MEB Timeline - AD/AF - Humira (Psoriasis/PsA)

[DEADEYE]

Hey all,


I wanted to share my situation and timeline in case anyone has been through something similar, and to hopefully get some perspective as I begin the MEB process.

• Branch/AFSC: USAF, 1N051, 3 years TIS
• Medical Conditions:
  • Psoriasis – ~20% BSA. Recently started Humira (40mg biweekly) on 26 Sept 2025, with intent to continue indefinitely.
  • Glaucoma – moderate (~50%) visual field loss in right eye. Already coded with a long-term C-code. Previously went through an IRILO for this.
  • Mental Health: Being followed for anxiety, with possibility of long-term medication.

• Recent History:
  • Was redeployed early from CENTCOM due to glaucoma concerns.
  • Currently stationed at a DCW with high deployment tempo and an expected deployment window in early 2027.
• Timeline:
  • 16 SEP 2025 - Initiated Humira referral through my Dermatologist (40mg Bi-weekly, indefinitely)
  • 16 SEP 2025 - Informed PCM of my new prescription and medication
  • 17 SEP 2025 - PCM informed me that "if I stay on the medication that i will have to undergo the MEB process"
  • 26 SEP 2025 - Administered 1st dose of Humira
  • 26 SEP 2025 - Informed PCM of 1st dosage, and asked if MEB referral could be initiated
  • 26 SEP 2025 - PCM team contacted me about beginning MEB referral and are collecting all specialist notes from dermatologist
  • 09 OCT 2025 - (PENDING) - AMRO, to decide if they send me to FULL MEB or review again later (some indication from PCM team that FULL MEB is more likely)

My Concerns / Goals:

• From what I’ve read in AF waiver guides and PEB forum, Humira requires an MEB.
• I believe separation/medical retirement is in the best interest of myself and the AF, given immunosuppression, deployment limitations, and redeployment history.
• My PCM mentioned I may just get another C-code, but I’m not sure that’s realistic with Humira + glaucoma + redeployment.
• Commander is tracking, and I’ve respectfully requested he consider a “Do Not Retain” recommendation if asked for input.

Questions for the Community:

1. Has anyone else on Humira been returned to duty with just a C-code, or does it almost always go to separation/retirement? ( I have scoured the forum, and looking for more specific answers)
2. How heavily do commander recommendations weigh in your experience?
3. With my conditions stacked (Humira, glaucoma C-code, redeployment, possible anxiety meds), what outcomes seem most likely?
4. Any advice on what to do now while waiting for AMRO → IRILO → possible MEB/PEB?

Thanks in advance — I know a lot of you have walked this road already, and I appreciate any insights.

 

[DEADEYE]

UPDATE

04 Dec 2025 - AMRO initiates IRILO process

According to my PEBLO, the PCMs are taking about 1 month to write up summaries. Looking at submitting IRILO sometime in January

 

[CrohnieOstomate]

I was on humira and returned to duty with a C code. A full MEB wasn’t directed until I continued to have significant issues and was hospitalized a couple times. I’m also on Zoloft and don’t think it was ever really considered during my first IRILO or current MEB as it’s not disqualifying.

 

[DEADEYE]

I was on humira and returned to duty with a C code. A full MEB wasn’t directed until I continued to have significant issues and was hospitalized a couple times. I’m also on Zoloft and don’t think it was ever really considered during my first IRILO or current MEB as it’s not disqualifying.

Are you able to deploy or TDY with the C-code?

I’m very confused as to their decision making with humira cuz there are a dozen people on this forum who have been separated just for humira, and then there are cases like yours.

Were there any factors that you think led them to return you versus separating? TIS, job, etc??

 

[CrohnieOstomate]

You can go TDY and deploy CONUS only with my C code (I think there are three different ones). I work a desk job so I was still able to do most of my job even when I was in pain. While it definitely depends on the board members’ opinion, I think how much your job performance is affected is the biggest factor.

 

[DEADEYE]

What has been your solution to the refrigeration requirement when TDYing?

I also work a mostly desk job, but we have heavy deployment and TDY requirements. From talking to some of my leadership the logistical constraints put a big burden on the unit. However it’s still up in the air what their official recommendation will be on the CIS.

Ultimately I can be a decent in garrison only airman, but I can’t be a fully world wide capable airman. I’m curious to see what AFPC/IRILO thinks

 

[CrohnieOstomate]

What has been your solution to the refrigeration requirement when TDYing?

I also work a mostly desk job, but we have heavy deployment and TDY requirements. From talking to some of my leadership the logistical constraints put a big burden on the unit. However it’s still up in the air what their official recommendation will be on the CIS.

Ultimately I can be a decent in garrison only airman, but I can’t be a fully world wide capable airman. I’m curious to see what AFPC/IRILO thinks

In my career field, officers don’t deploy quite that often and there are also minimal TDYs (and they are typically only a few days), so it was easier to justify in my case.

