What is the SOP for a medical board after a stroke?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 08:36:38 -0500

So there I was.......Just kidding. So my question/situation is as follows. In March of 2015 I had a mild stroke. The only symptoms I had at the time were loss of balance, tingling in my face on the left side, and double vision. No speech issues or anything else. Now here it is December and all symptoms are gone. I busted my but with physical therapy to be considered fit for duty so that I could reclass and work on getting promoted. I love my MOS but promotion chances are slim to none. After Neurology, Optometry, and Physical Therapy all have cleared me my provider says he has to put in a med board packet and that my retainable possibilities are low. He also said he should have done it after the stroke but he thought it would distract me from my recovery. I have other friends who have had strokes, some milder, some worse, that are still in and had no med board packet started. So my question I guess is, does anyone out there have any info on whether this is SOP or if there is just something my provider is just not telling me? I understand that my chances of having another stroke is higher than it was before my stroke, but that doesn't mean I will have another one. Any help is appreciated.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2015 12:52 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 12:52:58 -0500

A medical board is not the kiss of death, SGT Private RallyPoint Member, and may well be what you need to keep residual administrative issues in check. If you have indeed recovered fully, you should have little to worry about. Ensure that your attending physicians write a note about their evaluation of your condition and whether they believe you have any limiting factors to performing your duties. A letter from a specialist goes a long way.
Good luck!
Glad to hear you have recovered well.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 25 at 2015 5:07 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 25 Dec 2015 17:07:29 -0500

Bravo. Good for You. I think we have another Carl Brashear here.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 26 at 2015 1:06 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 13:06:48 -0500

I had a mild stroke when I was 24. Had some of your symptoms and others with a few minors that never went away. It mostly resolved very quickly and there never was a board. Perhaps the medical system post 'Nam considered my situation in the cough and cold category. Who knows. Boards are a good thing if not politically contaminated. Services like to solve their overmanning problems by pitching them elsewhere, especially VA.

1. Make a copy of all your medical record.
2. Check with your legal office and get smart on your rights and potential response mechanisms. Remember the legal office is there to serve the Service, not necessarily individuals. Just like Wal-Mart, it's a great place except for the people.
3. You really don't have much to go on until you receive the result of the board. It is either thick or thin. Thin would be you're reviewed and found to be fit for duty. Thicker would be the listing of what's wrong with you and the rationale for why you shouldn't be retained.
4. A red flag would be you're disqualified but not disabled or words to that effect.
5. Be a bit shrewd. If the service decides to push you out, get the money you're entitled to out of it. Nothing to be ashamed of. Be prepared to file VA claims down the road too if subsequent stuff shows up that relates to what's in your health record.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 26 at 2015 1:30 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 26 Dec 2015 13:30:11 -0500

I think the only chance you have is to talk to the doctor about your wishes. Tell them what you want.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Dec 27 at 2015 9:27 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Sun, 27 Dec 2015 21:27:48 -0500

When it comes to medical board the doctor has a lot of power. A knee jerk reaction by the provider can send a soldier into a medical board. Keep in mind that a Medical Board is an administrative process and a lot of it comes down to what the doctor interprets from the medical history. There are times when the providers hold back and work with the soldier under a temporary profile.

I've never heard of a med board SOP but there is AR 40-501 Standards of Medical Fitness.This is the place I would recommend you look as it states what would trigger a P2, P3, P4.

If you need an advocate, find the MEDCOM ombudsman in your installation. http://armymedicine.mil/Pages/Ombudsman.aspx

I spent 27 months inside a medical board. It is not always a fair process. Nevertheless, I survived and it bought me 5 more years in the Army. Anything is possible.

Ombudsman

Ombudsmen are selected for their demonstrated ability and passion to help Soldiers. They are located in but not assigned to Medical Treatment Facilities (MTF) and serve as a liaison between the MEDCOM, the Soldier/Family member and the MTF Commander, acting as a communicator, facilitator and problem solver.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2016 3:07 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 15:07:56 -0400

I agree with 1SG Private RallyPoint Member response and want to reiterate. You can beat a medical board. MEB is only a process.

AR 40-501 is the standard for medical fitness; Chapter 3 covers reenlistment, section 30 covers neurological disorders; paragraph f: Stroke, including both the effects of ischemia and hemorrhage, when residuals affect performance.

If you can demonstrate that you are FFD, can take/pass the APFT and keep a positive attitude, bring a note from your mother (or CDR) and have your therapist note in your goals that your long term goal is remain on AD - you should do fine. I know this from professional and personal experience.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 26 at 2016 3:24 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jul 2016 15:24:55 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member Welcome to the club. I had the same stroke. However, it was long after my military career.

I can not speak to the issues with the military, but I can say I am as well as I was before the stroke.

I hope that if your desire is to remain on active duty, you get what you want.