Welcome to the PEB Forum!
Definitely appreciate the information, I just requested my formal board this morning as well so now just have to wait for them to call me back. Like yourself I feel they should have rated both issues separate and I don't even think that the DOD looked at my Radiculopathy at all as all it had on my rating was for the cervical fusion. I am just gathering as much medical evidence to present at the FPEB by continuing to go to appointments and requesting all medical documentation so that I have everything I need to make my case solid.
I have no issue with the findings of unfit as I am an engineer with the navy and with the issues that I have had since I first had my first neck surgery it has become impossible to do my job on a day to day basis. I do feel that I should be medically retired and not medically separated since I have to now completely change careers and I will have to deal with the nerve damage and receive treatment for it for the rest of my life. I actually listened to the disability attorney and went ahead and requested a FPEB this morning so now I will wait to hear when I will be heard. Thank you for the response as any advice with this process is greatly appreciated.Welcome to the PEB Forum!
Well, what's your overall expectation from the DoD IDES MEB/PEB process at this point (e.g., a military disability retirement, a military disability separation with severance, or a "fit for duty" determination)?
As such, based upon your response to the aforementioned question should initially help assistance to guide you as to whether a FPEB hearing is most appropriate at this particular point in time; at least in my experienced-based opinion.
Of course, there needs to be available medical evidence and/or medical documentation to potentially support and validate whatever decision for a request of a FPEB hearing while in the DoD IDES process. Take care!
Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer!"
Best Wishes!
Alright, indeed; good deal for sure and you are welcome!
Yes we have had very similar situations, I had 2 cervical spine surgeries with 2 fusions and 2 artificial disc replacement from C2-C7 the last of which they put a titanium rod and 5 screws to ensure my spine stayed straight and reduce the risk of further injury. Since that time when I was cleared back to active duty and returned to a ship in 2013, I injured my neck 3 separate times and after finally receiving an MRI after constant complaints of numbness in my left arm and hand now have moderate to severe stenosis. They wanted to go back in and burn the nerves which I refuse to have done after learning it is not a permanent cure and you have to constantly go back every 1-3 years after the nerves grow back, which I feel isn't worth it. Because of my degenerative disc disease in both my neck and lower back I also now am about to have nerve block therapy on my lower back and am asking for something like Lyrica or Gabapentin to ease the pain and muscle spasms. Let me know how your hearing goes as well.
I am continuing to add things as well before I go to my FPEB. When I started the process I had not started getting the treatments that I am getting now because I was on a ship and getting the proper care was almost impossible at that time. Currently I have an appointment to see about getting medication for my radiculopathy as I do not want to have a third procedure on my neck at this point and the procedure of burning the nerves is not a permanent fix anyways so I would rather take medication that may ease my symptoms instead. I also am now taking medication for the headaches (Fiorcet) that I have suffered from since the two surgeries on my neck since they have become almost a daily occurance at this point and tylenol or excedrin really do nothing for me anymore. I also am not planning to take any of my medication when I go before the board so that they can see how it affects me without having treatment. At this point I really just want what is fair and I believe that 30% from DOD so that I can have medical retirement and keep my Tri-Care benefits is not too much to ask considering how this will affect me and I will need to continue medication and treatment for the rest of my life. Thank you for the information and it just reaffirms to me that I have proceeded in the right direction.
By the way what was your overall rating from DOD since they rated 2 separate issues at 20%
Thank you for the information I will make sure I list that as a question for when I go to the board.
I just got home and am now reading this but I can see if I can message you.
That is what I was afraid of as well with the burning of the nerves is that most people I have spoken with said they really didn't get much relief from the procedure. I am talking with my doctor on the 14th about trying Lyrica or Gabapentin since I have heard that those do help with the nerve damage and muscle spasms. Also curious if you experience the same pressure headaches that I get on almost a daily basis since the last surgery. I will be very interested in learning what your results are when you get them back.