Waiting for IPEB Results: Celiac Disease

Hello everyone,

I'd like to say that I have read a lot of posts on this site in the past few months; just haven't posted myself. I think this is a great source of information and support to those of us who know the frustration and confusion inherent to this system. I just wanted to say 'thanks' to everyone who has posted here.

I'm currently waiting for my IPEB results for Celiac Disease. Basically, celiac disease means that your digestive system does not handle wheat gluten, and it can cause all manner of problems with your digestive system. The only cure is a gluten-free diet. This makes it tough on military members due to the MRE situation. Since the AF can't guarantee you can have access to gluten-free food while deployed, the member has to meet the board.

I'm a prior-enlisted USAF O-2 (12.5 yrs service) and was diagnosed by endoscopy in January of this year. The MEB at my base referred my case to the IPEB and my paperwork was sent to Texas on 22 Jul 09. Still waiting for an answer, although I've seen enough on this site to know that I probably still have a month to go. I have been on a gluten-free diet for a year and have no symptoms. My commander wrote a great recommendation letter in which he stated there was no impact to my duty performance and he strongly requested I be retained in my career field. I pass my PT tests with no problems and miss no work because of my condition. My doctor wrote a summary stating that I had currently had no symptoms, no CONUS duty limitations, and the gluten-free diet "may" restrict deployment locations.

I'm posting because I haven't been able to find very much about how the disability system deals with active-duty members with Celiac disease. The VASRD rating is under Digestive disorders (7323 Colitis, ulcerative). I haven't seen or heard much about people with celiac disease in the military, and I wanted to put some of my story out there. I've heard of some other cases, but haven't been able to talk to another person facing the same thing yet.

I'm waiting for the IPEB results and have no idea which way the board will decide. I'm planning for either contingency, which is really all someone can do at this point. I'd be happy to hear any suggestions, comments or questions. Thanks again to everyone who shed some light on this process for me and I wish you all good luck.

BIr

 

[xeno]

Sound like a RTD to me. But you never know. Make sure you post and update to this thread after you get something back.

 

[Gambler]

What you said sounds encouraging, I'll admit.

The problem that I run into is that my PEBLO makes some assumptions that I don't think the government would feel comfortable backing up. For example, the PEBLO thought that just having 12-13 yrs in the service would somehow get me a medical retirement instead of a separation with severance. It didn't sound right at the time, and now I'm pretty sure that she was off the reservation with that comment. This particular person also doesn't seem to speak in the language that I am hearing on this message board. They called my MEB "the local board" and when I asked what the outcome was, they responded, "oh, we sent it on to Texas." I had to ask three times if that meant the paperwork was at the IPEB. Eventually I got the right answer, but it was just more aggravation.

This, coupled with the volumes of instructions and directives, can make it hard to find where you stand in the process.

BIr

 

[Gambler]

Just received my results from the PEBLO...

Recommended disposition was discharge with severance with a compensable percentage of 0%. This is what I was expecting, after hearing about another active-duty member's experience with the IPEB and celiac.

I immediately requested appeal to the formal board, so I now get to spend a few weeks gathering letters, reading more AFIs and preparing my case. I haven't really considered paying for my own lawyer yet, but I might read some of the posts here on the topic to help make up my mind.

If you're interested, this is what the board wrote in the remarks section: "Your medical condition is not compatible with the rigors of military service. Although you are doing well at present (in a controlled environment), you have limited ability to deploy, and ability to deploy is such an important part of your skill set for your AFSC, that your inability to deploy makes you unfit for your job." If anyone has any thoughts or opinions on how to respond to this statement at the Formal PEB, I am all ears...

On another note, today I provided some constructive criticism to my PEBLO. The PEBLO wanted to have the conversation in front of their supervisor, and I was more than happy to oblige. Long story short, this PEBLO had made comments such as "oh, with your amount of time in they will probably just retire you," and "I think you have a really good chance at this." I merely wanted to pass on that those kind of statements, while not promises, could lead some people to false conclusions. I had some other issues as well, but the conversation went well and the PEBLO's supervisor informed me that there would some remedial training forthcoming. Bottom line: if you are having issues with your PEBLO and raise them professionally and without emotion and you will likely get a positive response.

I'll post an update when I know more about the timeline for the formal board. The response time was pretty good for my case, since the paperwork was sent off on 22 Jul 09 and I heard the response today, 16 Sep 09.

