I'm only 2 day's behind you. The VA said my package is in the Preparation for Decision phase. It's honestly anyone's guess on how fast it moves from here. The average is about 2 months to getting proposed ratings back.
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- Thread starter jettnsadie
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- ulcerative colitis
2 months from when?I'm only 2 day's behind you. The VA said my package is in the Preparation for Decision phase. It's honestly anyone's guess on how fast it moves from here. The average is about 2 months to getting proposed ratings back.
When you submit your claim for the IPEB2 months from when?
Well mine was submitted Aug 10th....When you submit your claim for the IPEB
You submitted your VA claim on the 10th, or your case went to the IPEB on the 10th of August? I submitted my VA claim on Aug 4th. Still waiting for a decision. Every time I call they say it's in PFD and has been since the end of September.Well mine was submitted Aug 10th....
Any updates? AFPC just got back and said to wait 3 months, keep code 37 and resubmit in February for me.Posting in case anyone is around the same dates and wants to track along. I will update as my case moves along.
Unfitting condition onset (ulcerative colitis and later, joint related issues from the UC)- April 2020. First diagnosed at an off-base provider so wasn’t flagged by medical for a while
Started biologic medication (Remicade) which would trigger MEB- May 2022
PCM initiated Code 37- 28 July 2022
First contact from PEBLO to fill out IRILO form- 8 Aug 2022
NARSUM appt with PCM- 15 Sep 2022
CIS signed (very strong recommendation to RETAIN)- 23 Sep 2022
Case submitted to AFPC- 5 Oct 2022
AFPC directed Full MEB/PEBLO initial brief- 13 Oct 2022
***I’m feeling very overwhelmed entering IDES. Any advice on starting this process is greatly appreciated. Also, has anyone ever seen a RTD after AFPC directed a full MEB? My commander is pushing hard for retention based on her CIS comments, despite the severity of my condition. I don’t think she knows how bad my joint issues are, but I made it a point to candidly explain in the Airman’s comment section.
Howdy! I would say nice.... but as you know UC is the worst. But it's cool that our cases and conditions are similar haha.Any updates? AFPC just got back and said to wait 3 months, keep code 37 and resubmit in February for me.
I was on leave last week and my PEBLO said it would be best to wait until I returned to submit my case to the VA since I have to be present for appointments. So it's been at a stand-still since I last posted. I just got back and she is preparing my case and will let me know when it's submitted.
I'm surprised to hear that outcome from AFPC. If you don't mind me asking, are you on a biologic medication for the UC? I wonder if that was the driving factor of AFPC's decision to direct a full MEB. Or my consistent joint issues, longevity of the disease, or all of the above. There are so many factors
Good to hear! I’m on budesonide, I also was seen for joint issues before the UC was found. And now some mental health stuff added. And yeah I’m confused, it’s not like the UC is just going to go away lol but just tryin not to stress at this point, whatever happens, happens.Howdy! I would say nice.... but as you know UC is the worst. But it's cool that our cases and conditions are similar haha.
I was on leave last week and my PEBLO said it would be best to wait until I returned to submit my case to the VA since I have to be present for appointments. So it's been at a stand-still since I last posted. I just got back and she is preparing my case and will let me know when it's submitted.
I'm surprised to hear that outcome from AFPC. If you don't mind me asking, are you on a biologic medication for the UC? I wonder if that was the driving factor of AFPC's decision to direct a full MEB. Or my consistent joint issues, longevity of the disease, or all of the above. There are so many factors
Yeah I think it's pretty rare to be retained with UC long-term. If med board route is what you are hoping for stay on top of your appointments during these next 3 months and keep being seen to get everything properly documented. If you are still having joint issues you definitely want to get a referral to a rheumatologist if you haven't already. I'm pretty certain they will conclude that they are related to the UC and they can offer you treatment options/work with your GI doc. At least that was my experience. It can take months to get into rheumatology so I'd recommend starting ASAP.Good to hear! I’m on budesonide, I also was seen for joint issues before the UC was found. And now some mental health stuff added. And yeah I’m confused, it’s not like the UC is just going to go away lol but just tryin not to stress at this point, whatever happens, happens.
That is super helpful. I’ll get on that. They had just sent me to a podiatrist before and they couldn’t really do anything.Yeah I think it's pretty rare to be retained with UC long-term. If med board route is what you are hoping for stay on top of your appointments during these next 3 months and keep being seen to get everything properly documented. If you are still having joint issues you definitely want to get a referral to a rheumatologist if you haven't already. I'm pretty certain they will conclude that they are related to the UC and they can offer you treatment options/work with your GI doc. At least that was my experience. It can take months to get into rheumatology so I'd recommend starting ASAP.
*Updated timeline*
4/2020- Unfitting condition onset (ulcerative colitis and later, joint related issues from the UC) First diagnosed at an off-base provider so wasn’t flagged by medical for a while
05/2022- Started biologic medication (Remicade) which would trigger MEB
07/28/2022- PCM initiated Code 37
08/08/2022- First contact from PEBLO to fill out IRILO form
09/15/2022- NARSUM appt with PCM
09/23/2022- CIS signed (very strong recommendation to RETAIN)
10/05/2022- Case submitted to AFPC
10/13/2022- AFPC directed Full MEB/PEBLO initial brief
11/16/2022- Case submitted to VA and contacted by MSC same day to schedule appt
11/17/2022- Met with MSC to file claims
11/18/2022- All C&P exams scheduled.. surprisingly fast and all will be done before the 1st week of December (dental, mental health, general, hearing). Any advice before exams welcome.
