Good afternoon. New member here.
*I have 24 Years of military service and 17 Years of Active Duty [about 6,200 AD Points].
I have read several threads on various websites to determine the correct answers for my situation. However, I am unable to determine accurate answers in order to create the "best" path forward. That said, I thank you in advance for any opinions or suggestions you offer.
Big Picture: I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis (PSA) three years ago with fusion of my lower spine, and I have been on two different biologics since then (Humira then Cosentyx). After receiving a waiver, I was going strong until I needed to have a knee surgery one year ago. After a subsequent blood clot following the surgery, PSA issues, and crazy, medicine-related Tinnitus issues, I required a MEB.
During the MEB process, I fought, scratched, and clawed to remain in the military. Fortunately, I was Retained, and I am proud to say I won the MEB battle. However, this may have been prideful on my part. My situation has changed…and I wonder if my will to remain in the service is costing my family, and this is where I would like to solicit your opinions.
After I was retained, I decided to pursue a civilian job, and I left active duty (two months ago) while remaining in the National Guard. However, I am still in need of at least one additional knee surgery, and the incomplete surgical repair from the first surgery is hampering my ability to do everything I need to do in my civilian occupation. Furthermore, my family watches me limp my bad wheel around my home, and I wonder if I should have let Uncle Sam kick me out when they were ready. I think the Disability Retirement would have been generous (70% O-5 pay, if I understand the process correctly).
I don’t regret fighting to remain in…I just wonder if it was prideful move that limits my family—especially since I am having a rough time still, physically speaking.
Two questions:
1) Can I go back on active duty to have my surgery and therapy completed using the INCAP process? (The previous surgery was related to an injury on AD, and I was receiving treatment while on AD too).
2) If I don’t go back to active duty, and I am remanded to the MEB process again as a member of the ANG, will the Disability Retirement be less than what it would have been if I was medically retired while on active duty? (There is a lot of conflicting information on Active Duty vs ANG Disability Retirements, and the DFAS website doesn’t expand on it).
Thanks in advance for any of your replies/opinions. I appreciate the help.
*I have 24 Years of military service and 17 Years of Active Duty [about 6,200 AD Points].
I have read several threads on various websites to determine the correct answers for my situation. However, I am unable to determine accurate answers in order to create the "best" path forward. That said, I thank you in advance for any opinions or suggestions you offer.
Big Picture: I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis (PSA) three years ago with fusion of my lower spine, and I have been on two different biologics since then (Humira then Cosentyx). After receiving a waiver, I was going strong until I needed to have a knee surgery one year ago. After a subsequent blood clot following the surgery, PSA issues, and crazy, medicine-related Tinnitus issues, I required a MEB.
During the MEB process, I fought, scratched, and clawed to remain in the military. Fortunately, I was Retained, and I am proud to say I won the MEB battle. However, this may have been prideful on my part. My situation has changed…and I wonder if my will to remain in the service is costing my family, and this is where I would like to solicit your opinions.
After I was retained, I decided to pursue a civilian job, and I left active duty (two months ago) while remaining in the National Guard. However, I am still in need of at least one additional knee surgery, and the incomplete surgical repair from the first surgery is hampering my ability to do everything I need to do in my civilian occupation. Furthermore, my family watches me limp my bad wheel around my home, and I wonder if I should have let Uncle Sam kick me out when they were ready. I think the Disability Retirement would have been generous (70% O-5 pay, if I understand the process correctly).
I don’t regret fighting to remain in…I just wonder if it was prideful move that limits my family—especially since I am having a rough time still, physically speaking.
Two questions:
1) Can I go back on active duty to have my surgery and therapy completed using the INCAP process? (The previous surgery was related to an injury on AD, and I was receiving treatment while on AD too).
2) If I don’t go back to active duty, and I am remanded to the MEB process again as a member of the ANG, will the Disability Retirement be less than what it would have been if I was medically retired while on active duty? (There is a lot of conflicting information on Active Duty vs ANG Disability Retirements, and the DFAS website doesn’t expand on it).
Thanks in advance for any of your replies/opinions. I appreciate the help.