What’s Next?

Hey all. I know there’s a great amount of info on this forum, but I don’t know what to look for. I’ll start with my situation and see if some of you forum vets can point me to the pertinent threads and maybe kick down some personal experiences.

I’ve been in 13 years. About 8 months ago I landed on a boulder covered in snow on a night jump and herniated the hell out of my L5S1 disc. A few months later (after trying PT and non-surgical options) I had a discectomy. About 6 weeks later it reherniated due to what I think was a routine sneeze. I couldn’t walk again and had to have the same surgery. I’m now on con leave again and just had a post op meeting with the civ surgeon who blatantly told me my disc height is significantly discreased (obviously) from the two discectomy surgeries and that I’ll more than likely be needing a fusion in the near future because it could get painful.

The “you’re probably gonna be Med-Boarded” phrase has been tossed at me already a few times by non-medical personnel. It’s been a rough year, and I’ve spent a few moments out of it trying to figure out what the hell I was gonna do. I never thought I’d be in this situation, none of us do.

I’m gonna shoot everyone straight, I’m not sure I’m gonna be able to turn it off (my desire to be do awesome stuff in the Army). I see me being a liability to my health, if that makes sense. This whole experience has been a real eye opener to what I really need to focus on in life: my health, family, being a dad.

I have an appt to see my Army PCM and want see if any of you have some food for thought. I can’t be the first in this scenario. What does the med-board landscape look like? Do I bring it up to the doc? How do I bring it up without looking like a certain Soldier? What information should I arm myself with? It’s my understanding from A LOT of buddies that the system isn’t always in favor of the Soldier.

Any input is be appreciated. Thanks.
 
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I brought up med board to my PCM. I had heart surgery and all my doctors said I would be done (they were right). I've been a hard charger my whole career. Basically, I just told my doc I didn't want to delay the inevitable med board, since I knew it was coming, and just get it over with. I said fit or unfit I just want to know and move on. If the Navy had decided to keep me, I was ready to keep charging to the best of my ability, but I was found unfit. Now I'm going home and I'm also going to focus on my health, family, and being a dad.

My process started in July 2018. I'm waiting on my retirement orders now... I'm Navy.
 
Hey CW, glad to hear you overcame that, if you’re still active you’re too damn young for a surgery like that.

I never really thought I’d be in this position, probably just like you. I’ve always went hard and fast; I thought I was invincible and these injuries would never happen to me.

Sounds like we’re of the same mind: put me out of my misery and let me move on or tell me to stay.

It’s just weird for me to think about asking for this. It’s been a really tough pill to swallow.

cw123 said:
I brought up med board to my PCM. I had heart surgery and all my doctors said I would be done (they were right). I've been a hard charger my whole career. Basically, I just told my doc I didn't want to delay the inevitable med board, since I knew it was coming, and just get it over with. I said fit or unfit I just want to know and move on. If the Navy had decided to keep me, I was ready to keep charging to the best of my ability, but I was found unfit. Now I'm going home and I'm also going to focus on my health, family, and being a dad.

My process started in July 2018. I'm waiting on my retirement orders now... I'm Navy.
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Andy22 said:
Hey CW, glad to hear you overcame that, if you’re still active you’re too damn young for a surgery like that.

I never really thought I’d be in this position, probably just like you. I’ve always went hard and fast; I thought I was invincible and these injuries would never happen to me.

Sounds like we’re of the same mind: put me out of my misery and let me move on or tell me to stay.

It’s just weird for me to think about asking for this. It’s been a really tough pill to swallow.
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It was definitely something I never imagined I would have to deal with. The way I started to look at it was, I gave the Navy my best - always. My situation was nothing that I asked for, nor was it anything I could have prevented. If something beyond my control was going to keep me from continuing to serve then I wasn't/am not going to stress on it. Everything happens for a reason. You are no less of a Soldier because you were injured in the line of duty and I am no less of a Sailor for developing an illness. It happens. I think it's best to do what is right for your long term health and if that means the IDES process then so be it.

This site has been fantastic. The people here are incredibly helpful and there is a wealth of information and experience for you to draw from. Like I mentioned, I'm nearing the end of my IDES road, but I fully intend to hang around and offer my experience to somebody who may need the help.
 
