Do any combat arms veterans have neck, back, or knee problems?

2020-07-15T10:53:22-04:00

As many of you know, many infantry and/or airborne veterans develop problems as they age such as arthritis in their neck, back, and knees that require special needs or surgery. Has anyone developed problems like those? Can those types of injuries be linked to military service?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2020 10:56 AM

2020-07-15T10:56:26-04:00

The better question is: Do any combat arms veterans NOT have neck, back or knee problems.....

Hell, I've been ADA, MP and LG and I have neck, back and knee problems and a busted left shoulder to boot.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 15 at 2020 10:58 AM

2020-07-15T10:58:44-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member Nope I'm a Poker, Navy Typist. I'm Starting to Get Arthritis in My Fingers Which Sucks. LOL!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2020 10:59 AM

2020-07-15T10:59:23-04:00

I don't think I know any combat gets without them. Especially GWOT vets. Wearing that heavy body armor for hours and days at a time takes a toll on your skeletal system

Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made Jul 15 at 2020 11:10 AM

2020-07-15T11:10:40-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member this is an excellent question. As a former Disabled American Veterans Service Officer, I can say yes to your question. Resources for assistance to file a service connected claim for compensation include VA National Call Center [login to see] , your county Veterans Service Officer (county government can direct you to the office number), Veteran Service Organization Regional Offices (located in the Federal Courthouse Building), Regional VA Offices (located in the same Federal Courthouse Building), Veteran Service Officers in the VANedical Centers. Even if you are not yet service connected, you can receive treatment in the VA Health Care System. Best to you.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2020 11:11 AM

2020-07-15T11:11:54-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member - A friend of mine was a paratrooper and now years later, He has had at least one knee replacement... Both knees are really shot... He is rated 100% disabled, but He also has more problems than just this knees... Obviously, what a person did in the service has a big bearing on what happens when they get older....

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jul 15 at 2020 11:14 AM

2020-07-15T11:14:23-04:00

I suspect most people who spend time in combat arms have something because as physically demanding as many soft-skill MOSs can be, combat arms roles are generally even harder on the body. And the longer they are in, probably the more and more severe they have.

I myself never had back or knee issues (and I had had knee problems prior to the Army, but not during or after...how funny is that?!). I do however have neck stiffness and occasional pain with a service connected 0% disability; basically, they are acknowledging it, but it's not much of an issue for me...unless someday it becomes an issue and the VA would address it.

I don't know the steps you'll need to take if you have issues that hadn't been linked to your service previously--if that is why you are asking--but I do know they do review such ex-post facto claims, because it is known that problems can manifest themselves years or decades after military service. Perhaps talking to a Veteran Service Organization can help.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2020 11:34 AM

2020-07-15T11:34:53-04:00

Back, Knee,Feet

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 15 at 2020 11:34 AM

2020-07-15T11:34:55-04:00

Armor aren't too far out of the loop.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2020 11:38 AM

2020-07-15T11:38:27-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member Absolutely. It comes with the jobs that we had to do.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2020 11:53 AM

2020-07-15T11:53:14-04:00

combat service support, but yes to all three - currently severe stenosis, torn meniscus, torn rotator cup, had one organ snatched and fought off another, Meniere's Disease for life, not complaining - just saying , TENS unit and an advil as needed keeps me going, never know when an orthopod is going to have a bad day so I adapt/deal, a beer helps on occasion(s)

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jul 15 at 2020 11:56 AM

2020-07-15T11:56:36-04:00

I've got back problems that were traced back to the design of F-111 seats. Never needed surgery, just a lot of time flat on my back that you can get away with when on active duty. Have learned the signs of when I'm doing too much so while the problem will never go away I can deal with it.

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Jul 15 at 2020 12:02 PM

2020-07-15T12:02:37-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member, they can be linked to service, but it is extremely difficult unless it can be shown in the veteran's service medical records, or somehow linked to a service related injury or illness. It is the price we pay for our service, especially those like you that served in combat arms.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jul 15 at 2020 1:01 PM

2020-07-15T13:01:47-04:00

Yes and maybe. You can always submit a claim, there are many factors that go into the determination, as usual the earlier the better following retirement or ETS. You can contact the DAV, they will know the odds and the process.

