MEB for type II.....

JMPMSTRPID

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
Hello everyone,

I'm an active duty enlisted Soldier in the US Army. Been in for just over 19 years now. I was diagnosed as being a diabetic nearly 5 years ago. I go in for my last PHA and the doctor notices I'm on Metformin and been on that medication for a very long time. My last A1C was 6.7 and I've always ranged in the 6.0-6.7 range. I was never put in for a MEB prior. I always pass my eye exams 20/20 and don't have any loss of feeling in my legs or feet.

Low and behold I get a call from the IDES folks last week saying a MEB/ PEB has been initiated.

My main cause of concern in how likely is it that I'm going to be found "unfit" for duty? I have always taken the 3-event APFT and scored in the 240-270 range, never busted "tape", and I have excellent NCOER's. I want to be found fit for duty and keep on serving, but I would like some feed back from folks who have been though this process and can give me some insite whether I should or should not fight it.

I thank you for your time and god bless everyone this holiday season.
 
I was also referred for Type II, but have higher A1C than you, and I am also on insulin, and have side effects of the Type II to include retinopathy, neuropathy, and low blood sugar after almost any type of exertion to include PT and manual labor/hard work. My Commander's report recommend I be found unfit, and rightly so. I was found unfit.

My Type II situation is completely opposite yours. Based on what you have said, and if your Commander recommends you be found FIT, you will most likely be found fit. But you need to pick that lane, and stay in it. Make sure your commander clearly outlines that you are fit and should be retained!

Good luck!
 
Hello everyone,

I'm an active duty enlisted Soldier in the US Army. Been in for just over 19 years now. I was diagnosed as being a diabetic nearly 5 years ago. I go in for my last PHA and the doctor notices I'm on Metformin and been on that medication for a very long time. My last A1C was 6.7 and I've always ranged in the 6.0-6.7 range. I was never put in for a MEB prior. I always pass my eye exams 20/20 and don't have any loss of feeling in my legs or feet.

Low and behold I get a call from the IDES folks last week saying a MEB/ PEB has been initiated.

My main cause of concern in how likely is it that I'm going to be found "unfit" for duty? I have always taken the 3-event APFT and scored in the 240-270 range, never busted "tape", and I have excellent NCOER's. I want to be found fit for duty and keep on serving, but I would like some feed back from folks who have been though this process and can give me some insite whether I should or should not fight it.

I thank you for your time and god bless everyone this holiday season.


My packet just went to the PEB for Type II. I'm on Metformin and my last AIC was 6.7 as well. I'll let you know the results as soon as I find out. I have 17.5 years on active duty and I would like to finish my career as well.
 
Several things. Ask to be continued to 20. At 19 years its a good likelihood. Slow everything down. Slow roll the process. Delay, reschedule, ask to consult counsel at every step....... Get your command online to write a statement that your are 100% mission capable. Getting to 20 makes a big difference in compensation.

Best wishes
Mike
 
Just wanted to post an update. I got a call from the MEB doctor today. He said even though I had letter from my command stating I'm 100% mission capable the type II diagnosis would still find me medically "unretainable", based only on the fact that I'm now dependant on oral medication to keep my A1C below 7.0. He also stated that it wasn't the MEB doctors job to find me "fit" or "unfit". He said that would be up to the PEB.

My question still remains that even though I take metformin my A1C is still only 6.7. Are they seriously going to find me unfit?

I'll keep everyone posted as new events occur. My PEBLO stays I'm still in the first stage of the MEB process and that my first NARSUM should be ready for review this week.

Good luck to everyone else fighting this battle.

Thank you all for your support!

Airborne ATW!
 
Just for info, I too have Type 2 diabetes (stemming from service connected cancer treatment with very strong chemo, affected my autoimmune system), and my A1C was 6.7 with Metformin treatment. My PEB found the diabetes to be "not unfitting " since it is under control with the Metformin. I am ok with that, since I was found unfitting for other, much more major issues that kept me from being able to perform fully my MOS duties as a pilot, such as COPD. Just be aware that diabetes, even though the 40-501 lists it as unfitting, can still be found "not unfitting " from a PEB standpoint.
 
I'm was diagnosed as type II in 2013, but after multiple ER visits due to my pancreas loosing its function to produce insulin. I just started my PEB board today, which I am a Marine processing through the Army process. We will see how everything goes, especially since my CO recommended me to stay in for further service on my NMA, with the exception that I switch my MOS to become a career recruiter, which is non deployable.
 
Jump Master,

It'll be pretty much up to you to either accept it and stretch it to 20 (which can be very easily obtained) or fight it to stay in to 20 or beyond. I don't see the reason to go beyond when at 20 you'll be able to retire?

My question still remains that even though I take metformin my A1C is still only 6.7. Are they seriously going to find me unfit?