Hey @Andy22, I know and feel your pain. I have had a cervical spinal fusion and still suffer from chronic radiculoathy down both arms, that being said, I mentioned to my PCM that I am struggeling to get through my work day and I cannot do 90% of my work (I am an aircraft mechanic - Navy). I asked what my choices are with regards to either getting out at my EAS or Medically seperated/retired - I told him that I personally will be leaving the service either way as I can no longer do my job without a significant amount of pain and the meds I am having to take for nerve pain would not be safe to have me working on aircraft. He then said that he will initiate the med board and hopefully I will get retired with Tricare prime as I will be needing another cervical fusion in the next two - four years.

I personally think just be honest, explain how it is effecting your daily living and keep seeking medical treatment as they like to try give you Tylenol and tell you to suck it up. I was in so much nerve pain that I went back everyday for two weeks until I was take seriously. Explain how it affects you job.

I hope it all goes well.
 
Damn Ollie, sounds like we have had some similar stories. I’ve been able to avoid fusion for the time being, but I have had the same experience of not being taken seriously. The unit PA just assumed I was malingering until I finally got the MRI about 6 weeks after the initial onset, when she finally agreed “yeah, this probably really hurts.”

So you are just now starting the process?

OllieT said:
Hey @Andy22, I know and feel your pain. I have had a cervical spinal fusion and still suffer from chronic radiculoathy down both arms, that being said, I mentioned to my PCM that I am struggeling to get through my work day and I cannot do 90% of my work (I am an aircraft mechanic - Navy). I asked what my choices are with regards to either getting out at my EAS or Medically seperated/retired - I told him that I personally will be leaving the service either way as I can no longer do my job without a significant amount of pain and the meds I am having to take for nerve pain would not be safe to have me working on aircraft. He then said that he will initiate the med board and hopefully I will get retired with Tricare prime as I will be needing another cervical fusion in the next two - four years.

I personally think just be honest, explain how it is effecting your daily living and keep seeking medical treatment as they like to try give you Tylenol and tell you to suck it up. I was in so much nerve pain that I went back everyday for two weeks until I was take seriously. Explain how it affects you job.

I hope it all goes well.
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We have a similar story, today I was found unfit for duty with two total disk replacements in my neck and a discectomy in my lower L4-S1 and Severe PTSD, the request for ratings was sent to the VA, all combat related. I have 16 other claims that are also with it. Does anyone know what my timeline looks like from the request for ratings to possible out dates?
 
@Andy22 our stories are definitely similar lol, In my experience so far, the best advecate for your own conditions and care is yourself. I have even had a Navy Physical therapist change his range of motion findings because he measured and then typed up a different number which to him was no big deal, but once I explained the medical board process and that his typo/mix up could be the difference between me been medically seperated or retired. He then went and made another note with the correct ROM findings. Seriously, go log onto Tricareonline.com and view all your doctors notes to make sure they don't get stuff wrong that could impact you later on. They see plenty people so they are normally rushed for time.

I am pretty much in the middle of the process, was found UNFIT by the PEB and now my package is being sent to the VA for ratings which could take two weeks to a few months! Depending on if they find my Radiculopathy unfittinf will be the determining factor if I will go to a formal board or not.
 
@jonathan.a.brodeur I'm not sure, all I know is my PEBLO says they have been taking about 8 weeks to get back to the PEB. I am aiming for (if I accept the findings) my last day active duty around end of April 2019. I know each case is different though so it is hard to say when it comes to the VA.
 
All great inputs from everyone. To start, I've had lower back pain for about 20 years while on active duty and it took the Navy to order me an MRI eight years and that ended up starting the process finally with physical therapy, which made it worse, and then multiple cortisone shots, which also did nothing to relieve the pain. So in the past 10 years, I've had upwards to 12 visits of shots in my lower back, multiple referrals for physical therapy all at a civilian practice, two lumbar fusions one Sept 13 of L4/L55 and the last November to remove the original hardware and then fuse the L4/L5/S1. Of course I've also had a torn rotator cuff and bicep tendonesis repair surgery in April and have been going to physical therapy since April 4-5 times a week and still a long way to go. I was informed last week I was referred to the PEB and have my apt with my PCM this Thursday to start that processes and get the referral to the PEBO at the clinic to engage all of this process. This isn't even including the TBI, PTSD, sleep apnea, etc... I'm extremely thankful that I've been able to push this off for so long and support the missions of the military I've been able to do for the past 27 years, but I'm quite certain they'll come back saying unfit as well....so I'm researching everything now of what to expect prior, during and after the PEB process. Good luck to all and when/if I hear anything more, I'll definitely post here for everyone.
 
