Hey guys, have a few questions regarding my situation right now
- I was hoping you guys may be able to provide me with some
clarification with regard to this matter because it's all been very
confusing.
I am currently an NSF serviceman in an active unit. I was
diagnosed with Exercise-Induced Asthma, confirmed by an EIA test
which was done. It showed that my lung function decreased by
almost 30% upon exertion. Ventolin inhaler ultimately was
effective in controlling the onset of this asthma reaction.
I did not discover that I was asthmatic until recently,
because prior to enlistment I was largely an inactive person who
did not participate in much physical activity. However, while in
the course of training in the army, I found myself feeling very
breathless and faint upon exertion. I also verged on collapse
several times because of what I presume were asthma attacks - yet I
was never hospitalised for my condition. I was only given a
Ventolin inhaler to mitigate the symptoms of my asthma.
I went recently to MMI for a medical board in presence to seek a
downgrade for this problem. I was initially told by my camp
MO that my condition is downgradable to PES C9L3. However,
upon arriving at the medical board, I was told that because my
asthma is responsive to Ventolin, it is not serious enough to
warrant a downgrade. Despite this, I was asked to come back
again in a month's time with more documentation so as to allow the
medical board chairman to assess my condition again so he may
downgrade me.
So my questions are these:
-I was told by my specialist that all forms of asthma are
responsive to Ventolin as evidenced by clinical studies. In
fact, the defining trait of asthma is its response to Ventolin as a
bronchodilator. This separates a diagnosis from asthma from a
diagnosis of say, lung disease caused by excessive smoking.
So that being said, how is it that I am not being allowed to
downgrade based on the fact that Ventolin works for me? It is
completely contradictory.
-Also, if the medical board chairman has indeed decided that my
condition does not warrant a downgrade, why is it that I have to
return for another medical board for re-assessment?
Most asthma cases are Pes B, but if your case is so serious next
time you see your doctor, ask him to write a stronger letter, but
of cos the final decision still depends on the chairman of the
board, if they still cannot decide on your case, they can always
referred you to a specialist board.