Just got referred for a MEB/PEB...

Charles Maine

Charles Maine

PEB Forum Regular Member
PEB Forum Veteran
I was just diagnosed with Epilepsy at the age of 29. As I said I am a 29 y/o Male on Active Duty in the Navy. I have been in the Navy for 10 1/2 years and have been an Air Traffic Controller for 6 years. My story begins back in March of this year. Around the 1st of March I begin a somewhat extreme workout regiment with some of the guys I work with. We begin working out for about an hour to an hour and a half 4 times a week. I say extreme because up and till this point I really was not working out much at all. This was very draining on me however was dedicated looking for the results. We did everything from long distance running to sprints to swimming biking and even weights on Fridays. About the 3rd week in March I was getting ready to head in to work which was going to be preceded by the normal workout session. As normal was getting ready for work and headed downstairs where my wife was making my lunch for the day. I remember telling her that I did not feel good. Everything after this is her recollection. About that time I sort of blacked out. Just had a blank stare on my face and was not responsive to her. After a few seconds I became responsive and she asked me some basic questions: Are you ok? “I don’t feel good at all. How do you feel? “Nauseous, kind of a feeling of Déjà Vu Do you know what today is? “No” Do you know where you are? “Yes at home.” What year is it? “I think it is 2008 or 2009.” Who is the president? “I don’t know”. My wife who happens to be an ER Nurse and thought I had Vagaled or my blood sugar was low. She sat me down and had me eat something. (This is about the time I can recall what happened, today) Within a few minutes I was back to normal. Everything as far as I am concerned was back to normal after this point. Life went on as normal and honestly I did not really think anything about it again for about a month. On about April 22nd, I had another episode. This time actually 2 within an hour of each other. Almost same exact thing as last time. Only as mentioned I had a second about 15 minutes after the 1st. I to this day do not remember anything from the time I had the 1st one until I remember being in the ER. However not knowing what was going on and really not worried about I actually drove myself to the ER. They did an MRI and CT scan and found nothing abnormal. The next morning they did the basic EEG that took about 30 minutes. They saw some spikes that lasted a total of 7/20ths of a second. He was on the verge of an epilepsy diagnosis, with all the above mentioned symptoms. However considering my age and being on active duty the Doctor said it would not have held much water. So recommended that my primary doctor refer me to the Naval Hospital in San Diego, CA. A couple weeks later I headed down there. They did 3 of these same EEG’s. One on a Tuesday, Thursday and again on Friday. They really did not see anything and wanted me to have a Video Monitored EEG. He referred me to UC-Irvine Medical Center. On the 23rd of May I went down there and was hooked up to the monitor for the week. On Friday when I was getting discharged the Dr came in and told me that she was confident in diagnosing me with Epilepsy. Based on the fact there were several highs and lows in the EEG, however there was no seizure observed. This was a shock to say the least. I mean I was prepared for it, however didn’t really think it was going to happen. I have started taking Trileptal 600mg. On May 28th I started the medication 300mg morning and night. May 31st I start 600mg morning and night.

Last week I called my Doctor in San Diego to find out what the plan was. I am not happy at all with him. He does not seem to answer any questions and when I pressure he kinda beats around the bush about the whole thing.

Anyways, why I am here: He said that I was being referred to a MEB and then PEB. I kinda understand what those are, however I have no idea what to expect. Right now I am restricted to a desk, a job that is typically taken by an E-3 or below just checking in to the command. So as an E-6 am definetly not performing to capacity in my billet. My EAOS is also coming up in Nov of 2012.

What should I expect??? I am just lost on what tomorrow will bring me. Anything will help, thanks guys!!!
 
Charles,

Welcome! I am sorry to hear about all of your problems and what you are going through. First, I would read the thread (below, in my signature block) Overview of MEB/PEB Process. After getting a baseline understanding, ask any questions. If unfit, you will be rated based on your seizures (either minor or major).

I hope everything goes smoothly for you. Best of luck!
 
Thanks Jason. I read through that thread this morning. I am not going to lie, I am completely overwhelmed right now.
 
Charles,

First off, what you're going through sucks, & I'm sorry.

As a humble Army medic who is on the tail end of an MEB/PEB, I can only give marginal advice about the beginning. There is no harm in asking your primary doc a simple question.... Am I fit for duty? Is this something that I should be MEB'd for? There's a good chance that your doc isn't even thinking along those lines. They have a "Mr. Fix It" mentality, and sometimes forget that they can recommend an MEB. (For me, I had been through all the treatment, then I was transferred to a new doc who wanted to reinvent the wheel with me. I politely asked if there was any way we could just start the MEB. He agreed that after 16 months of treatment, I probably didn't stand much chance of improving significantly and started the process.)

Good luck.

-Jeff
 
jjthiv76 said:
Charles,

First off, what you're going through sucks, & I'm sorry.

