MEB Seems unorganized

S

Sincidius

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
Hi all, I have been visiting this site for a while now, but finally had to post due to the circumstances surrounding my MEB. I am an AF TSgt with 13 years or service.

In Sep 2011, I was sent by my doctor to go get a Asthma test done off base (Methacoline Challenge?). Well, I failed (made it to 2 out of 5 test if anyone has done one) and was diagnosed with Moderate/Sever Asthma for the first time. Arriving back at the base, I was told that a MEB would be started and we would try to stabilize my condition. I was put on a few medicines and also sent to a specialist downtown. I scored an 88.1 on my previous PT test, but when my next one was due in January, they told me that I was on profile and could not run. I argued against it, but in the end did the test with no run (scored 87). At this time, I had an appointment with my doctor and told her that I've been up and down as far as the treatment. I still have shortness of breath rarely (never during physical activity), but not as much as I use to. I was told that she would be sending up a "Fast Track" for my MEB. The PLEBO explained the process a little better to me and I was told I would take a few days for a response. Well, fast forward 6 weeks to March. I hadn't heard any news and so I decided to make an appt. with my doctor to discuss what was going on. I wold have to wait 2 weeks for an appt. so I called my PLEBO. She informed me that due to my medications most likely, my Fast Track was denied 3 weeks ago! I asked her how come I wasn't notified about this and she apologized to me, but stated she returned the results to my doctor when they came back and she should have notified me. I called to speak with my doctor and was called back by another doctor. I explained my frustration and he told me that my PLEBO should have notified me, not my doctor. Anyhow, I am now waiting until the end of the month to hear something back.

Is this the normal process of how things work? What am I looking forward to? I'm very frustrated because I am less than one year away from my reenlistment and wouldn't be able to with this stuff going on. I really don't care if I stay or go, I just wish they would tell me something.
 
A fast track should have returned you to duty or referred you to the IPEB. I believe you were returned to duty. There would be no reason for you not to re-enlist if they feel you are fit for duty. They were presuring me to retire and I told them that was not going to happen and I would retire. I was referred to the IPEB shortly thereafter and eventually gone. If you want out make sure they list all your issues, they tend not to do this. Unfortunately I have noticed that most MEB are this way. Do a search for asthma because there has been a lot listed here with very good info.
 
I'm sorry if the above was confusing to read, I was very heated when I wrote it. Jeep Freak; my fast track was denied due to the medicines I take for asthma. I will be meeting my doctor on the 29th to discuss the next step. The problem is that the medicines actually work, but using one of them is a problem for the fast track. As far as re-enlisting, I have every intent to do so, the only problem is that from what I have seen, these things take time & I'm less than one year away from my seperation date. I'm pretty sure it will be resolved one way or the other before then, the only issus I have is that no one at the hospital tells me anything about my point in the process. I would just like to know what I should be prepared for.
 
Update: Well, On 5 April I got a call from the PEBLO telling me that I was for sure going through a full MEB. I went in and discussed the process and she asked a few questions. I was told that I would get a call from the VA within 2 weeks to discuss everything. She outlined the process as....

Meet with the VA in Fargo, ND
Wait up to 30 days afterwards to have my package finalized & sent in
Wait up to 120 days for the findings

VA called on 13 Apr. Missed call, will get with them on Monday. I'll update when I'm further along.
 
Update: So, I got my appt for 14 May and went to the Fargo, ND VA. I will say this, it was a sad experience. There were a lot of Korean & Vietnam vets there in bad shape and it made me feel really bad. If politicians want to cut benefits for vets, let them make a visit to a VA hospital and explain to these guys why they need to cut into their benefits. Anyone who can do that with a straight face should be run out of politics ASAP.

Back to the point. I started my appt. at 0800. I was anticipating a long wait but there was none. I walked right into the claims office and they got me started right away. I had to wait about 10 minutes for the examiner to get to me. Once I went into her office, she went over a few things with me and asked a few questions. One surprise, allergies are a disability when developed in service. So they have me for the asthma (my determining disability), neck, back, and shoulder (dislocation). All these items had been noted from visits to the doctors on base, all fixed with ibuprofen. At that point I had to get into a gown for a few range of motion & strength checks. This went pretty fast, but painful. When asked why I never pursued these items more aggressively, I told her that I thought that I was just getting older. She said "Your 31 years old, you shouldn't have the aches and movement of an older person." So at about 930 we finished up and I went to X-ray to get a plethora of shots. Neck, back, shoulder, nose, sinuses, etc. That took about an hour (also very painful to hold positions and wait for the in training guy to take a picture). At about 1030, I went to talk with the benefits counselor about what my life would be like outside the military and what the VA would do for me. This surprised me because she talked to me as if I was going to be discharged (Not to read too deep into what she was saying, I'm sure that was not her intent). From 1100 to 1215 lunch at subway (they told me that the hospital had split pea soup on the menu that day, no thank you). At 1230 I went to my audio test, finally getting back to the claims office by 1300. I was told that they should have my packet ready and sent this week. So at 1330, I was on my way home.

To sum it up, it was a great appt. I got a lot of information and everyone at the hospital was very nice and seemed to care about my situation. I wish all hospitals could have a staff as courteous and professional as the people there. I am now waiting to hear back from my PLEBO so I can sign my packet and have it sent up. I will update when I get some news.
 
So now the waiting game. Honestly I am nervous as hell. I have no idea what they are going to do. Has anyone had any experience with asthma and a MEB/PEB? I've been searching for anything on asthma and timelines/findings seem to be all over the place. I am not on a Flovent like some, but I use my fast acting 2-3 times a day. I also take Adviar 500 twice a day, singulair once a day, flonase once a day, and zyrtec once a day. If anyone has been in a situation like mine or anything close, please let me know. Thanks.
 
