Vertigo - Medical Discharge???

[bravo1061]

What is the name of your state? Florida

I'm a Marine, in the Corps just six months, am at A-school right now in Aviation Electronics.
Just diagnosed with Vertigo (acute dizziness with nausea, unable to eat or walk straight going on 6 days now). Doc doesn't know the cause, or if it is temporary or permanent. Just came on suddenly. Does this mean a Medical Discharge? If so, am I entitled to comprehensive testing to try to determine the cause/treatment before having to leave the service? Will I still have medical benefits to help with this problem if I am medically discharged?

[rmet4nzkx]

Originally Posted by bravo1061

What is the name of your state? Florida

I'm a Marine, in the Corps just six months, am at A-school right now in Aviation Electronics.
Just diagnosed with Vertigo (acute dizziness with nausea, unable to eat or walk straight going on 6 days now). Doc doesn't know the cause, or if it is temporary or permanent. Just came on suddenly. Does this mean a Medical Discharge? If so, am I entitled to comprehensive testing to try to determine the cause/treatment before having to leave the service? Will I still have medical benefits to help with this problem if I am medically discharged?

I can't say for sure at this point, a lot will depend on whether it is a preexisting but undiagnosed condition or a service related condition and whether or not it can be treated and if so, whether or not it would be a permentant deficit in your current MOS. It is possible that where the USMC might not be able to accommodate you in your current MOS andother branch, might, it is uncertain.
If your vertigo is caused by a virus or infection, then you might be able to stay in.
I think you are past the point for an entry level separation?
Do you have a history of any head trauma, head injuries, whiplash, falls, boxing, LOC, seizures, serious injury or infection, high fever?
If so please explain, also when and whether or not you disclosed this information.
Do you have low or high blood pressure, what is your normal BP?
Have you ever had any fainting or near fainting episodes, ever?
Did this occur after a flight or flight simulation?
HOw do you react in extreme temp conditions?
Dehydration?
Semper Fi!

[fozzy2]

It is simply too early to tell. The legal and administrative procedures will typically follow the doctors, and they are not done with you yet by a longshot. Until you have a diagnosis, or until they have exhausted testing (doesn't sound like they are even close) it is impossible to say how your case will be handled. You could have anything from a relatively simple ear infection to something more serious/permanent like Menier's disease. If the doctors don't know what you have they probably don't what caused whatever you have, and therefore speculation about a "line of service" decision is very premature. Basically, if you have a disabling condition that requires you to be discharged, a determination will be made if the disease/injury was incurred "in the line of service", or to put it another way, "service connected." This means your medical problem was caused by or started during military service (and was not do to your misconduct). The longer you are in the military, the more likely that any problem you have developed while you were in the military, and thus the more likely that you will qualify for VA benefits, etc. Thus, a lot of problems that show up in boot camp were clearly present prior to military service (just not detected) while on the other hand just about anything a 30 year retiree has is service connected. At six months service, the answer is "it just depends."

I'm afraid you are just going to have to wait and see what the doctors eventually figure out about your case. Once they diagnose you, then you will have a basis for trying to figure out the administrative ramifications.