Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 7/5/2008

Question
i am currently with the National Guard and i passed all my physicals and it seem like everything went down hill after signing contract at my first drill i got hurt which is now a rotator cuff injury and possible nerve damage in my neck and just last week i have been diagnosed full blown asthma i didnt run for like 1 1/2 and i tryed running and i can't sprint 30yards without feeling like im going to pass out could the asthma or shoulder injury get me discharged??

Answer
Dear Anthony --

Both conditions could get you medically discharged.  If the shoulder injury occurred on drill time, insist your unit do an "in-line-of duty" investigation and report so you can get disability assistance if the injury cannot be fixed.  You should get continued care for an injury that occurred on duty even if they medically discharge you.

If you never had an incident with asthma before, make sure they do a full medical clearance on you.  Your medication for your rotator cuff injury could be making it difficult for you to breathe, rather than you having a true asthma condition.  I don't have asthma, but when I take sulfa drugs I cannot breathe, and would never be able to complete a fitness test.  So your asthma-like symptoms could be from your medications.

DO NOT accept an initial entry separation.  Make them give you a medical separation so at least your shoulder injury will be covered.  You should continue to get medical care for your shoulder from the Veterans Administration (VA), if you are discharged from the Army.  The only way to ensure  you get that care is with a medical discharge with a disability rating.

If you think you want to return to the military once you are healed, ensure you get an RE code of at least 2 (1 is preferred) on your DD Form 214.

Please stay in touch during your medical evaluation discharge process.  Do not let them railroad you into agreeing to a lesser discharge than you deserve.  A training injury is not your fault, and you should be taken care of during your recovery.  If you do not have an advocate in your chain of command, please write back so we can discuss how I might be able to help you.

Good luck healing.  Please see if a change of medication changes your asthma symptoms.  I wish you all the best.