PFC needs serious info on medical condition and MEB

vit14645

PEB Forum Regular Member
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Hi

I'm pretty green in the army, just a PFC and finishing up the last month of my first duty station in South Korea. Since joining the Army, I have had some bad luck medically and now I'm being told that I will be going to a MEB at my next duty station (FT Bliss). What I am looking for here is advice and maybe for someone to point me in the right direction so that I can educate myself better on my current situation.

So here are the facts:

* Severe fluid in my legs which led to break down of muscles (in basic, but still passed)
* Because of above, sustained stress fractures in both lower legs and feet
* Because of above, after legs/feet healed, I ran funny for a while and ended up with stress fractures in my hips. They healed enough for me to make it through AIT but still pose a problem when I have 30+ lbs on my back.
* Developed blood clots in both of my legs on the long flight to Korea. Surgery removed the veins with clots
* Clots came back in the deep veins (DVT), spread to my lungs (PE) limiting breathing severely
* 6 months later, still recovering from clots, but now am having heart problems which are yet to be diagnosed

Now, I've been to plenty of doctors here, and will be seeing more back in the states too. I've just been put on a P3 profile, pretty much limiting me from doing almost any PT. A big problem I see, besides the medical issues is weight. Since all this happened starting back last November, I've been on a dead man's profile. Since that time, I've put on a substantial amount of weight (about 25 lbs) and have had a horrible time of trying to keep it off. I'm a big guy, 6ft5 and nearing the end of my twenties. I'm worried about how this is going to impact everything at my next duty station and if they will try to help me rather than just push me out because of the medical issues I currently have.

So with this short story done, here are my questions:

* What should I expect, going into a new duty station with a P3 profile and a couple of serious issues?
* What are my best options for dropping weight with a respiratory and heart issue? Diet?
* Is there anyone I should be contacting at my next duty station before I get there in regards to all of this?


Any help or tips are greatly appreciated. I feel almost helpless because of the lack of knowledge I have here.

Thanks for your time!

Vit
 
Only advice I can give is that you have to have a strict Diet if your unable to work out, before I had remarkable recovery from being paralyzed waist down, I was unable to really any type of workout besides pushing myself in a wheelchair so I had to stay with a strict diet in order to maintain my weight
 
Welcome to the board. Sorry to hear about your issues. Like Combat Eng said a strict diet for your weight. Do you know if you are slated to go to an actual unit or are you PCSing to the WTU on Ft Bliss since you have a P3 and will be starting the MEB process. The only advice I can give is if they have you slated for an actual unit see if your CoC or health care provider will contact the gaining unit about starting your WTU packet that way you can focus on getting better and not on the negative things that can come from being in a new unit with a profile and not able to train. If your able to walk you can go for walks at a good pace for you and how far you can go. Itll be better than not doing anything again if you are able too. Being a PFC Im not sure how will it would be received if you called your gaining to explain the situation. Like I said before have your 1SG or CSM or CO contact the gaining unit to explain your situation they are much more likely to listen.
 
I would strongly advise you to check with your doctors before trying to diet on your own. With your systemic health issues, any extreme dieting could cause further health problems. I would consult with your doctors and ask to see a nutritionist, too. (I am just thinking of the folks who sometimes go overboard with energy drinks, and products sold at PX or GNC that have caused health problems due to things like ephedrine or steroid like substances).

It sounds like you will be facing an MEB before too long. I would read up on this forum and try to get an understanding of the process. Hope things work out well for you, both with the Army and with your health.
 
Thanks everyone for the quick responses! I spoke with my PA this morning and he said he has started trying to contact my new unit already, so that's good to hear. I'll see what I can do about the nutritionist; the base I'm on is pretty small and we don't have much but I'm sure they can find one for me elsewhere. Also, I'm almost 100% positive I'm slated for a unit, not WTU. Again, I'll check with who I can here and see what can be done on this end to help smooth out this transition. Luckily for me, the base I'm on is pretty small, which also makes us all more tight knit so talking to my CoC will be easier. I appreciate all of the good info thus far!
 
So I'm now in my new unit at Fort Bliss. I've received my P3 last week and was told that I'll be starting a PEB soon. Then it was left at that. I guess I need to speak to my PEBLO, or will they contact me first? Also, I've received some new information. I've been told by a few NCO's (and have done the research as well) that my conditions have been documented by other instances to be caused by the Anthrax vaccine. There have been multiple cases with soldiers receiving these and then suddenly getting blood clots in their lungs or DVT which I have both. And, I've developed these issues each time shortly after receiving my vaccinations. This seems to be the missing part of this whole puzzle for me as there are no such diseases in the history of my family. Now, if this pans out to be true, I can't imagine that I'd be in the best graces of whomever this effects. How should I proceed with information like this, or to even start asking the right questions? Should I go to JAG or IG? Or just stick with my PEBLO? I just want to make sure that all avenues are checked thoroughly as there still hasn't been any definitive explanations as to why any of this has happened to me in the first place. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
 
