Awaiting Ortho Consult; Is MEB a possibility?

[jus_1982]

I had preexisting ACL and lateral meniscus repair on my left knee prior to entering the military. Joined in '03 hurt my right knee in basic and found out 10 years later after many Dr. visits that I had a tear of the right ACL, medial meniscus, a cyst near the lateral meniscus, and development of degenerative joint disorder. ACL and meniscus were repaired but the cyst went untreated. Completed physical therapy and returned to PULHES 111111. I have had a bunch of pain after just about any activity. Running or walking over a half mile causes soreness, swelling, and pain in the right knee. I have since started compensating and am starting to feel the effects on the left knee. Doc put me on a temp 113111 with an Ortho Eval this Monday. Is there any chance he will recommend MEB? The degenerative joint from what I have read in 40-501 can be a disqualifying injury. Also, since it is a condition that will do nothing but get worse, does this increase the likelihood of recommendation. Just trying to see what I can expect from this upcoming eval. Thanks.

 

[Warrior644]

I had preexisting ACL and lateral meniscus repair on my left knee prior to entering the military. Joined in '03 hurt my right knee in basic and found out 10 years later after many Dr. visits that I had a tear of the right ACL, medial meniscus, a cyst near the lateral meniscus, and development of degenerative joint disorder. ACL and meniscus were repaired but the cyst went untreated. Completed physical therapy and returned to PULHES 111111. I have had a bunch of pain after just about any activity. Running or walking over a half mile causes soreness, swelling, and pain in the right knee. I have since started compensating and am starting to feel the effects on the left knee. Doc put me on a temp 113111 with an Ortho Eval this Monday. Is there any chance he will recommend MEB? The degenerative joint from what I have read in 40-501 can be a disqualifying injury. Also, since it is a condition that will do nothing but get worse, does this increase the likelihood of recommendation. Just trying to see what I can expect from this upcoming eval. Thanks.

Welcome to the PEB Forum!

Based upon how your medical condition affects your ability to perform your assigned Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) and basic soldiering skills from an U.S. Army perspective is whether a referral into the DoD IDES MEB/PEB process could potentially occur.

To that extent, if you are referred into the DoD IDES process, then a "medically acceptable" or "medically unacceptable" determination will be rendered by the MEB. If the MEB renders a "medically unacceptable" determination, then your DoD IDES case file is referred to the DoD IDES PEB.

If the PEB determines an "unfit for duty" determination, then your DoD IDES case file is forwarded to the DoVA D-RAS for evaluation of all PEB-referred unfitting conditions and DoVA claimed conditions to obtain proposed rating percentage(s) with a supporting rationale.

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!