MEB or no MEB

[Armywife35]

My husband is currently active duty Army with 12 years and 5 deployments under his belt. He's been told since July-August time frame that his PCM was going to initiate a MEB. He's being referred for an ankle issue. He also has been diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression, low testosterone, blepharospasm due to Bell's Palsy, high blood pressure, arthritis in his ankle and bone loss in his ankle. He's also had a sleep study done and is waiting to hear on those results. An appointment was made by his company's medics with his PCM for this very thing two week ago. He arrived at his appointment and was told that a brigade surgeon had to initiate the MEB and issue a P3 profile, that he, the PCM could not. He was then told that his PCM would forward the information to the brigade surgeon and he should expect an e-mail in two weeks. My husband is still waiting, any suggestions?

 

[usafaviator]

Welcome. The main advice I have for you in the early stages is:

1) Study up on all the regs pertaining to MEB
2) Read up on this forum as much as possible...lots of great info and experiences here
3) Document everything! Never give up your original copies of anything.
4) If your husband has seen any civilian docs, start compiling all those records now...request everything they have.
5) Start thinking about your course of action for all possible outcomes: If he is retained, if he is separated with severance (no retirement) and if he is retired
6) Start putting everything together as if you are preparing for a court case. That way, if he ends up appealing the decisions (later in the process), he will be ready to present a good, solid defense. Keep a log/diary of all your phone calls, who you spoke to and the outcome...same thing with meetings. Some here also keep a daily log of their symptoms, ER visits, etc.
7) He needs to ensure that he is being totally compliant with medical procedures and medications, they can deny a claim if not
8) Request to get a referral to civilian specialists (if not already doing so) for second and third professional opinions
9) be proactive...the people that push and take control of their situation under the new IDES process are typically the ones that get through this the quickest and with the best results.

The biggest thing to remember is that this is a long, drawn out process that can be mentally and physically trying. It is important to realize this and try to live your lives the best you can during the process and keep your mental spirits up. I know it is much easier to say than do, but it is critical to making it through this process, Good luck, keep us posted!

 

[Armywife35]

Thanks so much for the warm welcome!

Great advice, I will make sure to forward this information to my husband as he and I are in the beginning stages of learning all the in's and out's.

 

[grizz13]

Also look at my dictionary linked in my signature to help with the lingo!