Wow, What a ride.

I have stenosis and before they could get a scan done I used OXY all the way from Norco up to the strongest stuff available. I am now on a nerve pain med and doing pretty good. Sure beats all the side effects of OXYCODONE. I do have a balance problem in the morning but it beats all the meds I took to counter OCD meds. What the problems the OP has sounds like it is stenosis or bulging discs putting pressure on the sciatic nerve. I have had two lumbar epidurals and the second one has done more good than the first which means that the MD may have found the best location for future epidurals.

As far as military service and support from the Feds, I can't comment for fear of being poofed. I am a Cold War Vet and according to the VA none of us suffer from PTSD. Tell that to my family, friends and civilian Doctors.