I need help!!

S

Skeert

PEB Forum Regular Member
Hello all,
I am a SGT in the Army and have deployed 4 tours. During my last tour I took a big fall and hurt my back. At the time I had a lot of adrenaline and didn't know just how bad it was. For the next few weeks prior to my redeployment I kept twisting my ankle and had a hard time with the coordination of my left leg. Not wanting to leave my team I sucked up the pain with Motrin and Tylenol with little dorsalfexon in my left foot, and numbness all the way down both legs. After I got home I went to the aid station and started down the long road to where I am now. MRI's said that I have nerve inpingement on the L5 S1. PT didn't do much for me and Profile's made me fat. After getting the run around for 9 months with neurologist and other doctors, never seeing the same one twice, I have had some recovory of the strength of my left leg. I still have great pain ( Deep Nerve Pain I Call It) in both legs. I have since PCS'ed to another location and it seems to have better care. I have done much of the same here PT, MRI's,Xrays. I was sent to see a very well-recomended spine surgeon. I even went as far as talking to some of his patients about their success. He told me he doesn't recommend surgery and that would only prolong more and more surgeries if i didn't stop doing my job in the Army. He suggested a desk job or a job that lets me sit and stand depending on my comfort level. He then said he was going to refer me for an MEB.
I was floored and was emotional I had planned on being a Warrant Officer and retiring as a W-4.
Now what? I have my first initial MEB brief in the morning. I am afraid that I am going to get hosed by the system, I dont know what to expect and how to play this game. Is there anyone that can give me confidence and advice of how I can take the best care of my family.
Thanks
 
Skeert,

Welcome! If you haven't, take a look at the Overview of MEB/PEB Process thread (link is in my signature block, below). After reading that, please let us know any questions. Hope all goes well!
 
Jason. thanks for your help.
I have talked with my primary care Doc. he told me that he will do all he can to make the board deem me un fit for duty, by using words that leave nothing to gues. The spine surgeon assured me the same. My Commander said he will help me in any way he can as well. Now I understand that that once I am deemed un fit for duty I move to the PEB. Now I know that the magic number is 30%. Jason from your experiesce and you seem to talk to many in the same shape as I. Is it going to be posable for me to reach that 30%? And do you have any advice for making this prossess more in my favor?
I love the Army for everything that it has done for me. And I feel like my career has been cut short, and in some ways I feel disappointed I am unable to finish my career path.
 
It will really depend on the degree of your disability. Specifically, the Range of Motion limitation(s), the degree of nerve damage (ideally documented with EMG/Nerve Conduction Study, and any other objective evidence that correlates with the rating criteria.

Key will be having each injury documented as preventing reasonable duty performance. This will maximize the number of unfitting conditions. That, combined with rating criteria being met, will maximize your chances for reaching a retirement finding.

It is critical that your MEB is complete and accurate. I have seen cases like yours go either way. But with a thorough evaluation, you can maximize your chances.

Best of luck!
 
Skeert,

Sorry to hear of your predicament. I wanted to mention that I was in a similar case (different condition) but was very happy with my service and while I didn't plan on being a career guy I did plan on staying in for a little while. Now that you are entering the MEB process, you need to be tread lightly. No matter how much you or I enjoyed the Army this is the time that Uncle Sam is going to try and get you. Be vigilant and outspoken to the docs you deal with and if they write something in a appointment note or any other medical document that will make it to the MEB, and you wholeheartedly disagree with it, make it known to them. Good luck in the process and I hope you get the 30% you deserve.
 
All went well thanks Jason and carnelli53. I have more questions however I am going to open a new thread. Thanks again
 
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