Possible Asthma MEB

C

chrisisbest

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
possible asthma
Ok, I am newbie here so, bear with me. I went for PFT and this are my results:

Sprometry: pred: actual: %pred: actual: %pred: %change
FEV1 5.25: 3.84: 73:3.56: 67%: -7%
FEV1/FVC (%) 82:74:89:71:86:-3%

I don't know what the hell is this, if someone can assist how to read this. Also, due to coughing technician wrote a note saying "the results of this test are questionable due to the patient's inability to perform the maneuvers according to the ATS standards. PT has coughing during pre and post test."
Can someone assist me what will be scenarios I will be dealing with. I have my PCM appt coming up and I would prefer to med board due to I am unable to do my job and PT is no.1 priority in my unit (Not because I am shamming or anything as I have been one of the top performer since last 3 years). Now, I am new this and need expert's advice. I have been rx'ed albuterol since almost 3 yrs, advair, singular has been added recently, nasonex, allegra and some other been since long time. Been treated for nebulizer and has been given ER treatment few times. Have seen my SPO2 gone to 75%.
Can you please advice course of action if I want to MEB. I will compete 4 yrs this midyear 2013. Let me know if I am missing any info. to provide.
Airborne....
 
A:
6602 Asthma, bronchial:
FEV-1 less than 40-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC less than 40 percent, or; more than one attack per week with episodes of respiratory failure, or; requires daily use of systemic (oral or parenteral) high dose corticosteroids or immuno-suppressive medications 100%

FEV-1 of 40- to 55-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 40 to 55 percent, or; at least monthly visits to a physician for required care of exacerbations, or; intermittent (at least three per year) courses of systemic (oral or parenteral) corticosteroids 60%

FEV-1 of 56- to 70-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 56 to 70 percent, or; daily inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy, or; inhalational anti-inflammatory medication 30%

FEV-1 of 71- to 80-percent predicted, or; FEV-1/FVC of 71 to 80 percent, or; intermittent inhalational or oral bronchodilator therapy 10%

Note:In the absence of clinical findings of asthma at time of examination, a verified history of asthmatic attacks must be of record.





I am currently being med boarded for asthma. I highlighted in red the percentage you fall under according to the VASRD.

Your condition is completely med boardable. From the people i have met through out my time in the process, the people that request a med board often have a rough time. If your condition can not be controlled, you will generally be recommended to a med board via your PCM. (thats how i got where i am).


Being that you are so close to your EAS, don't count on being med boarded, they will probably just let your contract end, and once you start going through your seporations classes you will have a chance to file claims with the VA. So while you are not med boarded, If you can prove that your asthma is a direct result of service, you will be compensated accordingly.


Good luck and feel free to PM me or post here if you have any more questions! You have stumbled upon a great support system!
 
Thanks Lugbolt for your reply.

My ETS is in 2015 and I don't think my unit will give me pass till that without PT & stuff.
As you been through process can you please advice me or give me tips on things to be prepared to face or no one to screw me over as to be honest I don't trust our medical system anymore. There have been instances where they give you candy (ibuprofen) and asked you to move on. I feel like the symptoms and conditions I am having was since last 3 years but first time (new dr) asked me to do PFT where I see where I stand.

Is it a good idea having DAV? (I'm @ bragg if it makes a difference) Also, what are the things to keep in mind in terms of chain of command, disability ratings etc... Thanks, Chris
 
the best advice i can give you is keep copies of everything and maintain a good relationship with your PEBLO once you are referred. As soon as the process started for me I went out and grabbed a 3 ring binder and a box of Document protectors.. pretty much every time my name so much as goes on a piece of paper i get a copy of it and keep it for my records. It has come in handy a few times already!
 
Lugbolt, I have just entered into the MEB process, and I wanted to pick your brain a little if you don't mind. I have a diagnosis of COPD as well as Asthma. I am currently on Combivent, Advair, and Spiriva. The combivent is 2 puffs 4x a day, advair 2 puffs once a day and teh Spiriva is once a day. They have also listed my hearing loss on my permenant profile as a DLC. My FEVs fall between 68-72 depending what day it is. Any idea how all this will play out? I am assuming it will be 30% for the asthma/copd, and the MMC that I talked to today said since the hearing loss is sever and on the permenant profile there should be 10% for that added to whatever I get for the COPD. I have not met with a PEBLO yet, I am one day one of the process so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 
chrisisbest said:
Have seen my SPO2 gone to 75%.
Click to expand...

