Not sure if I'm posting in the right section. I just registered today to seek some help...
I separated from active duty a few years back and I have had minor problems with my back that started around 2014. Nothing major to cause me to seek medical attention. For instance, I would attempt to get up and maybe 3 occasions of a massive pinch that would send me right back down and wait to get up in the morning (maybe about 10 minutes) and would usually put me in tears initially because it was unexpected but nothing that kept me from getting through the day to day on active duty. I was also young and didn't see it as a serious issue. I was young and healthy, ran long distance along with weight training to keep fit. I separated in 2016 and I lost insurance when I separated. The situation gradually got worse and my continued running in my opinion probably made it worse but with a poorly paying job to get me through, I was afraid of the cost that would come with seeing a specialist . I went back into the reserves ~3 years ago and and eventually had no choice. I began to experience numbness in my leg maybe a year later and called a quits after about 8 miles. I waited 3 weeks before calling a doctor incase it went away on its own and it did not. I should include that I started to get the pinching and slight pressure of the lower back around this time as well. I found an orthopedic specialist who diagnosed me with DDD, cool I had some idea of what was going on. I had a few test to figure out why my leg was still numb. This lasted about 3 months until I started physical therapy and they tried traction and it worked... for the numbness. Now to kind of cut down I've been through 4 rounds of physical therapy, multiple X-ray, MRI's, test, medications, etc and 4 specialist over time. It's gotten worse. I was finally approved by insurance to try stem cell therapy. So far nothing has worked and I'm in pain every single day, including the therapy. My record has been sent up for review and I'm pushing through daily to be able to work but it's almost unbearable. I don't know if I'm able to file a claim or if I have to wait until my review comes back but I'm pretty sure surgery is my only option at this point. It has been suggested by every doctor over the years and I didn't want it to effect my future in the military which is why I've waited so long and attempted the stem cell therapy. I'm still young but scared at the reality that I may have screwed myself by not reporting the smallest issues from the start. I can't stand for more than an hour without being close to tears and the same goes for sitting for long periods of time. So I guess I have two questions... 1. Can I still serve, even if its only as a reservist if I go through with the surgery. 2. Is it worth it to attempt a VA claim or should I eventually attempt to file for disability if I'm unable to work in the years to come on the civilian side? There's a lot going on with my back but I wanted to keep it as short as possible but anything is helpful.
I separated from active duty a few years back and I have had minor problems with my back that started around 2014. Nothing major to cause me to seek medical attention. For instance, I would attempt to get up and maybe 3 occasions of a massive pinch that would send me right back down and wait to get up in the morning (maybe about 10 minutes) and would usually put me in tears initially because it was unexpected but nothing that kept me from getting through the day to day on active duty. I was also young and didn't see it as a serious issue. I was young and healthy, ran long distance along with weight training to keep fit. I separated in 2016 and I lost insurance when I separated. The situation gradually got worse and my continued running in my opinion probably made it worse but with a poorly paying job to get me through, I was afraid of the cost that would come with seeing a specialist . I went back into the reserves ~3 years ago and and eventually had no choice. I began to experience numbness in my leg maybe a year later and called a quits after about 8 miles. I waited 3 weeks before calling a doctor incase it went away on its own and it did not. I should include that I started to get the pinching and slight pressure of the lower back around this time as well. I found an orthopedic specialist who diagnosed me with DDD, cool I had some idea of what was going on. I had a few test to figure out why my leg was still numb. This lasted about 3 months until I started physical therapy and they tried traction and it worked... for the numbness. Now to kind of cut down I've been through 4 rounds of physical therapy, multiple X-ray, MRI's, test, medications, etc and 4 specialist over time. It's gotten worse. I was finally approved by insurance to try stem cell therapy. So far nothing has worked and I'm in pain every single day, including the therapy. My record has been sent up for review and I'm pushing through daily to be able to work but it's almost unbearable. I don't know if I'm able to file a claim or if I have to wait until my review comes back but I'm pretty sure surgery is my only option at this point. It has been suggested by every doctor over the years and I didn't want it to effect my future in the military which is why I've waited so long and attempted the stem cell therapy. I'm still young but scared at the reality that I may have screwed myself by not reporting the smallest issues from the start. I can't stand for more than an hour without being close to tears and the same goes for sitting for long periods of time. So I guess I have two questions... 1. Can I still serve, even if its only as a reservist if I go through with the surgery. 2. Is it worth it to attempt a VA claim or should I eventually attempt to file for disability if I'm unable to work in the years to come on the civilian side? There's a lot going on with my back but I wanted to keep it as short as possible but anything is helpful.