Quick question for anyone who may know the answer. If I get diagnosed with meniere's disease while on active duty, do I qualify to start MEB and receive VA benefits? Or does it have to be combat related? Do I need to prove the disease was somehow caused by me being in the military? Or just being active duty is enough? Thank you in advance.
Entitled to VA benefits?
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Meniere's disease will change your H in your PULHES to a P3 which will initiate an MEB. Meniere's should be verified and documented by an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT).
Do you have hearing loss? Tinnitus? Was this a pre-existing condition? Are you on meds for vertigo and nausea? How many times a week do you have episodes?
The MEB will look at what potentially spawned your Meniere's.
If you are Army what is your MOS, if not what is your job and how long have you been on active duty? This can factor in noise exposure and damage to your hearing.
Do you have hearing loss? Tinnitus? Was this a pre-existing condition? Are you on meds for vertigo and nausea? How many times a week do you have episodes?
The MEB will look at what potentially spawned your Meniere's.
If you are Army what is your MOS, if not what is your job and how long have you been on active duty? This can factor in noise exposure and damage to your hearing.
Thank you LeoS, I do have hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. Not an existing condition. I do take medicine for vertigo, nausea, diuretics and headaches. I am Air Force and work a desk job. I have been in for 9 years now. The only thing I can think of is planes flying by and every once in a while qualify for shooting a weapon. What happens if they determine the meniere's Disease is not caused by the military?
This is only my opinion - if you were diagnosed while in the military and not before you entered then you should be good to go. Meniere's can be hereditary, but if you do not have a documented medical history showing this to be the case, you will be good.
Your pluses are that you are being treated and are on medication, have over 8 years of active duty and I assume your diagnosis came from an ENT.
Do you currently wear hearing aids?
Are you trying to stay in the military or be medically retired? Meniere's can affect every aspect of your life and degrade job performance.
Feel free to PM me.
Your pluses are that you are being treated and are on medication, have over 8 years of active duty and I assume your diagnosis came from an ENT.
Do you currently wear hearing aids?
Are you trying to stay in the military or be medically retired? Meniere's can affect every aspect of your life and degrade job performance.
Feel free to PM me.
According to Title 10, U.S.C. 1207a (10 U.S. Code § 1207a - Members with over eight years of active service: eligibility for disability retirement for pre-existing conditions) & AFI 36-2910 para 1.10.2.2.2, any military member that has at least 8 years of total active service & was on title 10 active duty orders at the time the MEB starts, any condition that you have will be determined to have happened in the line of duty for disability separation or retirement.
Since you have 9 years of active duty and are on a current enlistment, you hit both of those requirements. Rest easy knowing that regardless of how these conditions happened, this disease will process as ILOD.
As for starting the MEB process, there has to be a trigger event. The most common trigger is the medical provider saying an MEB is necessary. The next most common is your commander saying an MEB is necessary. Once one of these happens, you will enter what is called the RILO (review in lieu of discharge) process. Think of this as the pre-MEB process to make sure your condition is truly worthy of being tagged as UNFIT for duty.
Do you already have a code 37 profile?
Since you have 9 years of active duty and are on a current enlistment, you hit both of those requirements. Rest easy knowing that regardless of how these conditions happened, this disease will process as ILOD.
As for starting the MEB process, there has to be a trigger event. The most common trigger is the medical provider saying an MEB is necessary. The next most common is your commander saying an MEB is necessary. Once one of these happens, you will enter what is called the RILO (review in lieu of discharge) process. Think of this as the pre-MEB process to make sure your condition is truly worthy of being tagged as UNFIT for duty.
Do you already have a code 37 profile?
Thank you Guardguy11. I am currently in the very early stages of IRILO, I believe PEBLO just received the commander's impact statement. Also I have been placed in code 37. This does relieve some stress. I know it will be difficult getting a job outside the military so any assistance/disability, no matter how small or big, will definitely help me help my family out.
It sounds like you are on your way towards your MEB journey. The IRILO can sometimes move slowly... so be patient. You will be put on med hold until all of the processing is completed so at least you will still be receiving a paycheck.
Of note, be aware of your rights. Even at this point in the process, you can consult and retain a civilian attorney. You will notice very quickly, if you haven't already, leadership and support agencies will start to treat you differently once they know you are "getting out" via the DES. You have to advocate for yourself. Know the regs, research the snot out of this site, and do not hesitate to retain an attorney if you feel like things are even potentially headed south. The owner of this site deals solely with PEB stuff and is damn good at his job. www.peblawyer.com or 1-800-576-5648
Absolutely. Feel free to IM me if you feel that is more appropriate. I do ask that if you have a question that is broad in nature and would help others, please keep it in this thread so we can help those that come after us.