I am starting this thread because I have just received my 199 after a 16 month process/journey through the MEB/PEB system. Throughout this time, I have read numerous threads on this site and found a lot of valuable information. I promised myself when my PEB was complete, I would post my story on this site in order to maybe help someone else through their process. I will be as brief and informative as possible.
I am an active duty Army officer with 16.5 years active federal service and 19.5 years total federal service. I sustained a Lis Franc fracture of the left foot while deployed in 2004. In 2006/07, I started to become "ill" and experienced migraine headaches for the first time in my life. After four years of progressively getting worse (too many symptoms to list here), I was finally diagnosed with the following diseases: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Migraine Headaches, and Type II diabetes with reactive hypoglycemia. I began the MEB process in April of 2011. The 2011 Thanksgiving/Christmas time period seemed to slow things down. Jan 2012, I received my MEB findings. The MEB physician attempted to remove my diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) stating that CFS and Fibromyalgia were the same disease. I filed an appeal and requested the MEB refer me to an infectious disease specialist. I was referred to an army infectious disease specialist at the same hospital as the MEB. The specialist told me at my appointment that the MEB physician had already spoken to him and that he was not going to put anything in writing stating that I had both CFS and fibromyalgia. I told the Specialist this was not what I wanted from him. I stated that I wanted him to write a letter to the board that in his most highly specialized expert opinion, he could not rule out or disprove in any manner that I did NOT, in fact have both diseases. Since there is not a single shred of diagnostic evidence to prove or disprove either disease. He agreed to the letter. The MEB overturned their original decision and maintained both CFS and Fibromyalgia diagnosese. My packet was submitted to the PEB in Feb 2012. I was told it would take up to 2 weeks before I received my finding from the PEB. Four weeks later, I called my PEBLO. She discovered that my packet had not been transmitted properly and was unreadable by the PEB and just sitting. My PEBLO re-submitted the packet and 3 weeks later I received a finding of unfit. I was then told the VA rating would take approximately 4 - 6 weeks. My packet was sent to the VA on 28 May, and I received notification of my 199 on 28 July.
My ratings are as follows:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: 40%
Fibromyalgia: 10%
Migraines: 30%
fracture of the left foot: 10%
type II Diabetes: 0%
I will receive a medical retirement at 70% with total from VA @ 90%.
The best advice I can tell others is: do not let the system frustrate you. Be patient and take care of your medical issues during this stressful time. BE your own advocate. BE very specific. Take your time and WRITE down everything... Everything about your conditions/symptoms/issues onset, frequency, and duration. Do NOT be vague. For example, I would tell every doctor that i met with that I experience a migraine headache 2-4 times a month, every month, which last 2-4 days in duration. It is a crushing pain in my head that causes nausea and extreme fatigue. I MUST lie down and sleep during this time period. I have tried these 10 prophylactic medications and these 3 epileptic medications in conjunction with my neurologist, and injectable Immitrex is the only medication that eases the pain, but does not relieve it or my need to sleep during this prostrating time. Look up all of the buzz words for your condition in the VASRD and USE them to describe and define your condition. They are there for a reason.
Well, my intent to be brief has gone out the window, but I hope some aspect of what I have shared is helpful to someone. If anyone has any more questions for me about my particular case, I would be more than happy to share my experience. BTW, I underwent my medical board at Fort Hood in the new pilot IDES program.
I am an active duty Army officer with 16.5 years active federal service and 19.5 years total federal service. I sustained a Lis Franc fracture of the left foot while deployed in 2004. In 2006/07, I started to become "ill" and experienced migraine headaches for the first time in my life. After four years of progressively getting worse (too many symptoms to list here), I was finally diagnosed with the following diseases: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, Migraine Headaches, and Type II diabetes with reactive hypoglycemia. I began the MEB process in April of 2011. The 2011 Thanksgiving/Christmas time period seemed to slow things down. Jan 2012, I received my MEB findings. The MEB physician attempted to remove my diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) stating that CFS and Fibromyalgia were the same disease. I filed an appeal and requested the MEB refer me to an infectious disease specialist. I was referred to an army infectious disease specialist at the same hospital as the MEB. The specialist told me at my appointment that the MEB physician had already spoken to him and that he was not going to put anything in writing stating that I had both CFS and fibromyalgia. I told the Specialist this was not what I wanted from him. I stated that I wanted him to write a letter to the board that in his most highly specialized expert opinion, he could not rule out or disprove in any manner that I did NOT, in fact have both diseases. Since there is not a single shred of diagnostic evidence to prove or disprove either disease. He agreed to the letter. The MEB overturned their original decision and maintained both CFS and Fibromyalgia diagnosese. My packet was submitted to the PEB in Feb 2012. I was told it would take up to 2 weeks before I received my finding from the PEB. Four weeks later, I called my PEBLO. She discovered that my packet had not been transmitted properly and was unreadable by the PEB and just sitting. My PEBLO re-submitted the packet and 3 weeks later I received a finding of unfit. I was then told the VA rating would take approximately 4 - 6 weeks. My packet was sent to the VA on 28 May, and I received notification of my 199 on 28 July.
My ratings are as follows:
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: 40%
Fibromyalgia: 10%
Migraines: 30%
fracture of the left foot: 10%
type II Diabetes: 0%
I will receive a medical retirement at 70% with total from VA @ 90%.
The best advice I can tell others is: do not let the system frustrate you. Be patient and take care of your medical issues during this stressful time. BE your own advocate. BE very specific. Take your time and WRITE down everything... Everything about your conditions/symptoms/issues onset, frequency, and duration. Do NOT be vague. For example, I would tell every doctor that i met with that I experience a migraine headache 2-4 times a month, every month, which last 2-4 days in duration. It is a crushing pain in my head that causes nausea and extreme fatigue. I MUST lie down and sleep during this time period. I have tried these 10 prophylactic medications and these 3 epileptic medications in conjunction with my neurologist, and injectable Immitrex is the only medication that eases the pain, but does not relieve it or my need to sleep during this prostrating time. Look up all of the buzz words for your condition in the VASRD and USE them to describe and define your condition. They are there for a reason.
Well, my intent to be brief has gone out the window, but I hope some aspect of what I have shared is helpful to someone. If anyone has any more questions for me about my particular case, I would be more than happy to share my experience. BTW, I underwent my medical board at Fort Hood in the new pilot IDES program.
