Question
Until late last year I was a serving soldier with the British Army.

In 1997 I had a fall which resulted in acute neck and back pain.  For months I underwent physiotherpay including neck traction, IR heat treatment and mobility exercises.

The injury did not improve and since that time it gradually deteriorated.  I was moved to an administrative role, desk bound which in my opinion compounded the problem as the amount of pain and reccurrence increased over time.

I suffer from a permanent dull ache and stiffness in my neck on the RHS, approximately 3 inches above the collar line as well as lower back pain (with occassional very painful muscle spasms) and pins and needles in my shoulder, lower arms to hands and fingers as well as the front of my thighs, feet and toes.  Coughing or sneezing causes very sharp shots of pain at the front of my  thighs.

It was only recently after I left the service that I applied to claim a War Penion and I discovered that my medical notes listed the injury as Injury to Neck and Lower Back, Annular Tear Intervertebral Disc L5-S1'.

The Army pensions agency assessed the injury as an 8 to 14% disability and awarded me a one off payment of approximately $9000 (US equivalent).

This injury is extremely debilitating to me and whilst I have undergone many physiotherapy treatments in the 8 years since the injury occurred, my condition has not improved and has also led to some issues with depression, anxiety and suicidal feelings.

My feeling is that the Pensions agency are trying to buy me off quickly as if I accept the payment I have no further claim for compensation.

My question(s):

Given a knowledge of the condition and my history of treatment, what would a normal assessment of disability be for such an injury.

Given the cost of private health care (both in US and UK), do you agree that the amount which I was awarded is a reasonable amount?  To be honest, I dont!

What are the options for treating the injury?  I would much rather accept a guaranteed medical fix, even if it means hospital time, rather than continued suffering and money in the bank!

Answer
Tony:

Thanks for writing!

The problem you are dealing with is one of ignorance on the part of the doctors. They do not realize there is a direct reflex relationship between the low back and the neck. The injury to your low back has messed up your neck and so the hand and arm pain.

I am not an expert is disability determinations and so cannot comment on that.

Your last paragraph is most interesting. There actually is a way to correct your body so that you are restored to health withou drugs or surgery. And that is through the adjustments by the right chiropractor.

I assume you are living in England now. There are some good chiropractors there. I enclose a list of three of them.

See if you can get in to see one of these doctors or at least get a referral from them.

Does this answer your question?

Dr. Rozeboom











  
  

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Ann McDonnell
38 Kidbrook Gardens
Blackheath, London, UK SE30PD
England
011.44.2082.933021
[email protected]
  Member Since: 2004
Sorsi Hours: 393
Certification: CC
Jonathan Howat
14 Holyoake Road
Headington, Oxford, UK OX3 8AE
England
011441865761802
[email protected]
011441865763003
  Member Since: 1979
Sorsi Hours: 532
Certification: DICS
Steve Williams
158 Wichester Rd
So Hampton, UK SO16 6UE
England
011.44.2380.78811
[email protected]