Tier 1 or tier 2 prediction for upcoming discharge wrist injury.

[Engtech999]

Good evening,

I understand this is truly not the place to get gaurnteed gen but I was curious for people's opinions, or even better someone that's been through a similar situation.

I've been having wrist problems throughout my career and it has left me unable to do press-ups any more and struggle to do my trade tools on job.

I first reported the problem three years ago, since then I've had multiple physio steroid injections and scans ect.

I then finally had surgery which found worn out ligaments and alot of scar tissue, and a small cyst.

Since surgery it recovered to a degree then got worse and worse and worse, I was fighting a downgrade for a long time as I am keen to deploy and do my job and not be a biff.
This isn't possible anymore.
I have an enormous cyst growing out the top of my wrist and latest scans show the ligaments are much more worn out and a different ligament has a hole in it.
I'm currently awaiting a second op to remove the lump but that is all they can do, the wrist won't get better and the only solution is to stop loading the wrist.

I can't use my tools properly anymore and unable to load through my right wrist at all, I have to use my left hand for most things now.


Long story short my surgeon is going to recommend me for medical discharge, I've done countless amounts of reading on peoples past experiences but can't find anything close to mine.

I understand tier 1 is most likely, but could I not argue that I won't be able to do most hands on jobs thus "full time employment is significantly impaired "?


I have received an AFCAS payment for an rsi injury but I believe I should be on a different tarrif and will ask for a review once I have had my second op.

Can a civil case be brought upon the mod for future loss of earnings if I get drafted into tier 1?



Thanks I know it's alot of info and I hope it reads right it's not my strong point, nor is wanking with my right hand anymore.

Cheers

 

[dingerr]

You can always bring a civil case against the MoD regardless of what you have received. However, it will cost you a lot of time, money and effort and that still doesn’t mean you will be successful. Any award you received from a civil claim would be abated by any award under AFCS.

What tariff have you been awarded and what do you think you should be awarded?

 

[Engtech999]

Hi,


Thanks for your reply I received shortly after my first op.

27

13

Hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow or wrist strain, sprain or overuse injury, which has required, or is expected to require, operative treatment.

Since then i feel my injury has worsened and actually below seems more fitting, i also have impaired grip but i don't know if it would be classed as severely impaired.

13

12

Ligament injury short of full thickness rupture, to one knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow or wrist, causing permanent significant functional limitation or restriction.

i believe that is the minimum i should get, i cant see how the military can admit liability to damaging my wrist for life then wash there hands with me for 6 grand.
The tarrif system seems to leave wrists out alot which is unsual considering how crucial it is.

 

[dingerr]

Hi,


Thanks for your reply I received shortly after my first op.

27

13

Hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow or wrist strain, sprain or overuse injury, which has required, or is expected to require, operative treatment.

Since then i feel my injury has worsened and actually below seems more fitting, i also have impaired grip but i don't know if it would be classed as severely impaired.

13

12

Ligament injury short of full thickness rupture, to one knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow or wrist, causing permanent significant functional limitation or restriction.

i believe that is the minimum i should get, i cant see how the military can admit liability to damaging my wrist for life then wash there hands with me for 6 grand.
The tarrif system seems to leave wrists out alot which is unsual considering how crucial it is.

You need as much medical evidence as you can get. This will not only help with your AFCS review, but will help to determine your pension tier.

Ask to see a plastics surgeon who specialises in hands. One of the best is Garth Titley at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. He’s used to dealing with the military.

You’ve clearly found the AFCS tariff levels. Levels 12 and 13 seem really crap for permanent injuries, look for a more appropriate level and make sure the medical evidence shows it.

 

[Forces Pension Society]

Good evening,

I understand this is truly not the place to get gaurnteed gen but I was curious for people's opinions, or even better someone that's been through a similar situation.

I've been having wrist problems throughout my career and it has left me unable to do press-ups any more and struggle to do my trade tools on job.

I first reported the problem three years ago, since then I've had multiple physio steroid injections and scans ect.

I then finally had surgery which found worn out ligaments and alot of scar tissue, and a small cyst.

Since surgery it recovered to a degree then got worse and worse and worse, I was fighting a downgrade for a long time as I am keen to deploy and do my job and not be a biff.
This isn't possible anymore.
I have an enormous cyst growing out the top of my wrist and latest scans show the ligaments are much more worn out and a different ligament has a hole in it.
I'm currently awaiting a second op to remove the lump but that is all they can do, the wrist won't get better and the only solution is to stop loading the wrist.

I can't use my tools properly anymore and unable to load through my right wrist at all, I have to use my left hand for most things now.


Long story short my surgeon is going to recommend me for medical discharge, I've done countless amounts of reading on peoples past experiences but can't find anything close to mine.

I understand tier 1 is most likely, but could I not argue that I won't be able to do most hands on jobs thus "full time employment is significantly impaired "?


I have received an AFCAS payment for an rsi injury but I believe I should be on a different tarrif and will ask for a review once I have had my second op.

Can a civil case be brought upon the mod for future loss of earnings if I get drafted into tier 1?



Thanks I know it's alot of info and I hope it reads right it's not my strong point, nor is wanking with my right hand anymore.

Cheers

The expression is 'gainful employment' in the booklet I'm afraid. But ... good luck with the argument.

 

[Engtech999]

Cheers again for all the help,

unsure if its my dyslexia showing or not but i dont think i need a plastic surgeon the lump that grows out the side is a cyst caused by a break down in the ligaments which means fluid leaks out.
my hand specialist surgeon says there isnt anything that can be done to sort this other than remove the cyst each time it comes back and hope it doesn't.

ive done my best but i cant seem to pin my injury down to anything that is a higher level than 12 other than "grip is significantly impaired" i will ask my surgeon if he can comment on that but i dont want to over step the mark when he has already done a lot for me.

i have contacted a civil law firm to see what they can do but it seems it may be a tricky one as there is a time limit of three years, and my injury has no set point it has just built up during my service.


once again thanks for the advice im going to gather as much as i can for when the time comes, tier 2 would be a real benefit to compensate from my loss of earnings as an engineer in the future.
But I've read several posts about people that would appear to be worse of in terms of suffering, then only getting tier 1.
my attitude to work hard and shrug my injury off for so long may mean ive shot myself in the foot.

i guess I've got time on my side now for planning ahead, il keep this updated

 

[dingerr]

unsure if its my dyslexia showing or not but i dont think i need a plastic surgeon the lump that grows out the side is a cyst caused by a break down in the ligaments which means fluid leaks out.
my hand specialist surgeon says there isnt anything that can be done to sort this other than remove the cyst each time it comes back and hope it doesn't.

Your hand surgeon will be a Consultant Plastic Surgeon who specialises in hands. It’s good you already have one and no need to look further.

Does your wrist improve when the cyst is removed?

 

[Engtech999]

Yes it does but only in terms of mobility slightly, the weakness and inability to load it remains and will for life.

my surgeon is an ex military officer as well so depending on what side of the fence hi is on it could work well in my favour.

 

[dingerr]

It’s not about sides, it’s about evidence especially how the doctors word their evidence. If you read the AFCS tables they will have descriptors including the words “significant” and “permanent” Find a descriptor that matches what you think is suitable print it off and show it to your doctor. If he agrees ask him to world your diagnosis in that way to present to the AFCS panel. If you don’t feel your injury is covered by the descriptors argue for a new one. It worked with me.

 

[BugsyIV]

I have an enormous cyst growing out the top of my wrist

Mmmm he bears the mark of Satan! Burn the Witch!...


Seriously though hope you get sorted.