NARSUM HELP

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NHow20

Well-Known Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Registered Member
I received my NARSUM a few days ago and had some thoughts I would like to hear an opinion on.

My NARSUM is being submitted for "Chronic Low Back Pain" without a significant diagnosis besides DDD (Lumbothorasic), nerve impingement of L5-S1 w/ radiculopathy of both legs and suggested Spondyloarthopy (Waiting to see Rheumatology for possible diagnosis). I have seen: Pain Mgmt, PT, Sports Medicine, Neurology and Orthopedic Surgery all with failed conservative measures. From what I read, the lack of a significant diagnosis and only having LBP can impact my chances of getting a <30% DOD rating which is the least beneficial outcome for my family. After first getting injured I had a slew of MH problems that arose from me transitioning from healthy functioning member of society to pretty much getting slapped with every restriction they could fit on my profile. This led me to getting diagnosed with severe GAD and panic disorder directly attributed to the "Chronic Low Back Pain' which is noted in their records. Is it possible since records show from MH that my issues arose from being injured that I intend to have listed in my NARSUM and furthermore impact the chance of getting above that <30% DOD threshold?

There's also the fact that with my Ortho treatment it was found that I also had multiple bulging discs that was suggested to be from my initial lumbar injury which I see should of been added as well...

Any advice is appreciated!
 
A couple of things come to mind.

1. Schedule an appointment with your IDES counsel. He/she will go over your NARSUM. They should be able to give you an honest opinion of what they think. As far as a number though to be over 30!?!? I’m not sure!?!? I got 40 percent for my back.

2. If you have records that indicates your MH then I would definitely try and get that added onto your NARSUM as an unfitting condition. It never hurts, the worse they say is NO and you just have your back.
 
If you have your NARSUM it means you got copies of your VA DBQs which means you’ll know approximately what your VA disability % should be. I had my NARSUM March 2024 and I just got my formal and final VA ratings (since I am reserves we don’t get “proposed” ratings).

When my OSC counsel and I reviewed my NARSUM and DBQs she predicted 40 for DDD which was the rating the VA assigned. Also, if you got nerve at L5-S1 chances are you also have radiculopathy but since we can’t see your Narsum we don’t know if your were “referred” for radiculopathy as well, that alone could be another 20.

You’re at the five yard line contact OSC immediately and have em review your DBQs. They’re might be diagnoses that were missed or straight up omitted by the MEB. The MEB, based on my case, will cherry pick notes from STRs or miss outside records provided to them. My NARSUM was missing all my LOD MRIs and they diagnosed my DDD of ONE XRAY.

At the very least counsel will tell you to “non-concur”. I did a MEB appeal, but MEB told me to go pound salt. However, at least I “non-concurred” so I get a second round fight at the PEB.
 
MSG_Raven2-3 said:
If you have your NARSUM it means you got copies of your VA DBQs which means you’ll know approximately what your VA disability % should be. I had my NARSUM March 2024 and I just got my formal and final VA ratings (since I am reserves we don’t get “proposed” ratings).

When my OSC counsel and I reviewed my NARSUM and DBQs she predicted 40 for DDD which was the rating the VA assigned. Also, if you got nerve at L5-S1 chances are you also have radiculopathy but since we can’t see your Narsum we don’t know if your were “referred” for radiculopathy as well, that alone could be another 20.

You’re at the five yard line contact OSC immediately and have em review your DBQs. They’re might be diagnoses that were missed or straight up omitted by the MEB. The MEB, based on my case, will cherry pick notes from STRs or miss outside records provided to them. My NARSUM was missing all my LOD MRIs and they diagnosed my DDD of ONE XRAY.

At the very least counsel will tell you to “non-concur”. I did a MEB appeal, but MEB told me to go pound salt. However, at least I “non-concurred” so I get a second round fight at the PEB.
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@_Raven2-3

As of now I have only received the NARSUM and I’m waiting on the CIS, my PEBLO hasn’t given me any DBQs. Is that something that I will receive soon or is this a failure on their part? My NARSUM is being pushed for LBP only from what I see.

Regarding my NARSUM it states “I” endorsed numbness and tingling. Not included in the NARSUM my specialist records have me diagnosed for radiculopathy of both legs.
 
MSG_Raven2-3 said:
If you have your NARSUM it means you got copies of your VA DBQs which means you’ll know approximately what your VA disability % should be. I had my NARSUM March 2024 and I just got my formal and final VA ratings (since I am reserves we don’t get “proposed” ratings).

When my OSC counsel and I reviewed my NARSUM and DBQs she predicted 40 for DDD which was the rating the VA assigned. Also, if you got nerve at L5-S1 chances are you also have radiculopathy but since we can’t see your Narsum we don’t know if your were “referred” for radiculopathy as well, that alone could be another 20.

You’re at the five yard line contact OSC immediately and have em review your DBQs. They’re might be diagnoses that were missed or straight up omitted by the MEB. The MEB, based on my case, will cherry pick notes from STRs or miss outside records provided to them. My NARSUM was missing all my LOD MRIs and they diagnosed my DDD of ONE XRAY.

At the very least counsel will tell you to “non-concur”. I did a MEB appeal, but MEB told me to go pound salt. However, at least I “non-concurred” so I get a second round fight at the PEB.
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I also wanna note that I have seen a lot of others cases on here where they receive their NARSUM farther in their MED board, for me im told after my CIS they will submit my NARSUM and CIS to AFPC. This contradicts what I have seen on here quite a bit. I would think the AF follows the same process as the other branches?
 
