Newly diagnosed Type 1 Diabetic (Air Force)

A

AirForceT1

Well-Known Member
Registered Member
Hello all!

I'm brand new to this site, and thanks for having me!
I have enjoyed reading other posts here, and gaining a little insight into everyone's experiences. I myself have been going thru quite a predicament for the past 6 months, and I wanted to share, and get everyone's advice/thoughts/opinions.

I'm a 16 1/2 year Air Force enlisted member, and in January of this year I was diagnosed with T1 diabetes. Originally they thought I was T2, but after tons of labs, they came back and officially diagnosed me with type 1. I started insulin shortly after going into the hospital, and I am now on 6 units per day of Lantus (long acting insulin), and 0-4 units a day of Novalog (fast acting insulin), depending on what I eat for meals. When I first got tested, my A1C was at 10.2, and now 6 months later, it is at 6.1. I'm working to bring it down even further into "normal" range by the time I take my next test. However, I am now getting medical boarded. Everyone I have talked to has said being insulin dependent is a career ender, and I better start planning on what to do on the outside. I have read the Air Force will not grant me medical retirement if my disability rating is less than 30%. I haven't found how they calculate their ratings, but I have read the VA website, and to get at least 40% rating, you have to be taking insulin, on a restricted diet, and have your activities regulated.

I have met with a dietitian who explained to me what I can and can't eat (more like shouldn't eat), and how to count carbs...But she never really said I was restricted. Also, I was put on a profile for our 1 1/2 run, due to how fast my blood sugars drop when I do "strenuous" activities. I've never been one to skip out on running (usually my PT tests were in the 90s, and the run was my best part), but when I push myself to run fast, my sugars drop super fast. Also, I have had no other complications or hospitalizations for diabetes since being diagnosed.

I am terrified that by taking care of myself (completely changing how I eat and exercise), having no hospitalizations with diabetes complications, and no work related incidents where I can't do my job due to the condition, the Air Force is going to boot me out, with like a 20% disability rating. Thanks for almost 17 years of your life with all firewall 5 EPRs, but now you're no good to us anymore.

Does anyone have any pre-medical board suggestions or past experiences concerning this? It has gotten me so wound up, that my PCM has prescribed anxiety medicine so I can at least relax and sleep.

ANY info would be greatly appreciated, and I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks in advance!

AirForceT1
 
I take you would want tot stay in to be able to retire?
 
@AirForceT1

What do you want to happen career wise?
 
@chaplaincharlie @Craig2356 Hey guys! Of course I want to stay in! I joined to serve as long as I possibly can. Even if there is a way they can allow me to remain in for 20, I will be accepting of that. As I said before, I didn't sign up to do only 20 and done...I wanted to see how far I can possibly go, as long as they'll have me!
 
Hello,

I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in December 1994. I was in the Navy, and had 13 years of active service, when the PEB board found me unfit and rated me at 20%. I accepted the separation check from the Navy, being told the VA would take care of me. I have struggled with my diabetes. For years, I had low blood sugar seizures, about 13 overall. I used to take shots with Lantus and Novalog just as you do. Finally, in 2007, I was able to get an Insulin Pump. It changed my life! I still struggle some, but my sugar is under so much better control. I would very highly recommend you get one, seriously. Another thing that is really helpful, is a Continuous Glucose Monitor. This checks and reports your sugar every 5 minutes, which allows you to spot lows a long time before they come, and highs as well. For years, the VA wouldn't cover these, but now they do.

When I left the service in 1995, I filed paperwork with the VA several times for my disability compensation. I never received anything back from them. I finally gave up in 2001, frustrated with a system that seemed to ignore me. This is very key. Many vets don't realize they are dealing with two groups at the VA, not just one. There is what I would call a medical side, which cares for your treatment, and there is the VBA, or what I like to call the evil empire.

in 2010, I was a little older, and realizing I needed to make certain my benefits were firmly in place, I started working on this again. It took nearly two years to get my first rating from the VA (VBA). I had filed for a compensation hearing, and 5 months later was notified on a Friday afternoon that I had a hearing the following Monday. I told the person I had a business trip and could we reschedule. They said yes, and I would receive a letter. What I got was a notice that I failed to appear, so they gave me the default 20% rating. I had to file again, and a similar issue happened, the appointment was scheduled months later, but I wasn't notified, I only found out by accident. I was able to get a 40% rating, but really should be at 60%. I was not disciplined about my health care documentation when I was younger. All the seizures I had were mostly handled at home by my wife, and I was not often transported to the hospital for the ones I had in public.

Sorry for this diatribe, but my point is, you need to make sure EVERYTHING that has to do with your health is documented, and IN YOUR HANDS before you leave the service. Once you leave, you need to make sure EVERYTHING related to your condition is documented and you have a copy as well. Push early and hard to get your disability compensation settled with the VA. I am fighting now because my records show I filed for compensation back in 1996, but the VA did nothing with my requests. Getting appeals reviewed and accepted is extremely time consuming. Get them done right the first time, the easiest and best way is with good documentation of your condition.

The VA will tell you that if you experience emergency medical treatment for a condition you are 30% or more disabled, they will pay for the emergency services, like ambulance, ER and such. While this is technically true, the documentation from the hospital and such have to clearly state it was related to your illness. I had a seizure in Seattle, WA, while on a business trip. I sent the bills to the VA emergency care reimbursement office in VA, and they denied it, stated I had to file in WA. I spent weeks trying to find out who to speak with. I then submitted to them, and they denied, claiming it was due to a non covered illness. I finally got the doctors notes stating that I had had a diabetic seizure, filed again, and was denied because I had "filed outside the 90 day acceptance window". I should have asked for copies of all the treatment notes right then and there. Hindsight is 20/20.

