Newly Diagnosed Fibromyalgia

[et1893]

Hello all,

I have been diagnosed with severe fibromyalgia, I have 18years and 8 months in and I have already been approved to retire in Oct 2017. I Reumatologist has started a MEB board and it is in the system. I am having surgery this month on my bladder, I have lost my bladder control totally. I am having a implant put in my back to control my bladder. I also have degenerative spinal arthritis. Due to my fibro and spinal problems I have lost my mobility and have now been approved for a scooter or wheelchair for mobility. My question is being that I am so close to retirement but my mobility has affected my job and the doctor stated that in the report. Can I still be retired at 19 with a full retirement or no?

 

[professor65]

et1893,

Sorry to hear all that... sounds like they have started a MEB while you are still actively being treated, and should be afforded the requisite convalescent time for stability of conditions?

That said, the MEB (then PEB) will ultimately determine medical conditions and ability to perform your job, then fitness for continued service and decide to retain, temporarily or permanently retire you with not much worry about 18Y 8 mo, 19 years, 20 years, etc.... when you say "full retirement" I think you are worried about the all or nothing of the normal 20 year retirement. Chapter 61 medical retirement is different. Easiest way to think about it: you earned your 18years 8 months, and earn a little bit more every month (2.5 percent a year / 12 months ~ 0.20 percent a month).
Add VA pay to that based on 10-100 percent. So, longer you wait, closer to the normal 20 year retirement you get. Now, a lot depends on your desired outcome -- assume retire since you have already dropped paperwork. Duty that the PEB evaluates is your combat specialty, unlikely that a mobility scooter would help them decide to retain you in service.
Also, severe Fibro has a %40 max but you should work with the medical provider to categorize bladder and other issues as "secondary" to the Fibro where possible. Your list of claimed conditions should be long and complete when you first start with the MEB exams at the VA. Looking at some of the timelines on here, you could easily be processing through your medical boards for the next year if you want to fight for a desired outcome and not accept the fastest path out of the service. Unless a fast exit is in your best interest.

Good luck.

 

[et1893]

et1893,

Sorry to hear all that... sounds like they have started a MEB while you are still actively being treated, and should be afforded the requisite convalescent time for stability of conditions?

That said, the MEB (then PEB) will ultimately determine medical conditions and ability to perform your job, then fitness for continued service and decide to retain, temporarily or permanently retire you with not much worry about 18Y 8 mo, 19 years, 20 years, etc.... when you say "full retirement" I think you are worried about the all or nothing of the normal 20 year retirement. Chapter 61 medical retirement is different. Easiest way to think about it: you earned your 18years 8 months, and earn a little bit more every month (2.5 percent a year / 12 months ~ 0.20 percent a month).
Add VA pay to that based on 10-100 percent. So, longer you wait, closer to the normal 20 year retirement you get. Now, a lot depends on your desired outcome -- assume retire since you have already dropped paperwork. Duty that the PEB evaluates is your combat specialty, unlikely that a mobility scooter would help them decide to retain you in service.
Also, severe Fibro has a %40 max but you should work with the medical provider to categorize bladder and other issues as "secondary" to the Fibro where possible. Your list of claimed conditions should be long and complete when you first start with the MEB exams at the VA. Looking at some of the timelines on here, you could easily be processing through your medical boards for the next year if you want to fight for a desired outcome and not accept the fastest path out of the service. Unless a fast exit is in your best interest.

Good luck.

Thank you for your response, being that I have these mobility issues and required someone to drive me, help bath and cloth me I am just ready to retire. I can't see making it until 10/2017 like this. I will talk to my doctor bout putting the bladder issues secondary and also about my spinal arthritis. Once again thank you.