Possible Med Board?

Y

Yerroo

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Registered Member
Hey guys. I have been in the Army for a year and some change now. I graduated Basic and AIT, and was going to be sent to Airborne school. However, before I could do so, a Drill Sergeant accused me of SHARP. I was instantly brought back to my Company, given a Field Grade Article 15, and put back into Basic Training as a punishment and extra duty at night (45/45). On day 44 I tore my labrum from training and later that night CID came in and said that this case was under investigation. I never did what I was accused of, but I was a lot newer than I am now, and didn't think I could fight it. The Field Grade was Rescinded and they sent me to Airborne Hold 3/4 months later after giving me an AAM and a COA. Ever since then I have received surgery and the surgery didn't work. I am in constant pain, I cannot sleep (it's been almost 3 months now - not a single good nights rest), and still can't do any strength training, but my Range of Motion is okay and that's all the doctor seems to care about. We were talking about a Med Board when out of the blue he decides he's going to give me a Steroid Injection. I agree to it, then he says "come see me again in 6 weeks". The steroid injection only helped clear up the pain in my back, not the actual problem. My shoulder still catches, there is still shooting pains, and I still cannot sleep - yet my doctor won't answer those questions and I'm fed up. I still have another 5 weeks before I go back and see him, but I'm at the point where I just want to take a MEB and get out. I don't see my shoulder making any more progress than it has. I'm also in a holdover status where I'm stuck wearing a camelback, need a battle buddy, can't go anywhere after EOD, and weekends is in Uniform with an on-post pass.

If I don't take the MED Board, I have to wait 9 more months for another official Eval according to the protocol, and I'm just done with it. I really am I.

The reason I'm posting this is: what do I do? How do I start the process? Do I wait the 5 weeks or can I make it happen earlier? The 5 weeks is so that my TMC can't start the Med/Board. They just want a recommendation from the doctor to start it. How do I make sure I get what I deserve and don't get fucked?

Thanks for all the help guys. Please get back to me ASAP!! Losing my mind over here...
 
I understand your frustration and your pain. It's never easy going through a health situation.
But here are my 2 cents. This is what I would do if I was in your place.
Don't worry about the MEB at the moment, focus on getting yourself better in every way possible and work with the doctor (I understand that it's not going to be easy). But honestly, MEB or not you will still have that pain. And no matter what frustration you are going through now, it will be much worse if you have to live with the pain all your life. You are in the beginning stage of your treatment and you don't want to limit yourself from the treatment by choosing MEB right away. Let the doctor exhaust all his resources and after everything if it still doesn't help MEB will always be there. It is much easy and lot cheaper to get the treatment now while still in service than it is outside.
 
Naughim said:
I understand your frustration and your pain. It's never easy going through a health situation.
But here are my 2 cents. This is what I would do if I was in your place.
Don't worry about the MEB at the moment, focus on getting yourself better in every way possible and work with the doctor (I understand that it's not going to be easy). But honestly, MEB or not you will still have that pain. And no matter what frustration you are going through now, it will be much worse if you have to live with the pain all your life. You are in the beginning stage of your treatment and you don't want to limit yourself from the treatment by choosing MEB right away. Let the doctor exhaust all his resources and after everything if it still doesn't help MEB will always be there. It is much easy and lot cheaper to get the treatment now while still in service than it is outside.
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The doctor has already used all their resources. He's just waiting on this last injection to see if it works.
 
Hi! I'm really sorry you're struggling right now. Take it with a big grain of salt since I'm AF, but my experience both as a provider and a patient is that they will exhaust their evaluations and treatment before they will consider an MEB. Sadly, I think you're going to have to wait it out till your next appointment.
 
Siligurl said:
Hi! I'm really sorry you're struggling right now. Take it with a big grain of salt since I'm AF, but my experience both as a provider and a patient is that they will exhaust their evaluations and treatment before they will consider an MEB. Sadly, I think you're going to have to wait it out till your next appointment.
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Okay, I have no issue with that. However, when that time comes, how do I approach my doctor about taking a Med-Board? My official goal, after sleeping on it and taking careful though, is to take a Med Board and get out of the Army. March 1st when I meet with my doctor, what do I want to say to let him know what my wishes are? How do I tell him my wishes with tact. I don't want to walk in there and say "Hey Doc. Lookin to take the med-board on outta here".

How do I express what I want to say without making it seem like I'm trying to use the system or take from the Army? Or am I over-thinking it?
 
I wouldn't worry about it. When the doctor feels all treatment has been exhausted, he/she will bring the MEB. At least that's what happened to me he reminded me couple of times.
 
you can't start your own MEB. your dr will start the MEB when he feels he has exhausted all medical options to get you healed. I would say you have to go to any and all appointments, take the injection and give it time to work. this is not a fast process, if you are sent through the MEB it's going to be even longer.
 
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