TIMELINE: MEB THROUGH PEB

[QTheDukeQ]

So, I've found this Thread a little late, but here goes.

Jan 15 2007 - Broke ankle getting out of a top rack in on base barracks in the middle of the night. Spent the night in the emergency room. (Consequently, a month later someone else on base also fell out and has permanent brain damage from cracking his skull.)

Jan. 24 07 First surgery to fuse bone together.

Feb. 21 07 Second surgery for a syndesmosis screw.

March 05 07 Request for First Limdu assignment.

April 06 2007 Report for Limdu assignment. 1st period.

June 28 07 Third surgery to remove syndesmosis screw.

July 06 07 Second period of Limdu requested.

Nov. 01 07 Referred out to civilian specialist. Yale Orthopedics.

Nov. 28 07 Fourth surgery to put in external fixture to length bone.

Dec. 07 07 Request for third period of Limdu.

Feb. 13 08 Fifth surgery to remove external fixture.

April 02 Request for IPEB Denied, Third period of Limdu extended.

May 08 Found to have staph infection.

July 07 08 Sixth surgery to remove hardware and clean up infection.

Aug. 08 2008 Office visit to asses for IPEB package.
Diagnoses: (1) Bimalleolar fracture of the left ankle, status post open reduction, internal Fixation (824.5)
(2) Septic arthritis of the left ankle with post debridement residual osteopenia of the left ankle (711.07)

Aug. 12-20 Completed Separation Physicals.

Aug. 15 08 Signed Statement of Patient after reviewing Doctors evaluation.

Aug. 28 08 IPEB Package mailed to Washington D.C.

Sep. 08-11 08 Attended TAPS

Sep. 09 08 Requested Certified Copy of Medical Record. 4-6 week wait. Once I recieve I can apply for VA benifits.

Sep. 15 08 Called Medboards/PEBLO to ask if package was accepted and was told that they are only informed when they either receive a refusal, or receive the results.

Sep. 18 08 Three weeks since package mailed, and still waiting........................................... .....

Sep. 24 08 Received Results!!!!!!!! 30% TDRL. VA Diagnostic Codes 5299-5262 Separating Nov. 7 2008

Sep. 30 08 Discharge orders came through. Separating Oct. 31 2008 now.

Oct. 02 08 All Paperwork processed. Left for Terminal Leave.

Oct. 15 08 Spent first night in my new apartment back home. VA memorandum rating approved. Hope to speak to a Voc Rehab counselor next week. 30-45 days to receive physical appointment to actually get rated.

[winz]

Hi All!

I'm not sure if this is the right thread to be asking this question but I'll try anyway.

My husband, Nathan, is currently in the rating process with the VA for a variety of items including PTSD, TBI, Plantar Fasciitis in both feet, a shoulder injury and tinnitus. (I have read the new info regarding TBI but thanks to anyone who was going to recommend that!)

Nathan is also still in the Army National Guard. He expressed his concern regarding his ability to lead his soldiers (SFC - E7) to some folks in his unit several months ago and was deemed unfit to attend AT by the doc who gives the AT physicals. Drilling was causing extreme stress for him and he was told at last drill by his commander (who is very supportive of him) that they would schedule a fit for duty exam during October's drill weekend. His commander also told him that he would not have to show for drill any longer.

The VA is waiting on stressor confirmation from Washington but has told us that once he is discharged they will no longer need the stressor confirmation. He is being referred to the fit for duty for the PTSD situation which is increasingly worse as time goes on. Our hope is that we can get the discharge process to happen quickly so we won't have to wait on Washington to get back to the VA.

I have a couple of questions regarding our situation. First, what is the timeline like from the date of the fit for duty exam to the MEB? I'm unclear about how that move is made and how long it takes. The second question is, will the commander's request that Nathan sit out for drill affect his student loan repayment or any other benefits he is currently receiving? He was told by both the brigade surgeon and the commander that everyone involved will be pushing for medical retirement rather than sev. pay. I'm just concerned that his current benes will not be dealt with properly if he isn't drilling but at the same time, drilling is causing him to deteriorate rapidly.

I apologize for the long post and if this is posted in the wrong thread. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks - Kelly

[Jason]

Kelly,

Welcome! Sorry to hear about Nathan's injuries. I hope he gets the treatment he needs.

As far as the timeline, it depends. They could find him disqualified for retention and refer him right away to the MEB. Or they could just give him a profile for a period of time and later refer him to MEB. There is a lot of flexibility in this part of the process. Sorry that I can't offer more insight, though it sounds like he will be referred to MEB sooner rather than later.

