Hello,
So I am new to the forum, I was researching the MEB/PEB process because I have just begun it and this site came up. As I currently stated, I really have just begun the MEB process (my VA appointments begin this week). I have been in the Army as a 19A since OCT 2007 (over 15 years of Service and multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan) and after multiple surgeries on my dominant shoulder, my orthopedic has stated that my torn tendons/labrum cannot be repaired and I will eventually require a shoulder replacement (the replacement is when I just cannot bare the pain anymore). He additionally stated (all of this is documented) that I can no longer continue in this line of work and I need to limit myself to desk type of employment; my PCM immediately put me in for an MEB based on the note which highlighted no more body armor or rucking.
Since I have began this, I am been researching as much as possible to see what kind of impacts I can expect to my "retirement;" being as close as I am to 20 yrs, I wasn't sure how much I am financially kicking myself for going through this now. I came across a section about the Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) and it maybe something I qualify for; I asked my PEBLO and he flat said no because I was not under direct/indirect fire when I initially sustained my injury. I hurt both of my shoulders while in Afghanistan in 2015; I hurt it initially while conducting sanctioned combat operations/combat patrols, pulling guys out of ditches/creaks and assisting in the emplacement of c-wire, mines, and other obstacles (I have a MFR from the PL who led the patrols stating this). I saw the physical therapist on the FOB multiple times to either get dry needled in both shoulders or do physical therapy exercises for both shoulders. When I came back and while filling out my post deployment PHA, the section came up regarding if you sustained injury during the deployment; I selected N/A (or No) because the instructor at the SRP site stated that section was for anyone who was MEDEVAC'd.
Four months post redeployment, I PCS'd to an ROTC program where I was not near an Army instillation to receive care. My PMS at the time instructed the cadre members of the program to utilize the schools Physical Therapy Department, the department supported the program with Athletic Trainers for medical care to the Cadets. I saw them multiple times for support/issues with my shoulder but I do not believe those visits were documented (I do have MFRs from former cadets to support this). Once I had PCS'd from the ROTC program in summer of 2019 and returned to an Army installation, I began seeing docs for my shoulders to the point I received cortisone shots in both Shoulders in NOV 2019 and then my first surgery on my dominant shoulder in Dec 2020 (COVID suspended any type of physical therapy and doctor follow ups until the Summer of 2020, the point where the Army ortho said I needed to have surgery immediately). An Army doctor did the first surgery and did a full rotator cuff repair, tendon repair, and bicep tendon (biceps tenodesis) relocation due to the tendon being torn.
After one year of physical therapy, I still had multiple torn tendons and labrum to the point I required a second surgery (this was identified by a civilian orthopedic since I PCS'd in summer of 2021 and their was no Army Ortho on the installation). The ortho went into the surgery attempting to repair the tears and was unable to do so (he additionally stated that when the first doc relocated my bicep tendon, he put it in a bad spot which results in the tendon constantly flaring up and eventually needing to be cut); this puts me where I am today in the process of an MEB. I have talked to multiple people and have had some tell me that I do qualify for CRSC and my PEBLO who says I do not. I am very very close to enlisting the services of an attorney throughout this because I feel there is way to much to at stake (I have a wife and 4 kids I support).
I am just seeking a bit of advice/guidance on things; I am sure everyone here knows, the process is very stressful and cloudy (probably because they do not want people to know the true ins and outs of it). But, I am prepared to fight for what is owed to me but only if it is truly owed to me, I don't want to be one of these LT/E5s who game the system and walk out financially better then people who traditionally retire.
Any advice/help is greatly appreciated.
So I am new to the forum, I was researching the MEB/PEB process because I have just begun it and this site came up. As I currently stated, I really have just begun the MEB process (my VA appointments begin this week). I have been in the Army as a 19A since OCT 2007 (over 15 years of Service and multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan) and after multiple surgeries on my dominant shoulder, my orthopedic has stated that my torn tendons/labrum cannot be repaired and I will eventually require a shoulder replacement (the replacement is when I just cannot bare the pain anymore). He additionally stated (all of this is documented) that I can no longer continue in this line of work and I need to limit myself to desk type of employment; my PCM immediately put me in for an MEB based on the note which highlighted no more body armor or rucking.
Since I have began this, I am been researching as much as possible to see what kind of impacts I can expect to my "retirement;" being as close as I am to 20 yrs, I wasn't sure how much I am financially kicking myself for going through this now. I came across a section about the Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC) and it maybe something I qualify for; I asked my PEBLO and he flat said no because I was not under direct/indirect fire when I initially sustained my injury. I hurt both of my shoulders while in Afghanistan in 2015; I hurt it initially while conducting sanctioned combat operations/combat patrols, pulling guys out of ditches/creaks and assisting in the emplacement of c-wire, mines, and other obstacles (I have a MFR from the PL who led the patrols stating this). I saw the physical therapist on the FOB multiple times to either get dry needled in both shoulders or do physical therapy exercises for both shoulders. When I came back and while filling out my post deployment PHA, the section came up regarding if you sustained injury during the deployment; I selected N/A (or No) because the instructor at the SRP site stated that section was for anyone who was MEDEVAC'd.
Four months post redeployment, I PCS'd to an ROTC program where I was not near an Army instillation to receive care. My PMS at the time instructed the cadre members of the program to utilize the schools Physical Therapy Department, the department supported the program with Athletic Trainers for medical care to the Cadets. I saw them multiple times for support/issues with my shoulder but I do not believe those visits were documented (I do have MFRs from former cadets to support this). Once I had PCS'd from the ROTC program in summer of 2019 and returned to an Army installation, I began seeing docs for my shoulders to the point I received cortisone shots in both Shoulders in NOV 2019 and then my first surgery on my dominant shoulder in Dec 2020 (COVID suspended any type of physical therapy and doctor follow ups until the Summer of 2020, the point where the Army ortho said I needed to have surgery immediately). An Army doctor did the first surgery and did a full rotator cuff repair, tendon repair, and bicep tendon (biceps tenodesis) relocation due to the tendon being torn.
After one year of physical therapy, I still had multiple torn tendons and labrum to the point I required a second surgery (this was identified by a civilian orthopedic since I PCS'd in summer of 2021 and their was no Army Ortho on the installation). The ortho went into the surgery attempting to repair the tears and was unable to do so (he additionally stated that when the first doc relocated my bicep tendon, he put it in a bad spot which results in the tendon constantly flaring up and eventually needing to be cut); this puts me where I am today in the process of an MEB. I have talked to multiple people and have had some tell me that I do qualify for CRSC and my PEBLO who says I do not. I am very very close to enlisting the services of an attorney throughout this because I feel there is way to much to at stake (I have a wife and 4 kids I support).
I am just seeking a bit of advice/guidance on things; I am sure everyone here knows, the process is very stressful and cloudy (probably because they do not want people to know the true ins and outs of it). But, I am prepared to fight for what is owed to me but only if it is truly owed to me, I don't want to be one of these LT/E5s who game the system and walk out financially better then people who traditionally retire.
Any advice/help is greatly appreciated.
