Vision Loss

Mlynette

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
Hi!

Referred to MEB for vision loss. CC letter was do not retain. I agreed with his decision as well. Just finished my C&P exams and waiting for my PEBLO to package docs and send to AFPC. Diagnosis from opthamologists: Generalized Contraction of the Visual Field OU & Visual Acuity Loss OU.

Visual Acuity Uncorrected Distance: Both eyes 5/200 or worse
Visual Acuity Corrected Distance: Both eyes 20/100

Opthamologist also added MFR stating I failed the visual field test and that I'm legally blind.

Does anyone have an idea if I'll be returned to duty or what type of compensation i may receive? Any advice helps! thanks!
 
Hi!

Referred to MEB for vision loss. CC letter was do not retain. I agreed with his decision as well. Just finished my C&P exams and waiting for my PEBLO to package docs and send to AFPC. Diagnosis from opthamologists: Generalized Contraction of the Visual Field OU & Visual Acuity Loss OU.

Visual Acuity Uncorrected Distance: Both eyes 5/200 or worse
Visual Acuity Corrected Distance: Both eyes 20/100

Opthamologist also added MFR stating I failed the visual field test and that I'm legally blind.

Does anyone have an idea if I'll be returned to duty or what type of compensation i may receive? Any advice helps! thanks!
They say why you lost your vision ? More thank likely you will be Med Boarded. I would make sure the Doc writes a letter in your favor of service incurred/ aggravation. Do your research if you can with help to find out all you can about your condition. I have vision loss too it didn’t turn out well in my favor but i learned a lot of what I should have done. Fight for everything and don’t give into whatever they say.
 
They say why you lost your vision ? More thank likely you will be Med Boarded. I would make sure the Doc writes a letter in your favor of service incurred/ aggravation. Do your research if you can with help to find out all you can about your condition. I have vision loss too it didn’t turn out well in my favor but i learned a lot of what I should have done. Fight for everything and don’t give into whatever they say.
No, I've been to every specialist possible. Still nothing. I have about 5 degrees of visual field in both eyes. Current corrected vision is 20/100 in both eyes. Did they say what caused your vision loss? AFPC received my package for rvw on 18 Oct. Now i'm just waiting for fit/unfit from AFPC and ratings if it gets to that.
 
No, I've been to every specialist possible. Still nothing. I have about 5 degrees of visual field in both eyes. Current corrected vision is 20/100 in both eyes. Did they say what caused your vision loss? AFPC received my package for rvw on 18 Oct. Now i'm just waiting for fit/unfit from AFPC and ratings if it gets to that.
Is it affecting your central vision ? Did you notice blurring on one eye then on the next? Mine is call lHON or Lebers hereditary Optic Neuropathy. Affects central vision in both eyes due to the cells in the optic nerve dying off. Not all of them do though it is the only area that affects the entrap vision. So it’s hard to see faces certain contrast colors etc. have they wanted to do a genetic test ? You see a. Neuro ophthalmologist?
 
Separation of some type is likely. The cause of your vision loss will drive the type of separation. Are you AD? If so, how long have you been AD.
 

Attachments

  • 1570031145767.png
    1570031145767.png
    12.7 KB · Views: 9
Is it affecting your central vision ? Did you notice blurring on one eye then on the next? Mine is call lHON or Lebers hereditary Optic Neuropathy. Affects central vision in both eyes due to the cells in the optic nerve dying off. Not all of them do though it is the only area that affects the entrap vision. So it’s hard to see faces certain contrast colors etc. have they wanted to do a genetic test ? You see a. Neuro ophthalmologist?
It affects my central vision. I tried to complete the visual field test and was unable to because I couldnt see the blinking lights at all.
They never sent me to a neuro opthamalogist, ust a general one. They havent recommened a genetic test either.
 
Separation of some type is likely. The cause of your vision loss will drive the type of separation. Are you AD? If so, how long have you been AD.
That's what I'm hoping for. I'm AD with 9yrs in. I didnt know if I would be looking at a severance or actual retirement though.
 
It affects my central vision. I tried to complete the visual field test and was unable to because I couldnt see the blinking lights at all.
They never sent me to a neuro opthamalogist, ust a general one. They havent recommened a genetic test either.
Look up LHON and see if that relates to you. They didn’t do a test for MS either right ? I forgot to tell you I am sorry for what your going through. What is your AFSC ? How many years have your served ? When they put you through the MEB process you will need to prepare for a case of either pre existing or aggravation. Depends on how long you been in. They haven’t given you an exact diagnosis yet so I would play it by ear for now the best bet is they Retire you with the vision loss and you go on to the VA and get service connected. Worst case they will send you off to get genetic tested and they say you have inherited something and they try and tell you it existed prior to service. In that case I would get my doc to write a letter in favor of service aggravation. I would gather evidence on any environmental factors that could show stressors to your condition. It’s still kind of hard because they have not diagnosed you yet. Have you served in a combat zone like near burn pits ?
 