So I'm now in my new unit at Fort Bliss. I've received my P3 last week and was told that I'll be starting a PEB soon. Then it was left at that. I guess I need to speak to my PEBLO, or will they contact me first? Also, I've received some new information. I've been told by a few NCO's (and have done the research as well) that my conditions have been documented by other instances to be caused by the Anthrax vaccine. There have been multiple cases with soldiers receiving these and then suddenly getting blood clots in their lungs or DVT which I have both. And, I've developed these issues each time shortly after receiving my vaccinations. This seems to be the missing part of this whole puzzle for me as there are no such diseases in the history of my family. Now, if this pans out to be true, I can't imagine that I'd be in the best graces of whomever this effects. How should I proceed with information like this, or to even start asking the right questions? Should I go to JAG or IG? Or just stick with my PEBLO? I just want to make sure that all avenues are checked thoroughly as there still hasn't been any definitive explanations as to why any of this has happened to me in the first place. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
You just have to wait on the call when you are assigned a PEBLO, they will call you for an initial visit and you will then attend a MEB briefing. After that you will meet the VA MSC and pretty much at this point the ball is rolling and you are fully in the MEB process.

Gather the information and go see your PA with this info, they can contact your PCM (MEB doc) and PEBLO and forward them the info if they agree that it is actually from the Anthrax shots. I'd also suggest you mention it to the MSC when you go through the medical history.
 
The causation of your health problems/disabilities are not normally going to be an issue. The main question is if your conditions are in the line of duty. Sounds like there is no real issue with this. So, I don't know what you would do with or what it would matter if it was caused by anthrax vaccination. (Only potential issue would be whether anthrax vaccine makes your conditions somehow combat related).

Hope all goes well for you.
 
Only advice I can give is that you have to have a strict Diet if your unable to work out, before I had remarkable recovery from being paralyzed waist down, I was unable to really any type of workout besides pushing myself in a wheelchair so I had to stay with a strict diet in order to maintain my weight

Hi combateng, what did your diet consist of, I have to sit most of the day,
tremendous weight gain, any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks SSG Lawrence
 
The causation of your health problems/disabilities are not normally going to be an issue. The main question is if your conditions are in the line of duty. Sounds like there is no real issue with this. So, I don't know what you would do with or what it would matter if it was caused by anthrax vaccination. (Only potential issue would be whether anthrax vaccine makes your conditions somehow combat related).

Hope all goes well for you.

The cause I guess is more for my own piece of mind and also to rule out a genetic disorder. I'm just trying to make sure that I am as prepared as I can be once everything gets moving, so I definitely appreciate all of the advice given thus far.
 
As far as MEB/PEB process, getting a finding of some sort of genetic connection would only hurt your case- I can't see a way it could help you. (I have seen a case where a servicemember pushed to get genetic tests, got them and they confirmed the genetic connection, and then was denied compensation because the condition was deemed to Exist Prior to Service). What might be good for medical purposes may or may not be good for MEB/PEB purposes.
 
What I meant was to cancel out the possibility of this being a genetic disorder, if it was indeed caused by some other source, such as the vaccinations
 
What I meant was to cancel out the possibility of this being a genetic disorder, if it was indeed caused by some other source, such as the vaccinations
I get that...and you have to weigh medical treatment and understanding of condition as an extremely important factor. Just be aware, you could go down that road and, if it is a genetic condition, you could end up without any compensation or benefits that you may have had otherwise.
 
Oh ok, I see what you're saying. No, the genetics testing wasn't my idea, and the process was started in Korea and was said to be finished when I got here to Bliss. However, they don't seem to be pushing it yet and I don't plan on either because of that exact reason you said. I was just thinking in a sense of "just in case"
 
Hi Vit,

Welcome to the forum, I'm an Army SFC in the MEB process also and just a few steps ahead of you. Here's some advice:

If you have not done so, please complete the following ASAP because when you visit with your MSC (VA rep) you will be required to fill out VA claim paperwork.

1. Go to the correspondence section of the hospital and request a copy of your medical records (it may take 1 day or 3
weeks to get the copies).
2. Read EVERY page of your medical records and annotate ALL conditions on a separate sheet of paper (most of your
conditions will be listed together in your medical history sheet but some may be missing, ensure you read every page
and annotate ALL).
3. Take the list of medical conditions with you when visiting with your MSC. Ensure EVERY medical condition
gets listed on your VA claim paperwork.

do this ASAP because they may call you for a meeting right away.

that's all for now, good luck
 
So, don't be mad for me necro'ing this thread. It's been quite a while since I've posted here and needless to say, the MEB didn't work out. Ultimately, they were trying to put me on for an auto-immune disorder since that seemed like the most prevalent of issues on the "list" at the time. After my tests all came back negative for that disorder, I did what I could to stay in and it worked.
Here I am, about a year and a half later, just getting ready to finish up my first deployment. Before I left for this deployment, I was working with many doctors. Although my MEB didn't go through for the reason they originally stated, a lot of "side effects" had sprung up into place because of the damage the clots had caused my legs and lungs. On top of that, I had been going through depression/anxiety issues, probably because of how fast everything had happened. Sad to say, these issues have only become MUCH worse and I'm making it a top priority to get checked into a psych facility or equivalent when I get back.

