1. Send an email (not private message) to Larry Mullen. Include all details and your social security number. He is the one person who can help you. Larry's contact information is as follows:
Larry Mullen
Deputy Director, DoDMERB
Larry.Mullen@dodmerb.tma.osd.mil
2. Make sure that you immediately initiate a claim with the Veteran's Administration, even if you don't remember having the pain while on active duty. This can change your life in terms of benefits, insurance, etc. The VA will determine whether this injury is service-connected or not. Do NOT make this decision on your own because you may not remember having the pain while on active duty. Let the VA make that call. If you need help with this process, contact the local DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and they can explain the procedure. The DAV is an organization that helps service members who have been injured to secure VA benefits. They have physicians on staff who are free and can fight for you if it comes down to that. The process of filing a VA claim is basically filling out a form, visiting your local VA hospital for an examination, and then waiting for a decision. The law is clear that any doubts about service connection MUST be resolved in favor of the service member. The DAV has its own staff of lawyers who will represent you if it comes down to that.