Hello everyone out there. Decided to try out this forum - stumbled upon it when looking for some information regarding the degenerative condition in my lower back.

Am a Disabled Vet, was injured in the Military (Army) and for the past 11 years have been dealing with Chronic Pain.

I am looking for some input regarding my situation.....I was chastized by the VA for not having surgery on my back yet. My research shows that surgery may not help me with my back - it may make things worse.

My current diagnosis is:
2005 Degenerative Disk Disease
Lumbar spondylosis with Degenerative Disk Disease at L5-S1 with vacuum disc phenomenon and bilateral neural foraminal narrowing which is greatest at L5-S1

Predominantly posterior annular bulge or broad based posterior disc protrusion extending from the right foraminal region to the left foraminal region. There is facet hypertrophy bilaterally. Moderate to severe neural foraminal encroachment bilaterally.

L4-L5 Facet hypertrophy and annular bulging results in moderate narrowing of the left neural foramen and mild to moderate narrowing of the right neural foramen (MRI 2 September 2005)

L3-L4 Mild annular bulging which does not significantly narrow the spinal canal or neural foramina

There is loss of intervertebral disc water signal intensity at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels with mild loss of intervertebral disc height at L5-S1, Anteriorly and posteriorly projecting osteophytes are seen at the L5-S1 level.

The conus medullaris terminates posterior to the L2 vertebral body. There is a focal area of fat signal intensity in the T10 vertebral body consistent with a hemangioma and there are fatty end-plate changes at the L4-S1, consistent with degenerative end-plate changes. (MRI 2 September 2005)

Now I have been also diagnosed with a healing fracture at the right fifth rib - can feel this everyday when I stand and a Neurogenic Bladder not to mention a score of other things.

The VA is saying that the Neurogenic Bladder cannot be connected to my original L5-S1 herniation and subsequent Degenerative Disk Disease. My Urologist says that I can only get a enlarged NGB by an injury to the spinal cord.....now I have to prove that there is a connection.

Nothing I am reading can tie the two together. Is there a test - the VA mentions a EMG test I had that was abnormal (in 97) when I was first injured but came out normal a year ago (2006).

Can you help?

Kim