4/2020- Unfitting condition onset (ulcerative colitis and later, joint related issues from the UC) First diagnosed at an off-base provider so wasn’t flagged by medical for a while
05/2022- Started biologic medication (Remicade) which would trigger MEB
07/28/2022- PCM initiated Code 37
08/08/2022- First contact from PEBLO to fill out IRILO form
09/15/2022- NARSUM appt with PCM
09/23/2022- CIS signed (very strong recommendation to RETAIN)
10/05/2022- Case submitted to AFPC
10/13/2022- AFPC directed Full MEB/PEBLO initial brief
11/16/2022- Case submitted to VA and contacted by MSC same day to schedule appt
11/17/2022- Met with MSC to file claims
11/18/2022- All C&P exams scheduled.. surprisingly fast and all will be done before the 1st week of December (dental, mental health, general, hearing). Any advice before exams welcome.
@jettnsadie @Billiedog hello! I just yot diagnosed… I am very iffy about these strong medications though… what happens if I want to try a different route other then the medications? Would they likely try to retain me, I just read about long term effects of these biologics and it scares me worse then the UC diagnosis, which is already terrible by itself. Also what do yall eat? Everything makes me so sick
Hello! Dang, so sorry to hear that. If you just got diagnosed I would think they will try other medications before jumping to biologics. Mesalamine was effective for me at first but I am allergic unfortunately. I’m not sure how medications would affect retention.. I don’t think it matters in the long run. Starting a biologic would “trigger” an MEB, but UC by itself is an unfitting condition that if your PCM catches wind of, should be reported and would also start an MEB I think. I wish I was given more info on the biologics before I started them. Once you start one, you basically can’t stop it unless it’s just totally ineffective for managing your IBD because if you stop, you will develop antibodies to the drug which renders it useless for the rest of your life. And while your IBD may not be severe now, you may need those options later in life if the disease progresses. GI docs will be very hesitant to let you stop or switch to a different biologic once you start. My rheumatologist wanted to switch my meds because my biologic doesn’t help with my UC related arthritis, but GI said absolutely not… I understand why now but just feel stuck.@jettnsadie @Billiedog hello! I just yot diagnosed… I am very iffy about these strong medications though… what happens if I want to try a different route other than the medications? Would they likely try to retain me, I just read about long term effects of these biologics and it scares me worse then the UC diagnosis, which is already terrible by itself. Also what do yall eat? Everything makes me so sick
As far as eating, I have a pretty typical diet. I cook mostly at home- salad or sandwich for lunch most days, and dinner is usually something with ground beef or chicken and veggies for sides. Nothing I’ve tweaked in my diet has made a difference. Mine all seems to be hormone related… onset during my first pregnancy and I stopped having bloody stools literally the day after delivery. Returned bad during second pregnancy and same thing… basically gone right after delivery. I’m now 8 months postpartum and just stopped breastfeeding my little one, and started having a bad flare even on Remicade. I’m 100% convinced my case is correlated to hormone changes vs diet. Doc said it’s very possible but there just aren’t many studies on it.
I’ve seen a few get retained. As far as food goes, it doesn’t impact me much either. My symptoms are the same for any diet. It seems to be stress that puts me into flares (low manning, college finals week, etc). If you go onto Reddit there are a few groups for UC and Chrons that are full of helpful people to learn from and talk to. I wish you the best!@jettnsadie @Billiedog hello! I just yot diagnosed… I am very iffy about these strong medications though… what happens if I want to try a different route other then the medications? Would they likely try to retain me, I just read about long term effects of these biologics and it scares me worse then the UC diagnosis, which is already terrible by itself. Also what do yall eat? Everything makes me so sick
here is my timeline
Did each of you continue to work while waiting for a decision?No appeals. Got 30% dod and 100% VA so I can't complain about the results. And it took my PCM 3 months to write the NARSUM, which your already past so that's good atleast.
Edit: my comment about tripling was half a joke. It's probably not that bad. But feels like it at times
I have been working about 3 hours per week at best. I will work if my lack of effort will cause others to pick up my slack, but as long as that is not happening, then I am checked out. I’m on week 9 since my C&Ps where sent to the VA, and still waiting VA and IPEB decision. I have been spending the bulk of my hours away from work studying to get IT Certs for my next chapter in life.Did each of you continue to work while waiting for a decision?
How are you allowed to not work? I am AGR and currently I am on medical leave but I will be released soon to go back to the office. Is there a process to continue to telework until a decision is made?I have been working about 3 hours per week at best. I will work if my lack of effort will cause others to pick up my slack, but as long as that is not happening, then I am checked out. I’m on week 9 since my C&Ps where sent to the VA, and still waiting VA and IPEB decision. I have been spending the bulk of my hours away from work studying to get IT Certs for my next chapter in life.
I have been very fortunate bc my unit was 100% teleworking since Covid started. We just recently “returned to office” but requirement is only 2 days a week in office. My PCM added “member may telework at commanders discretion” to my profile so I’m actually only going in the office one day a week after working it out with my leadership- they are very supportive. Might be an option for you to add that to your medical profile if you are able to do your job from home.How are you allowed to not work? I am AGR and currently I am on medical leave but I will be released soon to go back to the office. Is there a process to continue to telework until a decision is made?
Have you gotten your orders yet? Mine went to the PEB 28 OCT and my VA ratings were done on Frriday. Waiting for my DOD rating.Where do you have your timeline posted? My package was sent to AFPC for the IPEB on Oct 18th.