Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 9/9/2008

Question
i have two protruding bulging discs located in L3 and L4. the l4 disc is also rubbing against the L4 right nerve causing lots of pain. i am no longer now fit for sea duty and looking at getting a medical board. i don't know what to accept because this is not what i wanted. i have already lost my billet on the boat and i don't want to work a worthless job, and most of all i don't want to be in pain. i don't know what to do. if im going to get medically discharged how can i make sure i can get the best i can and whats having a VA rep with you during the med board. also the only surgeon i saw wouldn't do the surgery and said it could make it worse. thank you for taking the time to read this and i appriacte whatever input you have.  

Answer
Dear Jim --

I am sorry that you are having back trouble.  I actually have an L4-L5 and an L5-S1 bulging disks.  They are still vulnerable if I am not careful how I lift heavy items.  However, the pain was resolved by physical therapy and a lot of exercise building my supporting back muscles.  I happen to agree with your doctor, that if your disks are only bulging and not ruptured that surgery will only make things worse.

However, I cannot fully answer your question on how to go through the medical board process, because I do not know how long you have served and what they are offering you.

If you have served an initial enlistment and are on at least second enlistment, you have a stronger case  for medical retirement than if you are on your first enlistment.  If they offered you a shore billet while you healed, and you turned that billet down, then you are not eligible for a medical retirement.

If you truly want to be in the Navy, take the limited duty profile billet, and accept the shore duty for three years.  Get a good doctor of physical therapy to design a back rehabilitation exercise program for you.  Work at it during your shore duty.  If you heal, you can get your ship billet back.  If you do not heal, you will either get surgery, or a medical retirement because you gave it your best effort, and obviously wanted to make the Navy a career.

If you decide that the only option is the medical discharge board, the VA rep is there to help you ensure you get the benefits recorded that you deserve.  All ailments due to military service will be covered by the VA once you are discharged.  You are responsible for any other health problems that arise later in life.  

The military's options, if you physically cannot serve as agreed to in your enlistment contract, are:  

1) Offer a billet for which you are physically capable,

2) Medical separation, or

3) Medical retirement.

If you turn down a billet which they offer you, you are likely to be medically separated rather than medically retired.

Please write back, if you have additional details about your career that would help me advise you.  Good luck to you.  Thank you for your service.