Spinal Cord Stimulator Implant Journey

P

PhiberOptak

Member
Registered Member
Hello Everyone!

Just wanted to share my experience with lower back pain treatment and my journey through the MEB process and maybe help someone else experiencing the same.

Here's a little background on me:

Army
22 Years TIS (July 2003)
11 Years 13M
11 Years 35Q>17C>170A

I began having intense pain in my lower back late 2024 after completing a 6.1 mile ruck march train up for my second Norwegian Ruck March and started doing physical therapy. MRI showed bulging discs at the L5-S1 level along with degenerative disc disease, lumbar arthritis, spinal stenosis, and Radiculopathy. Physical therapy was unsuccessful and I was referred to my local pain management clinic.

Received my first L5-S1 ILESI injection 7 Jan 2025 and then a L4-5 ILESI in April and then one more L5-S1 ILESI injection in May. Last injection was a L5-S1 TFESI in August. Each injection provided about 50% relief but seemed to only last about 1.5 months each. After the L5-S1 TFESI in August I told my pain doc the injections just were not effective for me.

October 2025 I conducted a trial with the Biotronik Prospera SCS and it reliably relieved 80% of my pain. I was excited to be able to stand more than 5 minutes without excruciating pain. 22 Dec I got the permanent SCS implanted and got a free Christmas holiday with con leave! No issues yet and the recovery is going well.

My second followup on 6 Jan 2026 I asked my pain doc to assign a P3 profile to start the MEB process. That night my profile was update to reflect the P3 for "L" on my PUHLES and was recommended for MEB. Right now I'm waiting for notification that I am enrolled in the IDES process.

Currently using Google gemini and chatgpt to plan, produce appointment talking points and strategies for next steps to take for other issues that I have.

I am excited to start but also terrified to do my best to get things done right!
 
I recently was permanant disability retirement by peb.i received orders saying that my information will be sent to dfas to establish my retired pay account. I received a letter stating that from dfas stating that I would receive $1560 tax free per month well I also receive va compensation per month 90% ..in the meantime I owed a compensation debt to va and put up my payment to va from $500.00 to$700 00 per month out of my va .and when I was retired for a injury that occurred on active duty in Kuwait and I was retired 50%from army why did I stop receiving my dfas pay after I asked for a va audit I am confused
 
Best19701988 said:
I recently was permanant disability retirement by peb.i received orders saying that my information will be sent to dfas to establish my retired pay account. I received a letter stating that from dfas stating that I would receive $1560 tax free per month well I also receive va compensation per month 90% ..in the meantime I owed a compensation debt to va and put up my payment to va from $500.00 to$700 00 per month out of my va .and when I was retired for a injury that occurred on active duty in Kuwait and I was retired 50%from army why did I stop receiving my dfas pay after I asked for a va audit I am confused
Click to expand...
Sorry but I don't think anyone here can help. That would be a question for the VA or DFAS. If you can't get any answers I would contact your local congress person and do a congressional inquiry. They typically have a representative that can help people with issues regarding large government bureaucracies such as DFAS and or the VA.
 
PhiberOptak said:
Hello Everyone!

Just wanted to share my experience with lower back pain treatment and my journey through the MEB process and maybe help someone else experiencing the same.

Here's a little background on me:

Army
22 Years TIS (July 2003)
11 Years 13M
11 Years 35Q>17C>170A

I began having intense pain in my lower back late 2024 after completing a 6.1 mile ruck march train up for my second Norwegian Ruck March and started doing physical therapy. MRI showed bulging discs at the L5-S1 level along with degenerative disc disease, lumbar arthritis, spinal stenosis, and Radiculopathy. Physical therapy was unsuccessful and I was referred to my local pain management clinic.

Received my first L5-S1 ILESI injection 7 Jan 2025 and then a L4-5 ILESI in April and then one more L5-S1 ILESI injection in May. Last injection was a L5-S1 TFESI in August. Each injection provided about 50% relief but seemed to only last about 1.5 months each. After the L5-S1 TFESI in August I told my pain doc the injections just were not effective for me.

October 2025 I conducted a trial with the Biotronik Prospera SCS and it reliably relieved 80% of my pain. I was excited to be able to stand more than 5 minutes without excruciating pain. 22 Dec I got the permanent SCS implanted and got a free Christmas holiday with con leave! No issues yet and the recovery is going well.

My second followup on 6 Jan 2026 I asked my pain doc to assign a P3 profile to start the MEB process. That night my profile was update to reflect the P3 for "L" on my PUHLES and was recommended for MEB. Right now I'm waiting for notification that I am enrolled in the IDES process.

Currently using Google gemini and chatgpt to plan, produce appointment talking points and strategies for next steps to take for other issues that I have.

I am excited to start but also terrified to do my best to get things done right!
Click to expand...
Getting that P3 profile update on your PUHLES is the official start line, so now it is just a waiting game for the PEBLO and MSC to reach out to initiate your IDES packet. It is completely normal to feel anxious about the process, but keeping track of your records and staying organized with your appointment talking points will make a massive difference. Wishing you a smooth transition!
 
Hello everyone, I’m back with a big update. So, in march of this year, MRSA was found in my battery pocket and both anchor sites and required emergency surgery to explant the SCS. Huge setback for pain relief. Now I’m waiting the three months from explant to try again.

Regarding my medboard, this is the timeline so far:

Jan 11 2026 P3 Profile Issued

Jan 13 2026 P3 Profile Approved

Jan 27 2026 IDES Brief

Feb 3 2026 Commander Signed Profile

Feb 11 2026 PEB Case in IPPS-A

Feb 18 2026 PEBLO Assigned / Initial Counseling

Feb 18 2026 Commanders Statement Requested

Feb 19 2026 MSC Initial Contact

Feb 20 2026 Commanders Statement Sent

Feb 23 2026 Claim and dependent forms sent and received by MSC. Claimed 40 conditions.

Feb 24 2026 VR&E Contact, will follow-up 2 months prior to retirement

Feb 25 2026 QTC Contact, account created, case worker still reviewing case

Feb 26 2026 made c&p exam appointments with qtc for the first 2 weeks in March

Feb 26 2026 Co Cdr resent commanders statement to peblo, don’t know why she said she didn’t receive it on the 20th

April 2 2026 Received 3947 and NARSUM

April 7 2026 IMR Requested

April 9 2026 IMR Completed and results provided. No change to NARSUM

April 16 2026 MEB Appeal submitted

April 24 2026 MEB Appeal response. No change. Signed 3947 heads to VA and PEB

May 21 2026 Received 199 and proposed VA ratings. 100% and will be placed on the PDRL. Read farther down the benefits letter and found out because my PTSD was rated at 100% and the rest of my body is 90% I was granted SMC-S. Even though I sent my MSC the 21-686c they weren’t added to my claim. Getting a hold of MSC is usually difficult and requires calling multiple times a day for many days.

Jun 5 2026 PEB election made to request a formal PEB to get my PTSD added as unfit.

I’m currently waiting to receive a statement from my Company Commander, Team Lead, and other friends I was on deployments with to affirm that yes, he’s been through some real shit and has had to mask symptoms for many years to continue serving on Active Duty.

Estimated date for Formal PEB is next April……

Will post an update with the actual Formal PEB date when I get it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top