Pelvic stress fracture chronic pain

Hi there so a brief hx of my condition. 4 years ago I sustained a grade 3 pelvic (IPR) stress fracture it was confirmed by an MRI. I did the 12 weeks of PT enough to get me back in shape to pass a pt test . Get to my unit and attempted to run and the pain came back, I was put on a permanent profile and did more physical therapy. Since Ive been so limited for so long I never knew if the pain was still there or not. Years later I get pregnant and have a baby via c-section. Pain started to come back once I was recovered and carrying my baby around and attempting to run again. I get back to seeing many docs (sports medicine, different physicians, ortho and physical therapists) Nobody can figure out what the heck is wrong with me and why Im still in pain. I did another mri which shows the stress fx healed and no significant findings. I see a pelvic floor specialist lady now and shes quick to find the problem she says muscle spasms so the only way to get to these muscles is through my lady bits, 1 this is very traumatizing and 2 extremely painful. She says itll be sore for only a few days well its weeks later and it is worse than before, I refuse to do that again and the fact ive been living like this and my work quality is rapidly declining I told them Ive had enough. So now my P3 is in and Im awaiting the second signature.

Will I be found fit or unit? It was 100% service related, plenty of medical evidence but I worry because they think they found the problem but I refuse to let them do that to me again also the fact it now hurts worse and also the fact that my stress fracture heal so they see nothing wrong with me but there is so much pain and nobody can figure it out.
I also have severe anxiety and significant depression which Im on meds for now.

My limitations in my p3 are very extensive and the lifting weight block is checked with a N and the lifting limitations is also checked.

If my only thing I have on my profile is for my hip/pelvis but I have alot more other conditions will those be able to get dod rated?
Example:
Anxiety
Depression
Eye problems that got worse in service
Thyroid
Sleep
Facial nerve damage
Herniated disc
Leg numbness
Migranes

 

[Warrior644]

Hi there so a brief hx of my condition. 4 years ago I sustained a grade 3 pelvic (IPR) stress fracture it was confirmed by an MRI. I did the 12 weeks of PT enough to get me back in shape to pass a pt test . Get to my unit and attempted to run and the pain came back, I was put on a permanent profile and did more physical therapy. Since Ive been so limited for so long I never knew if the pain was still there or not. Years later I get pregnant and have a baby via c-section. Pain started to come back once I was recovered and carrying my baby around and attempting to run again. I get back to seeing many docs (sports medicine, different physicians, ortho and physical therapists) Nobody can figure out what the heck is wrong with me and why Im still in pain. I did another mri which shows the stress fx healed and no significant findings. I see a pelvic floor specialist lady now and shes quick to find the problem she says muscle spasms so the only way to get to these muscles is through my lady bits, 1 this is very traumatizing and 2 extremely painful. She says itll be sore for only a few days well its weeks later and it is worse than before, I refuse to do that again and the fact ive been living like this and my work quality is rapidly declining I told them Ive had enough. So now my P3 is in and Im awaiting the second signature.

Will I be found fit or unit? It was 100% service related, plenty of medical evidence but I worry because they think they found the problem but I refuse to let them do that to me again also the fact it now hurts worse and also the fact that my stress fracture heal so they see nothing wrong with me but there is so much pain and nobody can figure it out.
I also have severe anxiety and significant depression which Im on meds for now.

My limitations in my p3 are very extensive and the lifting weight block is checked with a N and the lifting limitations is also checked.

If my only thing I have on my profile is for my hip/pelvis but I have alot more other conditions will those be able to get dod rated?
Example:
Anxiety
Depression
Eye problems that got worse in service
Thyroid
Sleep
Facial nerve damage
Herniated disc
Leg numbness
Migranes

Welcome to the PEB Forum!

Upon your referral and acceptance into the DoD IDES MEB/PEB process after the submission & approval of your permanent physical profile with a "3" or "4" in the PULHES for (at least) your hip/pelvis condition via an U.S. Army perspective, the MEB will review all medical conditions evaluated on the DoVA C&P examination results and decide which ones are "medically acceptable" and "medically unacceptable" in accordance with U.S. Army regulations for continued military service.

If the MEB determines at least one "medically unacceptable" condition then the IDES case file is forwarded to the PEB for a fitness determination (e.g., unfit for duty or fit for duty). It's truly unknown if any of your medical conditions as annotated above will be determined as "medically unacceptable" by the MEB then "unfit for duty" by the PEB at this point albeit the PEB is suppose to review all medical conditions and then make a fitness determination for each medical condition.

