Leaving military soon what should I do?

[Deagle]

Hello all, 

 

I'm currently active duty and will be separating within the year. 

 

I've had a ton of surgeries while in and I'm not sure how thing will work for the process of getting benefits and care for when I leave the military. I am looking at going Guard to finish my 20 years because I'm so close (I'll be 19 years total, but only 15 active). 

 

I, like many people, had burn pit exposure which led to terrible sinus problems and surgery to remove polyps. The surgeon could not get all of them and I have more or less constant sinus pressure, infections, and stuffieness. I dont take anything other than OTC meds. I also had shoulder surgery where I tore my labrum, capsul, and rotator cuff, I still have arthritis in this arm. I also had right knee surgery to resurface the joint do to something called a plica. Finally I've had 5 foot surgeries for Hallux Rigidus that resulted in implanting synthetic cartilage in one foot and fusion of the other. The foot with the synthetic cartilage will need a fusion eventually as it's failing. 

 

Will I be able to claim these items so that I can have future care?

 

I have also been diagnosed with PTSD (i go to the local Vet center for treatment), carpal tunnel in both hands, sleep apnea (getting a sleep study done for CPAP use), migraines, IBS, depression, tinnitus, degenerative disc disease in my neck and back (VA wanted to fuse my spine when I was only 30 years old), my lungs are pretty well messed up and i have a constant cough/chest congestion, insomnia, and high blood pressure. 

I only take naproxen for the pain and a pill for high blood pressure and a migraine pill 3-4 times a month when i get migraines to stop them, my base doc said to stay away from the preventative migraine meds because it'll make my brain dependant and if I ever stopped it would make the condition worse. I take allergy meds for my sinuses, Claritin Flonase or similar. 

 

How do I proceed so that I can stay in the Guard but also ensure that I have benefits for the future? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My base doesn't offer anything for transitioning active duty (it's a Guard base with active component) so I'm trying to learn as I go. 

 

Thank you! 

Edited January 17, 2022 by Deagle
Typo

[Deagle]

7 hours ago, Mr cue said:

As other stated I would get all medical records.

And any accident reports of my injury's

I would get were I was exposed to the burn pit. And get statement from buddy now.

Lot easier than try to find them to get statements.

I would put everything together a put in the claim 6 months before I exit.

When you are released take your record to the va hospital near you and have them put in your record.

It will help with getting treatment when you exit. And them understand your condition.

Good luck

Thank you!

6 hours ago, Berta said:

"Can I join the National Guard with VA disability?
You can join the National Guard or Reserves with a VA service-connected disability rating – if you are medically cleared. But it does affect your pay and benefits. Make sure you keep this in mind if you have a VA disability rating and you are considering joining the Guard, Reserves, or even active duty.Aug 20, 2020"

https://themilitarywallet.com/join-guard-reserves-va-service-connected-disability-rating/#:~:text=Summary-,You can join the National Guard or Reserves with a,Reserves%2C or even active duty.

The site has a disclaimer:

"Note about individual applications to join the military with a VA disability rating: We are happy to answer questions in the comments about the overall process, but we cannot comment on individual medical conditions or the likelihood of a veteran being able to join with Guard or Reserves with their specific medical condition. Each application and medical waiver is handled on a case by case basis by MEPS, and if it gets far enough, the Surgeon Generals office of the respective branch the veteran is applying to join. It is recommended that you contact a recruiter and work closely with them on the process. Be prepared to do a lot of leg work on your own, as much of the work can only be done by you (such as getting medical notes from your doctor stating you are fit to serve in the military and coordinating appointments)."

Basically this is why we cannot determine here the answer to your question regarding if you could join the NG.

By MEPS they mean Military Entrance Processing Station.

As someone here mentioned, you can begin your VA claim while still in the Military . If they fo not have any Vet reps or VSOs who visit the base for this purpose you can contact one hopefully, on your own, to start a claim.

You said:

" My base doesn't offer anything for transitioning active duty (it's a Guard base with active component)"

Can you tell us the name and locale of this base?

 

Thank you, ill be reaching out to a VSO. 

I'm not sure I'm comfortable sharing my location.

 

Edited January 19, 2022 by Deagle

[Deagle]

4 hours ago, shrekthetank1 said:

You have to be at or below 30% disabled.  

As long as the VA continues to pay for treatment and the meds I take ill be happy.  My Dr wants to do surgery for the carpal tunnel, I don't want to foot that bill when I eventually need it. I'm going to hold out till the last possible minute and focus on physical therapy instead. 

[DanielB]

On 1/19/2022 at 4:31 PM, Deagle said:

 

Within this 1st year after separation is when you need to get anything that is in your Medical record service-connected. For me I had several conditions such-as a TBI, Lumbar Strain, Otitis Externa/Media, and TMJ all rated at 0%. Now as I’ve aged, filing a claim for an increase is more straightforward, where I don’t have to try to connect-the-dots for the VA.

[Rivet62]

On 1/17/2022 at 3:12 PM, GBArmy said:

If you have issues with little or no evidence, start getting them documented by seeing the VA doc.

He could start communicating symptoms to his VA doc through MyHealth eVet. That might help move things along. It becomes part of the record.

Edited January 31, 2022 by Rivet62
added "becomes part of the record."

[Rivet62]

On 1/17/2022 at 7:13 PM, Deagle said:

I have a question based on the part 4, for my symptoms does that go at present or a generalization of over time?

If you get to see a VA doc then you should use MyHealth eVet messaging to your doc(s) as soon as you can to help establish symptomology, and the docs and the VA will recognize the symptomatology. In other words, it alerts your doctors to take action. What you state in MyHealth eVet becomes part of your VA medical record. It's very useful for claims. My back ratings are based on symptoms in addition to medical findings. I wouldn't hesitate to start messaging your VA doc to bring him or her up to speed. What you say is entered in your VA medical record and it's there for every VA health provider that you see. It's there for the VBA to see, too. I was able to move my claims along faster because I could get tests and imaging done faster because symptoms alerted the providers. I exploited MyHealth eVet messaging by stating exactly how my back conditions occurred in service, so that my providers could understand how my existing condition was aggravated in service.  MyHealth eVet messaging is probably the number one reason I like to keep my care within the VA Healthcare System.

[blahsaysme2u]

On 1/17/2022 at 8:22 PM, Deagle said:

I'm on a small guard base so I have to drive a couple hours to go through the TAP process.

are you NG.... i was also and had lots of issues with medical records being "lost" because of transfers between active and NG status. i also did post deployment exams outside of the "active duty" timeframe, and have been fighting to show those are service records. make sure you have copies of anything and everything before you discharge. if i didnt have the post deployment exam in my personal records i would have never won my SC for OSA and possibly others i mentioned in that exam(now using that same record for sinus issues from burn pits presumptive SC) wish you luck my friend!