Hello everyone – I apologize if my situation has been addressed elsewhere in these forums. I have read numerous threads and have found disparate bits of information that apply but I am unable to put together a coherent, complete picture.
Allow me to introduce my situation. I have 16 good years in the reserves – with a 15-month deployment to Iraq in 2003-2004 (Army Reserve at the time). I am currently in normal drilling reserve status, i.e. not on active duty orders. My current enlistment ends in about two years; I will have 18+ good years at the end of my current term. It has always been my goal to stay in for the full twenty and achieve my reserve retirement.
I have a chronic auto-immune disorder and was recently diagnosed with an associated auto-immune disorder based on symptoms I have had for the last few of years, but only recent addressed with my doctor. Up until now, I have just taken my annual fitness tests and dealt with any discomfort. As I age, I am becoming more reluctant to deal with the discomfort and potential long-term joint damage that may occur. My diagnosis was received as a civilian and I have never brought this up to my military doctors.
From my research, it appears that the condition itself isn’t automatically disqualifying but if I elect to go on the course of treatment that my doctor is recommending that will likely disqualify me from continuing service – the medication is immunosuppressive which makes one non-deployable.
I doubt this condition is “service connected” since it is largely hereditary and something I was likely to have developed regardless of my service. If I present this to my military doctors on my next annual physical, I believe that I will be disallowed from participating (if I start the medication). I looked at my combined conditions and they would appear to rate between 30 and 50 percent and I have read some about 30% disability and retirement before 20, but this may just be for active duty. To be clear, I am not really looking to get VA rated and getting disability from them. I just don't want to lose between 16 and 18 years of service and be kicked to the curb with nothing (reserve retirement) to show for it.
So my question is: When my current enlistment ends after 18 years will I just be not allowed to reenlist? Will I just be out with no option to get my reserve retirement? If that is likely to be the case I suppose I will just delay my treatment and keep this issue to myself.
Thank you everyone for your time and consideration.
Allow me to introduce my situation. I have 16 good years in the reserves – with a 15-month deployment to Iraq in 2003-2004 (Army Reserve at the time). I am currently in normal drilling reserve status, i.e. not on active duty orders. My current enlistment ends in about two years; I will have 18+ good years at the end of my current term. It has always been my goal to stay in for the full twenty and achieve my reserve retirement.
I have a chronic auto-immune disorder and was recently diagnosed with an associated auto-immune disorder based on symptoms I have had for the last few of years, but only recent addressed with my doctor. Up until now, I have just taken my annual fitness tests and dealt with any discomfort. As I age, I am becoming more reluctant to deal with the discomfort and potential long-term joint damage that may occur. My diagnosis was received as a civilian and I have never brought this up to my military doctors.
From my research, it appears that the condition itself isn’t automatically disqualifying but if I elect to go on the course of treatment that my doctor is recommending that will likely disqualify me from continuing service – the medication is immunosuppressive which makes one non-deployable.
I doubt this condition is “service connected” since it is largely hereditary and something I was likely to have developed regardless of my service. If I present this to my military doctors on my next annual physical, I believe that I will be disallowed from participating (if I start the medication). I looked at my combined conditions and they would appear to rate between 30 and 50 percent and I have read some about 30% disability and retirement before 20, but this may just be for active duty. To be clear, I am not really looking to get VA rated and getting disability from them. I just don't want to lose between 16 and 18 years of service and be kicked to the curb with nothing (reserve retirement) to show for it.
So my question is: When my current enlistment ends after 18 years will I just be not allowed to reenlist? Will I just be out with no option to get my reserve retirement? If that is likely to be the case I suppose I will just delay my treatment and keep this issue to myself.
Thank you everyone for your time and consideration.
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