Expert: Howard Lorenz - 3/14/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have been in the air force for 10 years and just found out that I might be MEBed. I have chest pain, asthma and sometimes my left arm tingles. my CC is fighting for me to stay in and I told my doc that I want to stay in because it doesn’t effect my job but now I don’t know. It effects my job but I just didn’t want to say anything. I have "self controlled" my shortness of breath and avoiding to go the ER so that I won’t get boarded out. now I realized that the majority of my chest pain and shortness of breath comes from stress at my job and from my supervisors. I work services and it’s not the hardest job in the world. I want to take my bodies advice and tell the doc to MEB me but how do I do it without him thinking that I’m using my asthma as an excuse? I come from a military family and my mom is going thru so many health problems because she didn’t listen to her body and I don’t want to be like that. I need advice please.

ANSWER: Rachael,

If the Air Force MEB's you ...Its a medical Retirement. You still get money although its not a lot, plus you get all the VA benefits. You have been in the AF for 10 years, this is service connected. I know that you want to continue your career, but what if its more serious than just asthma... Can you afford not to listen to your body's advise? If they MEB you then they MEB you, You are not leaving empty handed. Do yourself the favor.... Get to the root problem of your situation....Then take it one day at a time.. They may not MEB you, then may just not let you reenlist.... Whats better? the MEB, if they dont let you re enlist....You get no medical retirement... Some retirement is way better than none!

H

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: "When I went to the ER they said that it was an entrapped nerve but when I looked it up it had all these heart problems and Wave already been tested for pulmonary hypertension and cleared of that. could there still be something wrong with my heart? Also I have 4 of the worst problems…….sinus problems (I had surgery) and asthma and hives and eczema. Which way should I go with that. Also, I was deployed to Iraq in 05 could these be a result of that?"



ANSWER: If you didnt have the conditions before you enlisted, then its more than likely something that happened as a result of something ... Cause & Effect. I cant say for sure that your deployment to Iraq was the culprit, but the VA looks at as a contributing factor to the condition. If you are unsure that your condition is fully diagnosed, then make these docs seek the source of why now after 10 years of service that you now have a condition... The more documentation, the bigger the VA disability percentage which equates to more $$$!! As long as you are in the military, dont be afraid to get things looked at and get it documented in the records.

If you remain deployable...they will more than likely not run the MEB, once you are undeployable, then its a war to stay in.. BUT all in all...YOU ARE MORE IMPORTANT than the career you are working. If you believe that you have a condition that may threaten your life, then dont be afraid of going and getting things checked... I still do and just reenlisted for 6 more!! I have been on a No Running profile since 2006. No MEBs yet.. as long as I stay deployable and can pass the PT tests... Im golden.. So figure out what you are able to do with out killing your self and if you can manage...Stay in and tell them that!! If not, get as much from the Air Force and the VA as you can so that you can get on with the rest of your life!! The stress of the unknown does more damage to your health than anything else... Always do for you ...

H

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: sorry i dont mean to keep bothering you. i just dont want the doc to think that Hypochondriac or anything. how do i go to him without him thinking that. also, how does the VA work and what all do i have to do to get the most $$$.i know that i was afraid to get out because i'm 3rd generation military and thats all i know. now that i have a decent job lined up im ok with it.

Answer
Rachael,

You arent bothering me.. Thats why Im on this panel. The doctors can think what they want, If you are not feeling well...You arent feeling well... They probably think that Im a hypochondriac too, but the thing is If I feel like crap...I let them know... I dont give 2 shits...(Pardon the French) what they think of me.. ARE THEY DOCUMENTING the issues? Because at the end of the career, thats what matters!!

I too am actually 4th generation military, and we all served in different capacities and eras. In this day and age, you have to get what you can get, because if you dont you are left out in the cold to fend for your self.

Having the job lined up is 50% of the battle too, good for you!! I had one foot out of the gate, I didnt have that, had to re up for another few years. But even after you are out...Go to the VA regularly....That is for us... Veterans who served this country. Its yours too...Own it!!

H