I don't really know of anyone being allowed to stay in and continue to serve with type I diabetes. They called it "world wide assignable" requirement for discharging me, due to good medical support not being everywhere. I was real disappointed, but I have found my family and I are much happier, and our quality of life is much better since leaving the service. I hope you find the same experience. Get a good rep from the DAV or other vet organization involved with you now. Worst case is you're allowed to stay in, and its all good. Better to have them ready to go as soon as possible, and fully involved with whats happening to you. If they don't do a good job, fire them. I wasted a lot of time waiting on my DAV rep to respond to me. Not saying they are all bad, but if you don't feel represented, then require it of them, or find someone who will.

I hope this all helps you, sorry again for the length of this. I just don't want anyone to have to go through what I have with the VA.
 
A strong CC's letter will help. Have the CC include that your are a superior performer and should be continued to 20. I've personally experience that a strong CC letter will help you get to 20, beyond that the board is less sympathetic.
 
DavidinNC said:
Hello,

I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in December 1994. I was in the Navy, and had 13 years of active service, when the PEB board found me unfit and rated me at 20%. I accepted the separation check from the Navy, being told the VA would take care of me. I have struggled with my diabetes. For years, I had low blood sugar seizures, about 13 overall. I used to take shots with Lantus and Novalog just as you do. Finally, in 2007, I was able to get an Insulin Pump. It changed my life! I still struggle some, but my sugar is under so much better control. I would very highly recommend you get one, seriously. Another thing that is really helpful, is a Continuous Glucose Monitor. This checks and reports your sugar every 5 minutes, which allows you to spot lows a long time before they come, and highs as well. For years, the VA wouldn't cover these, but now they do.

When I left the service in 1995, I filed paperwork with the VA several times for my disability compensation. I never received anything back from them. I finally gave up in 2001, frustrated with a system that seemed to ignore me. This is very key. Many vets don't realize they are dealing with two groups at the VA, not just one. There is what I would call a medical side, which cares for your treatment, and there is the VBA, or what I like to call the evil empire.

in 2010, I was a little older, and realizing I needed to make certain my benefits were firmly in place, I started working on this again. It took nearly two years to get my first rating from the VA (VBA). I had filed for a compensation hearing, and 5 months later was notified on a Friday afternoon that I had a hearing the following Monday. I told the person I had a business trip and could we reschedule. They said yes, and I would receive a letter. What I got was a notice that I failed to appear, so they gave me the default 20% rating. I had to file again, and a similar issue happened, the appointment was scheduled months later, but I wasn't notified, I only found out by accident. I was able to get a 40% rating, but really should be at 60%. I was not disciplined about my health care documentation when I was younger. All the seizures I had were mostly handled at home by my wife, and I was not often transported to the hospital for the ones I had in public.

Sorry for this diatribe, but my point is, you need to make sure EVERYTHING that has to do with your health is documented, and IN YOUR HANDS before you leave the service. Once you leave, you need to make sure EVERYTHING related to your condition is documented and you have a copy as well. Push early and hard to get your disability compensation settled with the VA. I am fighting now because my records show I filed for compensation back in 1996, but the VA did nothing with my requests. Getting appeals reviewed and accepted is extremely time consuming. Get them done right the first time, the easiest and best way is with good documentation of your condition.

The VA will tell you that if you experience emergency medical treatment for a condition you are 30% or more disabled, they will pay for the emergency services, like ambulance, ER and such. While this is technically true, the documentation from the hospital and such have to clearly state it was related to your illness. I had a seizure in Seattle, WA, while on a business trip. I sent the bills to the VA emergency care reimbursement office in VA, and they denied it, stated I had to file in WA. I spent weeks trying to find out who to speak with. I then submitted to them, and they denied, claiming it was due to a non covered illness. I finally got the doctors notes stating that I had had a diabetic seizure, filed again, and was denied because I had "filed outside the 90 day acceptance window". I should have asked for copies of all the treatment notes right then and there. Hindsight is 20/20.

I don't really know of anyone being allowed to stay in and continue to serve with type I diabetes. They called it "world wide assignable" requirement for discharging me, due to good medical support not being everywhere. I was real disappointed, but I have found my family and I are much happier, and our quality of life is much better since leaving the service. I hope you find the same experience. Get a good rep from the DAV or other vet organization involved with you now. Worst case is you're allowed to stay in, and its all good. Better to have them ready to go as soon as possible, and fully involved with whats happening to you. If they don't do a good job, fire them. I wasted a lot of time waiting on my DAV rep to respond to me. Not saying they are all bad, but if you don't feel represented, then require it of them, or find someone who will.

I hope this all helps you, sorry again for the length of this. I just don't want anyone to have to go through what I have with the VA.
Click to expand...

Very well explained!

I hope the message resonate within the ranks of those in a rush and defeated due to the scheme within the system itself. Do not buy into the mirage sold by many folks as far as "VA will take care of you," "get out and deal with the VA." Its all pure mantra folks - stay in and fight while you are in until the outcome is the one desired and of course supported by strong medical evidence.
 
AirForceT1 said:
@chaplaincharlie @Craig2356 Hey guys! Of course I want to stay in! I joined to serve as long as I possibly can. Even if there is a way they can allow me to remain in for 20, I will be accepting of that. As I said before, I didn't sign up to do only 20 and done...I wanted to see how far I can possibly go, as long as they'll have me!
Click to expand...

Simple, then fight to stay in.
 
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