Dual Status Technician

[Blackhawkgeo]

I have tried to find the answer to my question, but I've come up short. I'm currently in the Army National Guard and trying to get my MEB started. I was medivaced from Iraq with severe respiritory problems and my breathing has been getting worse. I'm currently rated at 60% thru the VA and have been for over a year. It's been 16 months, but my unit finally got around to getting all of my paperwork for my MEB to state. Now I'm told that Ft Leonard Wood (MO) isn't accepting new MEB packets from National Guard soldiers because they are so backed up. According to state headquarters (Jefferson City) it could be up to a 12 month wait.
Now onto my problem....
I am a dual status soldier. I'm a Federal Technician and have been for 7 years. My respiritory problems are getting so bad that I can't do my job effectivley anymore. I'm having to leave early and take extra time off. I'm a helicopter mechanic and I can't be around the sealants, solvents and the fumes from the exhaust are causing me to use my rescue inhaler 3 to 4 times a week. Do I first have to be medically retired from the Guard in order to receive medical retirement from the Federal side? What are my options?
Sorry about the novel, but I just can't seem to find the answers from my unit. Thanks for a great site!

 

[jandk]

I have tried to find the answer to my question, but I've come up short. I'm currently in the Army National Guard and trying to get my MEB started. I was medivaced from Iraq with severe respiritory problems and my breathing has been getting worse. I'm currently rated at 60% thru the VA and have been for over a year. It's been 16 months, but my unit finally got around to getting all of my paperwork for my MEB to state. Now I'm told that Ft Leonard Wood (MO) isn't accepting new MEB packets from National Guard soldiers because they are so backed up. According to state headquarters (Jefferson City) it could be up to a 12 month wait.
Now onto my problem....
I am a dual status soldier. I'm a Federal Technician and have been for 7 years. My respiritory problems are getting so bad that I can't do my job effectivley anymore. I'm having to leave early and take extra time off. I'm a helicopter mechanic and I can't be around the sealants, solvents and the fumes from the exhaust are causing me to use my rescue inhaler 3 to 4 times a week. Do I first have to be medically retired from the Guard in order to receive medical retirement from the Federal side? What are my options?
Sorry about the novel, but I just can't seem to find the answers from my unit. Thanks for a great site!

No-You do not have to be medically retired from the guard to qualify for a civillian disability retirement from opm-go to OPM's website and read about what criteria must be et to get a disability retirement from OPM. On the flip side, if you are found unfit and lose military membership, you will lose your civillian job within 30 days and getthe OPM disability retiremtn. Read the regs. If you have over 25 civillian years and are 50, it's different.