Air Force starting board process

[Texan1003]

Well I have been told they are finally starting the MEB process. Compared to some posts I have read I know I have it good concerning condition. I was confirmed to have Hydradenitis suppurativa. This is extremely painful skin condition at the present level that has caused me to form reccuring cysts on my inner thighs and groin area for the past 8 months constantly and a couple of years before spuradically. My main concern is that it is unfitting but it is rated the same as exima. Therefore to get at least 30% I have to have greater than 20% of my thighs and groin effected. Since it is only my inner thighs front to back and about 4-5 inches down and my scrotum effected it will be hard to get that rating. I am concerned about this and have not seen it on this forum. I am having a problem finding information on standards of ratings for this. The ratings also go up with constant or near constant use of immunosuppresant drugs. I have been getting injections when the cysts form and I can get into the dr but it has averaged 3-5 corticosteroid injections about once per month. would this qualify as near constant or constant? and who would I ask this question if I do not get a response?
Since the progression to this stage about Dec of last year, I have had 3 surgeries 3 days hospitalization, numerousinjections, constant oral antibiotics, and con leave and SIQ totaling about 7 months. I can not see how they can rate this exzema!! I can't mow the yard without going to the dr for injections. and even with no physical activity just working in an office I still form them. I feel inadequate and can't seem to get anyone to listen to me when it comes to what I'm going through. Any advise would be very appreciated.

[Jason]

Texan1003,

I am sorry to hear of your condition.

Here is the rating criteria:

7806 Dermatitis or eczema.

More than 40 percent of the entire body or more than 40 percent of
exposed areas affected, or; constant or near-constant systemic therapy
such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs required
during the past 12-month period 60

20 to 40 percent of the entire body or 20 to 40 percent of exposed areas
affected, or; systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other
immunosuppressive drugs required for a total duration of six weeks
or more, but not constantly, during the past 12-month period 30

At least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of the entire body, or at
least 5 percent, but less than 20 percent, of exposed areas affected,
or; intermittent systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other
immunosuppressive drugs required for a total duration of less than
six weeks during the past 12-month period 10

Less than 5 percent of the entire body or less than 5 percent of exposed
areas affected, and; no more than topical therapy required during the
past 12-month period 0

Based on what you have said, I think there is a good basis for arguing the 60% rating, and it seems to me you should rate at least 30%.

Whether the PEB accepts this argument or not is another matter. But I think you have a strong case for a rating that will result in retirement. There is another argument that you should have an extra-schedular rating if they do not rate you at the 30% or higher level based on the stated criteria. This almost never works at the PEB, but if you appeal, reviewing courts will likely give you a fair consideration of this question.

I hope everything goes well for you.

[Texan1003]

Don't know if these are right questions for the forum but I have three that are really troubleing me with no help from anyone in the chain.

1. I see civilian providers due to location but by the time the profile makes it through the base it gets all twisted and instead of permanent they put 90 days and code me 31 in the personel system. this has been going on for almost a year now. probably the reason I had to demand a MEB eval for somone to realize I can't keep going like this! Now the question. The medical section is telling me they cannot or should not PCS me on a code 31. My squadron is telling me with a 31 I am to PCS. Which is correct and how do I prove who is correct.

2. I was also told I would be cosed a 37 ofter the MEB write up was accomplished and turned over to the MEB office which should be next week. Does anyone know how long it takes to get updated in the system? I am scheduled to report NLT the 30th of this month, however no one can give me a firmative answer on whether I am going or not. I do know I am being boarded.

3. I also recieved two additional refferals finally one for pain management and one for anxiety/deppression that has resurfaced or at least became an issue over the past year with all the issues of the disease. This stress and or depression is related to what I'm going through with the pain and suffering from the unfitting illness. I also had to be placed on BP meds to control my blood pressure related to the stress. Will these issues be addressed in the MEB or PED and consifered even though they are not in theirselves unfitting but directly related to the unfitting illness?

one more? I understand what the rating schedule is for the disease but what about the loss of mobility in my legs? the flare ups are caused by heat and friction and when I have active cysts (most of the time) and or the scar tissue from surgical removal I am limited in walking distances or sometimes in etreme pain to walk at all. will those be considered with the unfitting illness? If I need to get them into a statement for them to be considered I still have time.

Thanks for the help.

[AFPEBLO]

Texan,

Each service is different for profiling and PCS restrictions, if you are in the AF,

- There really isn't an option for a permanent profile. The increments are supposed to force follow up working towards resolution.

- You shouldn’t PCS with either code. Recommend your PEBLO calls AFPC, they can change the reporting date or cnx the orders (or more likely order your PEBLO to speed things up). Ref AFI 36-3212, para 4.4.

Also, the PEB should consider all diagnoses, but they can only apply ratings to those that specifically made you unit. The VA however, can rate any service connected issue.

I'm sorry I do not have any experience with your diagnosis and do not know how they address associated issues like your mobility or response to heat and friction. In general, unless referred to separately in the VASRD they are part of the overall rating (but again, I have no experience with your issue).

Good luck

[Texan1003]

Thanks so much. Yes I am AF. Being so early on in the process I have not been assigned a PEBLO. I am trying to get the MEB hurried at this point. The problem is that there are allot of us dislocated from regular AF medical treatment and with seeing civilian docs and being treated at a naval clinic on a reserve base things differ and we get lost in the medical system. What I was told today after an all day trip to the closest AFB where I am finally getting help, that the two referals that were requested can't be completed because they did not come from my PCM! I suppose with everything else I have been dealing with I'm not suprised that Humana can deny an Active duty AF doc from granting a referal. The wonderful clinic that my 3rd PCM this year is at did not have any apts left for the month last week when I called to schedule a follow up. I'm so tired of dealing with this process and it is only getting started.

[AFPEBLO]

I've never been in Humana's area and don't know how they work, but that doesn't sound right on the referral denial.

For your PCS maybe try calling the AFPC contact center. Go to afpc.randolph.af.mil for the number. Try telling them that you are pending an MEB and need an answer on if you are supposed to PCS. I'm not sure on what they will do, but I think they will refer the question to your AFSCs assignment team who should go talk to medical standard folks (kind of oversee MEBs). That won't help with the referral but they will engange the PEBLO directly and usualy direct an MEB by a certain date (can't put orders on hold for ever).

Also, try checking into how your MTF does case management for MEB patients. Each clinic is a little different but if you can get hooked up with a case mangement nurse they may (should) be able to help with the referrals and follow ups.