Hi Everybody,

I have recently been diagnosed with Chrohn's disease. Its a chronic inflammation of the bowels with ulcers usually confined to the colon. It is non cureable. I have been in the navy now for nealry 6 years. I am wondering if anybody else out there has this diease and what has happened to them in the navy. Medical board? disability percentage? Thank you for any assistance you can offer me!!

An HM I worked with developed Chrohn's disease while on active duty. They let him stay in.

MIKE

Talk with your GI provider about your options. If it is well controlled by medication then you will probably stay in. If not then they will initiate a Medical Board. Also don't plan on going IA anytime soon.

My last CO and I were both diagnosed with Crohns(and still are). Mine has been controlled by diet. UI have flaire-ups about once or twice every 2-3 months of which I call in to work sick as I have to be near the head constantly untilthe attack passes. My old CO was a Nuke sub CO and was reassigned and went to recruiting after he was diagnosed. I was even able to return to active duty from the reserves as I would always be near medicak since I was an HM1 when I returned to active duty. About the only olace I could not have bene able to handle was beinbgg with the Marines as the attacks would happen at anytime. Was even able to go to sea while having Crohn's after being checked by physical exams and internal medicine.

Again as others have stated, it is up to the physician handling your medical board. Crohns is a painful disease that you will live with the rest of your life.