As a humble Army medic who is on the tail end of an MEB/PEB, I can only give marginal advice about the beginning. There is no harm in asking your primary doc a simple question.... Am I fit for duty? Is this something that I should be MEB'd for? There's a good chance that your doc isn't even thinking along those lines. They have a "Mr. Fix It" mentality, and sometimes forget that they can recommend an MEB. (For me, I had been through all the treatment, then I was transferred to a new doc who wanted to reinvent the wheel with me. I politely asked if there was any way we could just start the MEB. He agreed that after 16 months of treatment, I probably didn't stand much chance of improving significantly and started the process.)

Good luck.

-Jeff
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I think that I understand you correctly. After being referred to a civilian doctor and getting diagnosed with Epilepsy, my doctor called me and informed me that I was not deployable. I cant remember if he said I was fit for duty or not. I believe he said I wasnt and therefor a MEB was being scheduled. He said that would take a month or so and then a PEB would be conducted.
 
So how long does these things usually take? Is there any way to check on the status? As I mentioned I am 500 miles from my Neurologist and really have no idea what to do!!
 
I really don't want to bug them. However but when should I start asking the questions about results from the MEB?
Charles Maine said:
So how long does these things usually take? Is there any way to check on the status? As I mentioned I am 500 miles from my Neurologist and really have no idea what to do!!
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Have you had the MEB yet? You should have been assigned a PEBLO, have had a phase I and phase II physical (unless going through Integrated Disability Evaluation System). So, I am not sure if you are waiting for initiation of MEB or results of MEB. You might call the MEB section at the MTF.
 
I have no idea....I will research and see if I can find the MEB section of Naval Hospital San Diego. All I know is that my doctor called me and said he had received the diagnosis from the civilian doctor that I had seen and that he was referring me for a MEB and then a PEB which would consist of a couple Line Officers and a Medical Officer. He said I should have the MEB results in a month or so and the PEB could take 4-5 months. The MEB would determine if I can stay where I am now (INCONUS, however considered isolated duty), and the PEB would determine if I can stay in the Navy. Sound Right?

Jason said:
Have you had the MEB yet? You should have been assigned a PEBLO, have had a phase I and phase II physical (unless going through Integrated Disability Evaluation System). So, I am not sure if you are waiting for initiation of MEB or results of MEB. You might call the MEB section at the MTF.
Click to expand...
 
The MEB would determine if you meet retention standards and need a PEB. The PEB determines if you are fit and can stay in the Navy.
 

I just called down to San Diego and the MEB department told me that they hadno information on me. They transferred me to (I believe a PEBLO) who checked onmy status. He told me that I was still in a LEMDU status and had no informationon me being referred for a MEB/PEB and to contact my doctor.

On a side not I have been receiving pressure to contact a family acquaintancewho is a JAG officer who handles medical issues on behalf of service members inSan Diego. Based on what is going on, should I contact him? I have been alittle reluctant just because I did not think I need them up to this point.
 
Spoke to my Dr today and he said that he was waiting on the written version of the EEG. He said that he should receive that today and then would forward the package to the MEB... Does this make sense Jason?

I know I am going on and on and on. Honestly I am terrified that when this PFA come up this fall that if a decision has not come through that I will be processed out because of a PFA failure and all my medical will be lost in the shuffle.
 
Soon as i got a copy of my P3 with the signature of my doc and the approving authority that said i needed MEB i walked mmy copy to the MEB office and handed it to them where i was made appoiintment to start phase 1 and for my MEB briefing....personally found it better to do my own foot work instead of wait on someone else.
 
Thanks Rob. Thats where I am struggling. I am on isolated duty and my Neurologist is 500 miles away. All I know is that he told me that the paperwork was being done and should be over to the MEB section in a couple days. That was on the 17th of this month. Should I give them another call and see if they have seen my package yet?
 
Hi, Charles

You are doing the right thing by staying on top of this. Trust me, Doctors tend to forget when they have to do administration paperwork. Call them as often as is reasonable, until it gets the Medical Board.
 
Your Doctor has to write the NARSUM, mine took a month. Then your commander has a week to write a letter of recommendation. Then the local MEB has to determine if you have conditions warranted to send to the IPEB. Then you have a week after their determination to write a letter and get and independant medical review if you wish. From being notified to the MEB being turned in took approximately 2 months for me. You really need patience with this process or you will drive yourself nuts. The IPEB results took about 6 weeks. But for you it depends if you are under the old or nes system. The PEBLO itself makes sure everything gets done in the required time frame but won't make it go faster. The PEBLO will probably email you when the doctor has turned in you NARSUM. You don't want to rush him too much to make sure he does a complete medical review and includes everything.
 
Chief / Amy,

Thank you so much for the information. I think I am going to give the Doctor a call again in a week and find out where we are. That will be a month since he verbally told me that I was being referred and 2 weeks since we last spoke.

I also put in a request for a consult with JAG, with everything going on just to find out where I stand and if I do or should need their assistance.
 
Called down to the MEB office in San Diego. FINALLY!! They have received myreferral and faxed me my MEB package. Theysaid it takes about a month because of the number of cases they have. So once I got the package filled out whichincludes the eval from my commanding officer, I would be placed in the pile. Once I am due up a case manager will contactme. Does this make sense?
 
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