Previous MEB for Diabetes Type I

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foxdl99

PEB Forum Regular Member
Hello, I received a fit for duty finding in 2005 for DM type 1. I am considering a self-refer for another MEB but am concerned about what findings may happen. I have hypothyroidism as well and celiac, which I'm not sure is rated. My concern is this: I've been in 10 years now and if I get less than 30-40% then I would be short changing myself in the long run.

I'm considering another MEB because I was told I can't deploy, which kind of makes me wonder what use I am to the military. I've thought about this for a while now, and I'm pretty sure this is what I want to do. Any suggestions?
 
Honestly I have met quit a few people who have received return to duty for going before an MEB with Diabetes I. I believe type II and III are normally given disabilities. If you have other non fit for duty injuries or illnesses then that may assist your MEB.

For instance I know a Soldier who went through the MEB for Knee injuries as well as Diabetes Type I. His packet went up and came back from the PEB fit for Diabetes and 20% for his knees.
 
The fit finding for type 1 diabetes was a merely a way to screw him out of disability retirement. Had they found him unfit for that his rating woud have been at least 30% total.
 
After reading through other postings, it seems it's got a lot to do with how the write up is presented. I think my first PEB found me fit because I wanted to stay in at the time, and my commander at the time had a good supporting write up as well. But like I said, it's getting more apparent that my role in the Army is diminished to say the least.
 
Yep I agree, the write up does play a big role. I sometimes wonder if the write ups is the cause of some being rated higher than others for the same injuries or illness.

A lot guys do get screwed but they have the right to appeal. If they don't appeal then they kind of hurting themselves in the end. I know most are like myself and just want to be done with the entire process but the last thing I would want to do a year or so after getting out is ask myself why did I not appeal.
 
For Diabetes it is all in your Dr's dictation. Currently the VASRD does not delineate between type-1 and type-2 but they are very different. Type 1 is loss of pancreatic function for production of insulin thus requiring you to manually do the job that your body can no longer do by counting carbs and injecting the appropriate amount of insulin. There is no subjectivity in Function loss of an organ when it no longer produces a hormone that is essential for life. You must assure your Dr uses the appropriate language that the VASRD contains in the 40% criteria. As a type 1 your activity is certainly regulated in many capacity's and you must avoid the strenuous activity's of Army combat as you will be a liability to yourself and your fellow soldiers as well as recreationally you can not go out with out major preparation and someone to monitor you on a long run or hike or swim. You must assure your Dr includes those type of medical necessities in his dictation and appointment notes.
On the other thread of type 2 and 3 being unfitting?? Type 2 can be managed and controlled in most cases by weight loss and restricted carbohydrate consumption and in some cases oral medication. It is not very often it would be an unfitting condition, it would be based mostly on the efforts of the member and the Dr recommendations. Type 3 is not a diabetic condition unless you are thinking of type 1.5 which is the early stages of Type-1 where the body still has pancreatic function for insulin production however it is being killed off by the antibody that is attacking the pancreas and will ultimately kill off all the beta cells in the individuals pancreas where they will be a full Type-1 diabetic when they are all gone.
 
I have Type I diabetes equipped with an insulin pump and I was wondering what my probabilities for staying in the Army National gaurd are ? My intentions are to stay in and continue to serve my country proud . I have almost 10 years in the armed services and DO NOT want to get out . If there is any information anyone can give me to help my case it would be much appreciative . Thank you .
 
I would push for medical retirement. I know it is tough to give up on a military career but medical retirement will offer you the same benefits you would get after 20 years. Staying in with T1 is not safe for you or those around you in your unit. The pump is prosthetically performing only 1/3 of the function loss of your pancreas. The other 2/3's are the monitoring of your Blood Sugar levels and the communications to your liver for glucagon secretion when your low or insulin production by your pancreas when your high. Your pancreas/liver do none of that now and that lows are the extreme danger that you can not control that put you and those around you at risk when you stay in. As a new T1 you may not have as many lows but over time you become hypo-unaware and thats just a product of the disease that you can not stop. It sucks and is a tough to accept that you have to get out but in the long run for you and your health as well as the safety of those fellow soldiers around you you should take the path of medical retirement. Remeber every thing you did up til your diagnosis was pre-diabetic and I am sure you performed well however your bodies capabilities are now limited and need to be monitored in a much more detailed fashion and it will never function on its own again. Its nothing on you just the unfortunate circumstances of developing a dangerous autoimmune disease. I can will help you with your MEB/PEB if you would like as I just went through my second PEB after medical retirement from the Marines for Type-1 and have learned the details of the process. Good luck and feel free to message me.
 
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