Long story short: I have recently “been offered” the chance to be referred to the MEB by my on-post Social Worker and Army Psychiatrist for Major Depressive Disorder. They have stated to me that “normally” they would not refer a case like mine, but they could make a case for MEB given my situation and history if I so desired.
My question is: “Would I be better off just taking this ‘offer’ to be ‘MEBed’ or would I be better off trying to stick around until I reach twenty years service and then retiring?”
Overall, I think I would most likely be better off “taking the MEB” at this point for a multitude of reasons. I am mostly at this point concerned about “screwing myself” financially if I were to MEB now, vice retiring at twenty years service.
I am more fortunate than most Soldiers, being more familiar and educated with the MEB/PEB/DES process/system by in the past having been in charge of those Soldiers in my battalion going through the MEB/PEB process (working directly with PEBLOs and VA representatives), as well as monitoring this forum over the past year; staying familiar with changes in those processes and systems.
I will stick with the facts and see what sort of information I get as a result.
Prior service: USMCR JUN 1983- DEC 1984; USMC DEC 1984 – AUG 1993; TXARNG MAR 2003 – DEC 2005
Current Service: Staff Sergeant / E-6, United States Army, MOS – 19K (Armor Crewman), DEC 2005-Present
As of this time (5 MAY 12) 17 years, 3 months actual active duty service – over 19 years for pay purposes.
Age: 47
26 months total deployment time: Iraq.
Can substantiate with documentation having been being personally engaged or involved in direct and indirect fire contact with the enemy - rockets, mortars, small arms fire, rocket propelled grenades, improvised explosive devices, and improvised rocket launchers).
Awarded Combat Action Badge and Army Commendation Medal for service under combat conditions.
Possible unfitting conditions:
“Moderate with Major episodes” of Major Depressive Disorder; reoccurring over past two years – has greatly interfered with my ability to perform my duties for my Rank and MOS and resulting in what I would consider to be a “substantial” social impairment – very strong case for service related and developed during deployment. Very well documented. Have changed antidepressant medications and dosages on several occasions but have rarely been “stabilized” for more than six months since diagnosis was made in early 2010. Have also been on three different medications for sleep aid over the past year and a half due to “work related” anxiety resulting in insomnia. Will be placed on an “Insomnia” profile later this week.
Mild (formerly Severe) Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Diagnosed in MAR 2008 with and AHI of 53 after returning from second deployment to Iraq. While I was well tolerating CPAP therapy I was not being well-supported by my unit for the use of my CPAP while in the field (Combat Arms MOS – 19K – Armor Crewman – but basically doing roles traditionally meant for mounted and dismounted Infantry). Was denied deployment in 2010 per CENTCOM Surgeon not granting waiver for CPAP use in CENTCOM Area of Operation. As a result received a Permanent Profile for Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea. In an attempt to overcome any future challenge to my ability to deploy, in JUN 11 I had orthognathic surgery (bi-maxillaryLefort I level osteotomy) resulting in more than four titanium plates and twenty titanium screws being placed throughout my skull and jaws. Sleep study, six-months post surgery, indicated a drop in AHI from previous level to an AHI of 13, changing the diagnosis from “Severe” to “moderate”. However CPAP use was still recommended. Within the past six months, I have undergone a genioplasty (resulting a more titanium plates and screws being placed in my lower jaw), liposuction under the lower jaw and neck area, as well as a rhinoplasty and septoplasty in an effort to further reduce the AHI. I have another sleep scheduled within the next week and will not know the results for another two weeks. (I do not know if CPAP therapy will continue to be recommended. I am very well aware of the impact this would have on any potential disability percentage awarded).
Diagnosed and being treated for spinal stenosis in C4-C6 region and bulging disks at C5-C6, resulting in radiculopathy to the right upper extremity (numbness to the right index finger has now gone on for six months). For the past two months I have shown minor onset symptoms of radiculopathy to left upper extremity as well. Have been on “no impact” temporary non-deployable since 27 DEC 11 as a result – unable to my helmet wear any combat equipment, or participate in anything except the most restrictive physical fitness training or physical exertion. Have been treated with non-narcotic pain for past three months. Have undergone one spinal steroid epidural. Have participated in physical therapy for past month. Had initial evaluation and post three week evaluation from Physical Therapist, who feels that while physical therapy has actually slightly increased ROM, and am still “very symptomatic” and feels that surgical intervention will be required if I am to ever overcome non-deployable physical condition for this specific issue; however has decided to continue with physical therapy for the time being. Neck and Spine Surgeon feels surgical intervention may possibly been needed, as of last consultation in late APR 12, Recommends continuation of physical therapy and at least two more spinal steroid epidurals for pain management. After that, he will consider doing a fusion of C5 and C6. (As this condition is currently considered “temporary” it is keeping me from attending Advanced Leaders Course, thus interfering with my ability to be considered for future promotions).
For past three months I have been experiencing chronic lumbar back pain. X-Rays indicate no abnormality. MRI recently conducted but results currently unknown. Diagnosis of back pain currently unknown.
Diagnosed with combat related PTSD (level not indicated) by civilian psychologist within past three months, although on-post Social Worker has in the past been most hesitant to make such a determination, citing a “lack of triggering event” and continues to question this diagnosis made by the civilian psychologist (to which she referred me through Tricare while she was out on maternity leave).
Additional information:
With the current “austere” budget climate in Washington, D.C. and the downsizing trend of the Army, I am not even sure at this point making it to twenty years of service in order to retire is a “sure thing.” It is why I am very tempted to “take the money and run” while I can. An indicator is that I have recently been found to be 1% over the acceptable Army height and weight standards. Even with all of my medical conditions, my unit intends to place me on the Army Weight Control Program. I have heard horror stories that this is the Army’s latest way of getting rid of their “broken Soldiers” and I want no part of it.
