I had a herinated disk a year and a half ago. It collasped on me about 5 months ago. Had a disk fusion surgery on jan 3. I was told by my surgeon that i will be on light duty for 4-6 months. Can i be giving a med board for being on light duty that long? And lets say i heal fine but my flexibility does not come back fully can i recieve a waiver for the sit and reach portion of the physical fitness test?
A medical board is not usually started on a member until they have been in a not fit for full duty status for approximately 6 months. If you have recently had surgery; medical standard is usually one year recovery, if a board is done on you at this point a Disposition Medical board would be requested at the one year point. That will allow you the time needed to recuperate. The only thing that would prevent you from being found fit is if you have radiculopathy (pain radiating down one or both extremities) or painful range of motion. Limited range of motion is usually not unfitting as that would be expected with a spinal fusion. If you are in aviation that is a different story. Hardware for aviation is disqualifying and I do not believe a waiver is allowed (been out of aviation for quite sometime). If you are in aviation it would be best to talk to your flight surgeon. Best of luck on your recuperation, make sure you do all the physical therapy!
