found unfit for duty at ft. polk, here i go.

martin

PEB Forum Regular Member
PEB Forum Veteran
its been a little while since i posted so here goes... i was wounded in iraq, and have since been to a fit for duty exam and found "unfit". referred to ortho to check out my back,neck,shoulder, left knee (shrapnel), and left ankle. 13-15 x-rays later, sent back home to await roound 2 of this process. i met my PEBLO who seems motivated to help me. the ortho (after examining me) asked if i was ready to hang it up? i said yes, but i want benefits beacuase i'm not getting any better. (depending on a cane to support my walk so i dont fall down like a baby) i was given a booklet about the MEB/PEB procedures, and feel a little more at ease as i wont get released without anything to show for my 17 years. i was told however that if i wanted to stayi n to complete my 20 years, the army shouldnt discharge me, but its the basic soldier stuff i cant do anymore, i cant do a p.t. test at all, i cant wear kevlar, and body armor, and i cant fire my weapon as i cant get anymore that 4-5 rounds loaded in the clip before my thumb gives out. very frustrating. i have to go back 2-3 more time for appointments and such. i am being given a line of duty for PTSD and TBI as i never had those 2 done in iraq as i was never medically evacuated as my injuries didnt involve life,limb.or eyesight. anyone have any similar situation as to what the outcome may be? i was demobed in AUG 2005 without any physical, just a questionaire, and was advised that if we have any medical or mental issues, go to the V.A...heres your DD-214 and see ya later. I am currently an E-8 with 17 years and dont want to get screwed. any advice or comments are welcome....Martin
 
Thank you for your duty. I am not sure about what advice to give you for your particular case, but I do know that the best advice to give when fighting the system to get what you deserve is fight like hell and don't give up.

There are a lot of great people on this board that will help you a lot with what you need.

Thank you!
 
heres a follow up on my exams. the army docs had me get an MRI at a civilian practice. i knew i had neck and range of motion problems, but holy smokes i didnt know why until now.the results were as follows: possible myelopaththy at the C5/6 level,veterbral body shows an increased signal at the inferior endplate of C5 which may represent a modic type 2 abnormality,broad based 2 mm disc protrusion at C2/3,annular symetric bulge 2 to 3 mm at C3/4, a 2 mm central/left paracentral dural defect at C4/5, uncinate hypertrophy on the left side possibly 3 mm that exyends to the left side of the spinal cord,no definite compression. all of this due to an IED.i hope i dont get the shaft. i have my next battery of exams all next week at Ft.Polk. i'll see what happens and let everyone know. i also have to go to a mandatory ACAP workshop to learn how to write a resume and go job seeking....Martin
 
Martin,

It is hard to say what kind of rating you might get if found unfit due to your back. In most cases, that will depend on your Range of Motion. I would say you need to ensure all conditions are evaluated that you may have (especially the PTSD and the TBI).

Have you applied to the VA? Whatever rating you get from them is good evidence of your proper rating.
 
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