To MEB or Not to MEB

J

Just_Doc

Member
Registered Member
I have been and AD medic for 7 years and some change.
2 deployments - Mosul Iraq 05/06 and RC South, Afghanistan 09/10.

Previous diagnosis of PTSD. Came back from Afghanistan with TBI. Having a hell of a time getting the TBI documented because they are giving me the whole "Well, since you have a parallel dx of PTSD, we cannot say either way if you have had any sort of TBI.".

It is what it is.

I got attachment orders to the WTB here at Lewis in March. I ETS October 1st.

I go to almost 7 mental health appointments a week, have undergone Prolonged Exposure treatment as well as IOP.

My Nurse Case Manager mentioned to me that she thought that me applying for a MEB would benefit me and get me on track for when I did get out.

I agreed with her, but as a point of apprehension re-enforced that the average wait is almost a year for a MEB packet to go through.

I asked her about any other options and they all came back to the MEB.

A HUGE source of my anger and aggravation is the Army is general. I feel like I am at my wits end. I am burned out. I cant play the game any more. I just cant.

I am running short on time. Again, my ETS is October 1st.

Does medical sep/retirement take the same amount of time? I have seen guys get evacd out of theater, come home, do the WTB thing for a few months, and then be on their way.

Am I missing something?

Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

-J
 
If you have medical conditions that are causing them not to let you reenlist, a MEB should happen. Tell them to give you a board for your PTSD. My Doc is writing an addendum for mine. If they don't let you reenlist a board is a must. If you are fit to reenlist, extend and get this started.
 
Dude... We've got some very similar stuff going on. After my 3rd deployment I was sent to recruiting duty with PTSD & mTBI. I struggled through my first year before I threw my hands in the air because I couldn't play the game anymore. I had threatened my 1SG's life (& was serious about it). I was fortunate to be stationed near a Navy base & the behavioral health staff sent me to the "happy ward" for 5 days to prevent my command from screwing with me. Fortunately, I'm an E-7, so they did nothing. I'm sure if I had been an E-5 or below that they would have crucified me. Following that incident, my wife (an RN) lobbied hard to get me out of recruiting and to a WTU. Within a month of PCSing to the WTU, my MEB was started. That was in October of 2010. I'm waiting right now for my DA199 to come back with my %%%'s. I'm expecting to be out in August/September. With a PTSD diagnosis, if you're found unfit you'll at least get 50% and put on the TDRL (temporarily retired). You go back every 18 months for a recheck and they can either adjust your percentages or permanently retire you. The time spent in a WTU sucks. Lots of nothing to do during the duty day. But in the end, the overall goal is to get better and/or get out. If you're in the process of an MEB, they'll extend you. If I were in your shoes, I'd do it.

-Jeff
 
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