I am a disabled Navy veteran from the 90-92 period of Desert Storm. an untrained anesthesiologist tried "8 or 9 repetitive times" to give me an epiderual (the second of three I would suffer) to cut out post surgical infection from a pilonidal cystectomy. This surgical mishap has led to my having a L4-L5 fusion with rods and scews. I am a member of Paralyzed Vets of America due to this trauma induced degenerative disk disease and have since had C3-C7 fused also. Plus, sciatic nerve damage possibly is the casue of osteonecrosis of 75% of my femoral head of my left hip and warranted a Hip Replacement. All this at age 40 and I am still fighting with the VA to increase my compensation...from...get this...10%!!!!!!!!!! I have suffered much physical agony and that led to multiple nervous breakdowns and a couple OD attempts. God must want me around cause I really tried. I thank him for that. I am still appealing the VA's latest decision that "They agree I am disabled according to the conditions Social Security states, but take no responsibility for their causing any of my permanent disability. I get so mad...then cry....then write poetry....write lyrics....then go thru all the motions again. I am not complaining (as Shiedown says in the song 'sometimes goodbye is a second chance) but I do wish for the 'second chance' at a fair hearing from the VA to take some responsibility and grant me some higher compensation. The last visit I made to my VA psych...I was told I could no longer recieve travel pay and have co-pays now until I get 30%. ARGGGGHHHH! Oh well, thanks for leting me vent....Jimmy.