Psoriatic Arthritis

[Jwayne911]

Hello,

This is my first time posting in here, and so far is the only resource I have been told I could use for info on my MEB. I have been in almost 8 years and last December I was having chest pain and was admitted to the ER with symptoms of a heart attack. After getting an EKG and being sent to every Dr. on base, I went to Rheumatology in Febuary and was told I had psoriatic arthritis and I had to either take Humira or be discharged from the Air Force. Not even 5 minutes later I was getting the Humira injection right in the stomach. I started taking it once every two weeks, then every 10 days, now I take it once a week. My MEB keeps getting pushed back and I hit HYT on 29 Apr 2016. I have 73.5 days of leave so I would be able to start terminal leave on 2 Feb 16. I have no idea what I am doing, I haven't been able to meet with my PEBLO yet, and the JAG at Lackland won't help me until AFPC send the results back. Any assistance or advice would be greatly appreciated. My Rheumatologist ruled me unfit for duty, my CC the same, I am just waiting on my MEB. I have a wife and two kids and I am trying to prepare but with no approved DOS and pending MEB I am losing my mind. Thanks in advance for whoever responds.

 

[chaplaincharlie]

If you are in the MEB process, you can be placed on medical hold beyond your HYT. Talk to your medic and FSS folks about the process.

 

[scoutCC]

My MEB keeps getting pushed back

What does this mean? Is AFPC saying it needs more development or saying you don't need a MEB or?

My Rheumatologist ruled me unfit for duty, my CC the same

This is not accurate. Rheumatologist, at most, can say you fail medical retention standards. CC at most can say he agrees that your stuff is accurate. AFPC agreeing that you fail medical retention standards is what starts the MEB. Only the PEB can say you are unfit. Its nitpicking words, unfit, medical retention, blah blah, but it's important to realize who has the ability to decide what sometimes.

The MEB process is very poorly understood by many people involved in it. Sometimes understanding things in a more precise way can be quite helpful in getting the correct results. If the rheumatologist is simply saying something like he has psoriatic arthritis he's unfit to serve, I could see why AFPC would kick that back. He needs to say how severe your condition is, what treatments have been attempted and compare that to the medical retention standards. Then AFPC has the data they need to know if they can agree with him or not. Many people in the process have to gently educate the "experts", usually asking the right questions works, so their paperwork can get straightened out.

 

[Warrior644]

Hello,

This is my first time posting in here, and so far is the only resource I have been told I could use for info on my MEB. I have been in almost 8 years and last December I was having chest pain and was admitted to the ER with symptoms of a heart attack. After getting an EKG and being sent to every Dr. on base, I went to Rheumatology in Febuary and was told I had psoriatic arthritis and I had to either take Humira or be discharged from the Air Force. Not even 5 minutes later I was getting the Humira injection right in the stomach. I started taking it once every two weeks, then every 10 days, now I take it once a week. My MEB keeps getting pushed back and I hit HYT on 29 Apr 2016. I have 73.5 days of leave so I would be able to start terminal leave on 2 Feb 16. I have no idea what I am doing, I haven't been able to meet with my PEBLO yet, and the JAG at Lackland won't help me until AFPC send the results back. Any assistance or advice would be greatly appreciated. My Rheumatologist ruled me unfit for duty, my CC the same, I am just waiting on my MEB. I have a wife and two kids and I am trying to prepare but with no approved DOS and pending MEB I am losing my mind. Thanks in advance for whoever responds.

Welcome to the PEB Forum!

In retrospect, since the DoD IDES MEB/PEB process is a performance-based system, one important factor is the impact of all medical conditions affecting the military service member's ability to "reasonably perform duties of his or her office, grade, rank or rating."

As such, I would like to direct your attention to my PEB Forum URL thread for a detailed explanation about the entire DoD IDES process as follows:

http://www.pebforum.com/site/threads/a-detailed-explanation-of-the-dod-ides-meb-peb-process.22807/

To that extent, please remain "positively proactive" upon your referral and acceptance into the DoD IDES MEB/PEB process! For sure, never default acceptance to any injustices; fight then continue to fight some more until receipt of your desired expectations supportive via medical evidence and/or medical documentation!

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer!"

Best Wishes!

 

[Army aviator]

I am curious if anyone in the forum has run into a similar situation. The Army HRC Surgeon General Doctor wrote up a very detailed NARSUM, and it included Psoriatic Arthritis (mine came from post Chemo cancer treatment effects), but the Officer that wrote the LOD only listed two health issues on the LOD Form, which did not include the original Four Issues that were stated on the VA Form 21-0819 or the NARSUM.
My case has been sent to the PEB, and my PEBLO thinks that perhaps the PEB won't rate my Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis, since the LOD did not include them (even though the NARSUM did include them). What do you think?
Am I about to get screwed?