Back Surgery

B

breamo

PEB Forum Regular Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Hi all,

I am scheduled to have 2 disks trimmed off of a nerve in my spine at the end of this month. At the moment right now I am on a 4 month rehab until November in which then they said they are going to see about a MED Board.

My question is, do alot of folks get MED Boarded out if they have back surgery? I am a Crew Chief and I dont think it is really the best thing for me to continue doing.

Thank you for any help!
 
Breamo,


First off, sorry about the injury and surgery. I had the same type of surgery five years ago, and although I am out of the Army now, it did relieve the pain for a few years. I too, was in aviation but did not have to fly much after my surgery. Try as hard as you can to rehab without re-injury to your back or other body parts, ie... your knees, ankles, and hips. Water training and therapy really helped relieve the pain and got me back into shape. Take all of the time that the Ortho Pod gives you to recover.

In my opinion there are some issues that you need to look at before going to a MEB. If an MEB is a requirement, what would be the best option for you and your family.

1. After surgery and recovery, how does your body feel? Only you can answer that question.

2. Is wearing flight gear going to cause more damage to an already damaged back? Again, you have to answer that question.

3. Is a Military Medical Retention Board (MMRB) available to you, which would allow you to reclass? What MOS would not aggrevate your back?

4. Do you want to continue active federal service? Are you fit for duty or unfit = Med Board (MEB) and possibly a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB).

5. If you are found unfit, continue to research Medical Seperation or Medical Retirement. My sugestion is to fight to recieve a retirement, because your back will more than likely cause you problems for the rest of your life, minor or major problems that may require medical attention, which is why you should fight for retirement, which equals continued medical insurance, not only for you but your immediate family members.

Good luck and I wish you the best.

VR,
Frank
 
breamo - to what I have seen and read on here, not all get put out through a Med Board. I even know a few in my Troop that have had back surgeries and are still kicking around on the Apache. Then, some others, they booted, like me (well not until the 19th). It all depends on how well you heal up and if problems will get worse. The ULTIMATE FACTOR is if you can perform your MOS specific duties, for your rank (even after your con-leave is done). If you can not perform your duties, for your rank then you will probably be sent to the Med Board. Mostly up to you, and how well you can heal. Wish you luck!:D
Nick Lawless
 
Thank you for the responses, I am scheduled to Have the surgery on the 28th. They have me on a believe a code 37 as of now meaning I cannot get orders until they do an MEB on me in November. The thing I am worried about is if I look on VMPF it says I am ineligible to reenlist because I am having an MEB done.

Normally I wouldnt sweat it...but my DOS is 21 Jan 2010. So if this MEB isnt done they will not let me reenlist. Do they just boot me? Give me severance or what.

I doubt they will have the MEB done by Jan. timeframe if it isnt getting started until the end of Nov. .

Once again thank you all for your help. Without this website I would pretty much be completely lost!

Thank you,

Breamo
 
Breamo,

You need to talk to a Career Counselor (REUP) counselor not just a REUP NCO, but a Reenlistment Counselor. Those are the ones who can give you more answers about reuping. As far as the MEB goes, you will have to wait until the MEB determines if you are fit or unfit. But you need to go to you Career Counselor (REUP) and have them help you out. If you have a REUP code that could possibly stop you from reuping, they can call your S-1 to get you back to a REUP code of 10 which allows you to reenlist. I wish you the best of LUCK and hope all goes as you planned.

VR,
Frank
 
There's got to be more to this story(was Re: Back Surgery)

breamo said:
Thank you for the responses, I am scheduled to Have the surgery on the 28th. They have me on a believe a code 37 as of now meaning I cannot get orders until they do an MEB on me in November. The thing I am worried about is if I look on VMPF it says I am ineligible to reenlist because I am having an MEB done.

Normally I wouldnt sweat it...but my DOS is 21 Jan 2010. So if this MEB isnt done they will not let me reenlist. Do they just boot me? Give me severance or what.

I doubt they will have the MEB done by Jan. timeframe if it isnt getting started until the end of Nov. .

Once again thank you all for your help. Without this website I would pretty much be completely lost!

