Pending MEB for narcolepsy

[abnorma21]

I have been in the Air Force for almost 8 years. I was recently diagnosed with narcolepsy and now pending an MEB. My symptoms started after my deployement to Iraq, but was not formally diagnosed until 8 months later. I was diagnosed by a neurologist downtown and now the doctor that is doing my narrative for my MEB seems to be uncertain of my condition and any limitations that I have. I am unsure of him doing my narrative since his not familiar with narcolepsy. Any suggestions??? I have never missed worked because of my narcolepsy except for medical appointment and I have never been late. Everyone I have spoke with states they have been discharged from the military due to the narcolepsy. Is this true?? I am really lost as how the process work. Any advice would be greatly appeciated. Thanks in advance!!

[xeno]

Welcome,

With a condition like that, it could easly slip through the cracks and end up being admin sep. This is because you end up late for work or caught sleeping at work. I would try to find a specialist in your condition and be evaled by him/her.

X

[abnorma21]

The problem is that I am already seeing a specialist, but the specialist is a civilian. My PCM is not communicating with my specialist and therefore I'm afraid my case will not be presented the way it need to be to the board. I've never been late for work, fell asleep while at work or missed work because of my narcolepsy. Does any one else have any experience with their specialist being a civilian and their PCM being the one to write the narrative? Please advice.

[Jason]

abnorma21,

Welcome! What outcome do you want? It sounds on the facts like you may be fit, and the uncertainty in diagnosis may help you if you want a fit finding.

[abnorma21]

Jason,
I want to stay in the military. The diagnosis has already been made, the problem is that my PCM is not familiar with narcolepsy and how to write my summary. He would like for my neurologist (civilian) to write a letter to the board explaining my prognosis. I do not know if he will do that and whether the board will accept the letter. Any suggestions??

[AFPEBLO]

The off base provider should be sending your PCM written reports of their evaluations and treatment and these are part of the MEB, normally as attachments to the narrative. For AF cases the PEB will send back any MEBs missing referred to consults, I presume the other PEBs would do the same.

p.s. for you or anyone getting off base care or evaluations, which is the norm, you need to make sure the documentation is getting back to your service treatment record. First, it puts your health at risk if relevant to any treatment. Second, the service treatment record is the VA’s source document for service related conditions.

[abnorma21]

Thank you for the information AFPEBLO. I have an appointment with the civilian doctor on Wed and will make sure I get copies of all my records there so that I can take back to my PCM. I know the only thing in my AF medical record right now is a copy of my daytime sleep study which I had to get for my PCM. Thanks for the advice, I appreciate all the information I can receive right now. This was all so unexpected and now I'm just trying to do everything from my part to get this resolved. Thanks again.