This is pretty dangerous territory. Did this happen in conjunction with an attack? I'm not a doc, but have been through the entire MEB process with similar issues (I have posted tons of info, a search will find it all if you would like), and can say that it sounds like you might more than asthma going on. If you haven't done so, the best tests for lung disease are (in order of most effective to least):
1. Cardio-pulmonary stress test
2. PFT with methacholine challenge
3. PFT without methacholine challenge
4. ABG's (arterial blood gas)
5. X-rays/CT Scan with contrast

The tests above will verify if you, in fact, have asthma- or maybe other pulmonary issues that are being covered up by asthma-like symptoms. Hopefully, all you have is a mild case of asthma and not a more severe issue (I was initially diagnosed with "restrictive airway disease, which ultimately ended up being much worse- constrictive bronchiolitis). I don't want to scare you, but if you have served any time in Iraq and Afghanistan (I'm sure almost all of here have), guys are coming back with severe pulmonary issues. Unless you had asthma as a kid, it usually doesn't appear out of nowhere- and the DoD is having a difficult time diagnosing recent cases of lung/breathing issues in otherwise healthy individuals. Be aggressive in getting testing done and don't take some BS "suck it up" diagnosis without all the proper tests- the mil will try to push you off that way.
I also agree with the above post- with your current diagnosis/meds, you are in the 30% category. Have you had any Prednisone bursts? Three of them in a year kicks you up to 60% range. I went through 9 bursts before they realized that I have CB and it is incurable and the symptoms don't respond to any drugs.
If you were to MEB today with the info you have provided and found unfit, you would most likely be rated 30% DoD and 30% VA...however most guys have other VA ratable conditions that bump their VA ratings up quite a bit. Again, this is just a guess based upon the info you have provided.
The #1 priority should be figuring out what brought this condition on- like I mentioned, it doesn't just pop up out of the blue- some external factor (smoke, burn pits, inhaled chemical fumes, etc.) is almost guaranteed to be the cause and you want to get the proper diagnosis and med combination to stay ahead of it. Good luck, hang in there and be aggressive!

Thompson13Bravo said:
Lugbolt, I have just entered into the MEB process, and I wanted to pick your brain a little if you don't mind. I have a diagnosis of COPD as well as Asthma. I am currently on Combivent, Advair, and Spiriva. The combivent is 2 puffs 4x a day, advair 2 puffs once a day and teh Spiriva is once a day. They have also listed my hearing loss on my permenant profile as a DLC. My FEVs fall between 68-72 depending what day it is. Any idea how all this will play out? I am assuming it will be 30% for the asthma/copd, and the MMC that I talked to today said since the hearing loss is sever and on the permenant profile there should be 10% for that added to whatever I get for the COPD. I have not met with a PEBLO yet, I am one day one of the process so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Don't want to answer for Lugbolt, but you are in the 30% range with the data you provided. Additionally, although the VA will rate you for all of your conditions, the DoD will most likely not find your hearing condition unfitting...therefore your ratings would most likely be 30% DoD and 40% VA (asthma and hearing loss with VA math puts you at 37%, which is rounded up to 40%). Just a guess from my limited experience.;)
 
Thanks aviator we have actually talked before when I first found out the MEB was a possibility. This was likely brought on by a ANA ran burn pit about 100m from our gun line. I didn't think the hearing loss would count for anything until the MMC guy said that because I was given a permenant profile for it and my PULHES is 311211 that it could. I also have mild HBP, and possible sleep apnea. I am waiting on a follow up visit for the sleep apnea.
 
First of all I would like to thank everyone who responded and I see a lot of people reading this post as there are people looking for similar help. Aviator I will surely get some tests done to rule out any other possibilities. I just wanted you guys to give head up for whats going on after posted my previous message.

I started feeling much better after the course of medicines dr rx'ed me like levofloxacin and some other. My PCM refered me to see a ENT which I did and as per her I need to be operated or Septoplasty and turbinoplasty. The way she was insisting was like she was in a hurry. Not judging surgeon by that but all my battle told me not to go with military doctor for any kind of surgery (pretty much every1 had a story to tell)...

Now, I am meeting PCM again as I surely feel like having asthma due to my dependency on the medicines. Also, I checked my medical records which tells at least since last 2 years about my breathing problems, allergies etc..

1. If I refuse to go surgery and request med board will it going against me? Is there anyway VA can deny all my claims as I am not going for surgery. As per ENT my breathing problem is connected due to nose problem.

