Functional Capacity Evaluation

[breamo]

Hi all, I have been reading these forums for a while now and I have gotten great info! Thank you so much.

I have 2 messed up disks in my lower back and 2 in my neck, as well as degenerative disk disease thruout my spine. I work in maintenance and just simply cant hang with it any more.

When the Doctor realized I take Loritabs prescribed to me he immediately called my downtown Dr. to ask how long I will be on them. The Spine Dr. said indefinately. Now they are going to MEB me.

This Friday I have been scheduled for a Functional Capacity Test, and noone seems to know what all the test is about. Has anyone here had one done before?

Also do you think they will discharge me or keep me in?

Thank you all for your help!

 

[robs42]

i was put in for one a while ago, but since i'm on INCAP status TRICRE still has yet to approve it. i believe, from what i was told that the FCE is the standard in the civiian world, to run tests on you to see if you are able to work or do anything. i think it's done in a physical therapy type enviorment. things like walk on a treadmill, ride a bike, lifting, etc.. here's a link that explains what the FCE is:

http://www.billingsclinic.com/body.cfm?id=522

 

[breamo]

Well I had the first half of it done this morning. It isnt a very fun thing to have to do lol. She made me do all kinds of range of motion tests and such. Good thing though is that she was very thourough about my condition. She out of all the people really took the time to tell me what the heck was wrong with me.

She said this is the first part of the board, so I am not exactly sure how long it may take.

Has anyone else been med boarded due to bulged disks in the neck and back? Being a crew chief makes me worry that maybe 5 years down the road instead of an honorable discharge, they will keep getting me in trouble for failing PT tests, or worse off just not being able to do my job. I think I would rather them discharge me now on good terms with my good , clean record still in tact.