Medical question (ARNG)
I’m an E-5, been in 7.5 years, I have over a year of active duty orders under my belt, and I’m now dealing with medical problems. I just got on a permanent profile for back issues which limit me from doing the 2-mile on the ACFT, as well as a lifting restriction of 120lbs (I put that because it’s the minimum requirement for the deadlift). But they told me I can’t have a lifting restriction or I face being medically discharged. I originally told them it’s just a precaution that me and my doctor agreed on, but now I realize I’d be lying if I didn’t need it. I was supposed to call and get it taken off a week or two ago and they called me the other day… I didn’t answer. The injury is back related like I said, causing sciatic pain down my left side and bilateral pain across my lower back and other stuff like joint stiffness in neck and shoulders + migraines. It’s horrible… I can’t even sweep the house for 3 minutes without having to lay down. It stemmed from my last set of orders which lasted 8 months but didn’t start hurting bad until after they ended so I don’t have an LOD. What should I do? I’ve been advised to request to go through medical board and have a nexus letter ready for my doctor to sign.
Edit: I didn’t file for an LOD during my orders but I did about a year later when PT aggravated it and I ended up at the ER for the sciatic pain down to my foot, leg, and hips. Never heard whether it actually got processed so idk if I have one or not.