One other thing I thought I'd mention, it sounds like he should be eligible for INCAP pay.

[winz]

Jason -

Thanks for the super quick response! I apologize again for my ignorance but what in INCAP pay?

[Jason]

Your welcome!

Incapacitation Pay is for loss of pay from military or civilian job due to Line of Duty injuries. Here is a link: Reserve and National Guard Incapacitation Pay

[nschmeck]

Figured I would put my information on here to share and see where and how long it goes for.


Had initial injury rupturing ligaments during PT run. (Jan 2007)

Follow up appointments, never referred to Ortho for MRI, only x-rays (Jan 2007)

Lived with profiles and “getting by until reinjuring ankle during PT run (Dec 2007)

2 weeks off for Exodus on crutches, ice and Motrin.

Injured ankle again (Jan 2008)

Sick-call a number of times before finally getting consult to Ortho (Jan-Feb 2008)

Put on temp profile with cam-boot (Feb 2008)

MRI and decision for surgery (Mar 2008)

Surgery (11 Apr 2008)

Con-leave (11 Apr 2008 to 28 Apr 2008)

Physical Therapy 3 times a week for 16 weeks (28 Apr 2008 to 18 Aug 2008)

MEB recommended (18 Aug 2008) 112 days after surgery.

Phase 1 Physical completed and filed (5 Sep 2008) 18 days later.

Phase 2 Physical and ROM completed and filed (11 Sep 2008) 6 days later.

TAP workshop (16 Sep 2008 to 18 Sep 2008) 5 days later.

DTAP workshop and began using single footed cane to try and get out of my 3d Cam Boot. (26 Sep 2008) 8 days later.

NARSUM review scheduled (20 Oct 2008) 24 days later.

Reviewed and signed NARSUM, has me listed for ICD-9 718.87. Packet sent to San Antonio PEB. (23 Oct 2008) 3 days later.

Awaiting PEB restults (24 Oct 2008) 1 day later.

San Antonio received my packet. (27 Oct 2008) 3 days later.

San Antonio had questions regarding my ROM results and possible nerve damage and requested additional information from a provider at Fort Polk, LA. (03 Nov 2008) 7 days later.

Waiting to get in touch with my PEBLO regarding this to get more details. (04 Nov 2008) 1 day later.

Providers at BJACH Fort Polk, LA working on fixing packet to resubmit to San Antonio. Was told it may take a couple more weeks before my packet is sent back to San Antonio. (05 Nov 2008) 1 day later.

The providers FINALLY corrected the problem. AAARRRGGGHHHH!!! (12 Nov 2008) 7 days later.

Additional provider information sent back to San Antonio. About time!! :-) 7 to 10 business days for results again. (13 Nov 2008) 1 day later.

***UPDATE***
"Awaiting PEB findings." <== (Current status in my AKO MEB/PEB profile.)

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Average timeline from MEB start to last duty day of orders is 100 days give or take a few from what I've calculated on this website. Currently I am at day 94. Hit a little speed bump in the process, hope it doesn't slow me down too much. So much for getting home by the holidays! :-( Praying all is well.

[Rockn]

Here is my timeline for the entire process I went through including both MEBs.

Tore my ACL during PT playing football at work. ( not originally diagnosed as a torn ACL, just a sprain) (Jan 06)

Physical Therapy which had no effect and actually made my knee worse. (Jan 06)

Finally after several visits to te clinic sent to Orthopedic Dr. (Apr 06)

Ortho Dr says after 1st visit, you have an ACL tear and scheduled surgery. (Apr 06)

Surgery done on my knee and placed on Con leave. (Apr 06- May 06)

Returned to work with limitations. (May 06)

MEB started after no improvement on my knee and the pain i was in. (Apr 07)

MEB kicked back from IPEB because ROM and Drs note were outdated. (Jun 07)

MEB resent to IPEB after documents are corrected. (Jul 07)

8 weeks later find out IPEB never received the new package. (Sep 07)

Package put together a 3rd time, only not all info was included that needed to bed. (Oct 07) ( i had no idea what to even look for. Had yet to find this site at that time.)