Diabetes is a serious condition, right now with A1C at 6.7 you are a Diabetic by definition. You might not feel it just yet but those reading are not to be taken lightly.
 
Tell you provider that you want to try and work off of the metformin. I know a couple of other soldiers that had their MEB deferred for a year to allow them time to try and get off it. One managed to do it, but he eats no carbs and works out a lot. The other just needed 9 months to get his 20 and didn't bother trying. I didn't waste my time asking because I have some other stuff going on that I feel will get me tossed quicker than the diabetes.
 
Just wanted to post an update. I got a call from the MEB doctor today. He said even though I had letter from my command stating I'm 100% mission capable the type II diagnosis would still find me medically "unretainable", based only on the fact that I'm now dependant on oral medication to keep my A1C below 7.0. He also stated that it wasn't the MEB doctors job to find me "fit" or "unfit". He said that would be up to the PEB.

My question still remains that even though I take metformin my A1C is still only 6.7. Are they seriously going to find me unfit?

I'll keep everyone posted as new events occur. My PEBLO stays I'm still in the first stage of the MEB process and that my first NARSUM should be ready for review this week.

Good luck to everyone else fighting this battle.

Thank you all for your support!

Airborne ATW!


I just went through this type of MEB for Type II diabetes and I take five meds for it and had an A1C higher than 7.0 which is the limit for the retention standards for the Army. I was found fit for duty for Type II and was told the exact same thing from the MEB when I sat down in the chair for the first time. They told me to claim everything I have issues with that this is the best time to do it in case it does come back unfit. This way they can start a claim for everything right there. It made sense to me just in case. Well decision came back found fit for the Type II and unfit for the other. Even know I would like to have continue service with 17 years TIS and 15 Years Active duty the positive is 60 DoD and 80 Va. I would say every case I'm sure is different. Good luck hope you get the outcome you are looking for.
 
Hello everyone.

Just wanted to give an update on my status. I got my letter from the informal PEB today saying they found me unfit for duty due to the Diabetes mellitus type II. Meeting with the lawyer tomorrow to start the appeal process. I think the next step is the "formal" PEB process correct? and this is the last appeal I can make? Anyone with incite on how to approach this would be greatly appreciated.
 
Hello everyone.

Just wanted to give an update on my status. I got my letter from the informal PEB today saying they found me unfit for duty due to the Diabetes mellitus type II. Meeting with the lawyer tomorrow to start the appeal process. I think the next step is the "formal" PEB process correct? and this is the last appeal I can make? Anyone with incite on how to approach this would be greatly appreciated.
So can't speak for any branch but Air Force but I do know AF allows you to appeal the unfit to the formal board. After formal board, there is one more appeal and that is to the office of the secretary of the air Force. This is the appeal that can take the longest time. If your at 19, I do believe you have atleast a fighting chance at appealing to 20
 
Update: just got my percentages back. Came in at a whooping 20%. However the did not recommend severance pay they recommended disability retirement. Most likely due to the fact that in 63 days from going over 20 years. Got to file my informal appeal next week. Hoping this one finds me fit for duty now that my A1C is down to 6.2. Again I'll keep everyone posted. I got 6 letters of recommendation that my lawyer said I could file with my informal appeal since I no longer need to worry about a COAD.
 
I just got my PEB findings a couple of weeks ago. I was found fit for Type 2. I'm on Metformin and my A1C was 6.7. I was found unfit for three other conditions though :(
 
Hi fellow Diabetic's. Just FYSA for those of you that is just on Metformin. I was prediabetes 2012 until diagnosed Dec 2015 with full blown Type 2. I was sitting at 6.7 even though I was on a restricted diet for years along with working out. Upon changing my civilian doctor (I'm AGR in the Kentucky Army National Guard so I lived more than 50 miles from Ft Knox and Ft Campbell so I don't have to use a military treatment facility) and decided to go with another doctor. She suggested I also try a pen injector called "Victoza". It's not insulin but it does help the pancreas produce insulin as I am also insulin resistant. Upon my last A1C check I was at 5.1 in Feb 2017. I haven't experienced any of the side effects of it and I monitor my blood panels throughout the year.
As pertaining to anyone's case for being delayed to try and get your A1C lowered this might be a way or trying some of the other pen injectors? Not sure if that will help any of you out or not. I have gotten other internal problems going on that is unfit due to my Diabetes and physical injuries so I stopped my plan of doing a COAD packet as I'm at 17 AFS this Sep.
God bless and thank you all for your service!
 