My question is: “Would I be better off just taking this ‘offer’ to be ‘MEBed’ or would I be better off trying to stick around until I reach twenty years service and then retiring?”
Overall, I think I would most likely be better off “taking the MEB” at this point for a multitude of reasons. I am mostly at this point concerned about “screwing myself” financially if I were to MEB now, vice retiring at twenty years service.
I am more fortunate than most Soldiers, being more familiar and educated with the MEB/PEB/DES process/system by in the past having been in charge of those Soldiers in my battalion going through the MEB/PEB process (working directly with PEBLOs and VA representatives), as well as monitoring this forum over the past year; staying familiar with changes in those processes and systems.
I will stick with the facts and see what sort of information I get as a result.
Prior service: USMCR JUN 1983- DEC 1984; USMC DEC 1984 – AUG 1993; TXARNG MAR 2003 – DEC 2005
Current Service: Staff Sergeant / E-6, United States Army, MOS – 19K (Armor Crewman), DEC 2005-Present
As of this time (5 MAY 12) 17 years, 3 months actual active duty service – over 19 years for pay purposes.
Age: 47
26 months total deployment time: Iraq.
Can substantiate with documentation having been being personally engaged or involved in direct and indirect fire contact with the enemy - rockets, mortars, small arms fire, rocket propelled grenades, improvised explosive devices, and improvised rocket launchers).
Awarded Combat Action Badge and Army Commendation Medal for service under combat conditions.
Possible unfitting conditions:
“Moderate with Major episodes” of Major Depressive Disorder; reoccurring over past two years – has greatly interfered with my ability to perform my duties for my Rank and MOS and resulting in what I would consider to be a “substantial” social impairment – very strong case for service related and developed during deployment. Very well documented. Have changed antidepressant medications and dosages on several occasions but have rarely been “stabilized” for more than six months since diagnosis was made in early 2010. Have also been on three different medications for sleep aid over the past year and a half due to “work related” anxiety resulting in insomnia. Will be placed on an “Insomnia” profile later this week.
Mild (formerly Severe) Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Diagnosed in MAR 2008 with and AHI of 53 after returning from second deployment to Iraq. While I was well tolerating CPAP therapy I was not being well-supported by my unit for the use of my CPAP while in the field (Combat Arms MOS – 19K – Armor Crewman – but basically doing roles traditionally meant for mounted and dismounted Infantry). Was denied deployment in 2010 per CENTCOM Surgeon not granting waiver for CPAP use in CENTCOM Area of Operation. As a result received a Permanent Profile for Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea. In an attempt to overcome any future challenge to my ability to deploy, in JUN 11 I had orthognathic surgery (bi-maxillaryLefort I level osteotomy) resulting in more than four titanium plates and twenty titanium screws being placed throughout my skull and jaws. Sleep study, six-months post surgery, indicated a drop in AHI from previous level to an AHI of 13, changing the diagnosis from “Severe” to “moderate”. However CPAP use was still recommended. Within the past six months, I have undergone a genioplasty (resulting a more titanium plates and screws being placed in my lower jaw), liposuction under the lower jaw and neck area, as well as a rhinoplasty and septoplasty in an effort to further reduce the AHI. I have another sleep scheduled within the next week and will not know the results for another two weeks. (I do not know if CPAP therapy will continue to be recommended. I am very well aware of the impact this would have on any potential disability percentage awarded).
Diagnosed and being treated for spinal stenosis in C4-C6 region and bulging disks at C5-C6, resulting in radiculopathy to the right upper extremity (numbness to the right index finger has now gone on for six months). For the past two months I have shown minor onset symptoms of radiculopathy to left upper extremity as well. Have been on “no impact” temporary non-deployable since 27 DEC 11 as a result – unable to my helmet wear any combat equipment, or participate in anything except the most restrictive physical fitness training or physical exertion. Have been treated with non-narcotic pain for past three months. Have undergone one spinal steroid epidural. Have participated in physical therapy for past month. Had initial evaluation and post three week evaluation from Physical Therapist, who feels that while physical therapy has actually slightly increased ROM, and am still “very symptomatic” and feels that surgical intervention will be required if I am to ever overcome non-deployable physical condition for this specific issue; however has decided to continue with physical therapy for the time being. Neck and Spine Surgeon feels surgical intervention may possibly been needed, as of last consultation in late APR 12, Recommends continuation of physical therapy and at least two more spinal steroid epidurals for pain management. After that, he will consider doing a fusion of C5 and C6. (As this condition is currently considered “temporary” it is keeping me from attending Advanced Leaders Course, thus interfering with my ability to be considered for future promotions).
For past three months I have been experiencing chronic lumbar back pain. X-Rays indicate no abnormality. MRI recently conducted but results currently unknown. Diagnosis of back pain currently unknown.
Diagnosed with combat related PTSD (level not indicated) by civilian psychologist within past three months, although on-post Social Worker has in the past been most hesitant to make such a determination, citing a “lack of triggering event” and continues to question this diagnosis made by the civilian psychologist (to which she referred me through Tricare while she was out on maternity leave).
Additional information:
With the current “austere” budget climate in Washington, D.C. and the downsizing trend of the Army, I am not even sure at this point making it to twenty years of service in order to retire is a “sure thing.” It is why I am very tempted to “take the money and run” while I can. An indicator is that I have recently been found to be 1% over the acceptable Army height and weight standards. Even with all of my medical conditions, my unit intends to place me on the Army Weight Control Program. I have heard horror stories that this is the Army’s latest way of getting rid of their “broken Soldiers” and I want no part of it.