2 weeks after 3rd package was put together I received a RTD. Never even went to IPEB. (Oct 07)

Returned to duty but yet still cant perform my duties as a firefighter, so I am placed in the 911 dispatch center. (Oct 07)

Rupture my L4-L5 disc in my back. (Jan 08)

Get refferal to get an MRI and Neurologist (Feb 08)

1st discectomy surgery (Feb 08)

Con leave (Feb 08 - Mar 08)

Pain is now worse than before surgery (Mar 08)

Neruosurgeon schedules 2nd surgery end of Mar (Mar 08)

Con Leave (Mar 08 - May 08)

Released from Drs care back to base after 2nd surgery showed no improvement and he stated nothing further could be done surgically. (May 08)

back to work in the 911 dispatch center (Jun 08)

Had a breakdown and went to chaplin and mental health (Jul 08)

PCM, initiates 2nd MEB, this time for my back and mental health. (Jul 08)

PCM also refers me off base to have sleep study done. (Jul 08)

Sleep study done and found to have sleep apnea. (Jul 08)

Sent down to Camp Lejune for mental health portion of MEB due to the one at SJAFB being deployed. (Aug 08)

MEB package finished and sent off to AFPC. (26 AUG 08)

Attended mandatory presepartion briefing. (25 Sep 08)

Received my IPEB results 40% TDRL. (6 Oct 08)

Attended 3 day TAPS briefings. (7,8,9 Oct 08)

Received my retirement orders for Retirement date of 24 Nov 08. (15 Oct 08)

[Dobryc]

This is a great site folks.
Thanks Jason for running this I'm sure it calms some nerves!
As for Mystic I'm getting a SRB and am in the same position.
As long as you haven't entered the (40) days you should get the SRB and
get to keep it.

I am currently experiencing my third MEB.
Timeline...

First...
2000-2001 Took about 9 months start to finish.
RTD.
Got a SRB in 2000.
Got a second SRB in 2003.

Second MEB

2005-2006. Took about 15-18 months start to finish.
Was interrupted by Katrina (Keesler refugee)
RTD.

Third MEB

MEB started. 15 May 2008.
NARSUM finished. 6 Aug 2008.
Met local board. Refer to IPEB. 25 Aug 2008.
Sent to AFPC. 26 Aug 2008.

Still waiting on results.....
Told it could take up to 60 days for reply.(this Friday?)
I'm loosing patience quickly.

D

[magtour]

MED board initiated (JAN 2008)
Physical Therapy finished (JULY 2008)
MED board submitted to PEB (SEP 29, 2008)
PEB results back in (OCT 29, 2008)

Fit For Active Duty

[1123581321]

It may not be too interesting, but I ll give it a go as it pertains to me.

April 08 - Placeds on light duty for knee problems.

May 08 - Incurred major trauma to right knee. Unable to bear weight on right knee. BAS issues crutches to assist with walking. Sets up appointment with resident Ortho at hospital.

May 21st 08 - Resident Ortho skips all limited duty and sends me straight to PEBLO from his office to begin PEB. Based on his findings, I will never be fit to continue with USMC. Sustained injuries directly to knee cardilage. Ortho wont even scope my knees out for extent of injuries because he says I wont recover from it. His goal now is to arrest any further injury. Limited duty will not help. Pain is chronic and possibly life long. Injury is irreversable and condition is inoperable.

July 30th 08 - PEB package is sent off to Washington after waiting 3+ additional weeks on my chain of command to complete Non Med. A little long, I know. During the time of preparing my board, I was fitted with a cane to assist in walking because my knee wasnt recovering well enough to walk without support, but the crutches were the wrong kind of support (I should note that I as I write this, months later, I am still walking with said cane).

August 08 - Findings come back FIT based on incomplete evidence. I requested reconsideration with a formal hearing. I went back to the resident Ortho to see if he had anything additional to add. He did not and reminded me again that my condition is inoperable and there is nothing he can do for me. In the end, I drafted my own statement of rebuttle challenging my Non Medical assesment which was innacuarlty drafted and several weeks late. I submitted my statements and waited a short time for a response.

Current Status: I was granted formal PEB and the date was set for Nov 25th 08. I am currently making all the preparations and have just been appointed my JAG officer to represent me before the board. To this day I still have great pain in my knees, I cant walk more than 3 feet without the cane I use and I show no signs of recovering to a point anywhere near that I would need to in order to deploy with my unit. I am unable to do 90% of my job and even small things like getting out of bed in the morning have become a chore. I hope whatever I may be able to bring before the board will be proof enough that I am no longer fit to be a Marine and that these afflictions will most likely haunt me the rest of my life. On a funny side note, I have been gifted with the nickname "Grandpa" from my fellow marines. Not meant to be harsh, but a small joke we run around the shop. They look at me and see a person who gave his all and was the victim of unfortuante circumstance. I suppose at times these things are meant to happen. I just wish my unit would quit giving me the run-around and finally close this matter so I can go in peace and get on with the rest of my life.