Response by SPC Douglas Bolton made Jul 15 at 2020 1:46 PM

2020-07-15T13:46:52-04:00

Yes they can.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jul 15 at 2020 1:52 PM

2020-07-15T13:52:01-04:00

I was in the infantry and have all those issues and they are all service connected and reflected on my %. You just need to be able to connect the dots to claim it.

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Jul 15 at 2020 2:11 PM

2020-07-15T14:11:12-04:00

I assure you it is not limited to combat arms. 21 years of active service. Retired 10 years ago. Had everything documented that happened while on active duty and received a modest VA rating.
Fast forward 10 years and I have had both elbows and shoulders repaired. I'm sure it is in part due to the millions of push ups, pull ups and MCMAP training, but how do you prove that?
I don't know how to even begin trying to tie it all together and get my rating looked at again.

Response by Maj John Bell made Jul 15 at 2020 2:27 PM

2020-07-15T14:27:24-04:00

Bad ankles. My fault. Too much running with a full ALICE pack, in boots.

Bad right ear. My fault. Used my finger as an ear plug too often as the Range Safety Officer. But for safety sake, sometimes that ear plug can't be in.

Response by LCDR Joshua Gillespie made Jul 15 at 2020 2:35 PM

2020-07-15T14:35:47-04:00

I've been thrown from a vic traveling 30+ mph (twisted my intestines), hit by a vehicle, struck in the noggin by a rescue penetrator from a helo, nearly died of hypothermia on land, had minor hypothermia in the water, and took nine stitches to the scalp once... and I was just a Squid and am "0%" with the VA.

Can't imagine being Infantry, Airborne, or anything more "high speed" without a litany of injuries to back it up.

I am currently working on a bad back and neck, early arthritis in my ankles (and probably my knees) because I am silly and do silly things in denial of early middle-age, and because I don't want to die easy.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Jul 15 at 2020 2:50 PM

2020-07-15T14:50:55-04:00

Who don't after serving? It takes me a bit to get moving and stand up straight if I sit too long. Whoever said its hell getting old severely underscored the truth.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2020 4:46 PM

2020-07-15T16:46:44-04:00

Yes I do, but the VA keeps saying that being a paratrooper has no connection, the last time this year, the VA didn't even have me checked, they just sent a letter with, DENIED. Oh, well, just keep dealing with it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2020 4:57 PM

2020-07-15T16:57:29-04:00

I’m not combat arms, I was a 91 series and have all the above injuries.

Response by SGT Herbert Bollum made Jul 15 at 2020 5:44 PM

2020-07-15T17:44:28-04:00

yes, most of us have these problems and they can be service connected if you keep pushing on the VA

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 15 at 2020 7:11 PM

2020-07-15T19:11:29-04:00

Many older tankers have bad knees due to jumping from the tanks.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 15 at 2020 8:52 PM

2020-07-15T20:52:44-04:00

As of date, VA refuses to grant any claims for those type of injuries suffered by Airborne troops, regardless of jumping with you own body wt+, bad landing, etc.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Jul 15 at 2020 9:06 PM

2020-07-15T21:06:53-04:00

I had a rope break while repelling fractured my L3 to L5

Response by SFC James Cameron made Jul 16 at 2020 2:32 PM

2020-07-16T14:32:04-04:00

I was told that I needed a knee replacement in 2016; had 3 knee surgeries and a shoulder surgery between October 2015 and December 2019. I don’t see how any Combat Arms personnel can make it a full 20 without some sort of musculoskeletal trauma experience.

Response by SSG Bill Moore made Jul 16 at 2020 5:21 PM

2020-07-16T17:21:36-04:00

D: all the above. Recent (10 months) ACDF surgery (anterior cervical dissection and fusion) C 5-7. 2 discs replaced with cadaver bone and then a fusion to keep the spine together. I've had knee scopes and I have to have a total left hip replacement but I'm too young to have it done according to the ortho docs. I'm only 43.

