Contacted by PDA

Today, an SFC from the PDA (Physical Disabilities Agency) called me.  He emailed me a document (Election Relative to Re-Enlistment) on which I had to declare my intentions regarding active duty (this is separate from the one I signed for the medical board).

I initialed the “I elect to reenlist in the Regular Army/Army Reserve/National Guard within 90 days following approval of my PEB findings” box.

I was informed this document would be sent to a DoD civilian who would then contact me with further instructions regarding my “reenlistment” within the week.  Below is the form I received.

Election Relative to Re-Enlistment

Found Fit for Duty!

Last Tuesday, 12 Feb, 2013, I was called in to my PEB liaison’s office for some “news”.  I suspected that the medical board had finally responded.  Sure enough, the board had sent their answer.  The following is a direct quote from the document.

Box 8.

“Returned Duty as Fit.

Your condition has improved to the extent that you are now fit for duty.

Since being placed on the TDRL, re-examination indicates that your condition has improved to the point that currently there is no functional impairment that precludes satisfactory performance of duty.  The PEB considers you fit for duty in your present rank and primary specialty.  Accordingly, you may, with your consent, be returned to active duty or active reserve status.  Details will be provided by letter from Commander, Human Resources Command.

You are advised that a member of an armed force may not be required to sign a statement relating to the origin, incurrence, or aggravation of a disease or injury that he/she has.

Box 9.

THE BOARD FINDS THE  SOLDIER IS PHYSICALLY FIT

And that the soldier’s disposition be:  Returned to duty as fit.”

 

I signed the response page that I concurred with the findings.  In approximately 2 weeks, I should be receiving orders and instructions sending me to a local recruiter for reinstatement.

 

January 2013 Update

I received a call just after the new year to go BACK to the army doctor at Ft. Leavenworth.  The medical board called my liaison and told them I need to be evaluated for my shoulders!  My shoulders were NEVER taken into consideration for my original medical board procedure.  While I was still on active duty, I had been on crutches for over a year and it was beginning to bother my shoulders.  I had commented about it to a doctor at some point (don’t even remember when), and the comment made it into a medical report.

The medical board found this complaint/comment during their review for returning to active duty and decided they wanted x-rays and an evaluation.  Now, according to regulations, ONLY the condition that placed a soldier on TDRL can be evaluated when requesting to return to active duty.  My liaison informed me that the only reason they would request this information would be to determine “whether or not I need a profile” for my shoulders.

My liaison believes the board is considering finding me fit for duty.  The doctor ran me through several range of motion tests for both my shoulders and my hips (and took new x-rays of my hips for good measure) and wrote in his report that my shoulders are fine (according to X-rays, although there is a small amount of correctable (with stretches/exercise) impingement, probably due to the crutches (shoulders are not meant to bear weight).  He also re-expressed his confidence in my ability to return to active duty.

The reports have all been turned in to the medical board, so yet again, we await their response…

Inquiry Sent

Last week (during my normal bi-weekly follow-up call to my PEBLO), I learned the computer systems were back up but no news on my status from the medical board.  She told me she would be sending an inquiry on my file/case along with “a few others who are also waiting”.  Apparently I’m not the only one who has been in the queue longer normal.  I will follow-up with her next week.

Still Waiting!! Computer systems down?!

I called my PEBLO today, and she said that the computer systems have been down for the last 2 weeks!  All medical board processes are digital, meaning they are sent out digitally and received digitally.  No snail mail whatsoever.

They always tell me they will call me when they hear something, but, no offense to them- I will continue to follow up weekly.  I will post again before Thanksgiving next month, unless I have an update before then.

Still Waiting

As of today, 29 Aug ’12, I am still waiting to hear from the medical board.

Introduction

Introductions

I am a SPC in the US Army.  4 years ago, I was medical boarded for bi-lateral acetabular hip impingements brought on by an accident in the line of duty.  Long story short, I was placed on TDRL (Temporary Disabled Retirement List) at rating of 30%.  I never wanted to leave the army, but the options I had been given were not good, and at the time, military surgeons were just learning how to deal with this type of medical injury/issue.  After seeking advice, I chose to the medical board route in hopes I could get a civilian surgeon to “fix” me.  Even then, my goal was always to resume my army career at a later date.

This blog documents my journey back to active duty from TDRL.  There just doesn’t seem to be very much documented information out there on the web on a soldier coming off of TDRL and regaining his/her active duty status.

Please note that these are MY experiences, and you should not base your expectations nor make decisions solely on what you read here.

Stay tuned for more.  I will be updating often.