So many questions...

[StealthscrapE]

Sorry for the length and non-organized thoughts ahead of time. My mind is all over the place.

I have been going through a MEB for asthma for what feels like forever. I just was notified today that my results came back. Fit for duty with ALC-C2. I am a 1A8 in the AF and was told that I will be removed from flight status.

Questions:
1. Where can I find the ratings and what they mean? I came across it in the past, but cannot seem to find it now.

2. Towards the bottom of the form it says, "Member is returned to duty via ALC-C Fast Track package. ALC-C2 is mandatory." I was told the first time they sent the package "fast track" it was kicked back because some AFSC/MOS have mandatory full boards and mine was one of them. So why is it that it seems like it was fast-tracked? And is this C2 code because of this?

3. Is there something I should do to make sure that it is noted that this is deployment related? I never had issues until I returned from deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan where I was on the flight line daily, and exposed to burn pits.

4. I either want to fly, or reclass. I don't want to do my current job on the ground. And since I have to technically "reclass" anyways, what are the odds of going into a different job? Who do I talk to about this? Who Makes the determination of where I go from here in terms of job, PCS, etc? I am at a temporary training location during this whole issue and nobody here is a member of my career field and my commander is not related to my job at all.

5. I know I can appeal this decision, but I don't know if it is even logical with asthma. Like I said, no previous issues. Doctor noticed wheezing and referred to Pulmonary. Pulmonary did one test and determined asthma. I also had allergy tests done. I feel like the asthma determination was based off of such minimal testing. Could it be locational allergy (not sure if that is a real thing) related?

I feel at a loss of what to do right now. In my mind this outcome, and being seperated with minimal severance pay were the worst possible outcomes.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[usafaviator]

Stealth,
I'm in the same boat as you, except I have a few other issues along with the asthma (Hashimoto's, hypothyroidism and severe sleep apnea). If your asthma requires a daily inhaler, you should be at least 30%. If you take corticosteroids daily (like I do), the number could be upward of 100% depending on how the board views it.
I'm also a flier and was DNIF'd last January when all this came about. I was just recently med DQ'd because I've been DNIF over 365 days now. My MEB was heading up fast track until the doc wanted me to get one last test done (sleep study), where they determined the severe sleep apnea. SO, now the doc is waiting to see if the apnea is stabilized with CPAP before they push the package up.
I have had zero contact with my PEBLO or the flt doc since the package started being built, all contact has been through my commander to me. He gave me the letter format and told me to write my own letter with the understanding that he is behind retaining me 100% and wants the letter to reflect that. So, you are actually a bit further along in the process. My take on your questions:

1. Ratings and description are here: 2004 CFR Title 38, Volume 1

2. Although my Flt doc and PEBLO are trying to "fast track" my package, I think that (due to having a rated/flying AFSC), they will revert to full.

3. YES!! Make sure you mention to your pulmonologist (or any other health care provider you see) that your injuries are deployment related. My injuries were all due to Balad and the burn pits...I was perfectly healthy until then and my med records/flight physicals and deployment history prove this. Keep all your old orders that place you around the pits or any other place that may have caused your injuries.

4. Your rank, aircrew position, time in service and secondary duty in the squadron all have weight in possible reclass. For me, I've met my first gate and I'm as high as it goes for aircrew position/squadron position for my rank (Maj), so it would be a move to a MAJCOM/Headquarters or other staff job for me since that is the way I would be headed at this point in my career anyway. Your mileage will vary depending on your situation.

5. Depending on your desired outcome, you can appeal. Whatever you decide, you really should get more than one PFT done. How can they determine if the asthma is controlled or not if they don't put you on meds and do a few PFT's to see how you are responding. FWIW, I've had 6 PFT's in a year and 2 cardiac stress tests. Additionally, I had an echocardiogram done to rule out any problems with my heart (often related to wheezing/asthma and breathing problems). Make sure they look at EVERYTHING. If you are trying to stay fit for duty, asking for additional tests could cause them to find unfitting conditions, but it is YOUR health and life...make sure you get what YOU need.

I know I mentioned it before, but are you taking meds for your asthma? If so, check the VASRD and make sure they are treating you right. Pretty much, if you are using asthma meds everyday, you are typically at least 30% disabled. The only way they can call you fit for duty is if the asthma is CONTROLLED, and how would they know if they only did one PFT on you? Sounds to me like they are trying to rush you through. You asthma can't be caused by allergies, but it can be triggered by allergies.

Sorry to be so long winded, but you are the first person I have found here that is in an almost identical boat as me (flier, asthma, etc.).

 

[StealthscrapE]

Sorry to bump such an old post, but I wanted to continue in my own thread for background purposes. This saga still continues and I'm looking for some help with some questions. I'll try to keep this as short as possble.
After what was posted originally, I had a RILO completed while I was awaiting results for additional PFTs and various other appointments. The purpose of these referrals was so that the information could be sent up with my RILO. They sent up the RILO with all of the original tests that were completed so they could keep within their timeframe. The results of the referrals all came in after the RILO was completed so they were not used for any determination. The determination kept me in the same position (Fit with C-2). As a result of the referrals I had, my medication was increased from flovent to an advair inhaler, and over the course of several months I was given 3 courses of oral corticosteroids. Because of this my doctor told me they were going to resubmit for a full MEB. He went back and forth over this for almost a year and finally I filed an IG complaint stating that they told me I was having an MEB due to my condition worsening, and they were continuing not to. My doc had previously asked me if I planned on reenlisting in Feb, 2013 and I told him I didn't know and that it would be based off my results. I mentioned in my complaint that I felt as if they were dragging it out with the hopes that I would separate. The day after the IG contacted the MTF they called me in for appointments and said they were doing an MEB. The IG asked if it was resolved and I told him that it was and that they were submitting the NARSUM the following week for an MEB. He closed the case and the following week the doc said they were not doing an MEB and that they would just do my annual RILO that was due in... Feb, 2013. Long story short, I wasn't able to reenlist, separate, or extend without a letter clearing my reenlistment eligibility code from the system. They did not get that for me until last week, effectively (as far as I feel, trying to force me to separate or reenlist without knowing how a future RILO may affect me.

I reenlisted 2 days ago and my RILO result came in today. Still Fit for duty with a C-2, but they want to reevaluate in 6 months since I am not controlled. So on to my questions...

It was mentioned above that you could not be found fit for duty if you are not controlled. The form FL-4 clearly states that I am not controlled. Is that normal? Here is the exact wording

Continue on ALC-C2. NEXT RILO IS DUE 6 MONTHS (AUG 13). Member has has multiple

exacerbations requiring systemic steroids, we need to re-eval this member for possible MEB if he

cannot be controlled.


My most recent change was a change in medication from Advair inhaler to Cymbicort. I'm just trying to figure out what my options are before I move forward with accepting new assignments and changing location to a new doctor (I was Medically disqualified from flying and am told that my only option is to do a ground based position in my current AFSC).

Any input? Thanks.