I wanted to post what I went thru as Air Reserve Technician on flying status who went thru MEB process recently and was Medically retired due to PTSD. I have 17 years ART/47 years old and 28 years reserves military in points it equals about 11years AD. When this happened to me - it seemed that there is a lot of information regarding National Guard dual status Technician's but little from the AF Reserve Side. So here it goes - sorry about the length.
1989-2002 numerous deployment related to Aeromed Evac.
2002 mobilized deployed Afghanistan 240 days released return home.
2003 diagnosed with "Post deployment stress and anxiety" by private physician. referred me to a psychiatrist 6 counseling sessions-no meds. never went back.
2003 reported this to AF clinic during physical as "went to counseling-no meds" no one ever asked a question. passed physical.
2005 Deployed three times last two Hurricanes Katrina/Rita.
2005 Post deployment physical-reported concerns about close exposures to dead trouble sleeping anxiety. Cleared and returned to duty no limitations -was told flight Doc I had all the shots I needed and would be ok.
2006 Involved in active shooter event while on orders at a conference. Started experiencing serious anxiety/depression at home and during ART job. Did not realize what was going on with me. Told AF clinic during annual physical. Not on meds under no treatment- no action taken by AF.
2007 Went to VA and enrolled disability claim hearing loss/shoulder injury. VA Primary care doc refers to MH. Diagnosed with PTSD added this to my list of claims. Counseling sessions and meds. Felt better stopped meds after 3 months counseling never went back.
2008- Deployed again- came back. PTSD flared up. went back to VA got on meds and in treatment. Reported this to AF clinic never did I say PTSD I told them treatment for anxiety/depression. Temp DNIF 6 months -then off meds back flying.
2010- VA Claim finally approved 50 % PTSD 0 hearing 0 shoulder. Still working as ART and reservist.
2014 Nov - Contacted by AF clinic. They "found out" from VA I had rating for PTSD and wanted to evaluate me. Met with Flight doc- who said "you have nothing in your record justifying PTSD that's suspicious". Do you want to fly or not? - "We could just discharge you." I walked out went to unit and filed a Line of Duty Determination for PTSD.
2015 Jan -PTSD LOD denied by the flight surgeon-but overturned as it was reviewed up the chain. Came back approved. Referred to AFRC/SG. Continue to work as an ART-made no points no pay by AF clinic.
2015 Feb -I was under crazy stress-having real issues. Started back on Meds and counseling with VA. VA suggests my PTSD related to Military experiences and that my ART job continues to exacerbate them.
2015 Mar- I sent letter to my Civilian (ART supvisor) requesting accommodation and move to a non –flying civilian position. Never received answer.
2015 May -AFRC SG decision arrives that condition does not meet standards for retention. Refer to MEB assigned to PEBLO. Received 1st ever ART Civilian appraisal NOT fully successful-due to not being able to fly. Applied for FERS disability retirement- just in case.
2015 Jun- MEB package complete/VA Exams Complete - one disqualifying condition (PTSD) sent to IPEB. Meanwhile-Disability application completed routing thru DFAS-sent to OPM Boyers PA arrived 20 June.
2015 June 13- Receive two estimates of civilian retirement pay from AFPC- based on buying back military time or not.
2015 June 20 OPM Boyers PA sent FERS disability application to Washington DC for processing.
2015 July 10- IPEB presents me proposal for medical retirement based on VA rating of PTSD at 50%. No appeals signed by me and returned.
2015 July 20- Disability Retirement order received-Medical disability retirement effective 28 August.
2015 August 31- Local personnel office told my supervisor to continue as “non-dual status for now”.
2015 Sept 04- Contacted OPM requesting status update on my disability application told will take 6 to 12 months by OPM retirements office.
2015 Sept 8-Letter received from DFAS with estimated military retirement payment. Yes it was AD type retirement pay-but categorized as “Medical”. Total was 50% of base pay based on all good reserve years.
2015 Sept 11- Receive decision letter in mail from OPM dated 29 August- Disability application approved. Go figure-guess Boyers had no real idea or gave me a canned answer time frame earlier.
