Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 4/2/2009

Question
I was wondering what the chances are for me getting a medical discharge and how long it could take. I am active duty E-5 in the Navy, been in for almost 6 years. I have a couple of medical issues. First I have been diagnosed with PTSD and I go to therapy every week. Second, my left hip was injured at my first command, not taken care of there or at my 2nd command, now at my 3rd command they have me doing physical therapy and told me that they are going to have to do surgery on it. Third, I have mild short term memory loss caused by TBI.
Who decides if my problems are grounds for a medical board and how can I find out if they are going to do one or if they are going to try to keep me in.
Thank You, Timothy

Answer
Physical or mental health problems that are incompatible with military duty or that result in disqualification from world-wide deployment for more than 12 months are grounds for a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB).  Medical boards are initiated by the base medical facility, not the individual or the command.  The medical board consists of active duty physicians (not involved in the care of the military member) who review the clinical case file and decide whether the individual should be returned to duty, or should be separated, using the published medical standards for continued military service.  Your primary care doctor is the one who initiates the paperwork to start the process.

If you desire to get out of the Navy, you should tell him so.  Tell him you don't believe you can perform your duties anymore.  Tell him it's frustrating you and is painful both physically and mentally and you've had enough!

Once he starts the ball rolling, the paperwork process can take a long time.  My last experience with a MEB took exactly a year for them to discharge the person.

I hope you eventually recover and thanks for serving as long as you have.
Colonel H