Thank you,

Breamo
Click to expand...

Breamo,

The dreaded code 37!!! I take it from 37 and vMPF you are Air Force. I am in code 37 land myself. Once you have entered an MEB/PEB they cannot seperate you until it is concluded. So either it will be finished by you DOS or extend you. Two things come to my mind:

1. Can't believe you are getting this surgery so close to you DOS--must have REALLY been important, no other choice, for the AF to let you or recomnmend this.

2. Wondering why you are on the meb so early(before Sx). Are you on profile now? Is you back a major issue even without the Surgery? It just seem very early to put you on an MEB...normally you try to heal and then MEB to determine if you've healed enough to meet stds or if you don't meet stds. Find out who your PEBLO is and discuss why you are on the MEB NOW pre Surgery...the can't board you NOW for Surgery that hasn't happened yet, there's more to this story.

Just my .02

Nate
 
Yes there is quite a bit more :P

I have been dealing with back issues about a year or so.

I have had a bunch of injections and such done but they do not help. I was having a RILO done a few months back and they seen I was on Heavy Narcotics for back pain. At that time they sent back asking why I was on them ,,, initially the Dr on base said they were going to full up Med Board me because of this. But when it came down to it, they just decided(whomever they is) to put me on a rehab plan? until November. Once November comes they are supposed to be doing a Fast track Meb...not sure what that is.

Since this time my PCM referred me to a Neurosurgeon, even though I was seening a pain management Dr. Downtown. When I went to see him he scheduled the Surgery and thats where I stand now.

Hopefully this clears up your questions, I wasnt trying to mislead anyone.

Thank you :)
 
breamo said:
Yes there is quite a bit more :P

I have been dealing with back issues about a year or so.

I have had a bunch of injections and such done but they do not help. I was having a RILO done a few months back and they seen I was on Heavy Narcotics for back pain. At that time they sent back asking why I was on them ,,, initially the Dr on base said they were going to full up Med Board me because of this. But when it came down to it, they just decided(whomever they is) to put me on a rehab plan? until November. Once November comes they are supposed to be doing a Fast track Meb...not sure what that is.

Since this time my PCM referred me to a Neurosurgeon, even though I was seening a pain management Dr. Downtown. When I went to see him he scheduled the Surgery and thats where I stand now.

Hopefully this clears up your questions, I wasnt trying to mislead anyone.

Thank you :)
Click to expand...

No problem. Didn't get the impression you were holding back...

So the MEB is for your back issues, not you back surgery. I know this sounds stupid...but it is an important distiction. Again I'm concerned they started an MEB NOW before the surgery...and didn't wait for the outcome of the surgery.

It serves NO purpose to lock you into an MEB before the surgery. I would really check with your PCM/PEBLO and get someone to explain this to you. You don't code 37 someone NOW to start an MEB in November. You code 37 NOW to start an MEB RIGHT NOW!! (Not wait until Nov)

I fear (and I may be totally wrong about this) that they may be proceeding with the MEB before the surgery which may not be in your best interest...esp if the surgery is successful. It just doesn't make sense to me to rush to a code 37 if they are not going to conduct an MEB until Nov. A code 37 has HUGE implications on YOU(can't PCS, can't TDY, pretty much in hold status, not even supposed to take extended leave, etc.)--not something to haphazardly do 3 months early.

I was "pending MEB" for a long time...but they only code 37 me when they were ready to proceed with the MEB.

Just watch your back....(no pun intended)

Nate
 
breamo,
Sounds like you and I have alot in common except for the surgery. I am also seeing a pain specialist and nerosurgeon for back pain. Matter of fact I get more 6 more injections tomorrow morning.

Question for you though? How long have you been on profile for you back problems? The reason I ask is b/c of point that Greenne brought up.

If my PCM is telling me correctly, if you are on a profile or numerous profiles for 365 days for the same problem, "they must initate a MEB package". That is my problem that is coming up in Dec 09 if I am not fixed by then. But I am also dealing with the PT failures too b/c of the back injury.

Hope you get better bro!
 
I have been on a profile since around last October, makes for a hard time in the PT world we live in today, I constantly get hapred on about it.

