finally my command review stated that I can no longer do my job as an Operations Specialist due to the constant sitting in my watchstation that aggrevates my injury and causes me to have to miss 10hr a week of work for appointments.

What do you believe will happen with this understanding? There has to be someone on here that has had this injury and got a ROM test. Thank you all again! I will be waiting patiently...haha!:rolleyes:
 
Jason said:
tharin4prez,

I take it (by reading your earlier post and doing a little math) that you were also able to get to the 20 year mark, right?

I hope so; either way, congratulations on your retirement! Any plans? Fishing, sailing, well deserved vacation?
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Sorry 'bout that Jason ... lost track of time and didn't check back here for a while.

To answer your Q's:

I take it (by reading your earlier post and doing a little math) that you were also able to get to the 20 year mark, right? = YES. I actually had just over 22 years.

I hope so; either way, congratulations on your retirement! Any plans? Fishing, sailing, well deserved vacation? = Stayed out of the work areana for a few months ... but as I posted my earlier reply I had actually just went back to work a couple weeks before my 1st civilian day. I didn't think a team of wild horses could drag me off of the beaches of SC, but as time ticked on and no jobs to be had outside of tuff labor jobs I could no longer do ... I was offered a job up here in Alaska of all places. Absolutely love it up here! I thought the cold would really bother my back, but is hasn't in the slightest so far. Must be that there is no real humidity to speak of. Unlike SC w/ it's 90+ % humidity all the flippin time. Al it has to do is get down below 50 degrees down there and I'm forced to find a nice comfy couch to rest on. Up here in Alaska it was -54 the day I arrived and my first breath outside the airport froze my noze hairs! My immediate reaction was I'm in trouble. So far I'm fine w/ the cold ... although I'm getting better w/ using my cane. For the last several months I've tried to play the tuff guy and NOT use it. Kids, if you're watching from home ... do as you're told. Not as "I" do. :)
 
tharin4prez,

Sounds like things are going well. That is great to hear!

I had a legal NCO from Alaska who raved about the place...my only exposure to the state is watching Ice Road Truckers and the Deadliest Catch. Looks like some beautiful terrain, but I am not sure how I would do with the cold...growing up in New England, I may have had my fill of all that. But it sounds like you are enjoying retired life.

Drop in from time to time and let us know how your doing...and if you haven't already, make sure you head to the VA!
 
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