TDRL Questions

[CommoGuy]

Ok, I was placed on TDRL a little over a year ago because the Army swore up and down that I had asthma because while in Iraq I was doing a 2 mile run and a mile and a half into it I became very short of breath, and my lungs felt like they were one fire. Now I have never had asthma EVER, and no one in my family has ever been diagnosed with it either. As soon as the docs starting saying it was asthma I made the suggestion, could it not be caused by the fact that I have been breathing in jet fuel everyday for a month because my can was by the airfield? They said no no no, its asthma, I did a PFT and a Methacholine challenge immediately after being sent to Germany which showed border line asthma if it was even present.
They then sent me to Fort Sam Houston, and med-boarded me out. For the last year I had been trying to convince them that they were wrong. Wednesday I had my yearly review, took another PFT, while I had a sinus infection, and the doc looked at the results and said even with the congestion and everything from the sinus infection my numbers were right on with what a person without asthma would produce, and that whoever did my tests at first just rushed through it because I clearly do not have asthma, especially considering that I hadn't filled a prescription for asthma meds in a year and a half, and even those are still in their packages unused, and he has recommended that I can return to unrestricted active duty.
Now that he has said this in his remarks, how long will it take the PEB to agree/disagree with his findings? If they disagree, what do I do to disagree and request a formal? I am perfectly healthy, minus the weight I have put on from not doing PT everyday, and I want to re-enlist.

 

[Skellz]

I too just had my re-eval, it was on Monday, the doc is also recommending me fit for duty so I can return. This is something I want so I'm more than ready for an answer back! My PEBLO told me it's about 4-6 weeks waiting period right now, so that's what you're looking at to get your answer back from when they submit your NARSUM to the board. I'm not sure what you do if you disagree, guess this is something I need to look into myself in case that happens to me. I'm in the same boat with you for weight loss, except majority of mine if from having a baby while on TDRL. My PEBLO basically wants me within Army standards in about 2 months. He called a recruiter for me while I was in his office (after the doc told him his recommendations) to find out what all I need to do, I plan on sticking with this recruiter since he has put a few TRDL soldiers back in, most recruiters seem to look at you crazy when you say TDRL.

So get to the gym! I've hired a personal triainer to work out with 3 days a week. Hopefully we both get back the results we want!

 

[abrams221]

I too was on TDRL for Asthma. My situation was like yours Commoguy. I returned from deployment with breathing problems as well, I had never failed a pt test, never had a problem at work etc... I went through my re eval in Jan 2010 hoping that I would be found fit. I had current PFT's done and doctors recommendations to return to duty. The board turned around and dropped percentage from 30 to 10% for asthma, due to the methacholine challenge being positive. Just because that test is positive does not mean you have asthma, just says that there is an underlying condition. Needless to say, I got a new test done and it showed no signs of asthma. I found out this morning that they have found me fit for duty.

With this methacholine challenge, you may have to request for the med board doctor or your peblo to get a referral going. I was not aware that I needed a new one or else it would have been done before the packet was sent the first time, instead of appealing.

So hopefully it all works out for you two. If you have questions, let me know, I may not be an expert but I just went through it.