Could I Get Disability Without a Full Medical Diagnosis

[jplaw0821]

I'm not great at writing my own thoughts, so I will do my best. I have been back and forth with doctor's for at least the past 6 years for back and bi lateral knee pain. After seeing a Rheumatologist, Orthopedic dr, blood work, x rays and regular family doctors they can't figure out what is wrong. The doctor's (yes, more than one) shake their head and state something is definitely wrong, but don't know what it is. I have an MRI tomorrow and hoping that provides answers but not very hopeful. I decided yesterday to pull my medical records from my Army time back in 1997-98 and found all of my medical records showing a diagnosis for chronic LBP (lower back pain), no significant spina bifida and 5 degree lower lumbar scoliosis. After finding documentation referring me to the medical board for medical discharge I started wondering if that would help with veteran disability. Shortly after being recommended for medical board review, I found out I was pregnant with my son and was honorably discharged for that instead of medical. (Wish I had known how stupid that was back then). At any rate, it was then that I realized just how long I have been dealing with the pains and how much worse they have gotten.

My current physician informed me on my last visit, that with my knee and back pain along with the recent arrival of bilateral lumps in my forearms, joint pain in my wrists and thumbs that he believes I am one of the unlucky young adults with osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease.

At any rate, I always tried to hold down jobs and did pretty well up until I was pregnant with my youngest daughter who is now 2. I had to leave my job because the knee and back pain was so severe after standing short periods of time that I would be in tears. I tried to go back to work last May and that lasted a couple of months before resigning. I am a hairdresser and I still do hair out of my home on occasion, but can only handle one person at a time with breaks during what I am doing. I also tried working from home and found that sitting for extended periods without the ability to get up and walk around (back to back calls) was just as painful.

Since I don't have a definite diagnosis, do you think it would be possible or worth my and my families time to file for disability? I hate to think about it and am afraid to ask my dr for his advice/documentation, as I don't want to be judged as lazy, etc. I absolutely LOVE doing hair and feel like I through 17K down the drain and my passion to the wasteside. But, I also know that I have a family I should be contributing to and don't want them to suffer because of my pride.

[Mr. Knowitall]

I have been back and forth with doctor's for at least the past 6 years for back and bi lateral knee pain.

So your present complaint is of knee pain, but your doctors cannot find any reason for the pain? Nothing shows up on x-rays, ultrasound? No swelling, redness or other visible abnormality? No clicking or crepitus? Nothing in your blood work? What, if anything, did the MRI reveal?

...back in 1997-98 and found all of my medical records showing a diagnosis for chronic LBP (lower back pain), no significant spina bifida and 5 degree lower lumbar scoliosis.

If your problem were back pain, a prior history of back problems might help. But you're complaining of knee pain.

After finding documentation referring me to the medical board for medical discharge I started wondering if that would help with veteran disability.

If you have no service-related knee injury, and your claimed disability is due to knee pain, I am not seeing how the newly occurring knee pain would qualify you for veteran's disability. That's something you will have to discuss with your doctors.

Since I don't have a definite diagnosis, do you think it would be possible or worth my and my families time to file for disability?

What do your doctors say about your reports of pain and disability from your knee condition? If they are saying "We see absolutely no objective reason for this pain," assuming the MRI doesn't turn something up, I would see that as problematic for a disability claim based upon knee pain. You can also talk to your health care providers about how you might be able to stand without triggering knee pain, such as through the use of an appropriate knee support or brace.

Chronic, disabling pain that cannot be related to a physical ailment can be disabling, but like it or not the approach you may need to take to be found disabled on that basis may be through a psychiatric diagnosis.