Fort Campbell Timeline (COVID)

[ksully37042]

I was referred to MEB for two conditions so far;

Somatic Symptom Disorder
Hip Pain (Labrum Tear)

I haven't met with my MSC yet and I am trying to prep the battlefield. I have a list of conditions I would like to claim, but I'm having trouble categorizing my evidence. I am very fortunate to have a well documented medical history (thanks anxiety). So should I categorize my conditions by severity? i.e. chronic and recurring and write personal statements for each condition?

For example, I'd first list all my chronic BH conditions, then my chronic musculoskeletal injuries, then recurring conditions.

So my files would look like

Somatic System Disorder, VASRD reference, a personal statement in support of my claim

Hip Pain, VASRD reference, a personal statement in support of my claim

Jaw Pain, VASRD reference, a personal statement in support of my claim



Am I overthinking this? I understand the MSC has my records and they are just there to help me file my claim but it doesn't mean they will go through my records as thoroughly as I will right?


04/22/2020 Referred to MEB
04/30/2020 Legal Inbrief (Tele)
04/30/2020 1st Appointment with PEBLO (Tele)
05/08/2020 Neuropsych Eval
05/08/2020 P3 Submitted and First Meeting With Provider

 

[aymanem]

Hey Ksully!

I am currently on the tail end of my Fort Campbell MEB process. Let me see if I can help you with the process.

You MSC will do a decent job combing your records prior to your meeting and having a list of conditions they were able to find on your records. Your job will be to agree with the list and add additional conditions that you believe they may have missed or categorized incorrectly. I found it best to start from my head and work my way down to my toes when listing out my conditions. This helps you capture everything from head to toe without jumping around and missing things.

Prior to your C&P exams, at least prior to covid-19, the front office had you sit down with a list of your conditions and you would fill out the condition, how/when it started, as well as how it affects you. It definitely helped to have all that stuff written down on a word/excel/notebook sheet so that you weren't trying to get all that information off the top of your head.

You submitted this filled out list of conditions to the VA schedulers so your examiners are able to start pre-filling your documents prior to your exam. While personal statements are not required, if you are up to it, it definitely wouldn't hurt to maybe get your most chronic conditions on a personal statement in order to assist the raters. (I would just submit these statements to your PEBLO to be added to your file after the C&P Exams.

I hope that helps. Feel free to review mine and StarMedic's posts as we are both finishing up our Campbell MEB timelines. Obviously understanding that our timelines are intended to be used as an approximation, not the gospel.

 

[ksully37042]

Hey aymanem!

Thanks for the advice! I've skimmed your and StarMedics posts and it's really exciting to read about your journey.

I pretty much have been handed my commander's statement to fill out. Any advice?

 

[aymanem]

Hey aymanem!

Thanks for the advice! I've skimmed your and StarMedics posts and it's really exciting to read about your journey.

I pretty much have been handed my commander's statement to fill out. Any advice?

I made it clear in all the questions that I was unable to perform not only my duties per my MOS but also as a soldier. Additionally, even if you aren't combat arms, remember you are still expected to execute all their tasks if you are assigned to say an infantry brigade. Example: ruck, run, climb over walls, wear kit, carry more than 35lbs, carry a weapon, shoot(recoil affect shoulder or carbon fumes trigger headaches/asthma for example).

Basically everything but being able to make my own clear decisions was checked on my statement. Obviously only put information that is true and can be backed by medical records or personal/buddy statements.

 

[JoePlasm]

KSully

I made it clear in all the questions that I was unable to perform not only my duties per my MOS but also as a soldier. Additionally, even if you aren't combat arms, remember you are still expected to execute all their tasks if you are assigned to say an infantry brigade. Example: ruck, run, climb over walls, wear kit, carry more than 35lbs, carry a weapon, shoot(recoil affect shoulder or carbon fumes trigger headaches/asthma for example).

Basically everything but being able to make my own clear decisions was checked on my statement. Obviously only put information that is true and can be backed by medical records or personal/buddy statements.

In addition to that good advice from Aymanem

Don't forget to also comment on "Future potential" Some MOSes can be parked in a stateside job and you can still successfully fly a desk from a Personnel regulation perspective.

So include in that Commanders statement, how you can't attend NCEOS/OES, will not promote, possibly have reduce leadership capability (based on MOS, Rank, and Disability), and how would jeopardize any future commanders mission, by being burdensome for x,y, z reasons.

Them giving you the Commanders Statement to ghoat write is a blank check for you to be as catastrophic or minimalist as you need/want to stay in or get out. Your conditions and VA rating will persuade the Medical Officer of the PEB. Your Commanders statement is there to persuade the S1/HR representative of the PEB.