Posted on Nov 5, 2022
Since I'm on seizure medication (had one while driving) and failed my EEG, what is the possibility of being able to stay in?
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SPC (Join to see), it's not clear from your question whether you are able to control your seizures with medication or not.
Bottom line: If you cannot control your seizures, you will not meet medical retention standards* and be processed for separation.
You are listed as a reservist - I assume you're an M-day Soldier and not full-time. If so, then a lot of stuff will only apply if it was incurred/aggravated in the line of duty (LOD). This means you'll have to prove that your seizures were due to your military service - the burden of proof will be on your shoulders because the assumption is that it was not.
If LOD cannot be shown and you do not meet medical retention standards, you'll be processed for separation (NOT sent to a medical board). However, you CAN request* in writing that you case be sent to a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) for a formal review of your fitness for duty/LOD status.
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* AR 40-501 - Standards of Medical Fitness
* RC can request a PEB - AR 40-501, section 9-12 / AR 635-40, section 4-34
Bottom line: If you cannot control your seizures, you will not meet medical retention standards* and be processed for separation.
You are listed as a reservist - I assume you're an M-day Soldier and not full-time. If so, then a lot of stuff will only apply if it was incurred/aggravated in the line of duty (LOD). This means you'll have to prove that your seizures were due to your military service - the burden of proof will be on your shoulders because the assumption is that it was not.
If LOD cannot be shown and you do not meet medical retention standards, you'll be processed for separation (NOT sent to a medical board). However, you CAN request* in writing that you case be sent to a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) for a formal review of your fitness for duty/LOD status.
--------------------------------------------
* AR 40-501 - Standards of Medical Fitness
* RC can request a PEB - AR 40-501, section 9-12 / AR 635-40, section 4-34
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SPC (Join to see)
Secondly the meds work but they put me in a state were I can’t function due to the drowsiness.
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COL Randall C.
SPC (Join to see), if you are on AD over 30 days, then you're treated just like another active duty Soldier.
Your first step, as MSG (Join to see) stated, is to have a conversation with your primary care physician (PCM). Have you mentioned the severe drowsiness caused by the medication? Like many medications, it might be a case where the both of you will have to do a trial-and-error to find a happy medium that allows you to function while mitigating the seizures. I'll stop at that point from giving uneducated medical advice and just foot stomp again by saying you need to have a detailed conversation with your PCM.
Assuming that has happened already and there is not other alternative than "have the seizures" or "be unable to function due to the medication", then the next step will probably be the "can you learn to live with it" - again, conversation with your PCM about "Ok .. what now".
Again, assuming that's all been done (or will be done and doesn't change your situation), what's next? If you get a P3/P4 profile then you'll go through a MAR2* which may end up at a MEBD* or your docs may send you directly to a MEBD if, in their opinion, you can't be helped medically any further and still have 'impacting' issues.
Without going into a long explanation of the process, if you are determined not to be able to adequately function in the military because you can't meet medical readiness standards for your current or any other job, you'll be entered into the "Integrated Disability Evaluation System". You'll get assigned a Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer (PEBLO) who will explain everything in excruciating detail (about MEBDs, PEBs, the IDES, etc.)
Your desires to stay in will be taken into account, but even if you want to stay in, you'll have to prove to a PEB that you can still function in some contributing role to the military. Just wanting to stay in the military is not enough of a reason for you to be retained if you can't meet the physical and mental requirements of your profession (sounds harsh, but just the unvarnished truth).
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* MEBD - Medical Evaluation Board. A MEBD is used to determine if you do not meet the medical retention standards set forth in AR 40-501. If you do not, then you continue down the road of being separated.
You can be sent to a MEBD either by the medical side if after all medical treatment has been tried (you are at the "maximum benefit of medical treatment") and you still cannot fully function (not 'quality of life' function -- 'accomplish your job' function) or you can be referred to a MEBD through the command/non-medical side (from the MAR2 process).
* MAR2 (formally called a MMRB) - MOS Administrative Retention Review. If you get a P3/P4 profile, it automatically triggers the MAR2 process. Basically, the board determines if you can still do your job with the P3/P4 profile. If not, can you reclassify into another MOS and do that job with the P3/P4 limitations. If you can do neither, then they will refer you to a MEBD.
Your first step, as MSG (Join to see) stated, is to have a conversation with your primary care physician (PCM). Have you mentioned the severe drowsiness caused by the medication? Like many medications, it might be a case where the both of you will have to do a trial-and-error to find a happy medium that allows you to function while mitigating the seizures. I'll stop at that point from giving uneducated medical advice and just foot stomp again by saying you need to have a detailed conversation with your PCM.
Assuming that has happened already and there is not other alternative than "have the seizures" or "be unable to function due to the medication", then the next step will probably be the "can you learn to live with it" - again, conversation with your PCM about "Ok .. what now".
Again, assuming that's all been done (or will be done and doesn't change your situation), what's next? If you get a P3/P4 profile then you'll go through a MAR2* which may end up at a MEBD* or your docs may send you directly to a MEBD if, in their opinion, you can't be helped medically any further and still have 'impacting' issues.
Without going into a long explanation of the process, if you are determined not to be able to adequately function in the military because you can't meet medical readiness standards for your current or any other job, you'll be entered into the "Integrated Disability Evaluation System". You'll get assigned a Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer (PEBLO) who will explain everything in excruciating detail (about MEBDs, PEBs, the IDES, etc.)
Your desires to stay in will be taken into account, but even if you want to stay in, you'll have to prove to a PEB that you can still function in some contributing role to the military. Just wanting to stay in the military is not enough of a reason for you to be retained if you can't meet the physical and mental requirements of your profession (sounds harsh, but just the unvarnished truth).
---------------------------
* MEBD - Medical Evaluation Board. A MEBD is used to determine if you do not meet the medical retention standards set forth in AR 40-501. If you do not, then you continue down the road of being separated.
You can be sent to a MEBD either by the medical side if after all medical treatment has been tried (you are at the "maximum benefit of medical treatment") and you still cannot fully function (not 'quality of life' function -- 'accomplish your job' function) or you can be referred to a MEBD through the command/non-medical side (from the MAR2 process).
* MAR2 (formally called a MMRB) - MOS Administrative Retention Review. If you get a P3/P4 profile, it automatically triggers the MAR2 process. Basically, the board determines if you can still do your job with the P3/P4 profile. If not, can you reclassify into another MOS and do that job with the P3/P4 limitations. If you can do neither, then they will refer you to a MEBD.
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SPC (Join to see)
They recently changed my pcm last week my old one wanted to shoot for MEB however I was trying to fight it now I’m about to start seeing the BDE Surgeon but the appointment is the end of this month. I haven’t really been going to work due to the drowsiness, but I have a follow up with my old pcm tomorrow. I was changed from her from up under her nose and neither was notified so I’m trying to see how far could she help.
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Talk with your PCM. If you haven't received a P3 profile, you soon will. P3 profiles require going thru the MEB process. It's a safe bet you'll be medically released from service.
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MSG (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see) the odds are not in your favor. If the MEB determines you aren't medically fit to continue service, that's it.
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