Just got the results from the local board

Hi all,
I'm pretty new to this site, but figure I'll post up where I'm at and see if there's any advice you guys can give me. I'm active USAF, E6 with just over 13 yrs, stationed at Dover AFB, DE.
I'm being boarded for three things: Herniated disc-cervical spine, herniated disc-Lumbar spine, and Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

I had 2 level Anterior Cervical Discectomy with fusion a little over 2 yrs ago. The neurosurgeon has me on restrictions for life of no pushups/situps/running and carrying over 20lbs. For my lumbar discs he basically said surgery would harm more than it will hurt, that's part of the reason he doesn't want me running/carrying heavy loads anymore. The sleep apnea is controlled with a CPAP.

My package met the local board last week, and I got the narrative on Friday. I have until Tuesday to either agree with the narrative, or request the impartial review and submit a letter of exception.
In the narrative they say that I can't do 4 of the 5 things in my job. I am in a flight with mainly administrative duties, but even if I was in one of the more physical flights I'd still be doing mainly administrative things. My question is: Is it worth requesting the impartial review, and should I write the letter of exception. If I write the letter, do you have any recommendations for wording/items that I should mention?
Thanks all!!
 
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No rating yet for anything, it's only the local board that's seen it so far. I have to decide if I want to concur with the NARSUM before it goes to TX.
 
I don't think it is the case that everyone should request an impartial review. I would request one if there was something that I disagreed with (and I would figure that out by comparing the MEB with the VA rating criteria and the rating worksheets to see any discrepancies). I suppose one could request if they had no idea and just wanted to see what the doctor says, but I tend to think that the vast majority of doctors would defer to the other doctor except if you can identify specific errors/issues (and in these cases, it is the MEB Approving Authority that would order any changes).

Best of luck!
 
UPDATE:
After reviewing my med records (Holy cow that took a while!), I have a couple things that aren't accurate in the NARSUM:
Under "Pertinent Laboratory, radiology, ROM studies etc", the cervical MRI information is accurate from 2005 and 2007, and the lumbar MRI is partially accurate from 2009. However, there isn't any mention of the Lumbar MRI from 2005, as well as the cervical MRI in 2009.
Specifically, the lumbar MRI from 2005 states:
L3-4 very minimal disc bulge, no focal protrusion, no central canal or foraminal protrusion
L4-5 Mild disc bulge causes slight effacement of the ventral and left side of the thecal sac. There is mild facet arthropathy as well.
L5-S1 There is a broad right paracentral and foraminal protrusion which causes some mass effect on the right S1 nerve root as it exits the thecal sac and extends towards the exiting foramina. moderate right-sided and foramen encroachment also present at this level. the spinal canal is not significantly narrowed, no enhancing lesions are appreciated. Moderate facet arthropathy noted.

The notes in the NARSUM reads thus: MRI, lumbar spine (6/5/09): Mild degenerative disc disease and bulging annuli at L4/L5 and L5/S1.

The final diagnosis on the NARSUM is:
1. Cervical herniated disc-neuritis symptoms improved following 2 level discectomy and fusion and activity modifications. Occasional neck pain is controlled with NSAIDs.
2. Lumbar herniated disc-symptoms are stable and occasional exacerbations are controlled with physical therapy with last session Jun 2009 and NSAIDs.
3. Obstructive sleep apnea - controlled on CPAP.

My question is: is it worth trying to get the information from the 2005 MRI in there?
I understand the ROM has a lot of weight, so here's the numbers for that as well:
CERVICAL
forward flexion: 31
backward flexion: 20
left lateral flexion: 25
right lateral flex: 21
left rotation: 31
right rotation: 36
LUMBAR:
forward flex: 36
backward flex: 10
left lateral flex: 23
right lat flex: 20
thoracolumbar left rotation: 37
thoracolumbar right rotation: 31

As far as I can tell, that puts me at 20% for cervical, 20% for lumbar, and 50% for CPAP? Deployment is a big portion of my job, so is the board likely to rate my sleep apnea as unfit?
Using VA math, I calculate that I'm looking at 40% (36% rounded up) for the 2 spine issues, or 70% (68% rounded up) for apnea and two spine issues. Does that sound about right?

Thanks!
 
There's a link on here somewhere to the reg that covers their math. I just printed out the pages with the combined ratings tables. I don't know the reg, but the pages are 4.25-1 thru 4.25-3.
 
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