i’m infantry in the army and got a TBI from shooting a carl gustav while deployed in september. i only knew i got a TBI because i started having chronic headaches after and over holiday leave they started turning into chronic migraines. now, they’re debilitating and typically last around 5 days a week. over the last month i’ve been to the ER 4 times and have missed 4 days of work. i’m often having to ask to be excused from PT because i can’t see well enough to drive due to them. i’ve been prescribed sumatriptan, naproxen, and topirimate for the migraines and none of them do anything. my PCM asked if i wanted to be separated and i told him i think it would be best. he told me that he’d need something from my neurologist saying she thinks i should but she isn’t familiar with how the army does things since she’s civilian and i also can’t get in to see her consistently. currently i’m waiting for my appointment in the middle of june. is there anything i can do to help speed this up?
MEB possibility
- Thread starter mitchellm
- Start date
Civilian docs can't say you should be out. However, they can say that when experiencing migraines that you aren't able to do certain activities and that instead of such activities you should lie down in a dark room and take an abortive medication etc.
The civilian doc isn't going to do the actual referral. Your PCM is just asking for a specialist to back them up. A letter stating the things you can't or shouldn't do pertaining to your job should do the trick. For example, Soldier experiences frequent debilitating migraines which happen x number of times per week. During these episodes Soldier cannot do PT, Drive, Carry or shoot a weapon, etc.
You get the idea?
Also, there isn't anything fast about getting referred to IDES or going through the process while in IDES. Take this time to learn as much as possible. Consider hiring private counsel. Look into what conditions cause you to be unfit. Infantry has a better chance of adding on unfit conditions since even a minor injury or illness can prevent you from being in combat. Evaluate what conditions you believe are unfit and right now try to get on profile for all of them. Communicate them to your commander and see if commander will allow you to write up the impact statement for them. Most do it themselves. Some appreciate it if you do the work for them and then if they read it and agree all they have to do is sign it
. Think about what things you can do to strengthen your case to add additional unfit conditions. Are there any that would qualify for combat related? If so, make sure you check into all of that to see if that's something you want to fight for if the PEB doesn't designate an unfit condition combat related. There are so many things Soldiers can do while waiting that can make a huge difference in the outcome.
It might be helpful for your PCM and your Neurologist to go old fashion and telephone one another.
Or an alternative the specialist sends a treatment note to the referring physician. This use to be SOP, but is not done as often as it use to be.
@mitchellm
@chaplaincharlie and @Provis are right. Working with your doctor is a great start. If your pharmacology matches debilitating issues, they are usually very willing to give you a P3.
Full disclosure: I was a Marine JAG (Deputy SJA for Camp Lejeune), Active Duty and Reserve IPEB & FPEB attorney, federal government civilian FPEB & TDRL-focused attorney at the Navy PEB, and now a private PEB attorney.
@chaplaincharlie and @Provis are right. Working with your doctor is a great start. If your pharmacology matches debilitating issues, they are usually very willing to give you a P3.
Full disclosure: I was a Marine JAG (Deputy SJA for Camp Lejeune), Active Duty and Reserve IPEB & FPEB attorney, federal government civilian FPEB & TDRL-focused attorney at the Navy PEB, and now a private PEB attorney.