Trauma Induced Scoliosis/leg length difference

CamulusG28

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
Morning all. I have exhausted my resources and am unsure what to do at this point. I have used operation stand down, multiple VSO's, etc. While in i suffered numerous injuries. My back was the biggest one. They found i had Spinal Stenosis, and gave me a 20% rating for "back pain". Fast forward for a few years and the V.A. took Xrays of a part of my back and neck that the military never did and discovered i had trauma induced scoliosis (30 degree curve in my back and neck) as well as my left leg being shorter than my right leg (which ha sled to knee problems in my left knee from putting all of my weight on my left leg unknowingly for years). I tried having it added on as service connected in 2020. The V.A. sent me to a physical therapist for him to go over my records, do measurements and an exam, etc. He was almost an hour late to the appointment and his next patient was waiting. He saw me for all of 5 minutes, took no measurements, asked me a few basic questions and kicked me out of the office. I then got a letter saying I was denied and that it was not service connected. How would i go about adding this on? I know i need evidence gathered but what type of evidence? And would they give me the trauma induced scoliosis and leg length discrepancy if i already have a separate back condition on file? I would appreciate any help you all can offer. Every website i go to tells me something differently and i don't have any contacts i know personally who can assist me.
 
The leg length difference (LLD) can be from two sources; one is they grew to different lengths (Acquired) or trauma/surgery. The first cause is not generally service connected. A good podiatrist can make orthodics with the sole of one built up to compensate for the LLD. Getting orthodics will often help relieve some of the pain you are experiencing.

How much time expired between your AD and the discovery that you had trauma induced scoliosis? What your back Xrayed prior to service? Can you get a buddy statement from someone that witnessed your SC trauma? Are there records of a SC trauma? You can appeal this finding via E-benefits, but you need to get your ducks in row. You have 12 months from the date of decision. If a year has expired you will need to re-file.
 
The leg length difference (LLD) can be from two sources; one is they grew to different lengths (Acquired) or trauma/surgery. The first cause is not generally service connected. A good podiatrist can make orthodics with the sole of one built up to compensate for the LLD. Getting orthodics will often help relieve some of the pain you are experiencing.

How much time expired between your AD and the discovery that you had trauma induced scoliosis? What your back Xrayed prior to service? Can you get a buddy statement from someone that witnessed your SC trauma? Are there records of a SC trauma? You can appeal this finding via E-benefits, but you need to get your ducks in row. You have 12 months from the date of decision. If a year has expired you will need to re-file.
So the leg length discrepancy is from the curve in my back and neck (trauma induced). I Medboarded out on 10 march 2016 and the first xray that was found by the VA was June of 2018, and a chiropractor xray in 2019. There are records of a SC trauma. It is the same trauma that broke my sternum, wrist, thumb, etc. We just did not know at the time that it also messed up my back (even more). I would have to refile as it has been well over a year. What ducks do i need to get in a row? What type of evidence? Should i just start going to the doctor for it again? I had gone for chiropractor, physical therapy, etc in the past. I know these sound like stupid questions but i sincerely have no idea what I am doing. Thank you for your assistance.
 
The leg length difference (LLD) can be from two sources; one is they grew to different lengths (Acquired) or trauma/surgery. The first cause is not generally service connected. A good podiatrist can make orthodics with the sole of one built up to compensate for the LLD. Getting orthodics will often help relieve some of the pain you are experiencing.

How much time expired between your AD and the discovery that you had trauma induced scoliosis? What your back Xrayed prior to service? Can you get a buddy statement from someone that witnessed your SC trauma? Are there records of a SC trauma? You can appeal this finding via E-benefits, but you need to get your ducks in row. You have 12 months from the date of decision. If a year has expired you will need to re-file.
The V.A. has also given me inserts for my shoe to make my legs the same length, but they do not last very long before they wear down.
 
Good orthodontics should last two years.
 
So the leg length discrepancy is from the curve in my back and neck (trauma induced). I Medboarded out on 10 march 2016 and the first xray that was found by the VA was June of 2018, and a chiropractor xray in 2019. There are records of a SC trauma. It is the same trauma that broke my sternum, wrist, thumb, etc. We just did not know at the time that it also messed up my back (even more). I would have to refile as it has been well over a year. What ducks do i need to get in a row? What type of evidence? Should i just start going to the doctor for it again? I had gone for chiropractor, physical therapy, etc in the past. I know these sound like stupid questions but i sincerely have no idea what I am doing. Thank you for your assistance.
LLD is diagnosed by X-rays of the entire leg and measurement of the bones. Curvature of the spine can throw the hips non parallel, but that is not a true LLD though the outcome is similar.
 
Good orthodontics should last two years.
I received the little rubbery inserts from Physical Therapy at the Nashville V.A. and they wear down almost flat extremely quickly. I don't think they're the kind that were meant to last. Just get me through until I saw someone better equipped to deal with my problem.
 
LLD is diagnosed by X-rays of the entire leg and measurement of the bones. Curvature of the spine can throw the hips non parallel, but that is not a true LLD though the outcome is similar.
Had both my legs measured at Nashville V.A. They were the ones that found the LLD. Initially we only knew about the curve in the neck and back.
 
I
I received the little rubbery inserts from Physical Therapy at the Nashville V.A. and they wear down almost flat extremely quickly. I don't think they're the kind that were meant to last. Just get me through until I saw someone better equipped to deal with my problem.
I ended up paying about $200 from a civilian provider. Worth every penny. Oí

My son is a USMC WW. His stuff from the VA was also fragile. He went to the Center for the Intrepid in San Antonio and they hooked his up with a leg brace that noticeably turned his problem around.

If you LLD is 12 mm or less there is a very affordable and durable product called The Clearly Adjustable Heel Lift. It is 12, 1 mm layers. You just peel off layers from the top until you reach your LLD.
 

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