HEllo I know this was a discussion a while back, but I just have to ask again is there anyone here that had the surgery that is still currently serving in the military, how is the transition for you after the surgery and how are you coping, did you have to change jobs, or did they automatically start a MEB once you had the surgery? I’m getting ready to have my surgery in a few months and I’m just trying to prepare myself for what’s next…
Michelle, there is a group for military Chiarians- just in case you didn’t know :)also you can type in a key word into the search bar under the Discusions tab that may bring up past discussion similar to what you are looking for.
http://www.chiarisupport.org/group/military-and-the-war-against-chiari-1
Jenn
How are you feeling about your upcoming surgery?
Jcdemar I’m a little anxious not knowing what the outcome will be for my career, I guess I just have to play this out and see what happens!
Michelle, I understand completely. We never know how it’s going to shake out. Plan to take at least a couple months off and allow yourself to heal slowly. Try to make your healing process and environment as stress free as possible; let your family and friends know that you will need their help and will be out of commission for a while. After my decompression I went back to work (which is very physical),full time, at about 2.5 months out. Although I was able to work, I was by no means healed up and back to normal. Even after a year I was still noticing improvements with energy level and other small changes. Please keep us up to date with how you are handling everything and remind us about your surgery date as it gets closer.
Jenn
I wish I could help you on this Michelle, but I didn't find out about my Chiari until after my MEB was already done and I was retired, nor have I had the surgery. I do wish you the best of luck with everything though.
Heather
Best of luck with the surgery, I and well as many others will have prayers and positive thoughts for you and your loved ones. Thank you for your service to our country. I hope you find all of the answers you are looking for, as my CM came after I was discharged, but my family and I are looking for a link between my CM and my ANGLICO (airborne just USMC version) days.
I am in the Coast Guard and just took an MRI for pain in neck and jaw. MRI results state Chiari one malformation and peglike tonsils. I am going to see a nuro at USC on september 17th. I am extremley worried about a MEB. has anyone been through a MEB? Just wondering if Ciari results in medical retirement or if the military just gets rid of you.
Thank you guys, I pray all goes well!
It depends on ones' time of service for a pre existing condition. Jag Peb lawyers can assist you with questions regrading the rules and regulations for pre existing conditions. But its an 8 year rule to medical retire instead of discharge but its does say "service-aggravated". So it reallly comes down to the years of service and if primary occupation occupation aggravated the condition. Whats your TIG and your occupation ? Just stay focus on your current issue and meet with the Nuro.
Here is some info regarding your : question MEB Pre existing condtion
IMD said:
I am in the Coast Guard and just took an MRI for pain in neck and jaw. MRI results state Chiari one malformation and peglike tonsils. I am going to see a nuro at USC on september 17th. I am extremley worried about a MEB. has anyone been through a MEB? Just wondering if Ciari results in medical retirement or if the military just gets rid of you.
Thank you for your reply Jess,
Did you have the decompresson sugery?
Jess Golo said:
It depends on ones' time of service for a pre existing condition. Jag Peb lawyers can assist you with questions regrading the rules and regulations for pre existing conditions. But its an 8 year rule to medical retire instead of discharge but its does say "service-aggravated". So it reallly comes down to the years of service and if primary occupation occupation aggravated the condition. Whats your TIG and your occupation ? Just stay focus on your current issue and meet with the Nuro.
Here is some info regarding your : question MEB Pre existing condtion
IMD said:I am in the Coast Guard and just took an MRI for pain in neck and jaw. MRI results state Chiari one malformation and peglike tonsils. I am going to see a nuro at USC on september 17th. I am extremley worried about a MEB. has anyone been through a MEB? Just wondering if Ciari results in medical retirement or if the military just gets rid of you.
IMD said:
Thank you for your reply Jess,
Did you have the decompresson sugery?
Had decompression surgery Apr5 2013 . See my pictures . Pick a neurosurgeon that has experience dealing with CH1. Its overwhelming just take it a day at a time. Does the coast guard have a Warrior Transition unit? I was transferred from a regular unit to unit that deals with injured soldiers for my MEB. This help alot with my healing process.
Hi Jess,
Did you file a claim with the VA when you got out? Do you know what the rating is for Chiari?
IMD,
Dod made a VA claim for me. I think it was 30 percent for Chiari.