military back injury, can I refuse surgery? Can I re-enlist?

[Tommy P]

About 2 years ago i suffered a combat related back injury, it has gotten worse over time and I have been on and off light duty. I have been working through it for the most part, and kinda staying under the radar. Well it got to the point where I had an mri and turns out i have a couple of discs that have degenerated to the point they are saying I need a fusion. I have been put on light duty now until the surgery.


Can I refuse the surgery? I am coming up on re-enlistment, will it affect that? Also, if I refuse surgery will it make it so if they kick me out i don't get disability.


For the record I have an excellent record, no NJP's, great evals, no medical problems prior to this. I am no malingerer. I am honestly a little afraid of my family not being able to survive if they boot me.... well. if anyone has any info please let me know. Thank you

[Jeff]

My best advice would be to get as much information about any injury you have sustained in the service in your medical record and make copies of it for backup. When you separate this will be extremely important for filing a claim with the VA. You could probably get 20% out of that or more if it progressively gets worse throughout your life, but you will have to talk to the VA to know for sure.

[Warren Davenport]

If you go ahead with the surgery at least you will be entitled to a military pension should they decide to boot you out.