Bottom line is that any/all medical conditions which prevent a military service member from performing his/her assigned military duties along with other supporting medical evidence and/or medical documentation should receive a PEB-referred "unfit for duty" determination by the PEB in accordance with established military/DoD regulations. Therefore, the PEB-referred "unfit for duty" condition(s) should become eligible to receive a DoD disability rating if all criteria have been meet in accordance with the DoVA D-RAS processing guidelines (e.g., a military service-connected determination then assignment of a VA disability rating in accordance with the criteria as annotated in the 38 CFR VASRD). Take care!

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer!"

Best Wishes!

 

[chaplaincharlie]

It is impossible to say if the other contentions will be rated by DoD. Some conditions mights be rated (anxiety and depression) depending on their severity. If the eye condition is corrected with lenses, no - otherwise maybe.

When you meet with the VA rep (MSC) you can claim all conditions. Pelvic fractures are painful and often there is nothing that can be done to stabilize them. Time is your friend, but rucking and other military activities are going to be against you.

 

[Protector_of_the_guardian]

Welcome to the PEB Forum!

Upon your referral and acceptance into the DoD IDES MEB/PEB process after the submission & approval of your permanent physical profile with a "3" or "4" in the PULHES for (at least) your hip/pelvis condition via an U.S. Army perspective, the MEB will review all medical conditions evaluated on the DoVA C&P examination results and decide which ones are "medically acceptable" and "medically unacceptable" in accordance with U.S. Army regulations for continued military service.

If the MEB determines at least one "medically unacceptable" condition then the IDES case file is forwarded to the PEB for a fitness determination (e.g., unfit for duty or fit for duty). It's truly unknown if any of your medical conditions as annotated above will be determined as "medically unacceptable" by the MEB then "unfit for duty" by the PEB at this point albeit the PEB is suppose to review all medical conditions and then make a fitness determination for each medical condition.

Bottom line is that any/all medical conditions which prevent a military service member from performing his/her assigned military duties along with other supporting medical evidence and/or medical documentation should receive a PEB-referred "unfit for duty" determination by the PEB in accordance with established military/DoD regulations. Therefore, the PEB-referred "unfit for duty" condition(s) should become eligible to receive a DoD disability rating if all criteria have been meet in accordance with the DoVA D-RAS processing guidelines (e.g., a military service-connected determination then assignment of a VA disability rating in accordance with the criteria as annotated in the 38 CFR VASRD). Take care!

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer!"

Best Wishes!

Ive done lots and lots of research I just worry alot and think about 20 different outcomes ive read the regs and the only thing i see that they can pin me for as far as medicially disqualifying is “unable to perform military duties/jobs” so then I worry that they will try to reclass me which wouldnt be in anyones favor because I ets in 1.5yrs and i cant stand or sit for long so a desk job is out as well, cant ruck, cant carry armour etc.

 

[Protector_of_the_guardian]

It is impossible to say if the other contentions will be rated by DoD. Some conditions mights be rated (anxiety and depression) depending on their severity. If the eye condition is corrected with lenses, no - otherwise maybe.

When you meet with the VA rep (MSC) you can claim all conditions. Pelvic fractures are painful and often there is nothing that can be done to stabilize them. Time is your friend, but rucking and other military activities are going to be against you.

I worry because i pretty much have full ROM its just everyday life of walking, sitting, standing carrying things although one of my hips is frozen “per physical therapy” so i feel like my rating is going to be nothing

 

[chaplaincharlie]

When conducting ROM vets are not expected to move through pain.

 

[chaplaincharlie]

I'm not recommending this law firm, but they have a information about pain and the VA.

https://www.hillandponton.com/chronic-pain-syndrome-va-disability-claim/

 

[Warrior644]

Ive done lots and lots of research I just worry alot and think about 20 different outcomes ive read the regs and the only thing i see that they can pin me for as far as medicially disqualifying is “unable to perform military duties/jobs” so then I worry that they will try to reclass me which wouldnt be in anyones favor because I ets in 1.5yrs and i cant stand or sit for long so a desk job is out as well, cant ruck, cant carry armour etc.

Indeed, albeit despite the advances in modern medicine and the best efforts of patients, some military service members cannot be returned to a full-duty status.

In this particular event, it will be necessary for the military service member to be referred to the DoD IDES MEB/PEB process. As such, the IDES process begins whenever your medical provider(s) determine that your ability to continue military service is questionable due to a physical and/or mental impairment. No worries and take care!

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer!"

Best Wishes!

 

[Warrior644]

Indeed, @chaplaincharlie's comment about ROM is vitally important when in the DoD IDES MEB/PEB process.

To any extent, stop immediately upon the start of any pain when performing ROM then inform the DoVA C&P exam physician at that point in time. As such, it's important to not continue otherwise inaccurate ROM measurements could be officially annotated onto the C&P exam; therefore, potentially resulting in the adjudication of inaccurate DoD & DoVA disability benefits/compensation upon the completion of the DoD IDES process. Take care!

