Ankylosing spondylitis - Aircrew - NMCSD

First time poster, long time follower. I figured I post my situation on here in case it can help anyone else in my situation.

I am a Helicopter Crewman in the Navy (AWR). I had two severely bulged discs in my neck (C5-C6 and C6-C7) the resulted in me needing a fusion at one level and a replacement at another level. My flight doc and I originally thought I was going to be able to fly again but NAMI thought otherwise and advised my flight doc to refer me to a med board and I was downed permanently. Rotary aviators cannot fly with a fusion per NAMI.

My PEBLO and PEB attorney both told me that the unfit/fit decision is solely based on my current rate.

Mid FEB – referred to PEB for ankylosing spondylitis
17 MAY – Last VA Appointment
6 JUN – Signed my NARSUM and sent the packaged to PEB

I called my PEBLO today because I still have not heard anything and it has been over six weeks. He told me that they normally have five medical officers looking over the cases but because of retirements and transfers, that there are only two officers and that there is a bottleneck of cases.

 

[Xdtsx121]

I would be interested to hear what comes of this. I’m an AWO with L4-S1 fusion completed in June. On my second limdu buying some time right now with medical appointments.

 

[AW_SD]

I would be interested to hear what comes of this. I’m an AWO with L4-S1 fusion completed in June. On my second limdu buying some time right now with medical appointments.

Well I was found unfit and I am currently waiting on ratings from the VA. If you have any questions in particular, let me know.

Has NAMI diqualified you from flying? I was originaly told by my doctor that I could fly again but NAMI said otherwise. I'm sure the requirements are different based on the aircraft too.

 

[Xdtsx121]

Not officially. My flight doc has

Well I was found unfit and I am currently waiting on ratings from the VA. If you have any questions in particular, let me know.

Has NAMI diqualified you from flying? I was originaly told by my doctor that I could fly again but NAMI said otherwise. I'm sure the requirements are different based on the aircraft too.

Not officially. Since being down for over a year they pulled my flight pay. My flight doc is waiting for me to start the med board process and get me out. I have just asked to wait a couple more months to see if the civilian doctors will grind down my bone spurs.

Since I’m not on a base I have to drive almost 2 hours get in with the flight doc and she’s clueless when it comes to the med sep process.

How quickly did you get found unfit and sent to the va for the exam?

 

[AW_SD]

Not officially. My flight doc has


Not officially. Since being down for over a year they pulled my flight pay. My flight doc is waiting for me to start the med board process and get me out. I have just asked to wait a couple more months to see if the civilian doctors will grind down my bone spurs.

Since I’m not on a base I have to drive almost 2 hours get in with the flight doc and she’s clueless when it comes to the med sep process.

How quickly did you get found unfit and sent to the va for the exam?

It's a little concerning that your flight doc is clueless with this process but there are a lot of resources provided by the Navy. Just be prepared for a drawn out process...

So you do your medical exams first (C&P exams) then they send that information off to Washington (PEB) be found Fit/Unfit. My exams were scheduled and completed a month after I was referred for the med board then my case went to the PEB where I was found unfit.. it took them about 90 days to determine that.

Here's a rough timeline (my previous timeline was wrong):

NAMI Downed me and told flight surgeon that I need a med board - Mid February
Referred to PEB - Apr 22
Last C&P Exam - May 17
Signed NARSUM and sent to PEB - Jun 6
Found unfit - Aug 28
Sent to VA for ratings - Sep 3
QTC called me saying I needed more exams - Sep 24

 

[AW_SD]

Not officially. My flight doc has


Not officially. Since being down for over a year they pulled my flight pay. My flight doc is waiting for me to start the med board process and get me out. I have just asked to wait a couple more months to see if the civilian doctors will grind down my bone spurs.

Since I’m not on a base I have to drive almost 2 hours get in with the flight doc and she’s clueless when it comes to the med sep process.

How quickly did you get found unfit and sent to the va for the exam?

When your flight doc does refer you, you will speak to a lawyer and PEBLO that will help you with a lot of your questions. This forum has been my best friend through this process though.

 

[Xdtsx121]

Yeah she’s a reservist that is the closest to my area. I have been dealing with the LIMDU coordinator a lot. I was told that she’s never done any of this before. I don’t think I’ll make it to the end of my limdu period since my condition after the fusion isn’t getting better. Just more and more issues. I have been told that I’ll be found unfit since I still can’t bend over..but it hasn’t happened at this point.

I have been reading a lot on this site about the process but haven’t seen a lot in terms of fusions and med sep/retirement.

What all did you claim if you don’t mind me asking. Trying to get an idea since most AWs don’t run to medical with all our issues.

Thanks for the timeline and info

 

[AW_SD]

Yeah she’s a reservist that is the closest to my area. I have been dealing with the LIMDU coordinator a lot. I was told that she’s never done any of this before. I don’t think I’ll make it to the end of my limdu period since my condition after the fusion isn’t getting better. Just more and more issues. I have been told that I’ll be found unfit since I still can’t bend over..but it hasn’t happened at this point.

I have been reading a lot on this site about the process but haven’t seen a lot in terms of fusions and med sep/retirement.

What all did you claim if you don’t mind me asking. Trying to get an idea since most AWs don’t run to medical with all our issues.

Thanks for the timeline and info

I could probably bet that you would be found unfit as well if you cant bend over and its getting worse. But another factor in that determination is your commanders non-medical assessment and whether you want to remain in the Navy or not.

When it comes to the VA and disability side, the fusion will probably be rated based on range of motion and if there is nerve pain but they don't necessarily give you a rating just because there is a fusion... that was my case at least.

I claimed like 8 things with ankylosing spondylitis and back pain being my referred conditions. And you're right, I didn't go to medical for a lot of things because I was afraid it would affect my flight status. After I went permanently down, I started going to medical for all of my ailments... I also claimed things that weren't even in my medical record, just bring it up to your MSC when you do see them. It's about pride for some people, if that is the case I would put that aside because this will determine your disability rating.

Don't hesitate if you have any more questions.