Guest viewing is limited

MUA RTKR Done!

Status
Not open for further replies.
wberry said:
You folks are scaring me


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
Click to expand...
Not here to scare you WB!

I have had ITB syndrome for many years, have it on both legs..the right is just flared up now because of the TKR to that leg...you technically cannot "stretch" the IT band itself, but can stretch the muscles around it..they talked about doing a surgery to release the IT band but I opted out of it..I did have a cortisone shot in it and they literally could not get the needle to go in, I have a bursa type sack where they tried to insert it and when they hit that I hit the ceiling...needless to say I didn't allow them to continue, they were lucky to be walking out with all of their body parts!

My left leg (the good leg) has already had 3 scopes done, I have no lateral meniscus and only partial medial left in it..it is showing bone spurs as well as a nice big bakers cyst on the last MRI...so I know it will have to be done, just was thinking a LOT longer..my husband laughs when I tell him that because Ive needed it replaced for the last 5 years...if the VA doesn't make the left knee service connected due to the overuse of the right leg, which is service connected, then they will pay for the surgery but not for the convalesces pay. So I am going thru the paperwork and red tape to have it re-evaluated, especially now since I have had the right one replaced...
 
Both mine are service connected at 0%. That rating was from when I retired in 2008. I disagreed with it then, but I had reasonably full ROM and controllable pain, so I didn't argue with them at the time. When I dropped off the paperwork requesting the temporary increase due to the surgery, my favorite VA employee said, "If you're needing replacement, they should probably increase that rating." Well...yeah. He made a few annotations on the paperwork that should help it go through more quickly, which, of course, still means I can expect to hear something in four to six months.

I'm presuming I'll get a minimum of 30% on each one after each replacement when they do the final analysis (that's what the e-CFR says is minimum). I don't want a higher rating, because that would mean something went wrong with the surgery or the recovery, and that would not be good. But I do want to be compensated accurately.
 
just stopping by to see how you're doing? How's the ROM going. Have you seen your OS?
 
@PolarBear60 and @Spencieca I could use some help getting my knees on the service connected. I did airborne school, injured both legs in school but got my wings. Went on active duty and spent ten tears pounding my knees every morning except Saturday and Sunday. Had a bad accident where I was mock from a tree and fell 25 feet and landed on my feet which immediately collapsed. That resulted in degenerative disc disease and the need for a level three servical fusion. One of my civilian docs after I left service warned that I was going to have problems with my back and possibly knees due to that injury. Problem is the only time I went in on my knees or legs was after the injury at airborne school. And I checked my records, which I have a copy of, and it's not in there. So do you think I can claim and ask for a evaluation on my knees based on service and airborne and the fall? This knee replacement cost me 4k out of my pocket. I don't have anyone around to help me with my claims. I have managed to get 40 %, but that was only after I had 30% when I left service and I went back and got another 30% on my neck fusion, and hearing. Of course the weird calculation they use reduced that to only 10% more. Can any of you folks help me.


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
 
WB...I would contact someone at the DAV or whichever affiliation you prefer and they can help you fill all of the paperwork out...it never hurts to try, the worst they could say is no, right?

Jean: I am at 20% for right knee, classified as ligament strain...so Im re-applying for 30% due to the replacement...hopefully it will go thru within a decent amount of time..unfortunately I was told I couldn't request the 100% convalescence pay until After the surgery so I did...Now just waiting....

Hi AJ: Im doing OK..saw the OS on Thursday and he said all was healing nicely, just a little slower than others. Told me to keep up the PT and to see him in 4 weeks, which will be my 12 week check up, then he will take X-rays as well...Now Im just working on my ROM and getting back to work slowly (Im a petsitter and stay at peoples homes when they go out of town and watch their pets, and also do daily walks)..How are you?
 
I have had the same issues with non op leg. My knee throbs from under the kneecap area up to mid thigh even when its up. The stairs are also not helping and we have 2 flights. My hip has also been quite painful. Im 43 and since my revision rtkr i can definitely tell how bad my left is now :-( I also have osteoarthritis in my big toe joints and was supposed to have surgery last year after my primary tkr but had to put a hold on it because of the problems with the knee. At this stage after 6 ops in 6 years on my right knee and 6 rehabs i need a break. My left knee seems to have a different idea. Im hoping it will calm down once the new knee recovers.


