My knee started causing issues while I was deployed, but I never got it treated. How would I be able to get it linked to military service?

SPC Colin Jenks — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 23:15:49 -0400

Recently I had surgery on my knee for an ongoing issue that started in 2012 halfway through my deployment. I was a gunner on a chinook and it started giving out occasionally. I told my buddies about it, but stupid me never got it checked out as I wanted to continue flying missions. Fast forward to Sep 07th of this year I had to have a knee surgery. It was determined that the knee cap kept sliding off causing it to give out and lock up. I had just switched jobs so I dont currently have insurance until Nov 1st and am accumulating medical bills from the surgery. Is there anyway I would be able to get it linked to my deployment? Is it possible if I had affidavits from my buddies that I would be able to use that as a link? I know chances are I am SOL, but I figured I would ask and see. Thanks.

Response by PFC Timothy Heuer made Oct 17 at 2017 12:39 AM

PFC Timothy Heuer — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 00:39:34 -0400

Never know brother, talk to your local VA rep and get the process started. It may work out.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2017 12:47 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 00:47:31 -0400

Not saying it's impossible, but it's highly improbable since you don't have documentation to back it up.

Response by CPO Rashad Boyd made Oct 17 at 2017 1:08 AM

CPO Rashad Boyd — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 01:08:26 -0400

Don't listen to any of those responses, get all of your medical paperwork if you don't already have one get you an ebenifits account and file you a VA disability claim for your knee on Ebenifits. Up lode all your medical docs into ebenifits. Then the process starts from there. You can also go to your local Vet center for help filing your claim.

Response by PFC Lisa McDonald made Oct 17 at 2017 4:07 AM

PFC Lisa McDonald — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 04:07:26 -0400

I have a lot of knee problems. They made me go to physical therapy and took x-rays.
I am now going through civilian channels and they are requiring me to go through physical therapy again before they will do a scan for soft tissue damage
Did you tell anyone in your unit about your knee problem or see the medic at all?
If you told anyone about it try locating them and getting an affidavit from them. Build your case.
They denied a claim I filed for lack of evidence. So I am getting ready to appeal it and bring hell on them by submitting a polygraph.

Response by Jason K. made Oct 17 at 2017 7:22 AM

Jason K. — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 07:22:09 -0400

The Futuro grey brace is excellent for what you are describing. It has dragon armour style scales up the side for stability.

Response by SSgt Scotty Marks made Oct 17 at 2017 6:18 PM

SSgt Scotty Marks — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 18:18:02 -0400

Get your buddies to write statements. That's considered "lay evidence." Sometimes it works.

Response by SPC Colin Jenks made Oct 17 at 2017 10:41 PM

SPC Colin Jenks — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 22:41:08 -0400

So I was reviewing my VA documents today, and it shows that when I signed up at the VA initially upon coming back, I had told them I was having knee problems. This was less than a month after getting back from deployment.