Help needed! Am I confused?

First timer here. I looked around for a similar answer to this but didn’t find anything that satisfied me. Here goes:

AD USAF. (3E171 & 8R000)
13 years
Hurt my lower back in 2011
Herniated disc L4/L5
Bulging disc L3/L4
Surgery to decompress at L4/L5 (Discectomy and Lamenectomy)

Tricare made me see a civilian because of my assignment location (was technically assigned to unit in San Antonio but my recruiting office was in Laredo TX) was too far away from a military treatment facility. I was forced to then drive to San Antonio to see a civilian a whopping 8 miles from Lackland AFB and 20 miles from BAMC. If you figure out that logic please explain it to me!!!

I had a few MRI’s done and all of them showed my both discs having issues.

My question is shouldn’t have both of them been considered in my MEB?
There was never even a question regarding the Buldging disc at L3/L4 during my MEB nor during any of my VA exams (I just had another hence me asking this question).
This was some years back but as you all know sometimes you have to peel it back a layer at a time to see what’s really going on.

I have requested the AFBCMR to review my case to possibly upgrade to retirement as there were several missteps along the way IMHO. Any help there is appreciated as well.

How had this condition prevented you from performing your duties? Have you been on a physical profile 3 for it greater than one year?

How does the referral to a provider outside the MTF fit into the equation? Why do you think it is noteworthy?

My MEB has already been concluded in 2013. I was separated with severance pay. They didn’t give me a profile for that specifically though.

As for the MTF: I believe it’s important because both military neurosurgeons stated in my record that had I been able to see them I would not have needed the back surgery I.e. alternatives such as physical therapy for a longer period. It all seemed to be a huge eff up.