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AIR FORCE CROHNS QUESTION

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 3/3/2010 8:31 PM (GMT 0)

Hi there my name is Leilani and Im 20. I was diagnosed with Crohn's back in May of last year and i am currently going under an MEB.  I have been through many medications since the start of this ordeal including Pentasa, Flagyl,...and pretty much anything else you can name. I started on Cimzia in Dec and since then I have been a lot better. I have a few set backs every now and then but nothing I can't endure especially after what Ive been through thus far. On the brighter side my energy has come back and I have almost gained back all of the 20 lbs. that I lost. Anyways, the decision at the base said that my case should be further reviewed so now I am waiting on the second decision.When this decision comes back, If they decide to seperate I was seriously considering taking their offer and getting out. But I want to know what happens to my rating since my symptoms have almost been completely controlled after I started this new medication...will it decrease compared to what it would have been if I was still in remission?Thanks!!!!!!!yeah

Posted 3/3/2010 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
Not sure what you mean by rating. Do you mean for insurance? Most CDers don't qualify for any type of health insurance as we're not worth the premium unfortunately.
Posted 3/3/2010 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
Hi MsThompson and welcome to Healingwell. We have a few ex military on the forum and I am sure one of them will be along to soon to give you some answers.

Hugs
Gail*Nanners*
Posted 3/3/2010 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
I'm currently active duty in the Army. You should probably check over in pebforums.com for your answer - it's all military MEB/PEB oriented. It all depends on how you are rated against the VA Schedule of Ratings for Disability. Anything over 30% is a medical retirement with benefits. Less than 30% is separation with severance pay.

You should still be able to get coverage on the outside through a group policy versus an individual policy.
Posted 3/4/2010 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
hey MZ.. wen through this way back in the mid 80's. sure some things have changed since then but the main process is almost the same.. i would strongly suggest you get yourself down to the local DAV,AMVETS,AMERICAN LEGION, etc..and get some advice and help in filing for benefits from the VA. the whole thing is very important for ther future ..you MUST be sure to try and get the USAF drs to say that the crohns was not present to the best of their knowledge before you enlisted. and that continued service will aggravate the disease. remember too, that the military drs are not your friends, theye are there to save the the governmnet money. they may offer you nothing or it might be as little as 10% rating. which gets you nada. any disability discharge lump sum you may receive has to be paid back from any VA money you may eventually get. this can take years. the lump sum is also based on rank and number of years in. so being 20 im guessing even if you went in on your 18th b-day you got less than 3 years. and maybe an E3-E4? that would give your somehwere in the 4-5 k range for a lump sum.. if they rate you at 10% with the VA that will take maybe 4-5 years before you see any money. your rating from the USAF is meaning less.i dont know what the current rules are but back in the day you had to be 8+ years for a medical retirement anything less is a med discharge. with NO BENEFITS. its the VA that will rate you after you get out and then set your rate of disability. which could take a few years. but like i said egt yourself some profesional advice from a service org. its free.. good luck
Posted 3/4/2010 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
well you should try for the maximum, as this disease has tendency to reoccur, so when they give you the Navy lawyer also consider getting a private lawyer of your own. That way if you get worse and you look back at this moment that in retrospect you should feel that you were given a fair evaluation. The rating when you get out can change when you are later under Veterans Hospital care and will reflect the condition that you are in, so such ratings can change afterwards with the VA. The pay is based on your average so on you rank while you are/were active duty and they should have given you some informative pamphlets on that. The events will likely go from being placed on the temporary disability retired (TDRL) list to a permenant retired List. So you should make the lawyer aware that even though a particular medication may give some control to your symptoms, the prognosis has not changed.
Posted 3/4/2010 2:44 AM (GMT 0)
I have to admit if I could have stayed in, I would have.

Rider rating is in reference to disability rating. 

It has been 4 years and I am still fighting for the correct rating for my crohns. 

Posted 3/4/2010 1:13 PM (GMT 0)
I like the saying about being an Army of one. But when you get sick and its time for them to help,,,,,your not the one....
Posted 3/4/2010 2:36 PM (GMT 0)
all the info i received was great and very helpful thak you so much everyone!
Posted 3/4/2010 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
I'm going through the exact same thing right now but not as far along in the process as you are.  That being said I have done a ton of research and hired an attorney.  If Crohn's is your only problem and it is currently stable and under control, you will most likely see a 10% rating and separation.  You will receive your base pay x 2, x# of years in service.  So if base pay is $3,000 and you have 4 years of service your severance would be $24K before taxes.    As previously mentioned, I would suggest you get very familiar with the following web site  http://www.pebforum.com/  .  It has a ton of info. and references as well as individuals going through the exact same thing that can help you at.  There is also instruction about getting to the VA and claiming those benefits and continued treatment.     Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions.  
Posted 3/4/2010 9:57 PM (GMT 0)
txmark - I've seen your posts here and a peb forums. I'm an Army helo pilot (or was) and probably headed to the MEB in April or so. My flight doc seems to think I can get a 40-50% disability rating based on his previous patients. I'm on remicade right now - what's the word with you? You can email me (my link is active) to avoid hijacking the thread.
Posted 3/5/2010 12:10 AM (GMT 0)
I received a medical retirement in 89 for Crohns. If I had my choice I would have stayed in. When I got out they started me at 10%. As I had more problems, i.e. surgeries, I was able to get up to 60%. I work at Lackland so look me up on the global if you have any questions.
Posted 5/20/2010 2:04 PM (GMT 0)
TxMark - your AF email is returning my mail. Please email with your current email address! Hope the MEB stuff worked out!
Posted 5/21/2010 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
I got 30% from the Coast Guard back in 94. I didn't know I could fight for more...
Oh well.
Posted 5/23/2010 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
The cd may be an easy out for you, especially if it gets you a high disability rating.  Medical discharges aren't held against you, but they don't look as good as Honorables.  Also keep in mind your meds are extremely expensive and you may not be able to afford them upon discharge.  On the other hand, you are probably not considered fit for duty and all that kind of stuff.  TXMARK has some good advice.
Posted 5/24/2010 5:26 AM (GMT 0)
I went through this exact process two years ago and was put on the temporary duty retirement list. It wasn't without a fight though. I did not want to get out of the Navy, but big Navy decided it was for the best as my Crohn's systems were out of control. Email me and I will explain what happens next and what your options are. Take Care!
Posted 5/24/2010 8:32 AM (GMT 0)
mdf34... unless they have changed things, a medical disharge IS an Honorable discharge. thats all it says on my certificate.. medical is only noted on the DD214 which no one except the government cares about.
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