Flying Under the Radar - For 5 Years?

akd07

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
Not sure if this is the right page.

37 yo Navy O-4 with 15.5 years service. Undergoing cardiac sarcoidosis treatment (autoimmune issue causing inflammation of heart) and got permanent pacemaker/defibrillator implanted in March. Other than some minor symptoms (mostly due to corticosteroids), I feel great. Very fit. Lots of running, etc.

My Navy PCM didn't initiate a MEB at the time, and since then I've PCS'ed to a joint job at an Air Force base. At the clinic my AF doc got me the referrals I needed out in town, and mentioned in my record that I "might need a RILO" at some point, but now several months later...nothing.

I'm not really sure what to do. Nothing? Just see if they ever start a MEB? This is way different than what I was expecting. I heard the process takes awhile, but to not have even started is surprising. Ideally I'd serve my remaining 4.5 years to reach retirement, but also don't want to string this along and then get medical separation in a year or two.

Based on my health and the way I think the cardiac sarcoidosis is rated (METS), I think it is a decent chance I wouldn't get 30%.

So...should I just keep laying low, taking PRT, etc? Or should I be proactive and get the MEB process started to get it over with? Part of me is leaning towards just getting it started, as the not knowing is killing me. But with some family health stuff especially, losing retirement would be a big blow.

FWIW - I am an unrestricted line warfare officer, but off due course to command. So I could likely spend the remaining time on staff duty, not going to sea, and very possibly just stay at my same big command.

Thanks for any advice!
 
Not sure if this is the right page.

37 yo Navy O-4 with 15.5 years service. Undergoing cardiac sarcoidosis treatment (autoimmune issue causing inflammation of heart) and got permanent pacemaker/defibrillator implanted in March. Other than some minor symptoms (mostly due to corticosteroids), I feel great. Very fit. Lots of running, etc.

My Navy PCM didn't initiate a MEB at the time, and since then I've PCS'ed to a joint job at an Air Force base. At the clinic my AF doc got me the referrals I needed out in town, and mentioned in my record that I "might need a RILO" at some point, but now several months later...nothing.

I'm not really sure what to do. Nothing? Just see if they ever start a MEB? This is way different than what I was expecting. I heard the process takes awhile, but to not have even started is surprising. Ideally I'd serve my remaining 4.5 years to reach retirement, but also don't want to string this along and then get medical separation in a year or two.

Based on my health and the way I think the cardiac sarcoidosis is rated (METS), I think it is a decent chance I wouldn't get 30%.

So...should I just keep laying low, taking PRT, etc? Or should I be proactive and get the MEB process started to get it over with? Part of me is leaning towards just getting it started, as the not knowing is killing me. But with some family health stuff especially, losing retirement would be a big blow.

FWIW - I am an unrestricted line warfare officer, but off due course to command. So I could likely spend the remaining time on staff duty, not going to sea, and very possibly just stay at my same big command.

Thanks for any advice!
Lay low and try to get to 20 years. That's the only way to ensure you don't get screwed. If you do end up in in IDES hire a private attorney from the very beginning because if you hire one early they can help you shape your case and increase your odds for medical retirement. A private attorney can identify other conditions that they can argue should be unfitting to be added but the key is hiring one at the very beginning.

Lastly, the Navy leans fit so that is to your advantage!
 
The USAF and USN understand the guidance differently. I’d follow the advice above.
 
Try and lay low, how many years is the air force assignment? I was Army and treated at an Air Force base and the dcotr there said if I were Air Force they would’ve MEB’d me, but because I was Army they didn’t know how to initiate one on me, that delayed my MEB for 2 years. If this assignment is something that you can hide from Navy doctors for a couple of years in, then plead your case to your detailer for your last retirement assignment away from Navy doctors too, then you have a good chance on getting to 20. it sounds like you are physically fit enough not to trigger anything like a profile or limdu chit so that won’t trigger anything, as long as the doctor Doesn’t trigger something you should be good.
 
Also, don’t think of it as 4.5 years, you said you have 15.5 in. You can easily make a MEB take over a year with all of the appeals you can do, plus terminal leave, etc. you are really looking at more like 3.5 years. You just have to make it to 19, then run out the clock. Save your terminal leave.
 
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Try and lay low, how many years is the air force assignment? I was Army and treated at an Air Force base and the dcotr there said if I were Air Force they would’ve MEB’d me, but because I was Army they didn’t know how to initiate one on me, that delayed my MEB for 2 years. If this assignment is something that you can hide from Navy doctors for a couple of years in, then plead your case to your detailer for your last retirement assignment away from Navy doctors too, then you have a good chance on getting to 20. it sounds like you are physically fit enough not to trigger anything like a profile or limdu chit so that won’t trigger anything, as long as the doctor Doesn’t trigger something you should be good.
Were you able to get HIGH 3 pay for your promotion to Major or was your High 3 based on your last 3 years as a Captain. Currently selected for the next paygrade and im going thru the MEB and if found unfit I would love to have the higher pay. Was thinking of getting a lawyer specifically for this concern.
 
Were you able to get HIGH 3 pay for your promotion to Major or was your High 3 based on your last 3 years as a Captain. Currently selected for the next paygrade and im going thru the MEB and if found unfit I would love to have the higher pay. Was thinking of getting a lawyer specifically for this concern.
For pay it was O3E pay, I was promoted my last day of active duty so I didn’t earn O4 pay for long enough time to effect retirement pay.
 
The orders to the Air Force base (joint assignment) are for 3 years, but the Navy likes to pull you at the 2 year point sometimes. I've been very upfront about my situation with the detailer, and given my point in my career not going to sea anyway I might have some flexibility.
 
Update:
My annual physical health assessment had the following statement: "Member does not meet MSD. Cannot place profile in ASIMS. Coordinate with member’s PCM to start Limdu paperwork."

My PCM is Air Force, and is working on the paperwork to send to the Navy. I have no idea how this process will play out, or how long, but looks like flying under the radar was not going to happen with the PHA process.
 
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