MEB wrong from the start

[A-5_Guy]

Hi all,

So I've been following the board for over a year now, throughout my LIMDU, because my MEB was inevitable.

I'm an USMC pilot with 9 years AD. Somehow I herniated multiple levels of discs and required surgery on my L4-L5 nerve root due to numbness and tingling if I ever wanted to fly again. Well, the surgery failed (due to sever epidural scarring, edematous and enhancing nerve roots, etc) and here I am with severe sciatica in both legs. I also have herniations at the L5-S1 level on the left side of my spine that weren't addressed since multiple level diskectomy is non-waiverable for pilots and would've been permanently downing. Throughout my workups to make sure my pain was indeed from my spine they uncovered multiple other conditions that I'd been hiding for a while so I could stay in the cockpit. Long story short, in addition to lumbosacral neuritis, DDD, etc, I've been diagnosed with FAI w/ osteoarthritis, generalized anxiety disorder (seeing MH for about 4 months), periodic limb movement disorder, RLS, and a few other things.

So after seeing my orthopedic specialist and talking with him about how I thought it necessary for him to write an addendum once my neurosurgeon initiated my MEB, he initiated my MEB!!!!

Now, my MEB has been initiated for a secondary condition when I had been under the impression my NS would be my primary.

Anyways, I've repeatedly asked for it to be changed to no avail. I'm still very early in the process and have not completed my C&Ps.

Is this going to be a big deal? Does it actually matter what the referred condition was. I thought all NARSUMS/addenda will be considered.

Thanks, and I look forward to working with you all. This site is a great resource.

 

[scoutCC]

I thought all NARSUMS/addenda will be considered.

There are multiple doctors that may be contributing to the NARSUM, either by writing their portion of the NARSUM, or addendas, or what have you. The MEB is responsible for compiling those together into a single cohesive narrative. There is only one NARSUM, which is produced by the MEB as a narrative summary of what conditions fail retention, which do not, and why. The NARSUM is required to answer the retention standard question for each and every condition.

Does it actually matter what the referred condition was

What is the referred condition matters. Usually because that condition is the only one with the detailed work up needed to provide the justification for failing retention standards. There are definitely other possibilities though. Requesting an Independent Medical Review or writing a rebuttal to the NARSUM may be necessary to get the full story about other conditions that weren't referred, and often times the commander's letter can be a key piece for pushing the story forward. Even if they get the NARSUM wrong, it is still possible to argue for correct decisions about unfitness at the PEB, but getting the NARSUM write is probably best.

 

[A-5_Guy]

There are multiple doctors that may be contributing to the NARSUM, either by writing their portion of the NARSUM, or addendas, or what have you. The MEB is responsible for compiling those together into a single cohesive narrative. There is only one NARSUM, which is produced by the MEB as a narrative summary of what conditions fail retention, which do not, and why. The NARSUM is required to answer the retention standard question for each and every condition.


What is the referred condition matters. Usually because that condition is the only one with the detailed work up needed to provide the justification for failing retention standards. There are definitely other possibilities though. Requesting an Independent Medical Review or writing a rebuttal to the NARSUM may be necessary to get the full story about other conditions that weren't referred, and often times the commander's letter can be a key piece for pushing the story forward. Even if they get the NARSUM wrong, it is still possible to argue for correct decisions about unfitness at the PEB, but getting the NARSUM write is probably best.

Scout,

I appreciate the reply. I'm still pushing my PEBLO to have the referred condition changed. I'm not sure if this is possible, but it's their job to get it correct. I'm writing my commander's letter, so I'll make sure it's detailed and supports the total story. If required I'll write a rebuttal to the NARSUM in addition to an IMR.

It's kind of sad that the PEBLO told me that it, "doesn't really matter" what the referred condition was since they, "look at everything." That scares me...

 

[FloridaInjuredInCombat]

Hi all,

So I've been following the board for over a year now, throughout my LIMDU, because my MEB was inevitable.

I'm an USMC pilot with 9 years AD. Somehow I herniated multiple levels of discs and required surgery on my L4-L5 nerve root due to numbness and tingling if I ever wanted to fly again. Well, the surgery failed (due to sever epidural scarring, edematous and enhancing nerve roots, etc) and here I am with severe sciatica in both legs. I also have herniations at the L5-S1 level on the left side of my spine that weren't addressed since multiple level diskectomy is non-waiverable for pilots and would've been permanently downing. Throughout my workups to make sure my pain was indeed from my spine they uncovered multiple other conditions that I'd been hiding for a while so I could stay in the cockpit. Long story short, in addition to lumbosacral neuritis, DDD, etc, I've been diagnosed with FAI w/ osteoarthritis, generalized anxiety disorder (seeing MH for about 4 months), periodic limb movement disorder, RLS, and a few other things.

So after seeing my orthopedic specialist and talking with him about how I thought it necessary for him to write an addendum once my neurosurgeon initiated my MEB, he initiated my MEB!!!!

Now, my MEB has been initiated for a secondary condition when I had been under the impression my NS would be my primary.

Anyways, I've repeatedly asked for it to be changed to no avail. I'm still very early in the process and have not completed my C&Ps.

Is this going to be a big deal? Does it actually matter what the referred condition was. I thought all NARSUMS/addenda will be considered.

Thanks, and I look forward to working with you all. This site is a great resource.

There is a point of no return when it comes to the MEB. Do you minimize your injuries and hope to continue your military career, or do you lay it all on the table in the hopes that you are given a fair rating if in fact you cannot continue. Either way its a risk.

You have to honestly ask yourself, will the injuries you're dealing with allow you to drive on or not. Adjust your actions and your plan accordingly. If there's a slim to none chance that your career can survive the MEB intact, then its time to commit to pursuing the best outcome POSSIBLE not desired.

During the C&P exams, keep in mind that much of the rating for back injuries revolves around Forward Flexion (how far forward you can bend), and that the pain and numbness in your legs "Lumbar Radiculopathy" is a SEPARATE rate-able condition for EACH leg. So, even if you are rated low for the back injury itself, a radiculopathy rating for both of your legs may very well be enough to push your combined rating to 30% or more, the threshold for Medical Retirement.

Good luck, and I hope this helps...