Posted on Sep 24, 2020
Can a soldier with narcolepsy stay on active duty?
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Recently, someone I know got diagnosed with narcolepsy. He's been in the Army for a while now though and is worried about the outcome of his results with the diagnosis
Posted in these groups: 
Medical9A300: Awaiting Discharge/Separation/Retirement for Reasons Beyond Their Control
Medical9A300: Awaiting Discharge/Separation/Retirement for Reasons Beyond Their Control
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 8
The SM is probably going to face a Med Board. There is a chance the Med Board will release them from the Service. It is also possible they will be retained. 50/50 really. If retained, they will more than likely have a profile that excludes them from operating any military vehicle nor TC any military vehicle....and this is at the minimum.
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LTC (Join to see)
my sister-in-law has narcolepsy and they won't even allow her to have a DL. I can't imagine anyone with narcolepsy being allowed to stay in the military. There is no cure but there are medications that can help control/minimize, but not eliminate, the symptoms.
Narcolepsy is on the list for automatic disqualifiers.
Narcolepsy is on the list for automatic disqualifiers.
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AR 40-501, 3-32 states that narcolepsy is cause for referral to MEB. Currently, approximately 2% of Soldiers going through MEB are retained on active duty.
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You never know what the MRB will do. They’ll get a chance to plead their case but it all depends on the board.
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LTC (Join to see)
Narcolepsy is on the list of automatic disqualifiers. Unfortunately, this soldier's career is almost assuredly over.
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SFC (Join to see)
LTC (Join to see) - If the board does their due diligence, there may be underlying causes. Yes, if it's true narcolepsy, with no underlying cause, it's is a DQ but there are other things that can cause the symptoms of narcolepsy. Post-Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Insomnia Disorder, Delayed Sleep Phase Type and the Soldier should raise these questions. Some of those are also a DQ, some are not and can be treated.
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