Still a lot of fighting to do yet. Good luck to everyone.

 

[Jason Perry]

Gambler,

Sorry about the outcome at the IPEB, but I would not read too much into that. You haven't yet gotten to present your case and my sense is that (for various reasons) the AF FPEB is more likely than the other services to change the findings.

My main comment is that you should not wait to pick a position and prepare accordingly. It sounded like from your earlier post that you had not set a goal for an outcome. Preparing a fit case is much different than preparing for a retirement case.

I hope all goes well for you at the FPEB.

 

[Gambler]

Jason,

Thanks for the input. From reading my past posts I can see that I left my desired outcome a little vague. I decided a while ago to fight for a return-to-duty answer from the formal PEB. I've started getting letters written and doing a lot of research about how I can continue to do my job, even if deployed. I've already talked to the government-provided counsel at Lackland, so the process is moving.

I have a few weeks before I'll know my FPEB date, so I'll try to use it wisely.

 

[vtrice001]

How long did it take you to receive your findings from the peb? My packet is being sent up to Walter Reed this morning. I wanna know when is too soon to expect something.

 

[Gambler]

vtrice001,

I received my answer from the Informal PEB at Randolph AFB in 57 days. I've seen from a lot of other posts that my reply was pretty quick, and you could expect to wait 3-4 weeks past that time frame, depending on the facts of your case.

 

[greenne]

vtrice001,

I received my answer from the Informal PEB at Randolph AFB in 57 days. I've seen from a lot of other posts that my reply was pretty quick, and you could expect to wait 3-4 weeks past that time frame, depending on the facts of your case.

I've heard the average AF timeframe at Randolph is about 90 days, however it depends upon the number of cases and the complexity of your particular case (i.e. if you have several conditions to be considered).

Not sure about other services, though...it could vary wildly...

Nate

 

[Gambler]

Quick update...

Just got my formal PEB date today (1 Oct 09) for 1 Dec 09. Seems like they may be a little busy down there...

 

[Lizinko]

Thanks for the post; I'm in similar boat -- O-4 Navy guy with 12.5 years of service recently diagnosed with celiac disease. In the MEB process right now.

Good luck with the formal PEB...

 

[Gambler]

Welcome to the board, Lizinko. I'm sorry to hear that you're in this process as well, but I can assure you that we are not the only people in the service that are dealing with this. Hang tough and do not give up....I was told twice that they were going to separate me, but I kept trying.

On a positive note, I met the formal PEB last week. The returned me to duty, and even made the case that I was still able to deploy. This is exactly what I was asking for and I am very happy with the results. The issue was not whether I was able to do my job in-garrison, since I had multiple letters from my chain of command on duty performance. The actual issue for a celiac is your ability (in AF terms) to be a Total Force asset. Meaning they want you to be able to carry your weight and pick up your share of deployments.

My lawyer was government-provided but absolutely outstanding. He pulled up MRE menus from the Defense Logistics Agency and we were able to demonstrate that there are a lot of items that a celiac can eat in an MRE and still avoid intake of gluten. For full disclosure however, in the holiday season the board schedule is pretty confused, so my lawyer was able to spend extra time with me in preparing my case due to a slow schedule that week. Not everyone can depend on that factor, so having your case prepared as fully as possible before meeting your lawyer is critical.

I have a lot of information about formal board (AF) processes and some other insights into preparing a case for the formal board. DISCLAIMER: I'm not a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV. However, something that I did in this whole mess helped to change the Air Force's mind on separating me, so I would be happy to share whatever info may help. Good luck to all, and thanks again to everyone on this forum that educated me in the last year.

b

 

[Gambler]

A lot of people are looking for timelines here, so I thought I would post mine for reference:

28 Jan 09 - Formal diagnosis with Celiac Disease
31 Mar 09 - NARSUM from Primary Care Manager
17 Jul 09 - Medical Board recommends Informal Physical Evaluation Board (no fast-track)
22 Jul 09 - Board package sent to Randolph AFB
13 Sep 09 - Informal PEB returns disposition of Discharge with Severance Pay
13 Sep 09 - Member requests Formal Physical Evaluation Board (FPEB)
1 Oct 09 - Received FPEB date for 1 Dec 09
1 Dec 09 - Reported to Lackland AFB for FPEB
3 Dec 09 - Met FPEB and was returned to Duty