Back issues / Questions

[thedr]

Hi all. I was notified last week of a medboard being started for me and I had a few questions.

They're trying to medboard me for my back, and I was curious about the whole percentage that they calculate for it. From my understanding, the only thing they calculate for is ROM of the back/neck. How exactly does this process go? Some days I'm able to move just fine and others it's painful as hell to move my back. Do they not take into consideration pain levels when moving your back, or pain that is in the legs due to back/nerve issues? Am I strictly going to be rated due to ROM?

 

[Limbo]

The ratings for back are rated from the ROM test you will have to do at your VA QTC Appt. But if you have nerve pain then that “should” be a separate rating even though it’s a part of your back problem from funky discs and what not.

Now I’m not legal and you should take what I say with a grain of salt, but if you have
1) Proof of nerve issues from MRI, EMG (Like on the MRI it’ll say mild,moderately,severely contacting your so and so nerve)
2)History of treatment for said nerve pain (independently from your back pain)

Then when it comes time to do your NARSUM it could work in your favor by splitting the back and the nerve pain into 2 DIFFERENT diagnosis as unfit, instead of them combining the 2 into just one block together like

(Back Problems w Radiculopathy)unfit

I’ve read on here that when this happens a lot of times they find the radiculopathy a CAT 2 to the back and then don’t rate it at the PEB level. This is just from what I’ve browsed around on here, I’m no Einstein.

But if you get them separated like this:

(Back Problems) unfit
(Radiculopathy) unfit

Then you might have a better outcome

This was pretty much the jist from my personal case and it worked for me. But your legal team should look through your stuff and be your advocate.

 

[chaplaincharlie]

Nerve groups are rated separately from joints. Unless you back condition is severe, ROM rating are usually low. Contact service provided counsel to help guide you to a best outcome.

 

[KC13]

Hi all. I was notified last week of a medboard being started for me and I had a few questions.

They're trying to medboard me for my back, and I was curious about the whole percentage that they calculate for it. From my understanding, the only thing they calculate for is ROM of the back/neck. How exactly does this process go? Some days I'm able to move just fine and others it's painful as hell to move my back. Do they not take into consideration pain levels when moving your back, or pain that is in the legs due to back/nerve issues? Am I strictly going to be rated due to ROM?

I was med boarded last year for my back. If you have a nerve issue make sure that you include that as one of the disabilities you are claiming. I received 20% for my back and 20% for sciatica. If i wouldn't have included the sciatica i would of missed receiving military retirement by 10% (because you need 30% on the military side to be retired). In the end I received a Army medical retirement at 40% and my VA disability was 90%(because of other disabilities).

 

[GAS6]

I was med boarded last year for my back. If you have a nerve issue make sure that you include that as one of the disabilities you are claiming. I received 20% for my back and 20% for sciatica. If i wouldn't have included the sciatica i would of missed receiving military retirement by 10% (because you need 30% on the military side to be retired). In the end I received a Army medical retirement at 40% and my VA disability was 90%(because of other disabilities).

SHAYKB1013 - Did you have to get a Nerve Induction Test for your sciatica? How did you ensure that they included it? (This is the same conditions that I am being MEB/PEB for.)

 

[KC13]

SHAYKB1013 - Did you have to get a Nerve Induction Test for your sciatica? How did you ensure that they included it? (This is the same conditions that I am being MEB/PEB for.)

I dont remember there being a Nerve Induction Test. When you start the medboard process they will ask you if there are any other conditions you would like to claim. Thats when you include it. I was given the rating based off symptoms and pain.

 

[GAS6]

Thanks