Hi Joe,
Sorry to be so late here but you are in my thoughts and prayers. With 5 discs lumbar through small going bad I will be facing surgery myself in the not too distant future. I have to drop off my FMLA paperwork at the doc today or tomorrow.

A note about the VA. Please bear in mind that they now have 9 years worth, and counting, of new combat Vets to treat. I know they can be real tough to deal with but I wouldn't want their job.