Sgt0311
01-12-11, 03:48 PM
The title of this post may make you believe otherwise, but I am not a dirtbag. I am currently a Sgt on active duty and have served 6+ years. My MOS is 0311. I served my first four years with 3/7 where I did two tours to Iraq and am currently an instructor at Quantico. I have had back pain for about the past 4 years.
I did physical therapy for a year and then PCSed. I checked in and continued physical therapy as well as seeing a chiro. I was sent for an MRI and found to have degeneration in my lower back in several areas. I was given drugs and told to be on limited duty. The MO at the time, was very understanding. I told him that I would like to continue to receive any help available, but that limited duty is not for me. Not once in my career have I taken a light/limited duty status. He allowed me to stay full duty.
Now, I know that any grunt is going to have back pain, knee pain, etc. I accept that. I love my job and sitting on my rearend is not for me, so I continue to work and wear my gear on a daily basis.
I have been sent to an orthopedic surgeon, pain management clinics, chiropractors, physical therapists, you name it. They have all recommended that I be "boarded". The surgeon reccommended fusing some of my vertabrae together but I would lose a lot of movement and would not be able to do my job ever again. She said that if I didn't want to do it now, I will need to do it sometime in the next couple of years.
After getting a follow up MRI last month, my MO is strongly suggesting that I be put on limited duty, but is still leaving it up to me. I have once again declined. I have been told that in order to get taken care of when I get out, that I need to be "boarded". I want to continue doing my job until my contract expires, but would also like to be taken care of medically.
I am making an appt to go see the VA rep as well as Tricare to see what information that have available, as my BAS knows nothing about care once you are out.
Do I accept the limited duty and hate life just to be taken care of in the long run?
Or is the documentation of my condition good enough to receive the care needed once I am out?
I just want to make sure that I don't screw myself out of anything, but would like to not sit at a desk and be a window licker either. I saw a Navy LCDR, but was told to come back and see the Captain. I want to make sure that when I see him, I do not put myself in a bind.
Any advice would be appreciated.
I did physical therapy for a year and then PCSed. I checked in and continued physical therapy as well as seeing a chiro. I was sent for an MRI and found to have degeneration in my lower back in several areas. I was given drugs and told to be on limited duty. The MO at the time, was very understanding. I told him that I would like to continue to receive any help available, but that limited duty is not for me. Not once in my career have I taken a light/limited duty status. He allowed me to stay full duty.
Now, I know that any grunt is going to have back pain, knee pain, etc. I accept that. I love my job and sitting on my rearend is not for me, so I continue to work and wear my gear on a daily basis.
I have been sent to an orthopedic surgeon, pain management clinics, chiropractors, physical therapists, you name it. They have all recommended that I be "boarded". The surgeon reccommended fusing some of my vertabrae together but I would lose a lot of movement and would not be able to do my job ever again. She said that if I didn't want to do it now, I will need to do it sometime in the next couple of years.
After getting a follow up MRI last month, my MO is strongly suggesting that I be put on limited duty, but is still leaving it up to me. I have once again declined. I have been told that in order to get taken care of when I get out, that I need to be "boarded". I want to continue doing my job until my contract expires, but would also like to be taken care of medically.
I am making an appt to go see the VA rep as well as Tricare to see what information that have available, as my BAS knows nothing about care once you are out.
Do I accept the limited duty and hate life just to be taken care of in the long run?
Or is the documentation of my condition good enough to receive the care needed once I am out?
I just want to make sure that I don't screw myself out of anything, but would like to not sit at a desk and be a window licker either. I saw a Navy LCDR, but was told to come back and see the Captain. I want to make sure that when I see him, I do not put myself in a bind.
Any advice would be appreciated.