I just completed my MEB... I am expecting IPEB results within 2-4 months. After being diagnosed for narcolepsy and recommended for separation due to narcolepsy, what % rating can I expect from the IPEB. I suffer from cataplexy with narcolepsy. On a given day, I experience cataplexy 2 to 20 times a day depending on the situation (lasting anywhere from 1 to 60 seconds). However, since being medicated, I do not experience cataplexy anymore. I was wondering what rating I should expect to see given my situation... Any information and advice will help. I have read about the epilepsy (minor/major) ratings... however, I have not met anyone in the Navy with my current diagnosis. I am about to complete my second year of service. Thanks for the help!
NARCOLEPSY RATING
- Thread starter coureymarshall66
- Start date
I would really like to know what your rating was, I know that this post is over a year old but I am going through my MEB/PEB right now and I am also diagnosed with Narcolepsy
blatzphemy
PEB Forum Regular Member
Your likely rating will be 10%. They rate Narcolepsy as the lowest form of epilepsy. You should search for some federal cases where the judge has ruled in favor of the military member that suffered from Cataplexy on top of Narcolepsy. They may rate your Cataplexy as "seizures." I have been diagnosed with Narcolepsy and Cataplexy and just saw a Navy Doctor yesterday for an addendum to my board. Before he agrees with several neurologists that have worked in the field more than 55 years between them; he wants a spinal tap. I have serious back and neck issues, if I need to I’ll absolutely do it. The test is not 100% though for patients with Narcolepsy is about 50/50 but patients with Narcolepsy and Cataplexy it's 90% positive and 10% wrong. That's somewhat decent odds but what if you're the other 10%? I couldn't imagine life without Provigil and Dexadrine.
Jason, can they force you to do a spinal tap? If you refuse is your case just denied? I had one of the doctors level with my yesterday. He told me stories of people coming in his office trying to get Navy disability and how fake they were. He also was extremely upset I had my proscriptions filled at Publix and not at a VA. The VA is almost two hours away from my house and I am still Active Duty. He said, "Oh my god, that medication must be costing the Navy a fortune!"
Jason, can they force you to do a spinal tap? If you refuse is your case just denied? I had one of the doctors level with my yesterday. He told me stories of people coming in his office trying to get Navy disability and how fake they were. He also was extremely upset I had my proscriptions filled at Publix and not at a VA. The VA is almost two hours away from my house and I am still Active Duty. He said, "Oh my god, that medication must be costing the Navy a fortune!"
I am going through the MEB for cousin to narcolepsy (I will NOT settle for 10%). Keep in mind; narcolepsy has a lot of secondary conditions it creates. For example; when you take stimulant medication (side effects) etc.
Narcolepsy is a life long condition and can affect everything in your life-FYI.
Narcolepsy is a life long condition and can affect everything in your life-FYI.
Mike Parker handled a NARSUM rebbuttal a few months ago for someone on here who also had Narcolepsy. At Walter Reed they told me that the Doctors there have been trying to not rate people as even having Narcolepsy. I thought the analogous ratings format was changing and that they should use the criteria for epilepsy petit mal, but they should rate the narcolepsy on its own. Acutally in my opinion having a Cataplexy attack that lasts over 15 seconds, (mine are much longer than that), should be rated as a more severe seizure. I agree with COLTONMD, don't settle for that, and if you have signed your NARSUM, than you are going to have a tough time at the PEB. Appeal appeal appeal.
Have sleep apnea (central and obstructive) and the cousin to narcolepsy to include other ailments.
BLUF; people don't realize narcolepsy in itself is a sickness that is not understood by most. Not down grading the cataplexy etc but just the extreme fatigue alone is enough.
I have served 15 years of my life to the military. I lost several years of my life with my family because I failed to acknowledge I had these conditions. I would nap for hours at a crack (everyday).
Go down fighting; in 5 years know one is going to care where you are at or how you are going to pay your bills.
The military has been the best thing to ever happen to me and I am grateful to be given the chance to get a medical retirement; doesn't happen in the civilian world (think about that),
BLUF; people don't realize narcolepsy in itself is a sickness that is not understood by most. Not down grading the cataplexy etc but just the extreme fatigue alone is enough.
I have served 15 years of my life to the military. I lost several years of my life with my family because I failed to acknowledge I had these conditions. I would nap for hours at a crack (everyday).
Go down fighting; in 5 years know one is going to care where you are at or how you are going to pay your bills.
The military has been the best thing to ever happen to me and I am grateful to be given the chance to get a medical retirement; doesn't happen in the civilian world (think about that),
I have a question for Mike or Jason. E-Profile just posted an updated permanent profile DA 3349 that does not have my Narcolepsy listed on top as a condition. Narcolepsy with Cataplexy was what got me originally sent for MEB/PEB. After 12 months and a stop and restart its morphed into something different. I am still being treated for Narcolepsy and I still cannot fire my weapon or drive my car, and I have a limited duty schedule. My question is, since the new DA 3349 does not have Narcolepsy on it, should that be a warning that the 3947 is not going to encompass it either, or do those two documents stand alone independent of each other. When going through the VA, I had to see the Neurologist to re-confirm my Narcolepsy and he did. I am just so nervous and confused about this thing. I would love to just have it go smooth and not have to appeal but at the very least my NARSUM has to include the reason why I am in this whole mess to start with, and all I really want from the PEB is 30% with my Narcolepsy/Anxiety Disorder/OCD all rated. Any help would be great, I should be in for my NARSUM in the next few weeks.
coureymarshall66
PEB Forum Regular Member
I am about to submit PEB paperwork; Currently being diagnosed with Narcolepsy and Cataplexy.
Does anyone know if cataplexy is rated without medication or with medication? For instance, without medication, I can experience cataplexy multiple times daily. However, with medication, I experience 3-4 minor forms of cataplexy throughout a month. Obviously, this would make a huge difference in my disability rating. thanks and good luck to all.
Does anyone know if cataplexy is rated without medication or with medication? For instance, without medication, I can experience cataplexy multiple times daily. However, with medication, I experience 3-4 minor forms of cataplexy throughout a month. Obviously, this would make a huge difference in my disability rating. thanks and good luck to all.