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
 
Today was a great day, I actually went a lot of the day without knee pain..I was in the pool most of the time and when I was I was walking in the water, doing some bends, trying to swim and just loving the feeling of the weightlessness...then I went into the hot tub a few times and had the jets on my lower back and on my thigh and hamstrings....now I am at home cooking some dinner on the BBQ and just being thankful for a wonderful day with little pain! It is still stiff and cannot bend far but at least it doesn't hurt right now..did just take some pain meds though cuz Im pretty sure its going to let me know that it was used a lot..I also kept a hat over it the entire time I was out of the pool and had 65 on it when I was in the pool..not sunburning this beautiful scar! Have a great week everyone!
 
Brilliant amazing what being in such a relaxed state an do

Legin THR Sep 14
 
Yep, me too! My non-op knee has been complaining loudly and I can't get it done until next year. I don't have enough sick time at work, not to mention, the havoc it would cause to take another 3 months off. Sigh...pretty much means I'll be walking with a cane for another year.
Color me....depressed. :-(
 
Well at least you didn't do a bilateral, I wish I could have, but we are doomed to have to jump twice.


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
 
Last edited by a moderator:
WB, I WANTED them to do the Bi-lateral and they wouldn't....

Today I had PT and it went great! I got to 0 and 96!!!! Did my exercises fairly painless but the best part was..wait for it....I got ALL the way around on the bike BOTH ways!!! My toe was a little pointed but I couldn't do that last week or ever before...we even lowered the seat a little..I was so excited! Told the hubby that accomplishment deserved Sonic today! He was running late, had to go back to work so I told him it could wait til Wed. :) Getting around forward on the bike lifted my spirits, something I REALLY needed! I felt like I was on cloud 9 :dancy:
 
That is excellent, congrats, and you do deserve Sonic!! :yes!:
 
I think it is also Ref! And I started using Blue Emu super strength creme on my muscles around the knee, the thigh, hamstrings and lower back...figured it couldn't hurt!
 
@wberry I'm not sure how much traction you'll gain getting service-connected without military medical records corroborating what you're reporting. Do you have any administrative paperwork that might help? Quarters slips or anything like that? I think @Spencieca 's recommendation of tracking down a Veteran Service Officer either with the VA, the VFW, American Legion, or state or county veteran's office would be your best approach. Your story is not unique, and I'll bet they know the ropes. I found those organizations wanted my power of attorney, but I still had to do all the work. Then I learned the VA employee assigned to collect our paperwork was pretty darn good, so I just work with him now. For instance, @Spencieca , when you are filing your VA Form 21-526b for the 100% temporary disability, in Block 7 for Increased Evaluation, enter "Total Knee Replacement (Para 29/30)" When I submitted my paperwork, he added "bilateral osteoarthritis" (my diagnosis for why the replacement was necessary). Here's the reference for paragraphs 29/30. I submitted the forms for them to request what they needed from my doctor, because the last thing I want to do is run around gathering it all, but I did get copies of what's been done so far and submitted it with the claim. In your case, since the VA has been doing your work, they'll have your records and films, so it should be easier.
 
Thanks @PolarBear60..Ive been very fortunate with working with the VA..I submitted the surgery reports as well as a doctors note stating that I would be out of work for 90 days....I think it will take longer than that but I cannot request an extension until the 90 days has expired...The VA sent my case outside of the VA, to the Navy Base and their systems don't talk to each other...you would think they would in this day and age! My doc at the VA couldn't get me in until June and I wanted the surgery BEFORE summer, so they are contracting people out to other sources..this has something to do with the big deal that was brought to the surface regarding Vets waiting absurd amount of time to been seen in clinics for ailments...but Im not too worried, it is all taken care of and they do retro-acctive pay from the date of the surgery...
 
Goodness, you folks have it all lined up dress right dress. I have looked through
My records and that injury in jump school is not in the medical records I had while at my last duty station. I had 30% when I left because a nice civilian helped me during my 60 day out process and submitted everything. I had my award letter before I ETS'd. Got it bumped to 40% because I had a cervical fusion as a result of the in service injury. No I did not know about being able to get a temporary increase for surgeries. Money left on the table.
I just don't have any good people in this area. So I have been trying to do it all myself in the dark.

I still have issues with my back related to military service I need to claim and my knees, back is covered by the fall, knees are scetchy

Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
 
Woo hoo! Look out, world, here she comes! Congrats on making the wheels go round!


Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Corganics CBD
Active Antimicrobial Hydrogel

Staff online

Members online

Total: 2,629 (members: 2, guests: 2,627)

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom