New MEB???

[b72treadwell]

I was wondering if anyone could help me with something. I have went through all the medical boards...formal and informal and am now getting ready to outprocess. If some kind of medical issue comes up between now and the actual time I get out, can this whole MEB be re-submitted for a re-do or no? If not, if the issues are documented with the Army medical facilities, will the VA still rate it or no? Thanks for any information.

[Jason]

I would say yes. The entitlement to disability compensation is for those conditions that are unfitting that are incurred while entitled to basic pay. Until you are separated/retired, you should be eligible for disability processing.

That being said, it would have to be a new condition or a serious worsening of an existing condition. It would likely be extremely difficult to get a new MEB, absent something clearly warranting one. I would say you would probably have a better chance of success if you are hospitalized.

[b72treadwell]

Jason,

I have been very reluctant to discuss the problems I have been having because I just don't want the stigma of mental health issue to follow me. Recently however, I have had episodes of severe anxiety attacks to the point of not being able to function and having problems breathing. Also, the one part that actually makes me concerned is that I have blackouts where I have forgot things for days at a time that have happened to me. My husband keeps telling me I have PTSD from all the stress that has incurred for the last year and a half, but I guess I just haven't wanted to believe him or talk about it with anyone. I have went to talk with someone at he mental health office for the anxiety attacks recently and was put on meds, but I haven't mentioned the other issues. I don't even know how to bring it up or if these people here will think I am crazy. I don't know if I should even mention it, but my husband told me I should. I have just been through so much nonsense that I don't want to deal with all this all over again. Thanks for any advice.

[Jason]

Becky,

I understand your concerns. Ultimately, it is something you have to decide for yourself if the risks outweigh the benefits in raising this issue. But I would point out that there are a great many Servicemembers and Veterans with mental health issues. These can be debilitating and are no less "real" than a physical wound.

By seeing someone and being on meds, you have probably gotten this documented enough to be have a good chance of success in getting your condition compensated by the VA. Whether this results in a rating will depend on your degree of disability.

That leaves the open question of your military disability benefits. If you decide that you want to pursue this, you likely need to be proactive. This includes being frank with your health care provider about your symptoms and limitations (which will also help with your treatment in the long run). Overall, the likelihood of success in getting rated will depend a great deal on the degree of your disability and how it impacts your duty performance.

If you have no success with getting your mental health issue rated now, you can still appeal. As with every case, you will tend to do better with addressing things earlier rather than later.