So glad I found this forum! I have learned more in the last couple of afternoons reading this forum than I have from the last year of going through this process. Very frustrating. I was hoping that someone could give me some advice regarding my case. I was referred for a MedBoard because of my shoulder. I was scheduled to have my shoulder fully replaced last August. However, the morning before surgery, the doctor called and informed me that he did not feel comfortable performing a full shoulder replacement on me because at the time, I was 28, I was “too young”. He told me that replacements only last 20 years or so and then I would need a new one, each time making the replacement less effective. I don’t know the truth to this but here we are…. So I have had 2 orthoscopic surgeries with a bicep tenodesis to try and fix my shoulder. Both surgeries were unsuccessful. I continue to go to physical therapy (because PT fixes everything, obviously), acupuncture, and receive steroid/cortisone shots quarterly. All of my doctors keep telling me that I need to have my shoulder replaced, except for the surgeon. They continue to say too young.
So my question is, I am going through the board having had those 2 surgeries already, but I still need more. Am I shooting myself in the foot by getting out still needing a replacement? I am at the point where I do not want to try and stop the board to have another surgery, which would have to be from a civilian surgeon instead of Walter Reed. (My plan is just to have the replacement done once I am out). No way do I want to start this process all over again. I know there is a different percentage rating from having a replacement vs. not. Which is another question, if I am out and have my shoulder replaced, will it change my disability rating at all? Or does it stay at whatever it was when the board convened.
Here is my timeline – I have learned that this is the worst waiting game there is…
Aug 2016 – 1st surgery
Oct 2016- 2nd Surgery
(I asked to hold off on referral until after my wife gave birth to our son)
1 March 2017 – Referred for MedBoard
16 – 23 May 2017 - C&P Exams
20 June 2017 - Received and signed NARSUM
24 June 2017 – Package sent to PEB
14 July 2017 - Med Board Case Accepted on MOL
And now the waiting continues.....
Thanks guys!
So my question is, I am going through the board having had those 2 surgeries already, but I still need more. Am I shooting myself in the foot by getting out still needing a replacement? I am at the point where I do not want to try and stop the board to have another surgery, which would have to be from a civilian surgeon instead of Walter Reed. (My plan is just to have the replacement done once I am out). No way do I want to start this process all over again. I know there is a different percentage rating from having a replacement vs. not. Which is another question, if I am out and have my shoulder replaced, will it change my disability rating at all? Or does it stay at whatever it was when the board convened.
Here is my timeline – I have learned that this is the worst waiting game there is…
Aug 2016 – 1st surgery
Oct 2016- 2nd Surgery
(I asked to hold off on referral until after my wife gave birth to our son)
1 March 2017 – Referred for MedBoard
16 – 23 May 2017 - C&P Exams
20 June 2017 - Received and signed NARSUM
24 June 2017 – Package sent to PEB
14 July 2017 - Med Board Case Accepted on MOL
And now the waiting continues.....
Thanks guys!