new MEB, could use some help/tips

All my major problems started about 9 months ago. After some hospitalizations and a lot of paperwork, I arrive at a WTU 3 months ago from Germany. I just received a P3 profile for newly diagnosed ulcerative colitis. I am have been seeing BH and my therapist(clinical social worker) diagnosed me with Bipolar II. But so far it's only a temp profile. there is a new psychiatrist whom i have yet to see this month. Does it matter who diagnoses me with bipolar?

these are all my conditions/diagnoses:

ulcerative colitis
bipolar II
bipolar disorder, unspecified
adjustment disorder w/ anxiety and depression
adjustment disorder, unspecified
emotional lability
suicidal ideation
Hemorrhoids, thrombosed.
torn ligaments in right foot
right achilles strain
right ankle pain
left side sciatica
lower back pain
left patella spurs causing knee pain


the bipolar affects me on an almost daily basis. I'm tried 2 medications. an antidepressant and seroquel. both I hated and currently waiting to get new ones. I've been in the hospital 3 times. once for a suicide attempt(cutting) and twice because of suicide ideation and panic attacks. My life has become a giant roller coaster. the ulcerative colitis just adds to the problem because i'm scared to go out with friends, family. scared to go eat out. I get anxious hanging out with people because i can't eat or drink with them. I just keep to myself now. When I am in my manic state I can do anything and want to stay in the army and forget about ratings. but times like this, i get depressed and cry uncontrollably and sit in my closet and worry that i won't be able to support my family when i get out.

Sorry, finally my question is what should I expect to be rated? will the bipolar diagnosis be considered even though it isn't a permanent profile? I'm just very anxious and trying to go to sleep but can't because I'm worried about all this stuff.

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. I didn't join the army for this but shit happens and I hate that it had to happen this way. But I just want what is fair, no more no less. If y'all can give me an idea of what that would be, please do. it would ease my mind.

thank you
 
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If you are in wtu, have they started a MEB and assigned a PEBLO?
They need to add the bipolar and anxiety a sap so you can get found unfit for it. It should be a behavioral health addendum to your narsum. I had this done to my case (they almost didn't do it) and I was eventually rated at 70% unfit for mentaL Health alone
 
blackwhiteblue said:
All my major problems started about 9 months ago. After some hospitalizations and a lot of paperwork, I arrive at a WTU 3 months ago from Germany. I just received a P3 profile for newly diagnosed ulcerative colitis. I am have been seeing BH and my therapist(clinical social worker) diagnosed me with Bipolar II. But so far it's only a temp profile. there is a new psychiatrist whom i have yet to see this month. Does it matter who diagnoses me with bipolar?

these are all my conditions/diagnoses:

ulcerative colitis
bipolar II
bipolar disorder, unspecified
adjustment disorder w/ anxiety and depression
adjustment disorder, unspecified
emotional lability
suicidal ideation
Hemorrhoids, thrombosed.
torn ligaments in right foot
right achilles strain
right ankle pain
left side sciatica
lower back pain
left patella spurs causing knee pain


the bipolar affects me on an almost daily basis. I'm tried 2 medications. an antidepressant and seroquel. both I hated and currently waiting to get new ones. I've been in the hospital 3 times. once for a suicide attempt(cutting) and twice because of suicide ideation and panic attacks. My life has become a giant roller coaster. the ulcerative colitis just adds to the problem because i'm scared to go out with friends, family. scared to go eat out. I get anxious hanging out with people because i can't eat or drink with them. I just keep to myself now. When I am in my manic state I can do anything and want to stay in the army and forget about ratings. but times like this, i get depressed and cry uncontrollably and sit in my closet and worry that i won't be able to support my family when i get out.

Sorry, finally my question is what should I expect to be rated? will the bipolar diagnosis be considered even though it isn't a permanent profile? I'm just very anxious and trying to go to sleep but can't because I'm worried about all this stuff.

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated. I didn't join the army for this but shit happens and I hate that it had to happen this way. But I just want what is fair, no more no less. If y'all can give me an idea of what that would be, please do. it would ease my mind.

thank you
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When you are put on profile for Behavioral Health issues, it must state on the profile that you are non deployable and any and all restrictions. Once you start the process you will have your C&P exams and the VA will give you a psyhc eval and determine if they will rate you. Once your exams are done and the MEB receives the reports back, they will then determine which issues you are be considered unfit for. I had to fight to ensure my Behavioral Health issue was found unfit, so being persistent with your behavioral health counselor really helps when you are going through this process. It is tough to say what you will be rated because many people with identical issues will receive different ratings. Be extremely thorough when you sit down with the VA MSC. They are the ones who schedule all of the exams for any and all issues you have. With as many behavioral health issues that you have (no offense) I would be willing to bet that you receive atleaste 50% if not more for those issues. Then looking at everything else, the VA will more than likely give you a large percentage I would say 80% or higher. I think you will do well. The biggest tip I can give you is to be patient. The beginning of the process seems to go very quickly and once the PEB starts, it seems to slow down quite a bit for everyone. Good luck and I hope I was of some help.

I just received my preliminary rating and they are as follows:

PTSD/TBI residuals/adjustment disorder: 50%
Left shoulder tendinosis (dominant): 20%
Cervical spondylosis: 20%
Lumbar & Thoracic Spondylosis: 20%
Carpal Tunnel Left (Dominant): 20%
Right ankle sprain: 10%
Gastroreflux: 10%
Tinnitus: 10%
right sciatic neuritis: 10%
right knee strain: 10%
jaw pain: 10%

VA is giving me 90% and the DOD rating should be 70%
 
Ulcerative colitis. Not a fun disease and it is rare... My old roommate got medically separated for it.

With his, he got a 30% temp retirement. His conditions were: Had to take steroids to treat the disease. The steroids itself stopped his immune system which prone him to more diseases but helps fight the blood lost. He constantly was fatigue because of blood lost. Painful bloody bowl movements that happens multiple times a day and is uncontrollable at times (which becomes embarrassing at times if leaks happen in front of people).

I am sorry you are going through this disease for as I understand it, there is no real cure, only treatments.
 
Thanks for the replies. All great info and I appreciate it. My P3 was just forwarded to the PEB doc today. I haven't got a peblo yet or anything. I think I'll get everything within the month assuming they do in fact go through with the board.

So far the temp profile for bipolar put me at DLC 1, so i'm guessing it's deployment limiting. I'm seeing a new psychiatrist in two weeks and I'd like them to actually diagnose me officially. The social worker diagnosed me but her diagnose doesn't matter much from what I've been told. How do I go about getting the psychiatrist to diagnose me without seeming like I'm trying to get diagnosed for the wrong reasons? I know what I have and the social worker confirms it everytime we meet. My only problem with the former psychiatrist was that she prescribed me mood stabilizers but didn't she why, didn't diagnose me with bipolar just gave me the drugs and said i need to get stable. I hate i'm being told to take drugs but i don't know for what illness. well anyway any advice on how to handle it?
 
So the P3 didn't get approved because the PEB doc wants me to be on medication for 3 months to see how I do. Can they do that? or can i fight it to get the medboard started?
 
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