IMT 618 Signed today for IPEB

Not sure about all this or where to go except that I don't want to get screwed. I can see there is a wealth of knowledge here and just want to put this down and listen to any suggestions if any. I signed my 618 today and was told nothing by me PEBLO except sign this and it will go to Randolph and you know they could send you back to duty. Let me give you the run down! I have had a tremendous 20 years of service except for the fact that I have been beat down due to my Southern roots. I have been called a many of things time and time again to a point that it has affected my nerves. We all know the results of a hostile and or unprofessional work environment and I'm no exception. I have documentation that goes hand in hand with dates and times of every event! My PA and MH providers know what it took to get me here. This is what is on my 618
1. AXIS I: 316.0 Psychological factors affecting medical condition: 300.00 Anxiety Disorder NOS
AXIS II: Traits: obsessive, paranoid
AXIS III: see other providers report: Gastric Ulcer, GERD, chronic low back pain from two back surgeries
AXIS IV: Occupational/Interpersonal
AXIS V: 60
2. Obstructive sleep APNEA w/ CPAP
3. Chronic gastritis
This is the MEB submission from my PA:
1. Chief Complaint: Sleep Apnea
2. History of Present Illness: Patient was refereed for sleep study secondary to elevated Epworth score and was subsequently found to have obstructive sleep apnea which he is currently being treated with CPAP. He has had some improvement in his symptoms with the use of the CPAP machine however he is still adjusting to sleeping with a CPAP machine. Patient also has a history of significant and debilitating gastric problems that initially started in 1992 when he was diagnosed with an esophageal stricture believed to be secondary to gastro esophageal reflux disease. He subsequently had several successful dilatations through 1998 when an evaluation for increasing symptoms revealed sever distal erosive esophagitis with ulcerations and a grade IV GE valve and antral gastritis. The degree of pathology was significant enough that the patient underwent a laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication in an attempt to help control his symptoms. The surgical procedure did alleviate symptoms of reflux up into the esophagus and the acidic taste in the patient's mouth however it did not resolve the intermittent and severe gastritis episodes that the patient has experienced. The gastritis symptoms were so persistent and debilitating that in December of 2006 the patient underwent another EGD with biopsy and pathology findings consistent with chronic erosive gastritis. Other findings included deep erosions claim extension as well. In 2007 patent self-referred to life skills for help dealing with the stress that the patient believed was a significant contributor to his gastritis symptoms. After multiple evaluations and sessions with life skills in addition to the medical history the patent's gastritis and symptomology are consistent with the body's reaction to sever stress the patient has undergone over the last decade. The chronic pathological results of the patient's progressive medical condition being exacerbated by stress in the work environment have resulted in the patient's inability to function in his Air Force job or mission. He has missed a significant amount of work due to his medical conditions. His overall medical and mental health has deteriorated to the point that he is no longer able to function in the professional capacities assigned to him from the Air Force. Thee conditions have also now significantly impacted his home life in a similar manner and the patient is having trouble dealing with day-to-day normal life stressors at home without significant symptomology requiring multiple medications. This member is not physically or mentally fit to serve in any deployed locations and it is unlikely that he will ever be fit to serve as an active duty member in any capacity.
Past Medical History:
1. OSA on CPAP and 3
2. Erosive Gastritis
3. GERD
4. Arthritis
5. Anxiety
6. Depression
7. Psychological factors affecting physical condition
8. Sciatica
9. Neuropathy
10. HLD
11. Hearing loss requiring bilateral hearing aids

Active Meds
1. Mobic
2. ZOCOR
3. BUSPAR
4. Nexium
5. Lorazepam
Administrative Line of Duty: Yes
Worldwide Qualification: NO
Current Profile: 4T
Final Diagnosis? Recommendation:
Obstructive sleep apnea requiring CPAP as well as chronic gastritis and psychological condition not compatible with service in the USAF. Recommend medical evaluation board.

NOTE: Commander had concurred with PA findings and as well does not recommend I continue AD service!

MH Run down:
316.0 Psychological Factors Affecting medical Condition - Stress - Related Physiological response Affecting and or causing ulcers, tension headache, esophagitis, chronic reflux and chronic pain-identified since 1995; worsened with time other factors play a part: interpersonal, and personality traits (obsessive, moralistic: Severe
Military Impairment: Marked
Social/Industrial Impairment: Considerable
Administrative Line of Duty: YES
Worldwide Qualification: NO
Current Profile: S4-NOWWQ
EPTS: NO
PREMORBID: None
AGGRAVATED BY SERVICE: YES
COMPETENT FOR PAY AND RECORDS: YES
300.00 Anxiety Disorder NOS -- manifested by mixed-depressive and anxious symptoms; clinically significant ; propensity to experience "panic feeling" in interpersonal interactions, when confronting prospect of failure or not performing to standards; when under perceived considerable overwhelming stressors and perceived infraction of moral standards-moderate, chronic in nature; poor response to psychotropic interventions

NOTE: Finding from last EGD Procedure in Dec 2007
Chroinic gastritis 535.10
Erosive gastritis 535.40
Evidence of fundoplication in the stomach
Three deep erosions with flame extensions

Just want to be prepared if there are any suggestions on this IPEB! I'm just over 20 years as of Dec 07. I just pined on E7 1 Sept 07. I'm told if I'm boarded I will get full E7 retirement pay. What should I expect as fair shake from MEB at Randolph so I can be ready to request a formal if needed? Please let me know from the experts what I should expect.
 
