I just recently filed a claim for a neck condition that I have. My VSO didn't put on the claim that itwas secondary, but I feel it could be quite possible it is secondary to my back injury. I injured my back while I was in the military and am now service connected (20%)for that back injury. I have also had problems with my neck and dealing with a lot of pain in my neck and arms and numbness sometime, it comes and goes. I started to look at my MRI and found that there were some issues with a disk in my neck as well, there could have been two different situations where I could have injured my neck in my medical record...but my VSO doesnt have it down as fileing for secondary on the claim so at this point I am not sure what to do. This is a word that is mentioned in my MRI about a Disk in my neck in the MRI report. (Retrolisthesis) this is what I found on the web as one of the definition of this word. It mentioned other problems but this word stood out to me so I will copy past here what it said:
A retrolisthesis is an acute, degenerative, or congenital condition in which a vertebra in the spine becomes displaced and moves backward. In most cases, retrolisthesis occurs when a soft disc that separates and cushions vertebrae either deteriorates or ruptures. Without the support of the disc, the upper vertebra slips out of place and puts pressure on the bone below it. A person who experiences the condition may have a number of symptoms, including chronic back pain, stiffness, and numbness. Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms but usually includes a combination of pain medicines, physical therapy, and surgery. Most instances of vertebral slippage involve a forward movement of an upper vertebra, in which it slips inward toward the chest. The backward displacement involved with retrolisthesis is less common, but still occurs in considerable frequency among people with degenerative disorders. Arthritis is a leading cause of retrolisthesis in older people, which leads to deterioration of disc tissue. Severe back injuries and congenital spine defects can also result in vertebral slippage.
Notice where it says a back injury can cause this....
I am lost can someone give me some input as to how I should file this claim...is this a secondary to my back injury or do I file it as a seperate issue.
A retrolisthesis is an acute, degenerative, or congenital condition in which a vertebra in the spine becomes displaced and moves backward. In most cases, retrolisthesis occurs when a soft disc that separates and cushions vertebrae either deteriorates or ruptures. Without the support of the disc, the upper vertebra slips out of place and puts pressure on the bone below it. A person who experiences the condition may have a number of symptoms, including chronic back pain, stiffness, and numbness. Treatment depends on the severity of symptoms but usually includes a combination of pain medicines, physical therapy, and surgery. Most instances of vertebral slippage involve a forward movement of an upper vertebra, in which it slips inward toward the chest. The backward displacement involved with retrolisthesis is less common, but still occurs in considerable frequency among people with degenerative disorders. Arthritis is a leading cause of retrolisthesis in older people, which leads to deterioration of disc tissue. Severe back injuries and congenital spine defects can also result in vertebral slippage.
Notice where it says a back injury can cause this....
I am lost can someone give me some input as to how I should file this claim...is this a secondary to my back injury or do I file it as a seperate issue.