In 2005 I went thru a MEB for Asthma. I was mobilized to Active Duty at the time. I was on the same meds that you are currently on. At that point in time, I was found Fit for Duty by the MEB and returned to duty, with limitations on my profile. Hope that you receive the outcome that you want. Good Luck!
 
So I signed my packet last Thursday (7 Jun). Looks towards getting out from reading my doctor's letter, commander's letter, & VA report. Either way, now the real wait comes. I was told it may take 4-5 MONTHS for me to get any results because they seemed to be backed up. Wow. Another thing that came up was a FTD TDY that I was set to go on. I told my training manager that I was in the middle of a MED board and was not able to go TDY. Two days later, my boss came to me and told me to see if I can go because if I didn't they would have to cancel the class & would loose more money than if I just went. I talked to my PELBO about it and she asked "Why would they send you? It's a waste of funds?" I told her the situation and she said "Whatever, its their money. I don't mind if you go, you'll be back well before we get a descision." So, again, Looking at early OCT-NOV to get any results. Will let you all know.
 
Sincidius said:
So I signed my packet last Thursday (7 Jun). Looks towards getting out from reading my doctor's letter, commander's letter, & VA report. Either way, now the real wait comes. I was told it may take 4-5 MONTHS for me to get any results because they seemed to be backed up. Wow. Another thing that came up was a FTD TDY that I was set to go on. I told my training manager that I was in the middle of a MED board and was not able to go TDY. Two days later, my boss came to me and told me to see if I can go because if I didn't they would have to cancel the class & would loose more money than if I just went. I talked to my PELBO about it and she asked "Why would they send you? It's a waste of funds?" I told her the situation and she said "Whatever, its their money. I don't mind if you go, you'll be back well before we get a descision." So, again, Looking at early OCT-NOV to get any results. Will let you all know.
Click to expand...

I wonder why you aren't able to go TDY during your Med Board if you have passed the MEB phase. I'm still early on in my MEB phase and TDY for 2 weeks. Well, maybe it make a difference if you're on medical TDY, but I was under the impression that once you are passed the NARSUM stage, you can. Someone please shed some knowledge on this, and what about a 4-day out of town pass, can that be used?
 
The rules for the AF say you can't go TDY leave or anything outside the local area without AFPC approval. this is just in case they need you to go to some appts last minute and such. ONce you enter the MEB process til it ends the rule applies. I do agree once the package is submitted it's a waiting game.
 
firedawg225 said:
The rules for the AF say you can't go TDY leave or anything outside the local area without AFPC approval. this is just in case they need you to go to some appts last minute and such. ONce you enter the MEB process til it ends the rule applies. I do agree once the package is submitted it's a waiting game.
Click to expand...
Thanks, I will ask if this applies to the Army too.
 
4.4. Control of Member During PEB Processing. Disability processing begins when the
PEBRH or HQ AFPC/DPAMM refers a medical board case to the PEB. Once in disability
channels, the following restrictions apply to ensure the member is available for necessary
disability processing actions:
4.4.1. The member may not take leave outside the local area.
4.4.2. The member may not go on TDY.
4.4.3. The MPF will not reassign the member, except for emergency reasons, until receiving
notification of the final determination.

This is what the AFI says. Pretty much states a few things. I think my PEBLO's concern was more of the fact that with signs showing discharge, did the squadron really want to spend the money on me for this TDY.
 
Sincidius said:
4.4. Control of Member During PEB Processing. Disability processing begins when the
PEBRH or HQ AFPC/DPAMM refers a medical board case to the PEB. Once in disability
channels, the following restrictions apply to ensure the member is available for necessary
disability processing actions:
4.4.1. The member may not take leave outside the local area.
4.4.2. The member may not go on TDY.
4.4.3. The MPF will not reassign the member, except for emergency reasons, until receiving
notification of the final determination.

This is what the AFI says. Pretty much states a few things. I think my PEBLO's concern was more of the fact that with signs showing discharge, did the squadron really want to spend the money on me for this TDY.
Click to expand...
Thanks,
I see where it specifies during "PEB" processing. Maybe that's the difference, and maybe pass and Medical TDY is different as I am still currently on TDY-in a totally different state. I think my situation is slightly different as I am at a base which lacks many of my medical services, and it is necessary to travel for certain treatment. But irregardless, if something comes up while on pass, I guess it would be wise to be ready to travel back and be available, just the same.
 
So its been two months with no news. The eBenefits site states that I am in the "Ratings" phase with no projected date for completion. TDY went well. I called my PEBLO to see if there was a "Fit/Untit" determination and she didn't have that yet. The waiting game goes on...
 
Well, got news today. I stopped by my PEBLO's office today to see if there was anything new I should know about. She told me that the Air Force has judged me unfit for duty. There were no percentages loaded since I am in the ratings stage. I called the VA this afternoon (a 35 minute wait) and asked if they had any notes on my status. I was told that I was in the ratings phase which takes an average of 222 days!?! They said it could be longer or shorter, but most likely shorter. Just waiting on the numbers now.
 
Wednesday I called my PEBLO' office to see if anything had changed. My percentages were loaded. They are putting me on TDRL with the following percentages....

Air Force/Asthma: 30%
VA/Asthma-Back-Neck: 50%

Somewhat bittersweet. I was hoping more of a final thing (either a separation or retirement). Either way, just waiting for the package to arrive and trying to figure out what I'm going to do next.
 
Got a call today. My MEB package is back. Bad news, I can't get to the hospital until Friday to sign it. Oh well.
 
If you recieved 30% from AF than you should be retired, now the only question will be TDRL or PDR.
 
Asthma is one of those things that just doesn't naturally go away, at least I don't recall it being that way. Should be PRDL, IMO
 
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