Is it possible to get another Army retirement physical?

2018-05-16T08:52:13-04:00

I had my retirement physical scheduled and during the intake, part I, she told us the provider may only have 5-7 minutes with us during our part II because the providers are busy, so be thorough in your survey. She wasn't kidding, it was less than 5 minutes, rushed out the door with a basic review of my heart, breathing and general movement. No discussion about my survey, labs, or EKG. I had also been requesting an evaluation for possible sleep study because of my sleeping problems. He said that he usually has patients do a journal for 30 days. I said I'd be happy to, I have 90 days till retirement. He snapped back asking why I thought I needed a sleep study. I said because I have problems sleeping and have documented anxiety, but would like a more definitive look at why I can't sleep. He said that we don't just give sleep studies for no reason, and dismissed the notion. I immediately went to patient advocacy to let them know what happened, but regardless of sleep study, I had a different expectation of the retirement physical itself. At least a more thorough examination. Is this experience typical, or should I seek a better physical exam, and is it even possible?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2018 9:31 AM

2018-05-16T09:31:27-04:00

The Army isn't worried about us. Especially when we're on our way out the door.

Response by MSG David Johnson made May 16 at 2018 12:45 PM

2018-05-16T12:45:08-04:00

A retirement physical isn't the proper time to ask for a sleep study, that should have been done long before.
The retirement physical is basically to document what has changed during your career, I'm sure there will be someone who can answer with better clarity on the subject, but that's the basic idea behind the retirement physical.
As another has already posted, get all your medical files, to include dental files, get in touch with a Veterans Service Officer to get a VA claim started.
You don't have to wait on a claim to register for VA healthcare.
Once you're in the VA system you can get your sleep study requested through your primary care team.

I'm not sure how much of this, if any, you are already aware of, but hopefully I've given you a bit of info.
Good luck in your retirement.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 16 at 2018 3:43 PM

2018-05-16T15:43:28-04:00

I am a firm believer that SMs going through physicals for disability to write a list of what is wrong with them. When the PEBLO gave me my proposed military %, I asked him if I could appeal it. He said to email him my concerns. One week later they raised my %. It was too easy.

Response by LTC John Griscom made May 16 at 2018 4:31 PM

2018-05-16T16:31:24-04:00

This should not have happened. Were these military or contract doctors?

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 16 at 2018 7:54 PM

2018-05-16T19:54:26-04:00

I went to DAV with a copy of my records and filed a VA claim when I was 30-90 days out (fuzzy memory). I had lots of documented stuff, VA did a physical and on the month of my retirement I got my rating.

My provider advised a monthly appointment the last 6-9 months on AD to get each thing documented. Go and get that sleep study. If you need meds or a device to sleep that impacts your disability rating.

Response by LTC Stephan Porter made May 19 at 2018 7:25 AM

2018-05-19T07:25:20-04:00

You need to talk with the Clinic OIC it even to the Deputy Cdr for Clinic Services (sometime Tharp split that in big hospitals). You should have had a bit more discussion if the survey at least. The sleep study will have to be done afterwards or delay your retirement.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 12 at 2019 5:29 AM

2019-04-12T05:29:00-04:00

Are you longevity retiring or medically retiring?

If you are longevity retiring, it isn't a big deal. Just make sure everything is in your medical records, to include your sleep issues which warrant a sleep study. Go to sick call if necessary to document everything. Once everything is in medical records get the file to VA for your claim (use a VSO as mentioned). The VA physical is what will REALLY matter, because your disability rating will be based off VA not Army.

If medically retiring, it makes a huge difference, because the Army's rating will be used for retirement pay calculation (I believe - I don't FULLY understand this process, I admit.). In that case, raise holy hell and make them do it right, to include sleep study, if necessary. Although ... everything SHOULD have already been more or less in your file before this retirement physical - this should have just been a summation of everything already on file. The time to do the sleep study was a year ago. You are now playing "catch up.". Nonetheless, MAKE them do their job and make sure you ARE caught up. The only one who will suffer for their failure is you.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Apr 12 at 2019 1:26 PM

2019-04-12T13:26:09-04:00

You could request your Phase II physical done by VA. That’s the most important part of the physical and the results become VA records and part of your claims which I hope you’ll file!