What is the probability of being medically discharged or retained with some form of metal (rods, plates, screws) in 3 limbs?

2018-05-20T14:55:40-04:00

I was recently involved in a head on collision (not my fault) while on orders and on my way to work. I sustained two broken bones in my left arm, a fractured right wrist, and shattered both bones in my left leg. I have some form of metal (rods, plates, screws) in all 3 of the limbs that I injured. I was curious to see if anyone has sustained similar injuries or even partial similarities and the verdict of your career. I want to be retained but not sure how the Army views the thought of having metal in 3 of the 4 limbs. Or even someone that has been through the medical board/fit for duty process with worse or less severe injuries. If you think they will medically discharge me then what percentage of disability do you think the VA could possibly determine me to be? Sorry, I’m just curious and some responses could possibly make me worry more or give me some level of comfort regarding my military career in the Army National Guard. Thank you in advance for any and all responses.

Response by SSG Robert Perrotto made May 20 at 2018 3:28 PM

2018-05-20T15:28:02-04:00

Depends on a number of things Sir - 1. will you gain full use of your limbs? 2. If not, how limiting is the disability going to be. 3. will the potential disability adversely effect the performance of your duties/responsibilities 4. How long will your recovery take to gain as much use of the limbs. - these questions are going to be asked by your BDE surgeon or what equivalent your unit has. As for having a substantial amount of metal - I know plenty that have rods/pins/fusions that were still retained and others, Like myself, being med boarded - my entire lumbar region is basically titanium and I was pretty much informed that to even continue serving would put my ability to walk at extreme risk, not to mention my ankle has pins and screws, shoulder has screws.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 20 at 2018 4:14 PM

2018-05-20T16:14:43-04:00

http://www.vetadvocates.org

Trust me aside from the vet groups or law school vet law clinics these NOVA guys are the best they saved us for me trust them pay the retainer and do exactly as they say we started with a vet group then transferred to one of theirs with 3 yrs prior who’d done VA law 40 yrs there’s a very real reason God invented attorneys....

National Organization of Veterans' Advocates (NOVA)

The National Organization of Veterans' Advocates, Inc. (NOVA) is a not-for-profit educational membership organization incorporated in the District of Columbia in 1993.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 20 at 2018 4:18 PM

2018-05-20T16:18:03-04:00

Also if you’re open to staying on active on the clinical side look at USPHS health info mgmt they might be more open to you staying in I realize it’s not Army but you’d at least be on active and the Svcs use USPHS for clinical stiff like psych support healthadmin I don’t know but they might let you stay in if you’d want to stay in just a thought ok?

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made May 20 at 2018 5:15 PM

2018-05-20T17:15:58-04:00

If you can make a full recovery then you can be retained.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 21 at 2018 12:55 AM

2018-05-21T00:55:12-04:00

1LT Private RallyPoint Member When all is said and done will you be able to do Your duties? If So Yes (You Might Have to Force them to Retain You, Carl Brashear comes to mind. If Not Your Out)

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2018 6:39 AM

2018-05-22T06:39:46-04:00

Thank you everyone for the responses and your questions align with the same ones I have. As GySgt Olson mentioned, still too early to know. All based on how it heals and only time will tell. I will not be medically discharged due to a lack of effort on my end and that’s a promise. Again, I appreciate the responses. I will know more about what the future holds in the coming months and if I can remember to provide the final verdict then I’ll post an update in approximately 6 months or so in the comments.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 22 at 2018 9:11 AM

2018-05-22T09:11:22-04:00

Iffy- tho General Franks lost a leg in SVN and continued to serve, we also had a COL with 1 leg who just retired awhile back.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2018 8:45 PM

2018-06-21T20:45:22-04:00

No one can say for sure, and I'd advise not to post any medical information on a message board. Could pose HIPPA violations, if anyone were to retransmit or relay this information to others.

Only an Medical Evaluation Board can determine your retainability. That's on the Army side- but with advances in medicine, surgeries, and prosthesis, many Soldiers are able to stay on active duty; earlier, the Army just discharged people. Now many are retained, maybe with a profile for one of the APFT events (PU, SU, Run).

The VA is completely separate & will give their own raiting's, many times higher than the Army's.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Nov 3 at 2020 7:32 AM

2020-11-03T07:32:20-05:00

I would have said no way a few years ago but things have changed. Can you do your primary duty? Will you be able to pass the PT test?