welcome aboard!!!
i know that you will find all the info. that you need here. i would deffinately start in the IPEB section here if u aready have'nt. were all in the same situation here so u found the right place. i have 2 go in tomorrow to sign my stuff for my IPEB. i will keep u updated on my situation if it helps u any. i would'nt even sweat it if your rating comes back low. w/all the changes going on right now w/the DES hopefully you and i will get rated accordingly. take it one step @ a time. like me i expect 2 get "low-balled" @ first. then i plan 2 go 2 the formal. keep in mind even if your rateing comes back w/a temp. instead of a perminate, you are still intitled 2 get a 50% rateing while on TRDL, no matter what your rateing is. stay strong MSgt and ask away here.
 
Skywalker,

Welcome! I am sorry to hear about your conditions.

Your packet looks good for an unfit finding for the mental health conditions, OSA, and gastritis. The other conditions are hard to judge as I don't know how they impact your duty performance.

OSA should be rated at 50%
Mental disorders- These sound pretty significant, I would want more details to know for sure, but I think a minimum of 30% is warranted. It could be higher.
Gastritis- Appears to warrant a 60% rating.

It is really difficult to judge exactly what is appropriate without a review of your records. But based on what you wrote, I think this is a close approximation.However, it is more difficult to judge what the IPEB will find.

Since you have more than 20 years, you will benefit from not having an offset of your VA compensation. As such, it will be to your benefit to maximize your ratings.

I hope your case resolves well and that you get better. Please let us know any questions.
 
One more thing, your retired pay will be not based on your rank, but rather on an average of the last 36 months of your basic pay times the percentage awarded.
 
Jason, I guess my 1st concern at the moment is to validate that I'm I'm boarded will I be retired as a MSgt? Secondly, since I'm over 20 they have to give me my 50% of base pay! I just hope that they will give me more than and hope the VA comes through with a good rating! Thanks for the quick replys... this is truely nerve racking for somone whom is excessive OCD.
 
I was told by my Senior that if boarded it would be highest rank held and not last three. This was alsy confirmed by the PEBLO. Are you sure?

One more thing, your retired pay will be not based on your rank, but rather on an average of the last 36 months of your basic pay times the percentage awarded.
 
Yes, I am sure.

AFI 36-3212: "A2.13.2. Members in Service After 7 September 1980. For members who entered a uniformed service after this date, apply the retired pay multiplier based on the percent of disability to the retired pay base (RPB) instead of the monthly basic pay rate. The RPB is an average of a member's highest 36 months of active duty pay. If the member served less than 36 months, the RPB is an average of pay for the months served...."
 
Thanks again. I'm looking throughly around your forum and your credentials. I'm very impressed and must say... many thanks for what you are doing for the men and women who serve our nation. Just wish my PEBLO was as informed as you. Appreciate you and what you are doing!


Yes, I am sure.



AFI 36-3212: "A2.13.2. Members in Service After 7 September 1980. For members who entered a uniformed service after this date, apply the retired pay multiplier based on the percent of disability to the retired pay base (RPB) instead of the monthly basic pay rate. The RPB is an average of a member's highest 36 months of active duty pay. If the member served less than 36 months, the RPB is an average of pay for the months served...."
 
Glad to help! One thing that I loved about the Army was helping others, so even though it was time for me to go, I figured I could continue some of that here.

I also wanted to mention that though your pay is calculated as described above, if you pin on before your case is finalized, you will hold that grade.

Best of luck and let us know any questions.
 
Jason, I do have a question. Since my local board has met and suggested the IPEB and I have read the two reports from both my docs... do I have any say or submission via my PEBLO for clarification for the submission. My PA is spot on in his report. However, I don't like the MH doctor using words of perceived when I have provided documentation to clarifiy mistreatment, hostile working environment that goes hand in hand with the stomach/nerves isses that has led to my problems today. I think that the IPEB should not just hear one side. I don't know if I even have the opportunity to put in my two cents at this point or would that come only if I go formal board after the fact?

Glad to help! One thing that I loved about the Army was helping others, so even though it was time for me to go, I figured I could continue some of that here.

I also wanted to mention that though your pay is calculated as described above, if you pin on before your case is finalized, you will hold that grade.

Best of luck and let us know any questions.
 
You can comment on the MEB and submit a letter of disagreement. Whether the stressors are "perceived" or not should not impact your rating, though. (I say this because the disease, not the stressor, is what is rated and the criteria is the degree of your industrial and social impairment; I suppose the PEB could be negatively swayed by the presentation, but strictly speaking it is not relevant).
 
You have the option to submit anything you want along with the "package" being sent to the IPEB. In fact you must sign off that your going to include or not information with the package.

X
 
Thanks guys for the information. I just feel the need to submit some info since the docs seem to stay away from some of the important facts to somewhat cover their rears. Done deal and will provide to my PEBLO in the AM.

You can comment on the MEB and submit a letter of disagreement. Whether the stressors are "perceived" or not should not impact your rating, though. (I say this because the disease, not the stressor, is what is rated and the criteria is the degree of your industrial and social impairment; I suppose the PEB could be negatively swayed by the presentation, but strictly speaking it is not relevant).
 
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