Tricare online…DOD login…documents…the DBQs will be there. They should also be in part of the “70-100” pages attached to the NARSUM
 
MSG_Raven2-3 said:
Tricare online…DOD login…documents…the DBQs will be there. They should also be in part of the “70-100” pages attached to the NARSUM
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Is there an initial NARSUM and a finalized NARSUM? Or am I mistaken, what I have from my PEBLO is only a few pages…..
 
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That’s weird man. Must be an AF thing…Army we had a complete package. Plus all those exams DBQs are part of your official record so you need access to them. How can you appeal or concur without reviewing them? Not all PEBLOs are created equal..I’ve never heard of initial NARSUM
 
If you have been told that your package will be sent to AFPC after the CIS is completed, it sounds like you are in the RILO Process. For those online who are not in the Air Force, the Air Force has a quirky concept known as the Review In Lieu Of ("RILO") in which an abbreviated medical board along with a Commander's Impact Statement ("CIS") is sent to the Air Force Personnel Center ("AFPC") to determine whether a full medical board is warranted or if the member can be returned to duty, returned to duty with an Assignment Limitation Code, or returned for resubmission after the member has had 6 months to a year to undergo additional treatment. If none of those options apply, AFPC will return the case with instructions to begin a full medical board and enroll the member in the IDES.
 
NHow20 said:
I received my NARSUM a few days ago and had some thoughts I would like to hear an opinion on.

My NARSUM is being submitted for "Chronic Low Back Pain" without a significant diagnosis besides DDD (Lumbothorasic), nerve impingement of L5-S1 w/ radiculopathy of both legs and suggested Spondyloarthopy (Waiting to see Rheumatology for possible diagnosis). I have seen: Pain Mgmt, PT, Sports Medicine, Neurology and Orthopedic Surgery all with failed conservative measures. From what I read, the lack of a significant diagnosis and only having LBP can impact my chances of getting a <30% DOD rating which is the least beneficial outcome for my family. After first getting injured I had a slew of MH problems that arose from me transitioning from healthy functioning member of society to pretty much getting slapped with every restriction they could fit on my profile. This led me to getting diagnosed with severe GAD and panic disorder directly attributed to the "Chronic Low Back Pain' which is noted in their records. Is it possible since records show from MH that my issues arose from being injured that I intend to have listed in my NARSUM and furthermore impact the chance of getting above that <30% DOD threshold?

There's also the fact that with my Ortho treatment it was found that I also had multiple bulging discs that was suggested to be from my initial lumbar injury which I see should of been added as well...

Any advice is appreciated!
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How did everything turn out? I just curious because my ped is because of lower back issues.
 
mikmac said:
How did everything turn out? I just curious because my ped is because of lower back issues.
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Unfortunately none of the extra stuff I noted was added to my NARSUM. Although my DBQ was very favorable for my back and presents itself as a 40%.
 
bas3adi said:
Hey! What did you end up getting from the DoD?
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I do remember reading that s/he received 60% total for DOD. Not sure if another condition was added - but probably so based on the percentage.
 
Brazzi said:
A couple of things come to mind.

1. Schedule an appointment with your IDES counsel. He/she will go over your NARSUM. They should be able to give you an honest opinion of what they think. As far as a number though to be over 30!?!? I’m not sure!?!? I got 40 percent for my back.

2. If you have records that indicates your MH then I would definitely try and get that added onto your NARSUM as an unfitting condition. It never hurts, the worse they say is NO and you just have your back.
Click to expand...
Who is the IDES counsel? Do I get the opportunity to meet with them after they have decided full MEB? Or is that someone I can contact before my NARSUM gets routed? I have asked my provider and my PEBLO to allow me to view my NARSUM for accuracy and they told me no.
 
NHow20 said:
I received my NARSUM a few days ago and had some thoughts I would like to hear an opinion on.

My NARSUM is being submitted for "Chronic Low Back Pain" without a significant diagnosis besides DDD (Lumbothorasic), nerve impingement of L5-S1 w/ radiculopathy of both legs and suggested Spondyloarthopy (Waiting to see Rheumatology for possible diagnosis). I have seen: Pain Mgmt, PT, Sports Medicine, Neurology and Orthopedic Surgery all with failed conservative measures. From what I read, the lack of a significant diagnosis and only having LBP can impact my chances of getting a <30% DOD rating which is the least beneficial outcome for my family. After first getting injured I had a slew of MH problems that arose from me transitioning from healthy functioning member of society to pretty much getting slapped with every restriction they could fit on my profile. This led me to getting diagnosed with severe GAD and panic disorder directly attributed to the "Chronic Low Back Pain' which is noted in their records. Is it possible since records show from MH that my issues arose from being injured that I intend to have listed in my NARSUM and furthermore impact the chance of getting above that <30% DOD threshold?

There's also the fact that with my Ortho treatment it was found that I also had multiple bulging discs that was suggested to be from my initial lumbar injury which I see should of been added as well...

Any advice is appreciated!
Click to expand...
Did they ever add or consider those multiple bulging discs? I recently looked at my ortho report and discovered I have 5 bulging disc. 3 minimal, 1 central, and one large diffuse bulge. My PCM keeps telling me its normal... but I would think with DDD, Spinal stenosis, retrolisthesis, dehydrated discs, transitional anatomy, and spine curvature (all I have) those disc bulges would be slightly more concerning. (At age 23)
 
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