Response by CPL Jason Northedge made Jul 16 at 2020 5:28 PM

2020-07-16T17:28:28-04:00

Mine started with back issues now half my spine is fused. Still hurts 24/7. 100% disabeld after a long 4 yr battle.

Response by SGT Stephan Logan made Aug 20 at 2020 10:44 AM

2020-08-20T10:44:33-04:00

Yes they can and will make the connection. If you were ever seen/ treated for and injuries during your time serving then connect up with your nearest DAV OFFICE and have them submit the necessary paperwork. and by the way i was ADA and i'm paying for all the missions i forged through in the 80ies.

Response by LTC John Bush made Aug 23 at 2020 9:41 AM

2020-08-23T09:41:45-04:00

worth try but if you do not have anything in your active duty service records it will be tough. Jumping out of a helicopter in a combat assault with all the crap you carry for a long term ground operation is an invitation for sprains and twists but I don't know anyone that claimed an injury unless something broke. You just push through. I am 80 now and every day my body tells me '' I was rode hard and put up wet'' but I am 80 so lucky me. I had one documented incident during training but the VA said they found no record. .All I can say for you guys active is keep copies of your records

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Aug 30 at 2020 12:29 PM

2020-08-30T12:29:10-04:00

This is why when I was a 19 year old L/Cpl and looked at the First Sergeant, he looked 100 years old. Military is hard. And for many, brutally hard. Body takes a massive beating.
The hard part is when out or retired, going back and tying the “now” problems with the “back then” damage.
Will help if you have medical documentation from back then..
As many have said-start with your VSO. They really do care-it’s more than just a job helping our vets get help.

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made Aug 31 at 2020 12:00 AM

2020-08-31T00:00:15-04:00

Byron Skinner. THe conditions you described are mainly a condition of aging. The VA doesn’t cover that. If you dis have ahead injury it is possible that you problem could be a condition of some injury you received on active duty. I would recommend that you go to the VA and ask for a eject up that includes a Cat Scan. Don’t let them do an MRI. The Cat Scan does a better job on tissue and other things that is not picked up in an MRI.

Response by SFC William Linnell made Sep 2 at 2020 11:51 AM

2020-09-02T11:51:41-04:00

Morning. As a tanker for 20+ years then an instructor at the Combat Advisor school at Riley having to wear what the teams wore One can ask What does hurt or is messed up. I am rated 100% service connected disabled. Head to toe. With degenerative joint (shoulders, knees ankles) and degenerative disc disease (neck, lower back to where the sciatic nerve makes a burning sensation down to my feet), torn rotor cup and impingement both shoulders, multiple concussions resulting in possible connection to regular headaches to migraines. Torn MCL's in both knees. Broken fingers, wrist and ankle and toes. Sleep disorder using a cpap machine. Ever since Desert Storm, issues with thyroid. And 30% PTSD which I down played bc I read that Congress was trying to use that against us and take away our 2nd Amendment rights, so that could be higher. But I am 8 years into retirement after almost 27 years active. Tankers. Best job I ever had. :)

I never have discussed in depth detail to the injuries I have or the condition of my body like this. The SGT asked about Combat Arms. Two of the biggest body beaters are tankers and infantry with airborne. I haven't been around the other combat MOS's too much. But I have always taught my Soldiers to make sure ALL your visits to the Doc make it to their medical records. If you're really injured get checked out. Never suck it up bc it could make it a lot worse. Which I have sucked it up a good many a times when I became a SSG and SFC. LOL

Response by GySgt Tony Alley made Sep 9 at 2020 3:00 PM

2020-09-09T15:00:06-04:00

4 shoulder surgeries (2 each), 2 knee surgeries, 3 fused vertebrae, and both hips replaced, and I'm only 51...

Response by SGT(P) Le'a K Billingsley made Sep 9 at 2020 3:51 PM

2020-09-09T15:51:08-04:00

Yes. Check with your State representative at the Veterans hospital for assistance.