I was in the Navy during the Vietnam War. A disc ruptured in my back while doing some heavy lifting. Two weeks later the Naval doctors put me in pelvic traction. With no relief, they operated and removed the disc. I felt a weakness in my left ankle. While playing softball on the base, I suffered an extreme sprain. One year later, they discharged me with a 50% disability rating for my back, 0% for the ankle. The ankle kept spraining itself with the least amount of trauma. I was on crutches 50% of the time. Someone told me to put in a claim. After the exam and a search of my records, the VA conceded and gave me 10% for the ankle, but they said my back was getting better, so they took 10% away from my back. My back then began to go into muscle spasms, crippling me. Someone told me to go back and reopen your claim. The VA then said that my back really wasn’t any worse so they would not give me an increase. However, they said that my ankle was better. So they took away the 10%, leaving me with 40%. I wanted to go to college. You must be 50% disabled to get full benefits. I was too poor to go (SOL). A friend, John, told me to join the DAV and they will stop f... with you. Two years I was commander of a chapter and a life member. One more time my back put me back in the hospital. I had the National Service Officer plea my case for me. Next thing I know, I was awarded the 50% back and off to college I went.