Posted on May 6, 2021
How should I approach a possible medboard process?
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Good morning/afternoon. I am personally struggling with extensive injuries and would appreciate any advice. I apologize for the lengthy post ahead:
I’m a first lieutenant with 3.5+ active service time. I was involved in a head-on collision on base/on-duty (no fault of mine - the other driver was impaired) in Oct 2020. I have since been through two surgeries, 12+ referrals from TRICARE and 75+ appointments with extensive therapy and trauma care. I have been issued a P2 profile for upper extremity (radial nerve palsy - severe damage; complete severance of my radial nerve - disabling extensor functions and strength on my left hand and arm). I was also diagnosed with couple other fractures, Traumatic Brain Injury, moderate anxiety and depression.
I know that medboard is initiated one year from issuance of profile (Oct 2021 for me) or when all medical care have been exhausted. Following my last surgery, recovery from my nerve damage seems more and more unlikely as time passes by - thus, medboard seems more and more likely.
Although some would rejoice at the idea of separation from the army, for me, it is a drastic change in my life course. Sure, I hate the 2am calls, DREs, giving up personal and family time, staff duty and frustrating leave/pass situations - we’ve all been through it; But, small part of me loves the army for the people I enjoyed it with and the opportunities it has awarded me so far. I have performed relatively well against my peers and have built some lasting rapports with my Soldiers and their families.
In addition, I am by no means a profile ranger but I also know that I am a liability/possible non-deployable that may end up in rear D (Command teams should not have any bias against me but I know what I am up against).
Assuming my medboard will be initiated, I know things like service member preference is also factored in. Considering my career timeline as an officer, bias of command teams on profiles, civilian transition, and above medical issues, how should I approach the medboard process?
I’m a first lieutenant with 3.5+ active service time. I was involved in a head-on collision on base/on-duty (no fault of mine - the other driver was impaired) in Oct 2020. I have since been through two surgeries, 12+ referrals from TRICARE and 75+ appointments with extensive therapy and trauma care. I have been issued a P2 profile for upper extremity (radial nerve palsy - severe damage; complete severance of my radial nerve - disabling extensor functions and strength on my left hand and arm). I was also diagnosed with couple other fractures, Traumatic Brain Injury, moderate anxiety and depression.
I know that medboard is initiated one year from issuance of profile (Oct 2021 for me) or when all medical care have been exhausted. Following my last surgery, recovery from my nerve damage seems more and more unlikely as time passes by - thus, medboard seems more and more likely.
Although some would rejoice at the idea of separation from the army, for me, it is a drastic change in my life course. Sure, I hate the 2am calls, DREs, giving up personal and family time, staff duty and frustrating leave/pass situations - we’ve all been through it; But, small part of me loves the army for the people I enjoyed it with and the opportunities it has awarded me so far. I have performed relatively well against my peers and have built some lasting rapports with my Soldiers and their families.
In addition, I am by no means a profile ranger but I also know that I am a liability/possible non-deployable that may end up in rear D (Command teams should not have any bias against me but I know what I am up against).
Assuming my medboard will be initiated, I know things like service member preference is also factored in. Considering my career timeline as an officer, bias of command teams on profiles, civilian transition, and above medical issues, how should I approach the medboard process?
Medical
Profiles
Officer
Transition
Engineer
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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There's nothing to approach. You are given a PEBLO who will walk you through the process and explain all the steps to you one at a time. There's no posturing or position you can take. You'll be evaluated for your injury and any other service connected claims. You'll receive a rating and either a medical separation or medical retirement.
You're also getting ahead of yourself. A MEB is initiated once you receive a permanent profile that refers you to a MEB. That's it. It can be quick or long. That's between you and your provider to work on. There are guidelines they have to work within but there is no strict rule that says on this date you will initiate MEB, it's more of providers best discretion. A provider who has a patient who wants to stay in will work with that patient and refer them to pain management, physical therapy etc until all courses of therapy have been attempted and there is no chance for the patient to improve.
