Medical Discharge and Benefits

[uberdeutsche]

What is the name of your state? South Carolina

How exactly does this medical discharge thing play out? I have seen plenty of descriptions of the type of discharge on the internet but I still have no real idea about how it plays out.

I'm an E-4 in the Navy, enlisted 10 months ago, and was right at the limits for maximum curvature of the spine (kyphosis, 55 degrees, as per whatever regulation), and I needed several Xray's to satisfy medical at MEPS, and again during boot camp (I had to straighten myself out as much as I possibly could just to meet that 55 degrees and enlist) I misjudged how comfortable I'd be being on my feet as often as it's turned out and watch and duty have become even more painful experiences because of my back.

One military doctor at boot said offhand that my condition will only get worse unless I "work on it".

I'd be having a great time in the Navy if it werent for the kyphosis.

So the choice I keep thinking about is do I suck it up and stick with all the good tidings the Navy is providing me with or do I try to see if medical can help?

If I do get medically/generally/honorably discharged, what benefits am I entitled to? Is the fight for those benefits difficult?

[SHORTY LONG]

Medical Discharges play out on a case by case base; and it all depends
upon the one who is being evaluated, and by the one's Doctor[s].

You are to be congratulated on being an E-4 with only 10 months in.

If you can suck it up and continue with what you like doing, so be it.
On the other-hand if your medical condition is to bad, the Navy will have
no other choice but to discharge you; and yes, most medical discharges
are given under full honorable conditions.

Notice the key word is most. For there are many factors that are taken
under consideration in evaluating one for a medical discharge!
As far as what type of benefits you will be entitled to if you are
medically discharged will all depend on the type and rating from your
medical doctor[s]. Are medical benefits difficult to receive. There again,
it depends on many many factors. Once one knows they will be medically
discharge for what; and what there rating is, then one will have a better
stance when applying to the VA for disability payments, help and services.

[uberdeutsche]

What types of benefits are available? I hear stories about people who are /raised/ a paygrade, and separated, yet continue to be paid until their contract is up.

I would imagine it's more like simply covering the cost of treatment, or free treatment at VA hospitals

[uberdeutsche]

Or, yet another question

If my condition lists as "disqualifiable", does that mean, were I to go to medical and they felt that I was outside regs, means automatic discharge? Can I fight for a waiver, as in would I be able to stay in the Navy while being provided some kind of treatment?

[IrishLady47]

Since you have only been in 10 months, unless you can show that military service or training has significantly impacted on your condition, it existed prior to service (EPTS). Therefore if you are discharged due to your medical condition, your benefits may not be the same as someone who was injured while on active duty OR someone who has served more than 8 years on active duty (impact usually assumed, even on conditions that existed prior to entering active duty).

You really need to talk to the medical personnel at your permanent duty station and read up on disability separations in the Navy. Your type of discharge will affect your VA benefits. For more information about those, go to [url]www.va.gov[/url].