AD AF, 23 years, MEB getting ready to get started

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Ed Kozlowski

PEB Forum Regular Member
PEB Forum Veteran
I found out last week after going in to see the doc about lower back problems that they are going to recommend starting an MEB on me. I had an MRI on my lower back which showed a 6mm herniated disc L5/S1. This is causing some severe sciatic nerve problems in both legs. I go into neurology next week for a lower extremity test and then an EMG. I'm also seeing an osteopath for OMT.

I went to PT for my hip and they're thinking that I either have a hernia or more likely a labral tear in my hip.

I've been diagnosed with PTSD, I just don't know to what extent yet. On meds and therapy for that.

Continual problems with my knees. Had surgery in '07 on my right knee, have had injections and now it's back to just how it was before surgery. Left knee is starting to show/feel the same symptoms.

I'm currently on at least a 6-month profile. I'm going to check and see if they come back and mark MEB on my AF Form 469.

Now I'm just ready to get the process started. All of this has me physically and mentally tired.
 
Well, it looks like they aren't going to start an MEB on me. I was told that the profile that was submitted didn't meet the threshold for an MEB. They also downgraded the time from 6-months to 3-months.

I don't know how bad my body and mind need to be broken. I do have the herniated disc. I had a nerve conduction study as well as an EMG done which shows L5 radiculopathy in my left leg and the beginnings of S1 radiculopathy in my right leg. I go in for a contrast MRI on my right hip tomorrow. So far, physical therapy isn't helping for the back or the hip. I've also begun the weekly injections in my knees. Can't forget the ongoing therapy for PTSD - starting InVivo this week...something that I'm not looking forward to at all.

Any advice?
 
Ed,

Sorry to hear about all of this. Before offering some comments, I have a few questions. Are you scheduled for retirement for length of service? What are your goals through the process? Are you performing your duties without significant limitations?
 
Jason,

Thanks for the reply. I'm not scheduled for retirement yet. I got my commission at the 15 year point, so I have a little over 2.5 years left to fulfill my 10 year requirement for regular retirement. Earlier this year, my commander started administrative discharge actions against me for the physical fitness test failures that I've had. That action has since been dropped so now all I have are all of the medical issues. When all of that action started and the AF was hell bent on getting rid of me, I moved my family and everything to FL (outside of Tampa) since I have family there. I've been called back here to Las Vegas and was told that my request for excess leave was denied and if I didn't get back within 3 days, I would be considered AWOL. Now everything and everybody I love and care about are all the way across the country and I'm staying with someone who was nice enough to put me up while I try and get all of this figured out.

I'm on a 3-month profile right now that limits any sort of physical activity - no running, no bending, no lifting more than 5 pounds. With that, the only thing I can be tested on is the abdominal circumference. I'm trying to keep as active as I can and watching what I eat so I don't balloon up (have already been told that if I fail that part of the test, the whole referral OPR starts again).

My commander, my area defense council, my psychiatrist, my psychologist are all saying that it's time to take care of me. I'm trying to do that. When the doc initially put in the profile for my back, he said it would require an MEB. It seems that Public Health and Flight Medicine don't have the same opinion. Life Skills/Mental Health haven't put in a profile on me due to PTSD, nor have any of the other issues I have going on been listed on the profile.

Right now, I just want to get some resemblance of a normal life. If it comes down to a medical retirement, I'll take it. If I have to PCS, I need MacDill since that's where my support structure is. Going through the therapy for PTSD and not having anyone close to talk to (I don't consider talking on the phone actually talking to them and getting the support I need) is just making this entire process that much more difficult.

If you need more info, I can give you more.

Thanks again,
Ed
 
Ok...it's been a while, but an MEB has been officially started on me. I got my Form 469 today with the following on it:

Member is undergoing an MEB and must be available for testing at the request of the board. Further, TDY and
crosstraining at this time is prohibited without express consent of the MEB coordinator. The member's retention is in
question, and such training would not be productive if the member is separated from the USAF.
No running.
No repeitive high impact activities.
No repetitive low impact activities.
No walking more than .25 miles.
No repetitive bending at the waist or squatting.
No repetitive torso activities.
No pushing or pulling objects greater than 40lbs.​
No repetitive upper extremity activities.

It's just a combination of so many freaking things - GERD, right knee (surgery once and was recommended for another surgery on it), PTSD and the big one now is my back with 2 disc herniations (L4/L5 and L5/S1). I've been recommended by several docs to get the spinal fusion surgery.

My question now is do I get the surgery or wait? Right now I just want the MEB to come back with a recommendation of PDRL so I can get on somewhat with my life.

I have just over 23 years in and am ready to quit playing war.
 
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