TLDR; Was diagnosed bipolar 2 while serving AD in the Marine Corps, was subsequently medically retired. I believe this to be a misdiagnosis and I am looking for advise, knowledge, etc in navigating this situation with the goal of reenlisting
To be more detailed, I had a fairly bad bout of depression in the Spring of 2021, primarily caused by factors outside of the military. I had tried talking to my units OSCAR but was having an incredibly frustrating time with him and ended up getting seen at the Naval Hospital on base by a Naval psychiatrist. I was given the bipolar diagnosis within 2-3 sessions (and from my own research, this is an incredibly short timeline for that) and put on an antipsychotic medication to help with symptoms. However, this medication absolutely wrecked me, and made things significantly worse. I ended up having SI (with no intent) shortly after starting the meds, and sought help at the naval hospital. This ended with a 4 day inpatient stay, where they prescribed a different med. After this inpatient stay, I continued weekly appointments with my naval psychiatrist who didn't initiate the med board for another 2-3 weeks. After the hospital stay, I did not have any depressive episodes, or other symptoms congruent with the diagnosis.
Since separation, I have seen a handful of different MH providers at the VA and mostly stayed away from medication. The only time I tried, was January of 2024 in anticipation of starting college in the fall, but stopped within a month or two (with Dr approval). Many of the providers I've spoken to do not think I have bipolar, but have not done a proper eval or made any notes stating so. I plan to speak with another VA provider soon for an eval, as well as a non-affiliated provider.
I am hoping to appeal this with the BCMR, if possible, by providing plenty of supporting evidence. I know, in hindsight, I should have appealed the boards findings while still AD, but at the time I was pretty defeated mentally due to the experience and at the time I did believe the diagnosis to be accurate. I would like to attempt re-enlisting should this be successful, even though there is not guarantee I can do so. I also know I would be jeopardizing my benefits, but it feels wrong having them when I feel that I shouldn't.
I'm really looking for any advice, knowledge, hard truths, etc for navigating this situation. I've tried searching for others in similar positions, but it seems I am in a pretty unique scenario so anything helps.
To be more detailed, I had a fairly bad bout of depression in the Spring of 2021, primarily caused by factors outside of the military. I had tried talking to my units OSCAR but was having an incredibly frustrating time with him and ended up getting seen at the Naval Hospital on base by a Naval psychiatrist. I was given the bipolar diagnosis within 2-3 sessions (and from my own research, this is an incredibly short timeline for that) and put on an antipsychotic medication to help with symptoms. However, this medication absolutely wrecked me, and made things significantly worse. I ended up having SI (with no intent) shortly after starting the meds, and sought help at the naval hospital. This ended with a 4 day inpatient stay, where they prescribed a different med. After this inpatient stay, I continued weekly appointments with my naval psychiatrist who didn't initiate the med board for another 2-3 weeks. After the hospital stay, I did not have any depressive episodes, or other symptoms congruent with the diagnosis.
Since separation, I have seen a handful of different MH providers at the VA and mostly stayed away from medication. The only time I tried, was January of 2024 in anticipation of starting college in the fall, but stopped within a month or two (with Dr approval). Many of the providers I've spoken to do not think I have bipolar, but have not done a proper eval or made any notes stating so. I plan to speak with another VA provider soon for an eval, as well as a non-affiliated provider.
I am hoping to appeal this with the BCMR, if possible, by providing plenty of supporting evidence. I know, in hindsight, I should have appealed the boards findings while still AD, but at the time I was pretty defeated mentally due to the experience and at the time I did believe the diagnosis to be accurate. I would like to attempt re-enlisting should this be successful, even though there is not guarantee I can do so. I also know I would be jeopardizing my benefits, but it feels wrong having them when I feel that I shouldn't.
I'm really looking for any advice, knowledge, hard truths, etc for navigating this situation. I've tried searching for others in similar positions, but it seems I am in a pretty unique scenario so anything helps.
