I was AD USN for 13+ years and immediately joined the USNR. I was conditioned during my entire career to never speak of my mental health issues or anything that could hold me up from getting to 20 years, active or reserve. I deployed 5 times, twice to combat zones and never had a post-deployment medical evaluation.
One month after my EAOS, several community doctors/psychiatrists diagnosed me with 5 mental health conditions that began as early as a military sexual trauma (MST) right after bootcamp that I hadn't reported until after separating from AD. I am on meds for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and insomnia for those conditions. I also have over a dozen neurological/physical conditions, including a TBI and chronic migraines that weren't diagnosed formally until after my EAOS. My neurologist has me on migraine meds and the VA TBI clinic is seeing me. I do have old emails, 2 dozen witness statements, and several nexus letters from therapists, psych RN's, and psychiatrists showing that my conditions began while I was on AD.
I ended up in a crisis center one month after my EAOS. I did not yet have orders for my reserve duties. That was where I spoke first of my 13 year-old unreported MST and my mental health state was evaluated concluding that I should be partially hospitalized (PH). I have TAMP 6 months of transitional TriCare healthcare which didn't cover any local PH programs and I wasn't yet enrolled with the VA.
My list of traumatic events during my AD time that affected me: MST, physical abuse, unlawful detainment and coercion by a superior, denial to counsel, violations of privacy act laws (a US congressional representative got involved with those last few), Boston marathon bombing, active shooter, the Hawaiian missile false alert, 2 rocket explosions on my base while on duty, CACO duties for 3 years, my best friend's (a shipmate's) murder, physical abuse by a shipmate, fighting several ship fires, and submarine battery chemical exposure which caused retinal holes, along with many other circumstances.
My reserve medical officer has deemed me unfit to deploy and gave me a Line of Duty Healthcare (LOD-HC) package to submit me up for an MEB (very likely to result in my separation from the reserves, which I have accepted and am ok with). My LOD-HC package is tied to a restricted SAPR report, so until/if I elect to file it as unrestricted, then the process can go forward. I must give written permission to unrestrict my report and submit up the LOD-HC, which would initiate an MEB.
Truth be told, I would rather just be separated and petition for retroactive medical retirement from AD. I know I'm getting ahead of myself having not yet even been MEB'd, but I need to know that I won't just be tossed to the curb with nothing to show for my nearly 14 years of service.
I have been trying to find a Massachusetts attorney to represent me at the inevitable MEB and PEB, BCMR, PDMR, or Federal Claims Court. The perfect outcome for me would be to medical retirement from AD.
My LOD-HC package is being reviewed by the VA legal clinic and I've reached out to the navy VLC and 2 JAGs about the issue, but I need a disability attorney that will drive this home with me.
Any feedback or assistance that you can provide is extremely appreciated.
One month after my EAOS, several community doctors/psychiatrists diagnosed me with 5 mental health conditions that began as early as a military sexual trauma (MST) right after bootcamp that I hadn't reported until after separating from AD. I am on meds for PTSD, depression, anxiety, and insomnia for those conditions. I also have over a dozen neurological/physical conditions, including a TBI and chronic migraines that weren't diagnosed formally until after my EAOS. My neurologist has me on migraine meds and the VA TBI clinic is seeing me. I do have old emails, 2 dozen witness statements, and several nexus letters from therapists, psych RN's, and psychiatrists showing that my conditions began while I was on AD.
I ended up in a crisis center one month after my EAOS. I did not yet have orders for my reserve duties. That was where I spoke first of my 13 year-old unreported MST and my mental health state was evaluated concluding that I should be partially hospitalized (PH). I have TAMP 6 months of transitional TriCare healthcare which didn't cover any local PH programs and I wasn't yet enrolled with the VA.
My list of traumatic events during my AD time that affected me: MST, physical abuse, unlawful detainment and coercion by a superior, denial to counsel, violations of privacy act laws (a US congressional representative got involved with those last few), Boston marathon bombing, active shooter, the Hawaiian missile false alert, 2 rocket explosions on my base while on duty, CACO duties for 3 years, my best friend's (a shipmate's) murder, physical abuse by a shipmate, fighting several ship fires, and submarine battery chemical exposure which caused retinal holes, along with many other circumstances.
My reserve medical officer has deemed me unfit to deploy and gave me a Line of Duty Healthcare (LOD-HC) package to submit me up for an MEB (very likely to result in my separation from the reserves, which I have accepted and am ok with). My LOD-HC package is tied to a restricted SAPR report, so until/if I elect to file it as unrestricted, then the process can go forward. I must give written permission to unrestrict my report and submit up the LOD-HC, which would initiate an MEB.
Truth be told, I would rather just be separated and petition for retroactive medical retirement from AD. I know I'm getting ahead of myself having not yet even been MEB'd, but I need to know that I won't just be tossed to the curb with nothing to show for my nearly 14 years of service.
I have been trying to find a Massachusetts attorney to represent me at the inevitable MEB and PEB, BCMR, PDMR, or Federal Claims Court. The perfect outcome for me would be to medical retirement from AD.
My LOD-HC package is being reviewed by the VA legal clinic and I've reached out to the navy VLC and 2 JAGs about the issue, but I need a disability attorney that will drive this home with me.
Any feedback or assistance that you can provide is extremely appreciated.
