????? MEB ?????? don't know whats going on???

N

Niland

PEB Forum Regular Member
PEB Forum Veteran
So I’m new to the forum any info you can give me would be appreciated.. I’m a SSgt in the AF and have 8 years active duty service as a 2T2..

So about a year ago I started having shortness of breath after returning from Korea.. The doc thought it was my heart cause they had found the I had mitral valve prolapse .. The cardiologist then sent me to a pulmonologist there they did a PFT and found that I had 20% of normal lung volume for my size and age.. They also did a sleep study and found I had sleep apnea and gave me a CPAP to use while I sleep.. They started the MEB processes about a year ago and I still don’t have a real diagnosis for the shortness of breath.. Now they’re talking about doing a cauterization of my heart. I guess what I’m asking is how long will they keep this up and what should I expect from all this??

Thanks
 
As to your medical specifics, I'm not any help there. But, what I can tell you, is do NOT wait/expect/hope that the docs (medical community at large) gives a crap about your health. Do a lot of research. When you go into a doctor's appointment, go in there with a specific plan of action. This was the best advice I got from a guy at my work who'd been battling cancer. If you want a referral to a specialist, say "I am here today to get a referral to a (fill in the blank)." If you want a diagnosis, tell them that. They'll want to take the easy way and just give you meds. They only started taking me seriously when I refused meds and told them I wanted to know what was wrong. Wish I'd done this 10 years ago when my problems started.

Best of luck.
 
Niland said:
So I’m new to the forum any info you can give me would be appreciated.. I’m a SSgt in the AF and have 8 years active duty service as a 2T2..

So about a year ago I started having shortness of breath after returning from Korea.. The doc thought it was my heart cause they had found the I had mitral valve prolapse .. The cardiologist then sent me to a pulmonologist there they did a PFT and found that I had 20% of normal lung volume for my size and age.. They also did a sleep study and found I had sleep apnea and gave me a CPAP to use while I sleep.. They started the MEB processes about a year ago and I still don’t have a real diagnosis for the shortness of breath.. Now they’re talking about doing a cauterization of my heart. I guess what I’m asking is how long will they keep this up and what should I expect from all this??

Thanks
Click to expand...

Did you meet with your PEBLO? Did you sign some paperwork? If not, then I suspect a MEB was never started.
 
Yes I met my PEBLO and went through the briefing over a year ago. And last time I talked to the PEBLO they were still waiting on the diagnosis for shortness of breath before they send it up.. But if nothing else that the sleep apnea has to go to the MEB cause they put me on a CPAP..

And all I’ve been seeing is specialist for the last year..
 
I don't have much to add. Just want to say hi to fellow aerial porter! I'm at Spangdahlem right now.

As for the apnea, what I've seen is 50% from the VA since you're on a CPAP. The Air Force could go many ways, I've seen some people here get a fit rating for it as it's not too difficult anymore to find electricity. It all depends on how much it impacts your duty performance and on the support your get from your PCM and Commander.
 
Hello from a former Port Dawg. I was boarded for sleep apnea and two spinal problems. They found the sleep apnea fitting (no rating) and the spine problems unfitting at 10% and 20%. Total was 30% so I got retired. Going through the VA claim, and expect to get 50% for the OSA. Total should be in the 70% range for the VA rating.
 
So I had a TEE done the other day. Now the doctor want me to have my mitral valve repaired.. How is this going to affect my career?? Is this another reason to MEB me?????

Thanks for all the info !!and good luck to all you port dawgs!!
 
So here my update I went in to get my mitral valve repaired and they end up replacing it with a mechanical valve. Now I will be on blood thinners’ the rest of my life. Does anyone know how this will affect me staying in or my MEB process??





THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP
 
Well today I got CC on an email from my PEBLO asking for my Commander Input letter. So i guess it won’t be long now ??? Anyone have a timeline on how long this whole process could take??
 
Mine "started" in October after two years of procedures and rehab and still hasn't been forwarded to AFPC. I'm being told 295 calender days under the new IDES program. Everything is supposed to be forwarded next week to AFPC and they say 8-12 weeks for results. It's a very long process so hold on for the ride!
 
Very Long process indeed. Nothing about it is fast. I suggest you continue to better prepare yourself for the outside world if you are not appealing to stay in and also taking care of yourself and your health. The ball is rolling.
 
In April i'll be going on 3 years of this MEB!! i was hoping with this letter i might be getting to the end of this is all ..
 
I love Port Dawgs! Hey...as an LRS/CC, I had a number of guys on CPAP's....they all rec'd a Code C-2 from their MEB. Only real limitation was deployment...BUT...there are deployed locations that do give medical waivers for folks with CPAP's. As for your other medical conditions, I think the best advice is what was said above, "prepare yourself." If the IPEB gives you a disability retirement or separation, once you get that news you're transition will be quick. So, prepare and educate yourself now. Highly recommend you sign up for a TAP class. Read up on everything you can about the VA benefits. By taking some control to mentally prepare yourself, believe me, the stress of waiting will start to go away. Good Luck!
 
Well I got to read the letter from my commander he is requesting separation.. So now I guess it goes back to the PEBLO and up to the MED board from there... Wish me luck..
 
So this is what my PEBLO wrote for

MEDICAL CONDITIONS TO BE CONSIDERED AS THE BASIS OF FITNESS FOR DUTY DETERMINATION

1. Severe MVP w/Mod to Severe Mitral Regurgitation S/P Mitral Valve Replacement w/Mechanical Valve

2. Sleep apnea with cpap

Well Wish me luck!!
 
So i got the VA reports back from my PEBLO today . METS Were 5 to 7 LVEF 55-60%, Restrictive Lung Disease ---with FEV1 69%, Sleep Apnea with CPAP, Spine wedge compression L2 .. Now i Guess it the waiting game 120 + days from what the PEBLO told me ...
 
So I was on Ebenefit looking at my claim status it says it’s complete. My question is does that mean it’s complete with the VA and the Air Force? Or am I still waiting on one or the other? And does that mean that I was found unfit? THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!!
 
My VA rating

Heart valve replacement 30% UNFIT FOR DUTY


Sleep Apnea 50%
Painful scares 20%
Cervical spine 20%
Lumbar spine 20%
GERD 10%
Tinnitus 10%
Right shoulder 10%
Left shoulder 10%
Right knee 10%
Left knee 10%

VA=90%
 
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