ILLNESS BECAME REPORTABLE ON 4/30/01 WHEN QUESTIONABLE REPORTING WAS ACCEPTED AS A WORKMENS COMPENSATION CLAIM. EE STATES HIS LOWER BACK HAS BEEN GETTING INCREASINGLY SORE OVER PAST 10 YEARS W ITH NO SPECIFIC INJURY. STARTED SEEING MEDICAL SPECIALISTS IN AUGUST 2000 WITH SURGERY RECOMMENDED BY NOVEMBER 2000. FIRST REPORTED TO EMPLOYER WAS APRIL 2001. SURGERY SCHEDULED 5/4/01.