As far as the injections go I have had plenty of them and do not enjoy it lol. I think from all the injections I had a total of about 3 days relief.
 
breamon,

hang in there bro! they initiated my MEB almost a year to date from my injury. i'm sure they had it in the back of their pea-brains alot sooner then that. i knew after my 2'nd surgery that it was inevitable. i really believe that if i had taken it easier after my 1'st surgery i wouldn't be in such a bad spot/disabled, today. but like you all i tried to do was get better. but the whole time i felt almost preassured to get back to work. it was not worth it. i hae a couple of buddies now that are in the same boat i was when i 1'st got hurt and that's all i tell them is to take it esay. forget about "them" (your unit). 9 out of 10 times they don't care. it doesn't affect them. and they will never know the pain we suffer both physically and mentally, unless they were truely hurt in the past. @ the same time it makes them even worse had they have been hurt and still preasure us to get back in the fight. sorry for rambeling. i just get so fired up about this and i do not want to see the same thing that happened to me, happen to someone else. good luck and keep us posted.
 
cd76 said:
breamo,
Sounds like you and I have alot in common except for the surgery. I am also seeing a pain specialist and nerosurgeon for back pain. Matter of fact I get more 6 more injections tomorrow morning.

Question for you though? How long have you been on profile for you back problems? The reason I ask is b/c of point that Greenne brought up.

If my PCM is telling me correctly, if you are on a profile or numerous profiles for 365 days for the same problem, "they must initate a MEB package". That is my problem that is coming up in Dec 09 if I am not fixed by then. But I am also dealing with the PT failures too b/c of the back injury.

Hope you get better bro!
Click to expand...

cd76,

That is correct. On the the profile form(can't remember the#)....it says right at the bottom under the code 30(regular profile) "resolved within 31-365 days". I was likewise told by my PCM if I was on profile for 365 days for the same problem...a MEB is automatically started.

So, maybe that is why Breamo is getting an MEb before Sx.
 
breamo said:
I have been on a profile since around last October, makes for a hard time in the PT world we live in today, I constantly get hapred on about it.

As far as the injections go I have had plenty of them and do not enjoy it lol. I think from all the injections I had a total of about 3 days relief.
Click to expand...


The 6 injections I had today were not pleasant in the least. After today I have confirmed to myself that the last thing I would every want in life is to stabbed in anyway, shape, or form. And the screwed up thing about today is, I had these six to run a "test" to see what exactly relieved my pain (numbing stuff or the actual steriod) for the 3 - 4 days when I had the first 4 at the beginning of july.
 
i feel your pain litterally brother :). i did that after i 1'st got hurt and pretty much tried everything uder the sun to get back into the fight. the only thing i kept doing was hurting myself more. i'm still doing the shots. had 2 in the left SI wends and have 2 more in the right SI tomorrow. after tomorrow i'm not doing them anymore. they just don't help. i have complied w/all treatment that was offered so by the time my next series is due my PEB "SHOULD" be done and so am i w/the shots. i'm still hurting from the ones on wends.. it's your body, career and life that these people are dealing w/and they just don't care. it's all about checking the boxes.
 
Thank you guys for all the encouragement :) I have done all the research I can on the procedure and work really isnt giving me a hard time about the 90 day convolescent leave...I thought they would.

So I guess like many of you are I am in it for the long haul and hope everyone gets better...pain is no fun :(
 
So my enlistment is up in January, but like I had stated I am not to be boarded until atleast November, and my PCM just said they may push it back because of the surgery.

If I am still coded and it says I cannot reenlist due to my Code 37, what happens to me? Will they just boot me...bye bye see ya...or will I atleast get compensation? This has really got me wondering.

I do not want to be the guy on office apace that works there and doesnt recieve a paycheck lol!

thank ya,

Brea
 
breamo said:
So my enlistment is up in January, but like I had stated I am not to be boarded until atleast November, and my PCM just said they may push it back because of the surgery.

If I am still coded and it says I cannot reenlist due to my Code 37, what happens to me? Will they just boot me...bye bye see ya...or will I atleast get compensation? This has really got me wondering.