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer!"

Best Wishes!

 

[Protector_of_the_guardian]

My case is going to be such a strange thing. Im AD Army stationed of Camp Pendleton but I have to drive 4 hours to Ft Irwin everytime to see an Army doc for profiling so my last trip was Dec 20th and thats when my p3 was initated but its now January 6th and I still dont have that second signature yet. How long does that usually take?

Also my unit keeps working me beyond the limits of my profile. So i really need to get this started so I can get away from them I go home crying everyday due to the workload theyre putting on me physically

 

[Protector_of_the_guardian]

I'm not recommending this law firm, but they have a information about pain and the VA.

https://www.hillandponton.com/chronic-pain-syndrome-va-disability-claim/

This is amazing information thank you!

How do I go about seeing a civilian doctor as they recommend since im ad

 

[chaplaincharlie]

Talk to your patient advocate. Ask her/him to help get you a referral to an Ortho doc off base.

 

[gsfowler]

Also my unit keeps working me beyond the limits of my profile. So i really need to get this started so I can get away from them I go home crying everyday due to the workload theyre putting on me physically

This is a tough one. Typically the only way for you to get this stopped, is to directly ask them not to violate your profile. Quite often (this may not be the case in your situation) we feel as soldiers a duty to perform.

You will need to find a way to talk to your supervisor about the conditions and develop a successful solution. If you are unable to work it out with the supervisor, utilizing the open door policy may come into play.

 

[Oxymoron]

A P3 can be started and finalized almost immediately. Your P3 shouldn't take weeks. When they changed the profile system a few years ago, it gave the Commander more leeway to override profiles. Essentially they can override with little risk based on mission requirements. Your Squad Leader, PSG, PLT leader, none of them have the ability to go into the profiling system and override medical advice.

The best thing to do is to contact your provider who initiated the P3 and ask them nicely why it's hanging in limbo so long. It sounds like you need a medboard. You should go to disability made easy and review everything you can to understand how the VA will examine you and how they rate your condition based on evidence and exams. They may PCS you to a larger Army base with a WTU to take care of your medboard. Would be worth mentioning to your provider if you want that.

 

[Protector_of_the_guardian]

A P3 can be started and finalized almost immediately. Your P3 shouldn't take weeks. When they changed the profile system a few years ago, it gave the Commander more leeway to override profiles. Essentially they can override with little risk based on mission requirements. Your Squad Leader, PSG, PLT leader, none of them have the ability to go into the profiling system and override medical advice.

The best thing to do is to contact your provider who initiated the P3 and ask them nicely why it's hanging in limbo so long. It sounds like you need a medboard. You should go to disability made easy and review everything you can to understand how the VA will examine you and how they rate your condition based on evidence and exams. They may PCS you to a larger Army base with a WTU to take care of your medboard. Would be worth mentioning to your provider if you want that.

Thank you for that advice I will definitely look into that!

 

[Protector_of_the_guardian]

This is a tough one. Typically the only way for you to get this stopped, is to directly ask them not to violate your profile. Quite often (this may not be the case in your situation) we feel as soldiers a duty to perform.

You will need to find a way to talk to your supervisor about the conditions and develop a successful solution. If you are unable to work it out with the supervisor, utilizing the open door policy may come into play.

I will try talking to my NCO again but will definitely utilize the open door if it doesnt stop. Thank you

 

[Protector_of_the_guardian]

Just wanted to update. Finally had my dr. call me for the 2nd signature, (it had to come from Ft Sam) but MEB process has officially been started.

 

[Oxymoron]

Just wanted to update. Finally had my dr. call me for the 2nd signature, (it had to come from Ft Sam) but MEB process has officially been started.

Congratulations! Glad it’s finally moving forward. It’s a hassle to be stuck in limbo.

 

[Protector_of_the_guardian]

New update!
My case is moving fast. I started my MEB 15 Jan and I already completed all my cnp exams on 31 Jan... had to use a third party for VA docs due to location. I think my ROM tests all went very well I was in alot of pain that day so my mobility was very limited. Im now just waiting for NARSUM and MEB decision my provider says theres no way theyre keeping me with all my conditions. I have to convince them my migraines need to be added on for DOD Disability as well since they dont meet retention standards. So fingers crossed. Also my cnp exam dr was extremely happy with me having personal statements for each claim he said I made his job a whole lot easier and That I painted him the bigger picture that he couldnt see. These are well worth the time to do!

 

[Oxymoron]

That’s good news! It’s also good that you got along with the provider. Mine were kind of detached during the examinations. I tried to make a dad joke to break the ice and the provider wrote that I am happy. Ended up being contradictory to the rest of their statement though.

Glad the statements are useful. Probably more important for you since you had to see third party providers for the exams.