Medical Discharge In Near Future, would like help/info...

[yellowaf11]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Texas

I have currently been in the Air Force for 2 1/2 years (signed a six year contract.) Long story made somewhat short is prior to joining the AF, while i was in high school, I fractured my right pinky finger twice and developed some scar tissue but never had any problems after that, recruiter never even put it in my records. October 2007 (while i was in the AF) broke my ring finger and severly bruied same pinky finger, then ended up rebreaking ring finger the week i was supposed to get my splint off. January 2007 I had a follow up and the doc noticed I had little mobility in my pinky finger (due to trama and scar tissue) and sent me to another base to get it fixed. It is now almost October 2008, so I have been on "profile" for a year now, cant do my job, cant carry a weapon and the AF policy says that if you have been on profile for a year, you have to go up for the Medical Evaluation Board and possibly be discharged. The reason I am writing is to find out the benefits, severence and disability options i might be looking at or is it worth fighting the discharge?

[CGRAY]

Go visit local VA office and speak with counselor there. They will best be able to explain benefits and options.

[IrishLady47]

Talking w/VA counselor is a very good idea. However, your MEB could recommend that you be retrained into another MOS rather than discharged. All depends on your profile and what specialties the Air Force needs.

For an example from the Army - a soldier might have a profile that does not fit the requirements for an 11B, but does for a 42A. Instead of being discharged, the MEB could recommend retraining for the 42A.

[yellowaf11]

yea, ive been told that, but since my right pinky wont work, i cant carry a gun (im security forces, so we carry a gun everyday) which also means i cant deploy...so prolly cant retrain...if i could, id prolly just retrain...but i'll see

[CGRAY]

Not positive, but if the option to lat move and retrain into another MOS is offered, I'm pretty sure a med board would be available as well. You would probably have a choice.