The reason I'm writing this now, bringing this up after so long is that I received real, genuine answers before and I'm hoping for the same kind of advice now.

My medical issues related to the former MEB were just starting to be delved into by medical professionals of various departments right before I deployed. All the doctors I spoke to were wondering why I was still here (actively in the service). I plan on continuing to work with them when I get back, but now I face even more serious issues. Depression, anxiety and the dreaded suicide. To tell you something quick about myself so you can maybe understand my writing a bit more is that I'm extremely sarcastic (to cover my tracks), a realist (in the way that I try to be blunt and see what is really there rather than what is not) and at the same time, a pessimist. Since I've left Korea, I've pretty much been alone. No platoon structure to rely on, just myself and NCO's who place themselves higher than myself in all ways. No one to talk to and I've been more or less singled out in most of my working duties. While deployed, my section consisted of 4 people, but for the past few months and until I finish, its just 2 of us, so I work alone. I have too much time for my thoughts to get the best of me, so the depression I've had growing inside of me has had more than enough time to flourish. I've had a few "close calls" but I am past that "hump" and know I will make it safely back home. I know I have serious issues and I plan on tackling them as soon as I get back.

Here is where I'm confused as what to do. I only have about a year to a year and a half left. I say that range because my plan was to try and get out 180 days early to go to college (I think it was MILPER 14-002). If that couldn't happen, then my full term is complete in a year and a half from now. The facts still stand though, the larger facts about my health. I am certainly going to try and take care of my health, first and foremost but as I'm slightly ashamed to admit, seeing how I might be able to get out sooner appeals to me as well. I don't want to sound like I'm whining, but I just long to be home among family and friends; people who I genuinely care about and care about me. I honestly don't have any of that where I've been and where I'm going to for the rest of my time, and that takes a toll after a while. Needless to say (but I'll say it anyway) is that my thinking isn't 100% clear. I'm now believing silly things that just failing a few APFT's would be better than finishing out honorably. I never thought like this and I know it goes against the grain, but that's sort of where my mind is at.

I know no one can give me the "fix it all" answer and as much as I'd want to hear one, that's not why I'm hear. I'm looking for honest, anonymous advice of the paths I can take from here and where they might bring me. Summed up, I think these are my main choices:
-try for another MEB with my current physical medical issues in addition to my mental issues
-don't try for a MEB and go for the involuntary sep
-do nothing
-sort of just give up, fail apft and gtfo asap

I'm at a very precarious stage in my life, one I'm not too fond of, but it's where I'm at regardless; I'm looking for guidance which I hope to find here.

ty for reading this far
 
Sorry to hear of your continued problems, but glad to hear that you are "over the hump" as to the mental health and especially the issues with considering suicide.

Before I go on, let me say this:

If you have any doubts, worries, concerns about hurting yourself or considering suicide GET HELP NOW!! Do not wait. What might be controllable or something you think might be okay way too often spirals out into a tragic situation. Doubly tragic because with earlier help, often these impulses can be headed off before they get worse. Think of it like cancer....having early cancer may not be such a big deal and may be treated and dealt with; let it fester and go on, and you could find yourself in a life threatening situation. If in doubt, seek help. Please.

Sad to say, these issues have only become MUCH worse and I'm making it a top priority to get checked into a psych facility or equivalent when I get back.

See my above comments....If getting home is a viable option before getting help, okay. But, if in doubt, get help. NOW.

I know no one can give me the "fix it all" answer and as much as I'd want to hear one, that's not why I'm hear. I'm looking for honest, anonymous advice of the paths I can take from here and where they might bring me. Summed up, I think these are my main choices:
-try for another MEB with my current physical medical issues in addition to my mental issues
-don't try for a MEB and go for the involuntary sep
-do nothing
-sort of just give up, fail apft and gtfo asap

Good call on understanding that there are no "magical" or "quick fix" answers. However, in looking at your options, I can't see a positive (or correct) outcome for you other than the first (bolded) option. The first both addresses your health and potentially provides for benefits and compensation that seem due to you. Everything else leaves you high and dry; both as to addressing your health and as to getting due compensation. I see no benefit to any other options (except, perhaps for being somewhat "easier" as you may not have to fight, deal with the process, etc). However, my instinct is that one way or another, at some point, you will have to deal with your medical issues. With that in mind, I don't see any good option except for the first.

I hope all goes well for you. Like I stated, if you need help, get it. Sooner rather than later.
 
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