Multiple Sclerosis - Questions

[DanielleGibson]

I’ve been in the Air Force for 8 years this February. I was diagnosed with my first clinical episode of Multiple Sclerosis (although I have 4 lesions) in 2017 and due to an administrative error, my case only recently went to a DAWG. All of my symptoms are well documented and I am on medication for them:

• Copaxone
• Cymbalta (anxiety)
• Baclofen (muscle spasms)
• Provigil (fatigue)

The DAWG referred me to an IRILO in December, my Commander is signing her impact statement this week, and my specialist should be writing my NARSUM in the next week or two. I wrote the impact statement with my shirt and it basically says that I am struggling to complete 8 hour work days and that in the last year I missed about 10 days for appointments, 7 days for unofficial quarters, and there were about 12 days that I had to either leave early or come in late due to fatigue. Additionally, I took 30 days of leave between assignments (PCA) to reduce stress. Just getting out of bed has been a serious struggle, let alone completing a full work day, and needless to say PT has become a significant issue (although I haven’t failed a test). My Commander will be recommending that I am not retained. Additionally, I am hoping to have my NARSUM written in a way that falls in line with the Commander’s impact statement. I have a PEBLO and she is phenomenal, but I am hoping to get some other opinions.
I know that no one here can tell the future but I’m hoping to get some opinions and maybe hear some experiences. I have a ton of questions but I’ll start with these:

• What is the likelihood that I’ll be medically retired?
• What kind of ratings should I expect if I am medically retired?
• What kind of timeline am I looking at?

Any input would be GREATLY appreciated – thank you in advance!

 

[chaplaincharlie]

Retirement is highly likely.

The minimum rating for MS is 30%. Based on what you have described, I'd expect you will be above the minimum. MS is rated by individual disabilities. So you will have to claim all the problems you are having. Every nerve group, every muscle group that is problematic. The MSC from the VA should help you. Don't be modest, list every disability! Your final rating will be determined based on the number of muscle and nerve groups affected, plus any other contentions you may have in addition to MS.

The timeline is the wildcard. Timelines are all over the place. My advice is to have a plan, but don't commit to anything time sensitive that will cost you money (renting a place, buying a home, moving...0.

 

[DanielleGibson]

Thanks for the quick response! Fingers crossed for medical retirement and decent ratings!

The Air Force has a "road map" posted on AFPC that says the average timeline is about 230 days. I looked at about 22 different timelines others have posted on this site and 230 seems like a good estimate. It looks like about 160 days is the average from Code 37 to retirement orders being issued...does that sound about right to you? I definitely don't want to commit to anything that is going to cost money but I am a single parent and I'd really like to get my daughter into her "final" elementary school this fall but that means I'll need to be out by then!