CONFUSED AND NEED GUIDENCE

E

emoody

PEB Forum Regular Member
Hello All! I am so glad I found this site. Thanks so mcuh for having it availible.

My name is Elisha and I have been in the Coast Guard for 7 years. About 3 years ago my health started to go down hill and now I am going through the MEB process. I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalg, Disthymic Disorder, Depression and Migraines. The Navy docs really think I should get out and I am starting to agree with them. The CG doc thinks there is no reason why I shouldn't be able to do my job and that my only cure is excercise...UGH! I am here looking for as many answers as I can get and if I make a friend or two in the process that will be good as well.
 
emoody,

Welcome! If you haven't read it already, I recommend you review the "Overview of MEB/PEB" post (click on the link in my signature block).

After that, if you have questions, feel free to ask! I hope you get the outcome you want.
 
Elisha, quick reply

Elisha,

1.You have to review the information that Jason suggested in his previous post in light of your ability to deploy , particularly if you may expect to be assigned to sea duty or are in an aviation billet.

2. Frankly, no one knows your symptoms and how they affect you as well as you do.

3. Most Coast Guard medical officers do not have the same level of experience as Navy doctors regarding fitness for duty issues, as they do not deal with same volume of LIMDU and MEB issues as Navy medical providers at Balboa- since you listed San Diego as your address, it was reasonable to assume that you are being seen at Balboa.

4. I would begin compiling your medical records and then review the rating criteria for each condition listed in your records. Then, look at the duties that you are expected to perform on a daily basis. Can you perform all of your assigned duties? If not, then you may well be headed through the medical board process.

Keep us posted and good luck!

v/r

Jack Gately
 
Elisha, quick reply

Jason,
I just want to say thank you so much for starting this site. It is informative but also provides support!
 
Update: I have been put on half days now to accommodate my medical appointments and some other things I have going on. My command isn't happy about this at all. They decided to hold a meeting after I had left and told the office that my CG career was over, I would be getting discharged within a few months and I was unreliable. I don't even know what my findings will be at this point so for my supervisors to tell my co-workers this is rediculous!!
 
emoody,

Just wanted to say I know what you are going through. I am CG and going through a MEB. My package got to the IPEB in May, I was told that I would hear something in approx. 60 business days. It's October and still no results. Was told my package has not been reviewed yet. So, I hope this gives you a little bit of a timeline. Not that all cases are the same as far as that goes, but apparently they have a huge case load down at the IPEB.

This past week I was asked if I had surgery for my injury. Apparently for the last 6 months they (the local clinic and the IPEB) had no knowledge of it. Which boggles my mind because of all the medical release forms you have to sign. One would think the correct records would get to the correct people. I just wanted to say hang in there with all the things at work. It can be tough, and I had some bad experiences in the beginning. And in no way is it appropriate for your command to be telling your coworkers about your medical status or condition. No one knows the outcome except the IPEB, and your command doesn't make those "career-ending" decisions. I hope it all goes well for you, and keep your head up.
 
Hey Clair_108,
Thanks so much for the encouragement! I have also been waiting since about May timeframe although they started doing paperwork for it in November of last year. I really think the system is flawed. There are people who are suffering a lot more than me and I can't imagine having them just sitting, waiting in limbo for months on end. It really is ridiculous. I hope that everything comes together for your board and you get the outcome you want! Keep me posted on how things are going!
 
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