AF 12.5 years - Psoriatic Arthiritis - Methotrexate 14 months, Enbrel 1 month, MEB pending per PCM

Mayhem2007

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
Hello all, these forums seem incredible!

I have been AD AF for 12.5 years. 6 normal Active duty and last 6.5 as an AGR (Active duty Reservist). I have career status in the reserves meaning I am setup good to at least 20yrs but on path for higher levels of leadership.

I'm Looking to see if anyone has worked an MOS that has been retained following either MEB or full on PEB. I work Space Ops so deployability is really not a concern job wise, but recognize that in AF eyes..its an issue.

Diagnosis wise: Had nail pitting, elbow and knee psoriasis and all signs of PSA. I also tested positive on Rheum Factor...but Rheum is "Sure" on the PSA...which is better in terms of MEB possibilities as I understand it.

I am mostly good to go now with some residual wrist, elbow and small joint pain in hands and feet but nothing preventing work. I have never had to miss work and since I literally fly a desk (Space Operations), I dont see why the AF would want to boot me. I do have specialized training as well as an AF Weapons Officer, and more operational experience than most of my peers....I'm really curious to see if anyone knows how those types of factors (Special training/experience/skills) are viewed by the boards.

I guess worst case, I'm looking at least 60% based on continuous use of immuno-suppressants for > 1 year but I really have no desire to leave the service and I like what I do.

Any insights on both facing this process and trying to ensure solid rating (back stop for worst case (IMO) of med retirement / while also setting myself up for retention is appreciated.

(I recognize these are competing goals but figured I would ask).

v/r,

Mayhem
 
I am also on a biological; Humira for about 5 months now. I have yet to be put in for a MEB ; I was just told my case is under surveillance by the DAWG. It does seem that most people on this board that are on the injectables are getting findings of “unfit” when they finally meet the PEB.
 
Seems to be what I’ve seen. I know a former co-worker who went on xaljanz vs. an injectable and they retained her. But it sure seems to have a lot more risk than Enbrel.
 
Yeah, I guess it just comes down to the fact that the injectable' s need refrigeration so that technically prevents you from deploying to an austere, bare base type of environment.
I was rather ignorant about all this MEB stuff when they put me on Humira for psoriasis and PSA. My PCM told me that Psoriasis is a boardable condition, but I have had it for like 15 years already and no one ever tried to board me for it. As soon as I start taking the Humira that's when they coded me and put me on DAWG review.
 
Peterson AFB is moving crazy fast. I got back from Christmas leave to find they input Code 37 on Dec 27th 2019. I got hit up by PEBLO on Jan 9th and the Commanders Impact statement and NARSUM are being forwarded to San Antonio (AFPC?) today (14 Jan).

It seems so quick, certainly faster than expected but I guess it will be nice to know if the IRILO returns me to Duty or if going to a full MEB in the next couple of weeks.

Both the PCM's NARSUM and Commanders impact statement indicate ZERO duty impacts and desire to retain...but PEBLO makes it sound like even as a non-deploying member (AGR and Space Operator at that) ...the medication (Enbrel/Methotrexate) will drive it to the full IDES-MEB/PEB.

This is not what I want to hear but i guess its better to be working toward something vs so much hanging in the air...

Anyone seen a RTD with a Biologic medication?
 
That does seem fast, did you start as a Code 31? I haven’t seen any RTD on this board with similar conditions, although I hope there is some out there.
It would be nice to know if it was within the realm of possibility.
 
Same issue I'm facing. I was put on a 31 on Monday and my Code 37 reflected yesterday. I have the best timing as I was selected for an AGR position last night and they are willing to have the state SG waive me into the guard in order to gain me...I don't think AFPC is having it.
 
That does seem fast, did you start as a Code 31? I haven’t seen any RTD on this board with similar conditions, although I hope there is some out there.
It would be nice to know if it was within the realm of possibility.
I was on a Code 31 starting in October at PCM visit, he mentioned at that time it would probably flow to a 37 once the Rheumatologist notes made it into the system and showed "Controlled". Latest from PEBLO is to expect information of RILO + Code or full MEB within next couple of weeks.
 
Latest: PEBLO contacted me and said that the San Antonio AFPC folks said that as a reservist, (AGR) my stuff still goes to AFRC, so that was sent last Friday (24 Jan). Downside: was looking forward to having some sort of knowledge of Full MEB or RILO within 2 weeks. Now PEBLO says AFRC is MUCH slower.

Upside: longer process is ultimately to my benefit, just sucks to be left in the "Unknown Lurch"
 
I’m surprised the peblo didn’t know that before hand. So does afrc have the Same timelines
 
I’m surprised the peblo didn’t know that before hand. So does afrc have the Same timelines
AFRC should be beholden to the nominal DES timelines...its the RILO portion Pre-IDES that there is apparently no clue from my base on how long that will take.
 
its funny my PEBLO told me he’s 90 percent sure AFPC will just C code me instead of MEB, I have same conditions as you.
 
its funny my PEBLO told me he’s 90 percent sure AFPC will just C code me instead of MEB, I have same conditions as you.
It’s all super strange for sure. Hardest part is do you sink in your heels and fight to stay in or try to maximize benefits if the seemingly inevitable separation happens. Unfortunately those are very much counteracting goals.
 
Yes I have read n this forum that you need to decide what you want early on and stick with it. I will be facing the same decision as you are in the very near future, I still haven’t decided yet either what’s my best bet.
 
Update as of 23 June:

So after COVID delays I finally had my C&P exams today with at least 30 plus x-ray shots... another story in itself.

While I obviously won’t know for a bit the full results, I wanted to relay feedback from the VA examiner.

Because of scouring this forum I had seen advice to have specialist care doc throughly document issues.

From that advice, I used the VA DBQ appropriate for Arthritis issues and worked with my rheum. He crafted an elegant letter that basically hit the highs of the questions in narrative form with detailed examples of my issues.

The VA examiner feedback was that this was excellent info and made his job easier since my situation was well documented by specialty provider.

Hope this helps someone else out and that the ratings / decision comes and further validates the goodness in this approach.
 
16 July update: PEBLO informed me of unfit, which through this forum’s teachings I expected.

Now the wait on VA rating begins. July 29th would be nominal to Milne but who knows with a COVID.
 
6 Aug: Today in the grand scheme of things is a good day. I guess my fears were misplaced and the system worked in my case. I’d gladly give up the retirement for my old health but at least there is a silver lining.

VA 100%
DoD 90%. - PDRL

turned out it was the residual joint issues that made the difference NOT the continuous use of immunosuppressants that I expected.

I can’t thank the contributors in this community enough on navigating this crazy process. On to next chapter.
 
6 Aug: Today in the grand scheme of things is a good day. I guess my fears were misplaced and the system worked in my case. I’d gladly give up the retirement for my old health but at least there is a silver lining.

VA 100%
DoD 90%. - PDRL

turned out it was the residual joint issues that made the difference NOT the continuous use of immunosuppressants that I expected.

I can’t thank the contributors in this community enough on navigating this crazy process. On to next chapter.
Glad it worked out for you!
 
Congrats. Did the residual joint issues get added after the fact or part of original NARSUM?
 
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