Hello everyone,
First off, I want to say thank you — just reading through these threads has already given me some insight into what I’m currently going through. I’m hoping to get some guidance on the best way forward.
I’m currently serving in the National Guard and was officially diagnosed with narcolepsy in January 2024. Right after the diagnosis, I informed my unit and received an email with the initial counseling paperwork to begin the NDR-PEB process. I have already submitted all documentation and have selected to be reconsidered for service hoping this triggers an official board process. I spoke with my unit’s PA and expressed that I wanted to pursue a medical retirement, as I believe my condition is service-connected. However, I was told that it would be impossible to prove and not worth pursuing.
I currently have 9 years of service in the National Guard (10 years this October), and I’m rated 90% by the VA, with narcolepsy alone rated at 80%.
To give a bit of background — back in 2019, while on Title 32 orders, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. At the time, I consistently told my sleep doctor that using the CPAP wasn’t helping, and that I felt something else was wrong. Despite this, she refused to order a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) and kept blaming my symptoms on my weight. After being dismissed multiple times, I gave up searching for answers.
Fast forward to October 2023 — I was ordered to attend an ACFT at 0400 during drill, and I experienced a severe sleep attack while driving, nearly crashing. That incident finally pushed me to seek real medical help, even though I knew a narcolepsy diagnosis would likely end my military career.
Now I’m at a crossroads:
Do I continue to fight for a medical retirement and push to have my condition recognized as service-connected by the DoD, or should I focus on reaching 100% VA disability and prepare to separate? I’ve read that even if I receive a 50%+ rating from the DoD, I won’t be able to collect military retirement pay until I turn 60, due to receiving VA compensation.
Apologies for the long message, but I wanted to lay everything out clearly. I would really appreciate any guidance or experiences anyone is willing to share. Thank you in advance for your time and support.
First off, I want to say thank you — just reading through these threads has already given me some insight into what I’m currently going through. I’m hoping to get some guidance on the best way forward.
I’m currently serving in the National Guard and was officially diagnosed with narcolepsy in January 2024. Right after the diagnosis, I informed my unit and received an email with the initial counseling paperwork to begin the NDR-PEB process. I have already submitted all documentation and have selected to be reconsidered for service hoping this triggers an official board process. I spoke with my unit’s PA and expressed that I wanted to pursue a medical retirement, as I believe my condition is service-connected. However, I was told that it would be impossible to prove and not worth pursuing.
I currently have 9 years of service in the National Guard (10 years this October), and I’m rated 90% by the VA, with narcolepsy alone rated at 80%.
To give a bit of background — back in 2019, while on Title 32 orders, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. At the time, I consistently told my sleep doctor that using the CPAP wasn’t helping, and that I felt something else was wrong. Despite this, she refused to order a Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) and kept blaming my symptoms on my weight. After being dismissed multiple times, I gave up searching for answers.
Fast forward to October 2023 — I was ordered to attend an ACFT at 0400 during drill, and I experienced a severe sleep attack while driving, nearly crashing. That incident finally pushed me to seek real medical help, even though I knew a narcolepsy diagnosis would likely end my military career.
Now I’m at a crossroads:
Do I continue to fight for a medical retirement and push to have my condition recognized as service-connected by the DoD, or should I focus on reaching 100% VA disability and prepare to separate? I’ve read that even if I receive a 50%+ rating from the DoD, I won’t be able to collect military retirement pay until I turn 60, due to receiving VA compensation.
Apologies for the long message, but I wanted to lay everything out clearly. I would really appreciate any guidance or experiences anyone is willing to share. Thank you in advance for your time and support.
