MEB initiated by my PCM after 16 years in. TERA where are you now?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Oct 2018 01:04:00 -0400

I had the absolute worst day and I would like to get some advice on how to proceed from NCOs who have went thru it. I'm active duty SFC(P) 16yrs of service. I've had 108 kidney stones in the last 6 yrs and have to go see my Doctor, as per pain contract, every month to get pain medications refilled. I go in today, my doctors on leave, and the fill in doctor starts it off with "I am putting you in for MEB". Shortened: I told him thanks but no thanks, not to bother filling the meds and I will never come back. I told my 1SG and he said to go see the Corps Surgeon and see if he can help. I have deployed with this condition and have answered everytime the Army has called. If I get MEB now I lose out on 30k a year. All I ever asked was for a cause, still no doctor has figured it out.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2018 3:21 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Oct 2018 03:21:09 -0400

Cant give medical advice but I can tell you from my stand point I was injured, hung in as long as my body would allow me too for 7 years they said the same thing for me with an ankle injury. Granted I was an 11B which is a big deal not being able to maneuver properly or without pain (wished I used the TMC) but, that many kidney stones???? What are you drinking? Eating? I mean man, 108 kidney stones in 6 years you might want to change your diet and water consumption. But again I am not a medical professional but good god man, that has to be some of the most pain most people I know have gone through. Granted there are tons of reasons, but I cannot imagine the pain you go through with that.

Just from my stand point, it does not matter what you have done in the past or who you are, it matters whether you can continue on.... Since you have a history of developing kidney stones that may be the reason why they initiated a MEB on you, it does not matter that you are an SFC(P), when they put that in, it all goes to another person to determine whether you are "Fit For Duty" and majority of the time they say "NO". and you are stuck trying to figure out the rest of your life on your own.

As an SFC(P) think about what you would do for a Soldier that is facing the same issue and research. Are you completely done? Meaning the Army is done with you. or, can it be resolved through diet check with your unit nutritionist and see if there is something you can change, ask your family if there is a history of kidney stones etc. Find a solution to fix your issue, I wish I did over 10 years ago but I was to stubborn.

Good luck to you, I hope it all works out!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2018 11:32 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 20 Oct 2018 11:32:11 -0400

What the other guy said is true, a MEB isn't based on what happened, but your ability to perform in the future. Get those stones under control and there is no basis for a MEB. Also, ask for a consult from a specialist, off post if necessary. Under Tricare you always have a right to a second opinion. You will probably have to make some aggressive lifestyle changes until you are retirement eligible.
Also, just because they say they're going to initiate a MEB does not mean that they actually can or will. It's a time consuming process, as you've probably seen from other MEBs and there are plenty of times people are found fit for duty at the end of it, if they want to be. Much of your evaluation and rating comes down to how physically capable you are to do the job.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made Oct 24 at 2018 4:42 PM

SSG Robert Perrotto — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 16:42:17 -0400

I feel your pain and anxiety brother - I was Med Boarded out at 17 years - and it was the worst 6 months of my life as my entire world was thrown into a grey area of uncertainty. If the PCM submitted the paperwork, chances are your BDE, or equivalent echelon, Surgeon is going to evaluate your medical records, and the appropriate criteria for continuing service, and make a decision to either go with the PCM's recommendation or not. Very rarely will they not go with the PCM's recommendation. take your 1SG's advice and see the surgeon, as they will want to interview you anyway before they make a decision. I was lucky that my disqualifiers amounted above the 30% mark to be placed on retirement, and all of it was combat related.

Some advice if they go ahead with the MEB process, 1st - get a hard copy of your medical records now, as once you are placed in the MEB process, you will not have access to them. 2nd - claim everything that is wrong with you, do not try to "suck it up" and hide anything - because it will be a very long and difficult process to submit new VA claims after the outcome, as the chief obstacle to submitting the new claims will be "why did you not state this at the time of your examinations". Remember that these examinations are not only for your benefit, they will be utilized to determine the amount of disability you get awarded, and if they determine that you DO have a disqualifying disability, nothing you will say or do will change the outcome, this is a machine, and personal feelings and empathy are not the norm.

prepare yourself and your family for the worst case scenario, you will have around 9 months - start to finish - so that should give you enough time to start preparing and making contingency plans. You will be able to track the entire process on your AKO account, and also have an advisor in the IDES process to keep you abreast of anything significant ( you will receive your appointments from your advisor).

I hope this helps a bit, Good Luck, and thank you for your service.

Something I forgot to add - If you are dead set on continuing your service, get as many letters of reccomendations as you posibly can, from former Commanders (Company to BDE) and from CSM's, any certs you have that would present your value for being retained, along with your last 3 NCOER's. There is a small chance that even if they find you have disqualifying disabilities, and recommend separation, you can appeal it and win. The question to do this when the time comes depends upon your ratings, both from the Army (who will only rate your disqualifying disabilities) and from VA, who will rate all your disabilities. The Army rating is the one that matters, as that will determine whether or not you will be placed on the reitirement rolls, or recieve a severance.

Response by SrA John Monette made Oct 24 at 2018 4:49 PM

SrA John Monette — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 16:49:54 -0400

have they been able to figure out what the cause of the stones is? did you have to piss in a sieve to collect any you might pass? how is your coffee/caffeine intake? water intake? have you tried adding lemon juice to water? it helps keep stones from forming to begin with.
I have kidney stones too. not to the extent you have, but I know the agony they can cause. and you certainly don't want to develop a dependence on pain killers. have you seen a urologist? they should be able to start a course of treatment/prevention.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2018 5:02 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 27 Oct 2018 17:02:28 -0400

Wanted to add this because I have to answer this every time I bring up how many stones I've had....
No, it is not my diet or eating habits. Wouldn't you think that after the first 30 stones I would try anything. I have tried everything the Doctors have suggested, calcium oxalate diet for a year, and every new medication I try for a year or two. I've researched it to no end and arrived at the diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism caused by functional parathyroid cysts. Very rare, only 300 cases since 1880 when it was discovered. I just need a Doctor to believe me instead of dismissing it as me trying to be the Doctor , which always happens. I know very well who has the Doctorate in those conversations. It is very much treatable/curable and does not make me unfit for duty. I have deployed with this condition, has not stopped me yet and will not stop me from getting my pension. I will fight this to the very end.