 

[DEADEYE]

In my career field, officers don’t deploy quite that often and there are also minimal TDYs (and they are typically only a few days), so it was easier to justify in my case.

That makes a lot of sense. Do you know what C-Code you received when you were RTD? C-1,C-3, or C-3?

 

[DEADEYE]

Hey all,


I wanted to share my situation and timeline in case anyone has been through something similar, and to hopefully get some perspective as I begin the MEB process.

• Branch/AFSC: USAF, 1N051, 3 years TIS
• Medical Conditions:
  • Psoriasis – ~20% BSA. Recently started Humira (40mg biweekly) on 26 Sept 2025, with intent to continue indefinitely.
  • Glaucoma – moderate (~50%) visual field loss in right eye. Already coded with a long-term C-code. Previously went through an IRILO for this.
  • Mental Health: Being followed for anxiety, with possibility of long-term medication.

• Recent History:
  • Was redeployed early from CENTCOM due to glaucoma concerns.
  • Currently stationed at a DCW with high deployment tempo and an expected deployment window in early 2027.
• Timeline:
  • 16 SEP 2025 - Initiated Humira referral through my Dermatologist (40mg Bi-weekly, indefinitely)
  • 16 SEP 2025 - Informed PCM of my new prescription and medication
  • 17 SEP 2025 - PCM informed me that "if I stay on the medication that i will have to undergo the MEB process"
  • 26 SEP 2025 - Administered 1st dose of Humira
  • 26 SEP 2025 - Informed PCM of 1st dosage, and asked if MEB referral could be initiated
  • 26 SEP 2025 - PCM team contacted me about beginning MEB referral and are collecting all specialist notes from dermatologist
  • 09 OCT 2025 - (PENDING) - AMRO, to decide if they send me to FULL MEB or review again later (some indication from PCM team that FULL MEB is more likely)

My Concerns / Goals:

• From what I’ve read in AF waiver guides and PEB forum, Humira requires an MEB.
• I believe separation/medical retirement is in the best interest of myself and the AF, given immunosuppression, deployment limitations, and redeployment history.
• My PCM mentioned I may just get another C-code, but I’m not sure that’s realistic with Humira + glaucoma + redeployment.
• Commander is tracking, and I’ve respectfully requested he consider a “Do Not Retain” recommendation if asked for input.

Questions for the Community:

1. Has anyone else on Humira been returned to duty with just a C-code, or does it almost always go to separation/retirement? ( I have scoured the forum, and looking for more specific answers)
2. How heavily do commander recommendations weigh in your experience?
3. With my conditions stacked (Humira, glaucoma C-code, redeployment, possible anxiety meds), what outcomes seem most likely?
4. Any advice on what to do now while waiting for AMRO → IRILO → possible MEB/PEB?

Thanks in advance — I know a lot of you have walked this road already, and I appreciate any insights.

**UPDATE**

• Branch/AFSC: USAF, 1N051, 3 years TIS
• Medical Conditions:
  • Psoriasis – ~20% BSA. Recently started Humira (40mg biweekly) on 26 Sept 2025, with intent to continue indefinitely.
  • Glaucoma – moderate (~60+%) visual field loss in right eye. Already coded with a long-term C-code. Previously went through an IRILO for this.
  • Mental Health: Being followed for anxiety, with possibility of long-term medication.

• Timeline:
  • PRE-IRILO
  • 16 SEP 2025 - Initiated Humira referral through my Dermatologist (40mg Bi-weekly, indefinitely)
  • 16 SEP 2025 - Informed PCM of my new prescription and medication
  • 17 SEP 2025 - PCM informed me that "if I stay on the medication that i will have to undergo the MEB process"
  • 26 SEP 2025 - Administered 1st dose of Humira
  • 26 SEP 2025 - Informed PCM of 1st dosage, and asked if MEB referral could be initiated
  • 26 SEP 2025 - PCM team contacted me about beginning MEB referral and are collecting all specialist notes from dermatologist
  • 26 SEP 2025 --> 01 DEC 2025 - Humira "Stabilization/Trial" Period

• IRILO INITIATED
• 04 DEC 2025 - IRILO for Humira usage initiated by AMRO board
• 18 DEC 2025 - PCM completes Narrative Summary + CIS requested by PEBLO
• 19 DEC 2025 - CIS completed and signed (RETAIN)
• 22 DEC 2025 - Humira IRILO package submitted to AFPC for review
• ** HOLIDAY BREAK **
• 07 JAN 2026 - Humira IRILO returned (request to combine package w/ Glaucoma A-RILO due in January)
  • Require updated Glaucoma specialist notes and PCM A-RILO Worksheet
• 13 JAN 2026 - Glaucoma Specialist appointment completed and notes uploaded
• 27 JAN 2026 - PCM completes A-RILO worksheet for Glaucoma and sends it to PEBLO
• 28 JAN 2026 - PEBLO to submit updated IRILO/A-RILO package to AFPC
• TBD - AFPC decision RTD or FULL MEB

 

[Cteam47]

Any update?