I have been in for a little over 2 years as a securtiy forces member and was diagnosed with asthma by a pulmonologist. It started when I was out in the field working and I had trouble breathing when I slept and followed by coughing. Then it just got worse to the point I started wheezing after I did something too physical which was the last straw and I decided to get help. So I did the whole testing process and sure enough ended up with the pulmonologist for the diagnosis. I am on a profile. The doctor says that constant exposure to the HUMV fumes may have caused the asthma or it could have been caused by something else. I have been prescribed the usual albuterol inhaler, and the Symbicort steriod meds 2 puffs every 12Hrs for the next few years (or forever) So far as long as I take the steriod its controlled but if I forget to take it, its uncontrolled again I get short of breath and have trouble breathing from something as simple as walking in a mall. I just found out that I need to submit a package to the MEB next week and I dont know what to expect. What are the likely decisions that could be made based on my diagnoses. Anyone have experience in this area or some knowlege you can share in great detail? Thanks alot!
MEB starts in 15FEB11, what to expect?
- Thread starter Jinbo
- Start date
Jason Perry
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Jinbo,
Welcome! Sounds like at least a 60% but probably a 100% rating. It probably turns on whether your steroids are "high-dosage", but given that the 60% rating only talks about intermittent steroids, I think you should get 100%. That assumes unfitness finding, though.
6602 Asthma, bronchial:
FEV-1 less than 40-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC less than
40 percent, or; more than one attack per week with episodes of
respiratory failure, or; requires daily use of systemic (oral or
parenteral) high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive
medications 100%
FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55
percent, or; at least monthly visits to a physician for required
care of exacerbations, or; intermittent (at least three per year)
courses of systemic (oral or parenteral) corticosteroids 60%
FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70
percent, or; daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy,
or; inhalational anti-inflammatory medication 30%
FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80
percent, or; intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy 10%
Note: In the absence of clinical findings of asthma at time of examination, a verified history of asthmatic attacks must be of record.
Welcome! Sounds like at least a 60% but probably a 100% rating. It probably turns on whether your steroids are "high-dosage", but given that the 60% rating only talks about intermittent steroids, I think you should get 100%. That assumes unfitness finding, though.
6602 Asthma, bronchial:
FEV-1 less than 40-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC less than
40 percent, or; more than one attack per week with episodes of
respiratory failure, or; requires daily use of systemic (oral or
parenteral) high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive
medications 100%
FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55
percent, or; at least monthly visits to a physician for required
care of exacerbations, or; intermittent (at least three per year)
courses of systemic (oral or parenteral) corticosteroids 60%
FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70
percent, or; daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy,
or; inhalational anti-inflammatory medication 30%
FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80
percent, or; intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy 10%
Note: In the absence of clinical findings of asthma at time of examination, a verified history of asthmatic attacks must be of record.
Hello, well I am going under IPEB and it has been about a month. I am also security forces member and have been in about 2 years and diagnosed with asthma. It's going to seem forever but the program is moving a lot faster. My MEB came back unfit and it was sent up to IPEB for a final decision. It is more than likely going to be found unfit. If I were you i would start looking for a job on the outside world. As i am sure you already herd that the air force is over maned and is getting people out if any problems with an airman.
So its 100% likely that Im getting the boot? theres only two strenghs available the 160/4.5 or the one Im taking the budesonide 80mcg/ Formoterol 4.5 mcg. It says Prescribe Symbicort for patients 12 years and older who are uncontrolled on an ICS or whose disease severity warrants initiation of ICS/LABA. I am very very thankful for your input. What do you mean by the unfitness finding?
Hi! Wow its crazy to see that its almost identical situations. Are you also on daily meds ( if you dont mind me asking) to controll it?. What do the doctors do for the beginning of the MEB process? Are they going to ask questions to write info on the packet to be sent in?
Tell you the truth, I think you will not get a 100%. Unfit means I am unfit to do my job and the basic needs of a security forces member according to the MEB personnel, and my commander. Yes I have the same as you and predosin something like that. The docs just say what they think of you and how the asthma can affect your job and they give their input. No your PCM gives his or her input and the facts you have and the MEB personnel go off of that and their opinion.
Jason Perry
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My MEB took only like a week and my MEB was sent off to IPEB in Jan 10
I'm in a similar boat. Asthma requiring daily corticosteroid usage (Flovent). The only issue I have is the 60% vs 100% based on the term "high dose". I have read that high dosage is 440mcg or more per day, and I take 220. However, it is daily and the rating states 60% as "intermittent" usage (not daily), but the 100% states "daily high dose". So, I think I'm 60% but it is a fairly vague description. I would guess the board will use a threshold method where (even if the situation is in between two different situations) the highest reached threshold will be the rating. In other words, I have at least met the 60% rating threshold, but fall just short of the 100% rating because I don't use what is medically defined as "high dose" steroids.
My MEB for asthma, Hashimoto's and hypothyroidism was being completed here until the doc also ordered a sleep study, which concluded that I have severe sleep apnea requiring CPAP. They want to ensure that the CPAP can control the apnea now before they push the package up. On a side note, my pulmonary damage has been tied to exposure to the burn pits at Balad. I have strong Commanders letters for retainability. I'm a rated flyer, but was med DQ'd last month because I've been DNIF going through all this crap over the past year.
I've noticed an increase in people here on the forum with respiratory issues, and I will continue to post as I get details on my case. Please do the same.
My MEB for asthma, Hashimoto's and hypothyroidism was being completed here until the doc also ordered a sleep study, which concluded that I have severe sleep apnea requiring CPAP. They want to ensure that the CPAP can control the apnea now before they push the package up. On a side note, my pulmonary damage has been tied to exposure to the burn pits at Balad. I have strong Commanders letters for retainability. I'm a rated flyer, but was med DQ'd last month because I've been DNIF going through all this crap over the past year.
I've noticed an increase in people here on the forum with respiratory issues, and I will continue to post as I get details on my case. Please do the same.
Ok, so as far as profiles go I am on an old one for my misdiagnoses of "reactive airway disease" where it says my limitations and such but now that I was diagnosed with asthma by a pulmonologist I need to get a new profile suited for my correct diagnoses. The IPEB and MEB wont look at the wrong profile right? Becuase I am afraid of that. Is that something that will be done in the beginning MEB process? Or did I make a booboo? Also Im sure they have a history of my meds since they ask me all the time and they write it down all the time but I was given two symbicort inhalers from pulmonologist then a prescription for 12 more the month later. I have gotten 2 from my med clinic. Will the IPEB and MEB know all this information?
As for profiles, I believe the board will review all current and previous profiles, and probably take the most current into account when deciding. As long as your most current info is in the package when it goes up, they will see it. The board will have your medical records and will be able to see what medications have been prescribed to you and every time you had refills.
Do you get your prescriptions filled on base? If so, they will be in the system. You should always have your civilian doc fax/mail copies of everything you get done off base to your PCM on base for inclusion into your med records (including prescriptions), and make copies for your own records as well. You can get a new profile (and anything else you need to add to your package) any time up until the package actually leaves for the board. Even then, I think you can still add memos later, but I would ask Jason about the regs on that topic. I would push up your appointment for the new profile if possible to ensure it is in the package before it leaves. All this is under the assumption that you would be ok with seperation or med retirement. If your goal is to be retained, less info in the package that points to you being unfit is better.
well.... I got my profile today and its just no run more than 1/2 mile. I did the mile walk and it was horrible on me but Ill bring that up to my provider. Looks like they are going to class it as excersized induced asthma. Why would I be MEB for that? Apperently no one gets found unfit with that is what they are telling me.