Hello everyone,
My question is on MEB eligibility, and rating:
Background:
I am a mid 30s Aviaiton Officer in the Army. I broke my neck while on active duty, C6 and C7 fracture, in 2013. No surgery was required and I healed rather quickly. Since then I have had neck pain, but I was an aviator and hid the pain and discomfort in order to fly. I wore a heavy helmet with NVGs for hours on end, which did not help to alleviate it. Now 12 years later I have chronic pain that results in motion reduction, constant neck fatigue, and makes sleeping through the night incredibly difficult.
I have worked through physical therapy, pain management, and chiropractor. All have come to the conclusion they cannot reduce the pain through non-intervention, which they also do not recommend. My MRIs/X-Rays do not show any extreme conditions, but does demonstrate the onset of artheritis. My pain is not a 10, but rather a constant 4 that can shoot up to a 8 given situations.
I am planning to see my PCM soon and be more direct about the possibility of a PEB/MEB, but I am not sure that my symptoms/condition constitute a MEB. If they do, I am worried about the outcome, as I am still a fit individual, but I just experience chronic neck pain from a variety activities to include sitting for long periods of time.
I also am working with BH to work on PTSD, so I am aware that may be impact my MEB process.
Question:
1. Is it realistic to think that this condition could be eligable for a MEB?
2. Do I need to be the one to ask for the referall?
3. Do other conditions like PTSD stack onto the process to increase eligability and rating?
4. Any symptops that I may be overlooking because I am just so used to living with them?
Thank you to anyone who provides any feedback!
My question is on MEB eligibility, and rating:
Background:
I am a mid 30s Aviaiton Officer in the Army. I broke my neck while on active duty, C6 and C7 fracture, in 2013. No surgery was required and I healed rather quickly. Since then I have had neck pain, but I was an aviator and hid the pain and discomfort in order to fly. I wore a heavy helmet with NVGs for hours on end, which did not help to alleviate it. Now 12 years later I have chronic pain that results in motion reduction, constant neck fatigue, and makes sleeping through the night incredibly difficult.
I have worked through physical therapy, pain management, and chiropractor. All have come to the conclusion they cannot reduce the pain through non-intervention, which they also do not recommend. My MRIs/X-Rays do not show any extreme conditions, but does demonstrate the onset of artheritis. My pain is not a 10, but rather a constant 4 that can shoot up to a 8 given situations.
I am planning to see my PCM soon and be more direct about the possibility of a PEB/MEB, but I am not sure that my symptoms/condition constitute a MEB. If they do, I am worried about the outcome, as I am still a fit individual, but I just experience chronic neck pain from a variety activities to include sitting for long periods of time.
I also am working with BH to work on PTSD, so I am aware that may be impact my MEB process.
Question:
1. Is it realistic to think that this condition could be eligable for a MEB?
2. Do I need to be the one to ask for the referall?
3. Do other conditions like PTSD stack onto the process to increase eligability and rating?
4. Any symptops that I may be overlooking because I am just so used to living with them?
Thank you to anyone who provides any feedback!