NARSUM on 2/13 / heart bypass among other things

Looking for some insight...

I will be meeting w/ my PCM on 2/13 to do my NARSUM. I'm being boarded for:

1. Coronary heart disease requiring triple bypass surgery on 11/28/16.

2. Myasthenia Gravis.

3. Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

4. Chronic Small Fiber Peripheral Autonomic Neuropathy.

(Testing prior to bypass surgery showed evidence of a small myocardial infarction on the inside anterior wall of my heart which probably occurred on 11/13 but instead of seeking immediate medical care I stuck it out. This location would agree with the location of my severest blockage (99% in LAD). Also, I'm only 45 years old so heart disease at my age is tough to swallow).

I'm curious as to anyone's experience w/ coronary heart disease and bypass surgery. Will this be found unfitting, and if so, what kind of percentage might I be looking at. The PEBLO feels it will be unfitting. I have to separate but am on a medical hold while all this gets worked out. I was on a medical hold for the neurological stuff when the heart issues came up. I am definitely hoping for a medical retirement but won't count my chickens before they hatch.

I'm meeting w/ my cardiologist tomorrow for a prognosis letter and I'm asking him to avoid words such as "good" and "excellent. I'm also asking him to comment on the sleep apnea and it's negative effect on heart disease. This probably won't get me an unfitting rating on the sleep apnea but it's worth a shot. I will also be on 3 to 4 life prolonging medications for life.

My PCM is on board with me and my commander wrote his letter in such a way that I ought to be found unfit. I've met with the VA rep and he is scheduling all new VA exams.

 

[Siligurl]

I am sorry about your medical issues-- I know it's difficult to swallow when we feel "young enough" to not have these kind of problems. I don't have any experience w/ heart disease, but whether it is unfitting will be in your medical standards. If you're AF I can tell you exactly which AFI you need to be looking at. Otherwise, I don't see any way that you'll be found fit for continued service. The risk is too great and the general rule of thumb is that if you absolutely HAVE to have medication to survive then you're not fit for deployment and therefore not likely fit for military service. So for example, I have hypothyroidism; my medication is needed for "proper" functioning but if I didn't have it, I'd be ok. If, on the other hand, I had hyperthyroidism, that medication is necessary because uncontrolled hyperthyroidism can cause heart problems. With hyperthyroidism, I likely wouldn't be able to deploy and could well be found unfit for service.

Hope that helps some!

 

[ScottAir1]

UPDATE: I have finally been found medically unfit. Also, my commander wrote a very good letter detailing all my medical issues and how they have impacted my ability to function and readiness issues. He recommended medical retirement. My package is at step 6 now, awaiting VA ratings assignment. After that, I assume the PEB will make their formal offer which I hope is sufficient enough to garner my signature on the dotted line. I'm ready to wrap this process up. It has been going on for nearly 3 years.