How initiate an MEB in the guard?

D

Dogboy

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
Hello board members,

I will try to keep strictly to the facts. My question is how do I start an MEB in the guard?

My situation:
  • I disclosed my psych prescriptions and PTSD and depression symptoms to the CA Army National Guards behavioral health unit. They initiated an MND (medically non-deployable).
  • I subsequebtly got the documents they requested from my psychiatrist and primary care physician (SF 513), both of which indicate I am not able to carry a weapon, run under enemy fire, or deploy to austere environment and that I require constant medication and outpatient therapy.
  • I submitted this MND paperwork on Friday then I went to a Periodic Health Assessment (PHA) the next day.
  • At the PHA, the provider noted a PCL-C score for PTSD at 83, Severe and requiring referral for further evaluation. My score for depression is 21 also severe and the provider noted a referral to further evaluation.
  • HOWEVER I was very surprised to see my PULHES score is all 1s.
So in this context I want to know if I am still able to be rendered to a MEB. That is what I would like, but I am concerned because the provider (a nurse practitioner, not a medical doctor) put all 1s, will that influence my MND and essential say return to duty??

Thanks for your input I will try and stay involved with everyone here to keep the board going. Thanks
 
You will not see a change in the PULHES now, the profiling system is different than it used to be. The PULHES score only changes once your receive a permanent profile.

Read this link: http://pebforum.com/site/threads/new-profile-system-army.35982/#post-169836

So far you have done everything correctly. It will now just take time for the permanent profile to initiate which will in turn, trigger the MEB.

Have you been getting treatment for your PTSD and depression? Scores of 83 and 21 are rather high and indicate a clinical need for further evaluation.

Are the scores that you received from the provider at the PHA consistent with scores that you have received from your civilian providers in the past?
 
Thank you so much for your quick response and help. Yes I am currently in treatment with a psychologist weekly and psychiatrist every few weeks to follow up on my meds.

These scores are pretty high now that I'm in the army again. I was originally diagnosed in 2009, then took 4 years between active and guard. During those years I was in a PTSD group and they said I had a high GAF score. Up until I came back in to the Army my symptoms seemed to return higher than they were before, or at least as high as they were when I came back from my first deployment.

Again thanks so much gsfowler!

gsfowler said:
You will not see a change in the PULHES now, the profiling system is different than it used to be. The PULHES score only changes once your receive a permanent profile.

Read this link: http://pebforum.com/site/threads/new-profile-system-army.35982/#post-169836

So far you have done everything correctly. It will now just take time for the permanent profile to initiate which will in turn, trigger the MEB.

Have you been getting treatment for your PTSD and depression? Scores of 83 and 21 are rather high and indicate a clinical need for further evaluation.

Are the scores that you received from the provider at the PHA consistent with scores that you have received from your civilian providers in the past?
Click to expand...
 
Just wanted to provide an update. I am now in email contact with a social worker/psychotherapist with the National Guard who has requested information from me regarding my medical history.

She mentioned that I now have enough historical information for an LOD (PTSD goes back to 2007), but before my case is forwarded to a medical reviewing officer they want more information about my current treatment.

She didn't say what she wants exactly and I aksed her what she needs - waiting on an answer. I already gave her my SF 513s from my psychiatrist and primary care physician. I guess I need a letter from my psychologist too? Telling them about my current therapy?
 
If they are trying to do a LOD. That is great. The LOD will be a big help when going thru the med board and va rating. A lot of people go thru the ringer trying to get a LOD.
 
Allright finally something...so my issue has been referred to a case manager, but she informed me I am not referred to MEB at this time.

They are going to keep me on MND status and monitor my treatment progress, but I will still be going to drills each month like any other soldier. "PTSD is a treatable diagnosis," she said.

So now, based on the info in this thread I will try to get my Psychiatrist to write a letter explaining how my conditions leave me unable to perform duties and how continuing to serve will negatively affect my health.

What I find interesting though is that I do not have a profile yet. A temporary profile is pending approval by a Medical Review Officer.
 
It's been an uneventful couple months thru the holidays. I have a 'case manager' now who has been...okay. She is not good at responding to emails or returning phone calls but when I do get a hold of her, she is pretty helpful.

After my last post, I told my civilian psychiatrist that the Army is not yet cpursuing a discharge and he didn't like that. He voluntarily wrote a letter directed at the Army medical staff with a few details related to my PTSD and explained that continued service will certainly aggravate my conditions and potentially detract from the rest of the units operations.

After my case manager received that letter I did not hear back from her until today. She told me on the phone today that, because I am still titrating up on medication, they cannot make a determination whether or not I can continue service. I guess they expecting that I will reach a certain point where I take enough meds to perform my duties....which seems odd...
 
EDIT: It's been hard to get a hold of anyone through the holidays but the update it that I now have a 'case manager.' She has been...okay. She's not good at responding to emails or returning phone calls but oh well.

After my last post, I told my civilian psychiatrist that the Army is not yet pursuing a discharge and he thought that to be inappropriate. He voluntarily wrote a letter on my behalf, directed to Army NG medical staff, explaining that my continued service will aggravate conditions/detrimental to my health and potentially detract from the rest of the units operations.

After my case manager received that letter on Dec. 11th, I did not hear back from her until today. She told me on the phone that, because I am still increasing medication, they cannot make a determination whether or not I can continue service. Paraphrasing her sentiment, they expect that I will reach a certain point where I take enough meds to again be fit for duty. This is seems paradoxical to me and potentially dangerous...
 
Hey dogboy,

I would continue with what you are doing. Being honest about your symptoms and how they pertain to you socially and occupationally. Include severity, variety, frequency of all your symptoms.

The biggest thing is the CAPS5 PTSD test. Find a medical facility that has this test. This test is designed to measure alot of things. And keep a journal of your daily struggles with the disease.

The medications are a science experiment. Hopefully they find ones that work for you. And email your medical clinic or whoever is helping, holds them accountable and gives you proof of conversation. You always have the option to cc their supervisor or commander. But be patient and keep bringing in the doctors session notes that include your symptoms.

I think there is a regulation that states that after 1 year of therapy/mediaction; is when they can suggest process for separation with members who have bad cases of PTSD.

Keep reading and keep regular visits to your doctors. And always remind the doctor to document about how your symptoms affect you in every arena. Work, Socially and at home etc...

Good luck and keep us posted brother!
 
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