I am an M-Day National Guard Soldier. I was recently referred to a MED board for PTSD / anxiety due to an MST event. I was told by my state SHARP rep that an LOD would be initiated but the MST LOD would be handled differently than a regular LOD. One exception he stated was that it would route directly to NGB from the state level. Does anyone have any info on this MST LOD process? I am familiar with the normal process but can find no other information on the MST process. Thanks for your help.
Referred to MEB due to PTSD from MST
- Thread starter Jenningsjs
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Thanks for your reply!
Its exactly the same as a regular LOD that no one in your unit can see. Only your state's Medical Command will be able to see the LOD, but it will say "Restricted LOD" and that's all. The official LOD that actualy has the words " Sexual Assault" will only be given to you, your SHARP rep and one person in the Medical Command at your state level who manages access and oversight of all LODs. And yes, the signature authority is not a commander within your state, it's a woman at NGB.
Thank you for your response. I was told this method would be a much quicker process to get me I to the IDES process instead of using my LODs for fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, and IBS. I just hope the MEB / PEB considers these conditions as well when determining my rating.
Thanks GSFOWLER, I’ve been told numerous times by my state if I didn’t have a National Guard LOD for a condition it would not be considered. In my case the fibromyalgia is a presumptive of my Desert Shield / Desert Storm service as is my IBS. My sleep apnea is a result of my medications from my presumptive conditions. Hopefully they consider everything and not just the PTSD / anxiety for which I have an open, valid LOD.
What you have been told is correct. For all NG/Reservist soldiers, you must have a LOD for a condition to be submitted to the MEB.
It can be difficult to get a LOD from the State, as they must conduct an investigation to show that the condition did occur, or was aggravated while you were entitled to active duty pay.
I agree with the course of action that they are submitting you for conditions related to MST, as this will get the most/best attention. It is also the easiest key to unlock the door to the MEB.
Please do not take this as a negative, but presumptive conditions are only related to the VA rating, and may not be accepted by the NG as unfitting.
When you get off of active duty, you complete a post deployment health assessment for any injuries or illnesses that have occurred while you were entitled to active duty pay during that period of orders.
Sleep apnea will not be considered an unfitting condition. Fibromyalgia may be considered unfitting, however the condition must have either occurred (showed signs of symptoms) or was aggravated (worsened) while you were entitled to active duty pay.
This is what I believe will take place in your case. You will get special attention due to the MST. If you so desire, you will be found unfitting for and anxiety related disorder (which may be PTSD, GAD or CAD). Depending on the severity of the condition, you will more than likely be medically retired.
Most of the MST related PTSD/Anxiety cases that I have seen result in a rating of 50% to 70% which would be greater than the 30% threshold for medical retirement.
All of the conditions that you claim to have occurred while you were on active duty will be rated by the VA, presumptive conditions are easier to get service connected for, as you do not need direct evidence that the condition started while you were on active duty, but basically you have the condition based on being in a certain area.
Jennings- Get ALL the LODs. Don't let them send you to the board without ALL of them. Keep pushing your state. I didn't get any traction on my LODs for 4 years until MST came into the picture and they wanted to shove me through the board. I protested until I was able to get 2 additional LODs completed- 1 for my back (back dated to my OEF deployment) and 1 for asthma, also backdated.
If you don't get the LODs, the MEB won't consider it for you DOD rating.
KEEP PUSHING for fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, and IBS. Don't let the packet leave your state until you have Perm 3 profiles and LODs for all of those conditions!