Look up LHON and see if that relates to you. They didn’t do a test for MS either right ? I forgot to tell you I am sorry for what your going through. What is your AFSC ? How many years have your served ? When they put you through the MEB process you will need to prepare for a case of either pre existing or aggravation. Depends on how long you been in. They haven’t given you an exact diagnosis yet so I would play it by ear for now the best bet is they Retire you with the vision loss and you go on to the VA and get service connected. Worst case they will send you off to get genetic tested and they say you have inherited something and they try and tell you it existed prior to service. In that case I would get my doc to write a letter in favor of service aggravation. I would gather evidence on any environmental factors that could show stressors to your condition. It’s still kind of hard because they have not diagnosed you yet. Have you served in a combat zone like near burn pits ?
I'll look that up! I havent been tested for any disease as of yet. I'm a 3F5 (admin) and it sucks because I have to stare at a computer all day and it prompts my migraines. I've been in 9 yrs. I've already started the process, I'm literally down to AFPC deeming me fit/unit then ratings. Been going thru this entire process since Dec '18. Yeah, all my NARSUM says is sudden vision loss and I can only do the bare minimum with my job. i cant brief because i cnt see the powerpoints and my work schedule is modified so i can get a ride to & from work during the day. I've never served in a combat zone. Only been to OS to Korea that's it. I can't PCS/deploy/TDY. I've been unable to do any of this for almost 2 years now. I literally have to stay in place until all of this is over.

I'm hoping for retirement but I heard it could go either way with the VA. I just don't want to get my hopes up.
 
Well the good thing is you served over 9 so they can’t just say pre existing. There is a rule that they have to give you the presumption of soundness. I was in Korea when I lost my vision too. I gained some back but still have trouble. They haven’t put you on like coQ 10 or b 12 or prednisone ? There still has to be something that triggered your vision loss though. I would get copies of my med records of you can obtain it so you can analyze it as best you can. There is so much information on the web. The military should at lease be able to send you to a OT so you can get some assistance with any device or things to help you see paper or devices. Zoom text is a great software they should get it for you free. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions I been through all that when I was at Wilford hall and it was very stressful time. I even went to talk to a Chaplin and life skills. It’s not easy to go from fully sighted to not. Seek any help you need. No shame in it at all I wish I had done more. Keep us posted I hope for the best for you. I got a raw deal but I am trying to fight it again from the Board of Corrections.
 
Well the good thing is you served over 9 so they can’t just say pre existing. There is a rule that they have to give you the presumption of soundness. I was in Korea when I lost my vision too. I gained some back but still have trouble. They haven’t put you on like coQ 10 or b 12 or prednisone ? There still has to be something that triggered your vision loss though. I would get copies of my med records of you can obtain it so you can analyze it as best you can. There is so much information on the web. The military should at lease be able to send you to a OT so you can get some assistance with any device or things to help you see paper or devices. Zoom text is a great software they should get it for you free. Don’t hesitate to ask any questions I been through all that when I was at Wilford hall and it was very stressful time. I even went to talk to a Chaplin and life skills. It’s not easy to go from fully sighted to not. Seek any help you need. No shame in it at all I wish I had done more. Keep us posted I hope for the best for you. I got a raw deal but I am trying to fight it again from the Board of Corrections.
thanks so much! Glad to know Im not the only one out there with this issue. I will def keep everyone posted. Best wishes.
 
That's what I'm hoping for. I'm AD with 9yrs in. I didnt know if I would be looking at a severance or actual retirement though.
Given that you are 9 YOS, AD I think retirement is the most likely outcome. Over 8 YOS AD eliminate EPTS, so the cause of the vision loss is less important from a compensation perspective.
 
MEB imminent. Corrected vision 20/100 bilateral is 50% rating, visual field constricted to 5% is 100% rating. Not likely your will be retained, I would expect a medical retirement.
 
Given that you are 9 YOS, AD I think retirement is the most likely outcome. Over 8 YOS AD eliminate EPTS, so the cause of the vision loss is less important from a compensation perspective.
That's what I was thinking but I hear these ratings could be tricky! thanks for your advice!
 
MEB imminent. Corrected vision 20/100 bilateral is 50% rating, visual field constricted to 5% is 100% rating. Not likely your will be retained, I would expect a medical retirement.
I hope so. I just want to move on with my life and receive proper treatments/care, if any. This has been a long, painful process and I just want it to be over!!!!
 
MEB imminent. Corrected vision 20/100 bilateral is 50% rating, visual field constricted to 5% is 100% rating. Not likely your will be retained, I would expect a medical retirement.
Which rating would I receive since they're 2 different ones?
 
I hope so. I just want to move on with my life and receive proper treatments/care, if any. This has been a long, painful process and I just want it to be over!!!!
I I feel where you’re coming from I’ve been there before and it’s like you’re in hell it’ll get a little bit better but it takes a long while to get there like I said don’t be afraid to ask for help it’s hard to do that after being so independent I pray that things get better for you. No matter what don’t stop fighting don’t quit
 
Top