I need some assistance please. I am currently a 1LT (O-2) in the Army with almost 17 years in service. Two years ago I attended and passed OCS and all the additional schooling required of a new officer. I had been a SFC (E-7).
I have been dealing with some severe back pain for almost 10 years now. Mostly the back pain existed in the lower right side later identified by three different MRI's as Degenerative Disk Disease at the L5/S1, spinal stenosis, athritis, and a bulging disc at T11 if I remember right. This was all a result of my time as a Light Infantryman. I was removed from that duty and worked temporarily at Brigade Supply (S-4) and then went to recruiting duty for almost 6 years. At no point did the pain ever go away but with the limited activity I thought it had gotten better. After completing the 7 months of officer school (OCS, BOLC, and even attempting Ranger School) I thought it was good. After finally being able to relax when I was on leave, the pain came back with a vengeance. Again trying to suck it up, I was deployed to Afghanistan for a short tour. Upon coming home it is worse then ever.
For the first time ever I failed my run and failed it badly. I now have trouble just walking around, standing for prolonged periods, or even sitting in certain seats or chairs.
Here's the problem and the question. I have been through every possible type of treatment with no relief. I am no longer confident I can make it to my retirement of 20 years (just over 3 more years) because of this injury. If I am medically seperated, based on the information provided above, would this more likely be a medical seperation or retirement. I don't want to throw away all these years of service and benefite I've earned if it's avoidable.
I have been dealing with some severe back pain for almost 10 years now. Mostly the back pain existed in the lower right side later identified by three different MRI's as Degenerative Disk Disease at the L5/S1, spinal stenosis, athritis, and a bulging disc at T11 if I remember right. This was all a result of my time as a Light Infantryman. I was removed from that duty and worked temporarily at Brigade Supply (S-4) and then went to recruiting duty for almost 6 years. At no point did the pain ever go away but with the limited activity I thought it had gotten better. After completing the 7 months of officer school (OCS, BOLC, and even attempting Ranger School) I thought it was good. After finally being able to relax when I was on leave, the pain came back with a vengeance. Again trying to suck it up, I was deployed to Afghanistan for a short tour. Upon coming home it is worse then ever.
For the first time ever I failed my run and failed it badly. I now have trouble just walking around, standing for prolonged periods, or even sitting in certain seats or chairs.
Here's the problem and the question. I have been through every possible type of treatment with no relief. I am no longer confident I can make it to my retirement of 20 years (just over 3 more years) because of this injury. If I am medically seperated, based on the information provided above, would this more likely be a medical seperation or retirement. I don't want to throw away all these years of service and benefite I've earned if it's avoidable.