Medical Board

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So just found out recently that the Air Force is not renewing my orders because they won’t let me fly with incontinence.

I’m going to have to go through probably the most embarrassing thing ever, a medical board to determine if they are willing to give me a medical retirement. I’m going to get asked all kinds of questions and get poked and prodded around the subject of incontinence.

It took me a while to finally say it out loud to doctors that I’ve been setting. Now going in front of a board is going to be a nightmare.

I talked to the rep from Veterans Affairs and she was saying they determine the rating for incontinence based on how many diapers you use in a day. To me that’s an odd indicator to make that determination.

One good thing is that my insurance is currently covering the costs so it’s documented how many I use.

It’s crazy going from being in a job I dedicated my life to and wanted to stay for 20-30 years at, and now it’s almost over. The amount of money through a medical retirement is a straight joke too. It’s like $500 a month for the rest of my life.

On the bright side I can use that money for health insurance, but it’s crazy to me that I can have an issue like this pop up and they just end it and the paycheck I’m used to at this point.

Anyone else have to tell a bunch of people about how they pee themselves all day and all night?

 

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Certainly the quality of the diaper would make a big difference in how incontinent you are if counting diapers is the determining factor so that's stupid.
But the fact the veteran affairs person even knew that was a question is indicative this is not the first time they heard this.
I can only imagine they've been there done that on many issues.

So your choice is medical retirement or what is the alternative?

But please put this thought firmly in your mind.
They are mortal human beings just as you are and are subject to medical disability as much as you or anyone by else. It isn't your fault. No more than any other medical event be which will happen to each of them also eventually.

 

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I realize you're headed into one of the most bureaucratic systems ever. If you're willing to do so, I would be armed with as many medical statistics as you can. They will at least be educated on how many American men deal with incontinence.

Your statement, Exploring Resources, "It’s crazy going from being in a job I dedicated my life to and wanted to stay for 20-30 years at, and now it’s almost over. The amount of money through a medical retirement is a straight joke too. It’s like $500 a month for the rest of my life." this shows that your dedication to serving our country is more important to you than it is to them.

The military does "use" you, as you stated. Think of all the veterans who died from agent orange in Vietnam. Now we're dealing with deaths from burn bits in our most recent conflicts. If there's the slightest chance you'll be heard, maybe you can convince them that you are still worthy of doing your job just like you have in the past. They should give you the opportunity to prove that to them rather than being cast aside due to a medical condition millions of people have.

 

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Slow down. Your looking at a retirement based on 2 factors. 1st will be your rank and time money. 2nd will be based on your disability percentage. So while your still active duty. So PTSD, ANXIETY, OTHER INJURIES. Anything while you have been in , makesure its documented very well before board review.

 

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Doctors have likely had other patients with incontinence, and someone on the panel might have it himself. It won't be the first or last time they have dealt with it. Remember that you are a pilot. Those skills can serve you well in any difficult situation,including a medical board examination! Good luck!

 

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I’m praying for you. Avery can be a secondary disability.

 

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I’m sorry. Anxiety can be a secondary

 

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@Etowah Not a pilot Just an enlisted Aviator. (I do data systems and radio ops on the jet)

 

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The portion his conversation missing is
Are there options for you to stay in the military Ina different aspect of the job that you would consider?

And grief. You clearly love what you do cc and that is hard adjustment to think of losing that part of your self.

Incontinence is a sneaky bugger how it affects various aspects of daily life.

 

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@Maymay941 The way the medical board works is that they determine if I can stay in the military in another job.

But, I’ve already done other jobs prior to this one and I really don’t have interest in going back to that. If I only had a couple years to retirement I would push for that, but now I’m hoping they help me out by medically retiring me so I can move on and start the next chapter: entrepreneurship.

I’ve always known I want to own a business when I retire, and I’ve been investing and preparing for it. The plan was to have a certain amount already prepared for that venture when I retire so I am no where near where I need to be, but with this all happening now I feel like I’m getting my mind in a good place to do it.

Ever since I was told I can’t fly and do this anymore I’ve gone through mental hurdles and ups and downs but I’m at a point of acceptance. I’ve accepted that I can’t fly. I’ve accepted that I can’t control my bladder. I’ve accepted that I wear diapers 24/7 now. I’ve accepted that I’m broken. I’ve accepted and moved on from the mindset of serving.

Now, I’m at a point I need advocate for myself and set myself up for what I’m going to do.

 

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@ExploringResources Sounds like you are hoping for a favourable medical discharge so that you can reinvent yourself. Thats pretty cool and a good plan to have. Might be earlier that you had expected.

I suspect that you will have ups and downs as you go through this process with the medical board. Feeling good about the future and feeling down about it. That is to be expected and quite normal.

As others have said, no need to worry about what the medical board things or worry about being embarrassed about going before them due to incontienece. They have heard and seen it all. Incontiennce is probable one of the least embarrassing conditions they review. Having said that I know pushing out the feeling of embarrassment as others are discussing something so personal is not easy.

I don't know what goes on during a medical board or how it is conducted. Like are you there answering questions or is it all just review of files. So not knowing and as I sit here typing and saying not to be embarrassed I think, what if I was going before the medical board to discuss my bedwetting. The feelings of embarrassment knowing that others were actively discussing my bedwetting issues and probably over thinking the whole process would be internal and externally embarrassing to me. Course I guess I never would have been accepted into the military due to my sporadic bedwetting as a teen when I would have signed up.

So I say all this to say the feelings of frustration and embarrassment are to be expected. just work though them and keep that focus on the future and your plans of being a business owners. So many have no plan or next step ready. You are ahead already.

JT

 

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@Etowah Not a pilot Just an enlisted Aviator. (I do data systems and radio ops on the jet)

 

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Sorry! But you can do this.

 

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I went through a medical board. It isn't like a promotion board where you stand in front of people and answer questions. It is your medical file that goes to the board and they are just the final check to see if what the doctors are recommending makes sense and they will set your disability percentage, hopefully above 50%. You will just get a call or email from your PEBLO some day telling you it is done. It is a formality. You can appeal the decision if you want to.
A big part of the board decision if you go or stay is what you say you want to do. If your medical problem is a result of injury on active duty and you want to stay they can usually make that happen. If you say you want to retire and your doctors agree that is a good idea the board is pretty much a rubber stamp at that point.
If you retire you will retire at 50% of your current base pay for life starting immediately. If you served less than 20 years they will deduct the amount you get from the VA so your VA+retirement pay is the amount your retirement pay. You generally can't get both unless you were injured in combat or served over 20 years. Your retirement pay as a result of a medical discharge is not taxable and VA disability is not taxable. You will have free medical coverage through Tricare but make sure you sign up for it within 90 days of your discharge.