Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 3/7/2011

Question
I have 19+ years AD with the USAF - I am currently an AGR (Active Guard/Reserve).  Since 2007, the reserve medical unit has been "processing" an MEB on me.  The paperwork has been lost, incomplete etc.  I had to have back surgery in 2006, both knees have been scoped, neck surgery to repair a car accident injury and a tendon release on my left hand.  I was not allowed to re-enlist because of this MEB (it was not initiated, but was supposedly "pending") but was allowed to extend to my retirement date.  I now have approx 7 months and part of a month until I can retire.  Now I'm being told my retirement paperwork cannot be processed due to the same MEB - it still has not been initiated, the LODs (Line of duty)paperwork is just now getting through the system.  All I want is to retire - Is there anything I can do?  I'm tired of all of this and really just want to retire - I have almost 30 years - 20 AD, 10 Res and am tired of dealing with a process that is obviously broken.  My commander has been driving me up the wall with his attitude towards me because of this - he uses every opportunity he can get to almost harrass me about this issue.  I still work the same job I was before these injuries, but that is not good enough for him - I cannot do PT tests and he holds that against me - all I want is retire as soon as I can which is fall of this year.

Answer
Elaine,
I know you're getting tired of this mess but it's not uncommon for the process to take at least 2 years.  Don't give up because it's very important for them to medically retire you, rather than just retire on your own.

You can get a disability paycheck for the rest of your life from the VA if they medically retire you, because your problems must be proven to be the result of "in service" injuries, etc.
Once you've retired it's hard to go back and prove all that.  If you're still in when the MEB recommends you be medically retired, then there's no doubt it was service-related.  Believe me, it's worth the wait.

You commander sounds like a young idiot who hasn't seen much of real life.  If it happens again, just tell him that his actions can be considered harassment and if he doesn't stop you'll file charges.  If he has even a little sense he'll realize a harassment case can be a career killer for him, and he'll be getting out before you.
I wish you well and thanks for your service.
Colonel H

PS.  Sorry for the delay in answering, I just came back from a mission.