You're also getting ahead of yourself. A MEB is initiated once you receive a permanent profile that refers you to a MEB. That's it. It can be quick or long. That's between you and your provider to work on. There are guidelines they have to work within but there is no strict rule that says on this date you will initiate MEB, it's more of providers best discretion. A provider who has a patient who wants to stay in will work with that patient and refer them to pain management, physical therapy etc until all courses of therapy have been attempted and there is no chance for the patient to improve.
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1LT (Join to see)
You are right - I am getting ahead of myself. I think I’m just grabbing at straws to picture what may happen to me in the near future. At the end of the day, I’m going to keep going to therapy until the doctor gives me a P3 and initiates a medboard. Thank you.
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COL (Join to see)
I was also going to add 1LT (Join to see) that at a P2 you’re not in the MEB lane so if you don’t get worse you’ll be still eligible to serve your country as best you can
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If your doctor states you are unfit for duty then the decision is made for you, and you will go through a MEB. There is no fighting it. What you should do is:
- Talk to your doctor about your continued service. If the answer is no, then I would immediately ask for a permanent profile to get the ball rolling.
- If there is a WTB at your post then get assigned to it.
- Focus on healing.
- Paint the picture of the MEB process to include how the VA interfaces with the MEB process. In a MEB you will be assigned a PEBLO. You can google it. Basically the PEBLO is your belly button for the MEB and will be invaluable in his/her ability to paint the big picture except for the specific details in regards to the VA.
In the later part of my career I went to qualify on my 9 mm 4 times and boloed 4 times. I sat in the bleachers and thought if I can’t meet the standards then what is good for the army is for me to retire. I have performed that equation with soldiers as well. What is more important the soldier or the army?
Like I said. If your doctor says negative to your continued service then the choice is made for you. Accept it. Don’t fight it. Do what is right for you and the army. Good luck to you. Some posters have experienced MEBs so don’t hesitate to ask questions in this forum. I hope this post gives you clarity. There is no shame in hanging up your boots, and there is no purpose wishing for an outcome that will not become true.
- Talk to your doctor about your continued service. If the answer is no, then I would immediately ask for a permanent profile to get the ball rolling.
- If there is a WTB at your post then get assigned to it.
- Focus on healing.
- Paint the picture of the MEB process to include how the VA interfaces with the MEB process. In a MEB you will be assigned a PEBLO. You can google it. Basically the PEBLO is your belly button for the MEB and will be invaluable in his/her ability to paint the big picture except for the specific details in regards to the VA.
In the later part of my career I went to qualify on my 9 mm 4 times and boloed 4 times. I sat in the bleachers and thought if I can’t meet the standards then what is good for the army is for me to retire. I have performed that equation with soldiers as well. What is more important the soldier or the army?
Like I said. If your doctor says negative to your continued service then the choice is made for you. Accept it. Don’t fight it. Do what is right for you and the army. Good luck to you. Some posters have experienced MEBs so don’t hesitate to ask questions in this forum. I hope this post gives you clarity. There is no shame in hanging up your boots, and there is no purpose wishing for an outcome that will not become true.
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1LT (Join to see)
Roger sir. It did give me some clarity. I did not think of it that way - do what it right for me and the army. Thank you for your insight and advice. I will put them to action.
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MAJ Ken Landgren
Good luck. You will learn in life that you think you have various courses of action. However you will for various reasons find a course of action has been shut down as infeasible. You might have regrets, but it is a wasted emotion and can be counterproductive if you let it build up. Regrets can be like anchors that impede progress. Cut the chain and be free of regrets. Be aggressive and use the course of action available to you. If you see this chapter of your life closing, then so be it and start a new one. 1LT (Join to see)
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Suspended Profile
I have worked with many Soldiers facing MEB or going through it. I tell them to focus on getting well so you have more or better options for the rest of your life. And a long life is what I hope you have in front of you. The Army is a part time job; you will only be in for part of your life. Get as healthy as you can so you can enjoy the next part. You've earned it.
CDR Mary Quinn
Apply for social security disability if you have enough work credits which I think is 10 if you have a med board and it gets close to closure of the board. Good luck. You probably will get 100% from the VA. There are many groups on FB that might help. After you are through all this you get many educational benefits available. Good luck and I am sorry for all you have been through.1LT (Join to see)
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