What to expect?

nlaw37

nlaw37

PEB Forum Regular Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Hello to all, I am just starting the "pre-MEB" process. I have been dealing with chronic lower back pain along with pain running down both legs. The pain is a very horrid aching pain that makes me feel crippled. The pain has been going on for over a year now, starting in Basic Training. At FT Leonard Wood I was diagnosed in the ER with an SI Dysfunction, and Moderate Low Back Pain.

I was seen a lot while in Basic, receiving x-rays and lots of different pills. I made it through basic due to me asking the docs to lessen my profile to "at my own pace". So then I get sent to Fort Huachuca and receive a temporary 3 mos profile. Due to some issues with my top secret clearance I get reclassed to TANKER. I get to tanker school and Knox and they tell me (after only one day there) they can not let me be a tanker with coming from Huachuca with a temp profile. I get sent to a PTRP unit (Physcial Rehab). After a month sitting there doing nothing I am given the options - get med boarded (even though there is not a known cause for my pain) or get a perm profile for situps since that is where the main pain is coming from. He wanted to give me a no running profile but I decided I would rather run than walk. So I get a perm profile and reclassed (again) to Apache Elec/avionics/armament. I decided I would "deal" with my pain while in this training, to get through. I even had PSG tell me to wait til I get to FT Hood to be seen. So I did.

Now I am FT Hood. After 3 months of going to sick call appts, they decide to start the "pre-MEB" on me. My PCM said it was time for me to leave active duty. I can deal with pain but this pain knocks me off my feet.

My questions are: will this really go through if they do not know the root cause of pain, even though I am in constant pain? If it does, how would they rate this? I mean, if I try to get a job after the Army it is going to be real hard. I can deal with pain, for instance the back and leg pain is worse than getting all four of my wisdom teeth out. If anyone can help I would appreciate it, I have a family (wife, daughter, and one on the way) and I would like to know what could be happening.

(I feel quite stupid to be a part of this whole process due to the rest of the people in here seeming like they were injured in combat, or atleast have years in the Army.)
 
nlaw37,

Welcome! Yes, they can proceed without knowing the cause. You would likely be rated on limitations on joint motion due to pain. There are other possibilities, but this is most likely.

Best of luck and please let us know any questions.
 
What do you do when the limitations are not always there. For example, there are certain things I can do earlier on in the day (when most of the appointments are) then later. Or vice versa. My body has a mind of its own. I mean I let them know of what my ROM is when the pain is present. Is this what they would go by, or is it strictly going to be at the time of physicals and exams?
 
They should take into account your limitations during "flares." Be very aware of this, if they do not, then you will not be rated accurately.
 
OK. Thank you for your help, and thank you in advance, as I know I will be asking more questions in the near future. Fort Hood MEB/PEBs go rather fast, as LtG Lynch told the clinic he wants soldiers in or out in 90 days. They are averaging that somehow, surprising considering I had a couple friends last two years.

Also, thank you and a few others in here for your continued service to soldiers. Very much appreciated.
 
Wow, You got missed by the "wonderful" Peb at Knox.

To let you know, Yes they can do it without knowing what is wrong with you. I am fighting that same battle as you. I have flares and been diagonsed with Cronic lower back pain, cept I cant Run, jump,ruck, sit, bend stand longer than 15 mins. I have litterly a dead mans profile. They say I have degenerative disc disease and other things in my back causeing problems, but upon going to another dr and multi pain mangament treatments, They dont see it, outside the Army... I am fighting the battle as hard as I can.
 
Robs42 - yes, tall and grey...do not know where he came from but he is one heck of a commander. A lot of people respect him for wanting to change things, such as the MEB process. Fort Hood is doing so well the Army COS and other places are looking at Fort Hood policies and using this as a template.

CrosbyWA - yes, I was given the opportunity to miss Ft Knox's MEB process. I did not want to be in limbo like my friend who was there two years. Luckily he was prior service so he did not get stuck as an IET soldier that long. That would drive anyone crazy. I too have a dead man's profile. In fact this is like my third one. It does not matter if I have one or not, I am still in constant pain. The flare ups may last a day or two and I may, MAY have at most a three day break. But these flare ups cause me to feel crippled, like laying on the couch all day (which I can do because they put me on three man funeral detail, and told me I can not do my job). I go into work for short periods and ask if I can home to relax, since they do not think anything is wrong with me they do not even give me anything for the pain, just received after a year and few months 10, yea 10 percocets. SO I space them out. Yes, I too was told I have DDD and some long "S" words, but one doctor said those are not the problem. It falls back to the "SI Dysfunction" that started in basic. I have been researching and this SI thing hinders a lot of peoples lives. Some may rehab, but most do not. All I know is I am so tired of this, and I, honestly what to just get out, go back home, use my Carpenter's Union Health Care and see my old doctor who would do his best to fix me. So, I am being honest, I want to be found unfit. My CoC told me they hate to lose me, I am a squared away soldier, but two of my NCOs have the same problem, so they know what I am going through. The only diff is they get out in less than a year so it makes no sense to go thru a MEB. So they think I need to get out because of having 4.5 yrs until I ETS. They were really helpful and continue to be.

Have they said anything about an SI Dysfunction to you??(Crosby)
 
nlaw37: No they have not said anything about the SI Dysfunction to me, sorry to say, but I can feel your pain. My job is nothing but lifting and I can not do that, I have transitioned myself to the office and working there All I can do is sit on my tail and type up memos and office junk. My CoC leaves me alone for the most part. They too do not want to see me go. I have 2 years left in service, Really do not want to get out, after 6 years its pretty much all I know.
 
crosbywa: Are you in the WTU or PTRP at Fort Knox? I am wondering because I was in the PTRP, B Co, 46th AG. I found it very nice there once they realized I was a reclass to Fort Knox from Fort Huachuca. They had me work in the office during the day, and then I could use my laptop, cell phone, etc. once I got done at 1730. Made it a little easier to deal with the monotony of Knox. LOL! I wish you luck. I have read a lot of things on here and learned a lot so far, so just keep reading on, and asking questions; I know it is hard since you are Knox and it is just all grass and TRADOC adds to the frustration. Just keep posting and asking. Keep in touch.
 
I thought that to be qualified for PDBR you must have at least 8 years of service upon being medically discharged. Did you say you only have 6 yrs in? Just get out now and get the VA rating and go to school. Medical retirement is out of the question if you didn't finish 8 years.
 
darnlan said:
I thought that to be qualified for PDBR you must have at least 8 years of service upon being medically discharged. Did you say you only have 6 yrs in? Just get out now and get the VA rating and go to school. Medical retirement is out of the question if you didn't finish 8 years.
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Whoaaaaaa! Not correct at all, come on man. The 8 years is an automatic in, however just because you haven't served 8 years does not mean you are excluded. In fact all injuries are assumed service connected unless it can be proven otherwise, up until 8 years then everything is grandfathered in.
 
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