2. If I go surgery what can happen if I don't see any improvement and might get worst than what I am now.

3. Also, my blood test came up with some severe allergies to dust, pets, trees etc.. will it reduce my disability claim as its everywhere.

Thanks again will keep ya posted once I see my PCM.
 
I can tell you first hand I had ear surgery through the Army at Madigan, it was an awful experience. Had left ear construction pretty much. I was under the knife for 4 hours. Woke up and like 45 mins they discharged me. I was still all drugged up and can barley stand. They rushed me out. I was at the hotel maybe 30 mins and next thing you know my nose started to pour out blood. My held swelled up and my buddy that was with me rushed me back to the hospital. I had a hematoma ( where blood outside the skull). I had to have emergency surgery to relieve all the blood. Now since that day I can't feel my upper left ear and head. Feeling never came back. I was suppose to get 3 more ear surgeries but I refuse to get it from the Army. Not trying to scare you but that is what I went through. Now almost done with MEB and was found unfit for both ears due to hearing loss.
 
Friends,
Just an quick update on my situation.

I have been scheduled for Pulmo next week and don't know how should I approach for MEB.

I am sure I am not going for surgery and don't want to spend anymore army's money or my time.

I am thinking of telling him upfront that I don't have anymore patiece for any test, appt's etc... just MEB me.

Is it wise thing to do? Its been two years I am on albuterol and still I am not sure it shows asthma in my diagnosis. Also, I have been given small profiles so far but never had p3 before, will it be a problem to get MEB?

Thanks again for guidance.
 
Great info. I as well as half my base was prescribed Benadryl/Claritin combination but with albuteral inhaler to deal with all the crap in the Kabul air and having had to burn all our medical waste. When I left the Embassy gave me an air quality letter. Been on albuterol inhaler daily ever since (3 1/2 years). My PCM is going to look into put me on the appropriate med later this month.
 
Quick update on my status:

I came positive on Meth test. Now seeing pulmonologist in few days. Already tired of this wait game shit!. Excuse my language but looks like military hospitals are there to break you instead to fix you. I just want to get out and they seem like taking forever to decide what to do. How should I convey to specialist? What should I expect after this. Its been total 3 years and last 6 months are miserable. What can fasten my MEB? I feel like being even careless about my ratings if they just let me go. Any suggestions!!!
 
chrisisbest said:
Quick update on my status:

I came positive on Meth test. Now seeing pulmonologist in few days. Already tired of this wait game shit!. Excuse my language but looks like military hospitals are there to break you instead to fix you. I just want to get out and they seem like taking forever to decide what to do. How should I convey to specialist? What should I expect after this. Its been total 3 years and last 6 months are miserable. What can fasten my MEB? I feel like being even careless about my ratings if they just let me go. Any suggestions!!!
Click to expand...
Express your concerns with the pulmonologist. Tell him your condition is severely hindering job performance, and that you don't feel like you can continue in the military. A good health care professional will be just that--a professional--and help you. With that being said, there's always a bad apple or two...or twenty. ;)
 
When I first started having problems me and my wife (who is an RN) thought it was something with my heart. I even went into ER on leave thinking I was having a heart attack. They said I wasnt and that I should follow uo with my PA. When I did he told me it was probably a bad dream, or maybe some gas. Needless to say I was beyond mad and felt like nothing was being done. You dont have a bad dream and wake up with chest pains unable to breath with a BP through the roof. After talking to some senior NCO's they suggested I go to patient advocacy. Within an hour of speaking with them I had the Brigade Surgon calling me saying that we need to get me in to see some specialists. Not only did the BDE surgon keep in touch with me while I went through all this, he even gave me his personel cell number cause he went on leave and told me if I had any issues while he was gone to call him and he would fix them. Kind of rambling here, but the point is without the trip to patient advocacy I would probably still be trying to convince the Army docs that something was wrong with me. Chrisisbest, if you do not feel like you are being treated correctly I highly recommend you go talk to them. Cant promise it will help you, but it helped me a lot.
 
Hello Everyone.
I met respiratory dr this week and somehow he is so keen to keep trying diffrent medicines on me and not letting me MEB. I got diagnosed with another condition meanwhile I got diagnosed with low ejection fraction (45%). Now, what in the world will take this dr. to process my MEB as every visit he comes up with a theory of me changing medicines or getting another test done. And trust me they are not easily available, wait time to see a dr. is around 4 weeks. How, can I let him know that enough is enough, I am tired of this and please start MEB without wasting army and my time/money. Can someone guide me, how should I make him feel to stop doing all experiments on me and send me MEB... Thanks,
 
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