It’s such a foreign process! I know it’s like most things military: it’s seems daunting then after it’s done you think “that was it?” I met up with the PCM and he agreed with everything I had to say. He says it’s a clear cut med board and is probably the most suitable path for my desires to be active into my 40s and 50s. We agreed that we’d not make any decisions because there’s always medical jiu-jitsu jargon that could hide me away somewhere, tough but doable. He understood my reservations about being a liability to myself, especially when I’m in the environment of people striving to be the fastest/strongest.

It was probably the best experience I’ve had with a military health care professional. The guy legitimately understood what I was going through, but just physically but mentally.
 
@Andy22 that is great news that it went well and he ligitimatley understood and listened to your concerns and issues. The process is long and tedious, I realized that you need to decide what outcome you want from the very begining because your chain of command, commander, PEBLO, Legal counsil and even your PCM will ask you what you want. I wanted to be found UNFIT because each day is a battle. I know other people who told thier command that they wanted to be found FIT, when in actual fact they wanted to be found UNFIT but were either too proud to say they wanted to be found UNFIT or ashamed. The Non-medical assesment done by your commander (also known as a commanders letter) holds A LOT of weight for a FIT / UNFIT finding. Be sure to know what outcome you are looking for from the beginning.
Also there are lots of steps and opportunities to dispute along the way so it's good to read up on the meb/peb process. knowledge is power. Happy your PCM meeting went well.
 
@jdka17 welcome to the process. wow 27 years, that is basically my lifetime!!! I'm sure with all your claimed conditions you will be found UNFIT and no doubt 100%. Best of luck to you in your journey through the process.... keep us posted on your progress.
 
Hello Everyone I have a question for you, I was found unfit and my case was routed to WA for final approval. I looked today and my process had gone back 2 steps to the reviewing evidence stage, is this normal during the process?
 
@OllieT that is solid advice and something I’m glad you mentioned. I could see myself buckling under my pride and saying things I don’t mean.
 
@jonathan.a.brodeur Although it didn't do any such thing in my experience, the VA website mentions that your case may go "backwards" for various reasons. I know that isn't much help and probably doesn't do anything to ease the anxiousness I'm sure you're feeling, but hopefully it helps a little.
 
Hey @cw123 and @OllieT the way the doc explained it to me is he would write something that would trigger the med board, from what he says my case is extremely easy to write. How long until your found unfit? I’m guessing once that happens, I can legitimately start trying to plan what do next.

If there’s a good thread on here already discussing this, mind dropping the thread name?
 
Andy22 said:
Never mind, I found @OllieT post in a quick search.

Post your timelines - Spinal IPEB/FPEB
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Here is my timeline:

24 May 18: Aortic Valve Replacement Surgery
29 May 18: Discharged from hospital
2 Jul 18: Referred for MEB
10 Jul 18: Met with PEBLO
11 Jul 18: Phone consultation with attorney
23 Jul 18: Met with VA MSC; claims submitted
14-15 Aug 18: QTC Appointments
4 Sep 18: NARSUM Signed
6 Sep 18: NMA Signed
13 Sep 18: Found unfit by MEB; referred to PEB
20 Sep 18: Lawyer review of PEB package
24 Sep 18: Personal Statement Complete
24 Sep 18: PEBLO sent package to PEB
25 Sep 18: Package received by PEB
9 Oct 18: Found UNFIT by PEB; package sent to VA
23 Oct 18: Ebenefits status changed to "Pending Decision Approval"
24 Oct 18: Ebenefits updates "Documents Needed From You"; indicates "VA Form <number>" needed
25 Oct 18: Notified PEBLO; PEBLO indicates she has not been notified of any document requirements
30 Oct 18: Received notice in the mail from VA stating "You may be entitled to additional benefits" with instructions to submit claim
31 Oct 18: PEBLO and MSC assured me the process would not be delayed and to fill out the form and return it ASAP
1 Nov 18: Additional claim submitted via Ebenefits
5 Nov 18: PEBLO received findings; DoD 100% / VA 100% / PDRL; Ebenefits still stated "Pending Decision Approval"
 
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