Expert: Howard Lorenz - 5/13/2008

Question
Hello,

My sister has been in basic since Mid-February.  In the beginning of March, she sustained injuries in both knees, and in both feet.  She attended PT and was placed on bed rest.  After a few weeks of this, she was granted 30 days leave to rest at home.  She returned 2 weeks ago, and now she has been told by her doctors that they will be recommending a discharge.  My question is, because these injuries were not pre-existing and they occurred as a result of basic training, will she be able to receive medical coverage for these injuries?  In addition, what other benefits could she receive?  Thank you in advance for your response.


Answer
She needs to maintain copies of everying.... She is entitled to make copies of here medical record, she needs to do it. Technically those who are under the 180 day mark are just dishcharged for not being medically fit so something along those lines...

If the injuries happened at BMT, then she can prove a service connected disability... The fact that they allowed her to rest at home is baffeling, but not suprising. This is what I call a whitch of responsibility. Now she will have to prove that she was resting the whole time if the government decides to grant disability. THis is why I would strongly reccomend that she have an entire copy of the record made..sometimes they charge for this ...its worth it int he long run...She needs to also make sure that everything is in her record and that she does not want to be discharged...she can fight it! The military hopeds that the enlistee will take the separation becasue it releases the GOV from liability to her.

She needs to stay on top of the docs and make sure that they are giving her everythng that is needed