I was told last OCT that I had type II diabetes. I have been taking Metformin daily along with exercise and diet I have been keeping my levels under control. A question I have is that it's the only P3 profile that I have. I have a P2 for my knees, I hit 17 years active duty this past April. I hope my chances to continue on Active duty so I can get my retirement. My PEBLO informed me when my MEB/PEB started in Feb that all I was looking at was a severance pay and 20% from VA. That is unacceptable to me. What about the other 21 claims that I put in for? And one I couldn't list because TRICARE couldn't get me an appointment prior to my claim (Sleep APNEA).
Any words of wisdom from anyone that went through this would be appreciated.

Thank you all for your service
 
I was told last OCT that I had type II diabetes. I have been taking Metformin daily along with exercise and diet I have been keeping my levels under control. A question I have is that it's the only P3 profile that I have. I have a P2 for my knees, I hit 17 years active duty this past April. I hope my chances to continue on Active duty so I can get my retirement. My PEBLO informed me when my MEB/PEB started in Feb that all I was looking at was a severance pay and 20% from VA. That is unacceptable to me. What about the other 21 claims that I put in for? And one I couldn't list because TRICARE couldn't get me an appointment prior to my claim (Sleep APNEA).
Any words of wisdom from anyone that went through this would be appreciated.

Thank you all for your service
Hi Terry. Tell me this. I think I can help and know that there are a lot of others on here that can also. I am an National Guard AGR so I have a different perspective of this process than the Active Component but are you National Guard?
 
Terry, one thing that I ran into that I was actually shocked with was that the Primary Care Doctor that reviewed my C&P exams and Profile actually upgraded my lower back condition to a L3 and upgraded my Right Shoulder injury as I seen on my NARSUM. I do know that if you are in the National Guard that your State TAG is the approving authority in order for you to submit a COAD (continuation on active duty) packet in order to get to 20 years AFS. Now the key to this is ensuring that they put you in a non-deployable slot on the UMR or just get put into a slot at JFHQ. Depending on where you live and work going to JFHQ might not be feasible but they could always attach you out to your current unit but keep you listed on the JFHQ books for being non-deployable.
Now for your conditions. I had 28 total turned in. With my Diabetes I'm not sure yet if that will be unfit or not. On this site I've seen where some was found fit and some unfit. For me, not sure yet as I don't have my DA 199 yet but I already know that my lower back and diabetes was unfit on the MEB memo (DA3947 I think it was) and the rest of my conditions was medically acceptable with medication.
I do know that when my DA 199 comes back I'll need to do a PEB appeal to ensure that Diabetes along with the secondary conditions, then Asthma/Airway disease and right shoulder are all unfit to ensure the DoD rating accounts for those.
For you, being just past 17 years AFS seeking 20 years AFS, I would say it's 50-50 shot as I don't know all your other 21 conditions. Some of those other conditions could make you unfit and your diabetes come back as fit. I think in this thread that happened to one other person.
 
Hi Terry. Tell me this. I think I can help and know that there are a lot of others on here that can also. I am an National Guard AGR so I have a different perspective of this process than the Active Component but are you National Guard?

brianmatt31
I was SCARNG from SEPT 92 thru Apr 2001 active duty Apr 01 - present, The unit I am currently in is an ACRC slot. I was placed on this assignment last May from my Branch SGM. It's a non-deployable unit and a 3 year assignment. If the PEB deems me unfit I plan on applying COAD. I am trying to stay in so that I can retire at my 20 yrs. with full benefits. I have been talking to a few SFC's that have gone through this same process that were retained. It frustrates me that after all I have gave the Army that they will just give me a severance and give me the boot.
 
brianmatt31
I was SCARNG from SEPT 92 thru Apr 2001 active duty Apr 01 - present, The unit I am currently in is an ACRC slot. I was placed on this assignment last May from my Branch SGM. It's a non-deployable unit and a 3 year assignment. If the PEB deems me unfit I plan on applying COAD. I am trying to stay in so that I can retire at my 20 yrs. with full benefits. I have been talking to a few SFC's that have gone through this same process that were retained. It frustrates me that after all I have gave the Army that they will just give me a severance and give me the boot.

Terry it is definitely frustrating. The good thing about my situation is I have a great BDE HQ team on the full time side that give me the opportunity to focus on my medical stuff when I need to but I never stop reading and researching to stay on top of the medical folks that make policy. I'm sitting at 17 years and fighting also.
For your situation the good I'm hearing from you is your in a non-deployable slot already. To me in my experience that is key as you don't have to find one and beat the S1's up to get you moved into one.
The one thing I would suggest you do if you haven't started is get to work on your COAD packet. Gather up some letters of recommendations from your CDR's, CSM's and anyone within your chain explaining that your needed and they are willing to keep you there in a non-deployable slot until you retire in order to get to 20 years. There are some others on here that have been down that road and can provide some feedback as well. Your PEBLO has the checklist of what is needed to build the COAD packet. When the DA 199 comes in there's only a 10 day period to get things turned back in to your PEBLO so having those memos ahead of time will help.
 
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