2015 Sept 15 – Waiting on OPM to officially notify my agency so I can be separated. My civilian personnel office stated I would stop working the last day of the pay-period they receive notification in. But would be allowed to use all accrued sick leave after that. Last day of sick leave would be last day before retirement effective. Now I am just waiting on the official notification to drop.
1989-2002 numerous deployment related to Aeromed Evac.
2002 mobilized deployed Afghanistan 240 days released return home.
2003 diagnosed with "Post deployment stress and anxiety" by private physician. referred me to a psychiatrist 6 counseling sessions-no meds. never went back.
2003 reported this to AF clinic during physical as "went to counseling-no meds" no one ever asked a question. passed physical.
2005 Deployed three times last two Hurricanes Katrina/Rita.
2005 Post deployment physical-reported concerns about close exposures to dead trouble sleeping anxiety. Cleared and returned to duty no limitations -was told flight Doc I had all the shots I needed and would be ok.
2006 Involved in active shooter event while on orders at a conference. Started experiencing serious anxiety/depression at home and during ART job. Did not realize what was going on with me. Told AF clinic during annual physical. Not on meds under no treatment- no action taken by AF.
2007 Went to VA and enrolled disability claim hearing loss/shoulder injury. VA Primary care doc refers to MH. Diagnosed with PTSD added this to my list of claims. Counseling sessions and meds. Felt better stopped meds after 3 months counseling never went back.
2008- Deployed again- came back. PTSD flared up. went back to VA got on meds and in treatment. Reported this to AF clinic never did I say PTSD I told them treatment for anxiety/depression. Temp DNIF 6 months -then off meds back flying.
2010- VA Claim finally approved 50 % PTSD 0 hearing 0 shoulder. Still working as ART and reservist.
2014 Nov - Contacted by AF clinic. They "found out" from VA I had rating for PTSD and wanted to evaluate me. Met with Flight doc- who said "you have nothing in your record justifying PTSD that's suspicious". Do you want to fly or not? - "We could just discharge you." I walked out went to unit and filed a Line of Duty Determination for PTSD.
2015 Jan -PTSD LOD denied by the flight surgeon-but overturned as it was reviewed up the chain. Came back approved. Referred to AFRC/SG. Continue to work as an ART-made no points no pay by AF clinic.
2015 Feb -I was under crazy stress-having real issues. Started back on Meds and counseling with VA. VA suggests my PTSD related to Military experiences and that my ART job continues to exacerbate them.
2015 Mar- I sent letter to my Civilian (ART supvisor) requesting accommodation and move to a non –flying civilian position. Never received answer.
2015 May -AFRC SG decision arrives that condition does not meet standards for retention. Refer to MEB assigned to PEBLO. Received 1st ever ART Civilian appraisal NOT fully successful-due to not being able to fly. Applied for FERS disability retirement- just in case.
2015 Jun- MEB package complete/VA Exams Complete - one disqualifying condition (PTSD) sent to IPEB. Meanwhile-Disability application completed routing thru DFAS-sent to OPM Boyers PA arrived 20 June.
2015 June 13- Receive two estimates of civilian retirement pay from AFPC- based on buying back military time or not.
2015 June 20 OPM Boyers PA sent FERS disability application to Washington DC for processing.
2015 July 10- IPEB presents me proposal for medical retirement based on VA rating of PTSD at 50%. No appeals signed by me and returned.
2015 July 20- Disability Retirement order received-Medical disability retirement effective 28 August.
2015 August 31- Local personnel office told my supervisor to continue as “non-dual status for now”.
2015 Sept 04- Contacted OPM requesting status update on my disability application told will take 6 to 12 months by OPM retirements office.
2015 Sept 8-Letter received from DFAS with estimated military retirement payment. Yes it was AD type retirement pay-but categorized as “Medical”. Total was 50% of base pay based on all good reserve years.
2015 Sept 11- Receive decision letter in mail from OPM dated 29 August- Disability application approved. Go figure-guess Boyers had no real idea or gave me a canned answer time frame earlier.
2015 Sept 15 – Waiting on OPM to officially notify my agency so I can be separated. My civilian personnel office stated I would stop working the last day of the pay-period they receive notification in. But would be allowed to use all accrued sick leave after that. Last day of sick leave would be last day before retirement effective. Now I am just waiting on the official notification to drop.