I do not want to be the guy on office apace that works there and doesnt recieve a paycheck lol!

thank ya,

Brea
Click to expand...

If you are code37....I do not believe you can seperate. On vMPF, it should say under Assignment Availibility/Deployment Availibility "Memebr undergoing MEB/PEB process....." or words to that effect. I can't remember the exact verbage....

If you are code 37, it means they have already decided you WILL go to an MEB, so until the MEB/PEB process is over...you won't be allowed out of your enlistment, nor will you be allowed to reenlist. (It will be extended).

They may not start the "process" of the MEB until after the Sx...but you're already locked into an MEB now by the very fact of being coded 37.

The only reason I know this is because I'm in a similar situation...Andrews is dragging their feet. I've been in code37 for 2 months now and NADA. They assure me they are NOW trying to get VA exams scheduled (pilot pgrm).

Nate
 
I am coded as of now for an instructor until JAN-FEB 2010. Under this code...if they extend me will I just stay here? I know I am supposed to be hot for orders but I guess I will not recieve any..correct? I really wish they could do this stuff sooner....you can buid a Shopping Mall in 1 month but they put so much red tape in stuff it is ridiculous. After the hassle this has been I am ready to just be med boarded out. Especially with the new PT stuff they are pushing out.

I would much rather be seperated/retired now, under good circumstances, then have them keep me in , then kick me out a few years later due to not passing PT tests.

Thank you all for the continued help and info.

Brea
 
breamo said:
I am coded as of now for an instructor until JAN-FEB 2010. Under this code...if they extend me will I just stay here? I know I am supposed to be hot for orders but I guess I will not recieve any..correct? I really wish they could do this stuff sooner....you can buid a Shopping Mall in 1 month but they put so much red tape in stuff it is ridiculous. After the hassle this has been I am ready to just be med boarded out. Especially with the new PT stuff they are pushing out.

I would much rather be seperated/retired now, under good circumstances, then have them keep me in , then kick me out a few years later due to not passing PT tests.

Thank you all for the continued help and info.

Brea
Click to expand...

You can't PCS under code37 either. So, you will stay where you are until the MEB/PEB is resolved. Either RTD at any stage of the process (MEB, IPEB, or FPEB--if that is the decision made by the board) or it has run the full course and you are seperated/retired from service. You, like I, are in a holding pattern until BIG AF decides what to do with you--no matter how long it takes. Hate to break it to you, but the MEB/PEB takes precedence over all else at this point.

I know...it sucks. With regards to the PT test thing...that is one thing you need to take into consideration...how do YOU feel about your recovery? Because after all you're the one that has to life with a FIT ruling...not the Drs.

In my case...one of the factors is I have terrible migraines and vertigo. The PT test is really hard for me--impossible for me to do Push ups/sit ups. I can do the run, but I'm real slow b/c of the meds. Do you think the AF is going to give me any type of break b/c I'm on 7 different medications...including an anti seizure med that makes me SLOW as molasses. Think again.

Furthermore, what if I have a bad day and get dizzy(migraines/vertigo) and can't run fast enough and fail the PT test 2 yrs from now (after a FIT ruling)? Is the AF going to take into consideration I got blown up 3 yrs ago and still trying to recover? Nope. I'm not looking for free ride...I'm just looking for some common sense here. Common sense would tell you someone with TBI/vertigo is not going to be as quick as a regular person--or in your case a back injury. Yet they will hold you to the same std. These are the things you have to consider...

Not pushing you one way or another....just my experience(and some others on here) that the AF isn't that friendly towards those that are injured--with regards to PT/profiles/PT test. We're pretty much treated like dog crap, IMHO.

Nate
 
Hello, I am currently undergoing an meb, I am at the IPEB process. My question is how can I find the regulations, dod or afi that will help me force the unit to place me back on orders until this is over. I was forced to resign my civilian job as acop and have been left helpless for a year now. My wife and I have spent everything we have just to keep the lights on. All I get from the unit is to bad no money in budget. I know I read somewhere that the funding is already set aside for members and medical issues. Is this true. Please help Sam
 
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