Hey EAC, this was alot of help to me actually. I have the
exact same condition, severe allergic rhinitis and concurrent
bronchial asthma. It's causing me alot of grief, having to
sleep in the bunks in camp. I'd like to ask whether downgrade
for this is based on a case-by-case basis or is there a directive
on this which allows immediate, no questions asked downgrade?
Where specialist memos are concerned, I already have a positive
exercise-induced asthma test, positive methacoline challenge test
and positive skin prick test with pretty strongly worded memos.
Am I in good shape in this case? My medical board is
soon and I really would like to know as much as I can before I go
for it as I dont want to waste anymore time and continue suffering
in the meantime.
Also, is the board allowed to approve excuse stay-in for this
condition?
As always, please refer to
www.sgforums.com/forums/1390/topics/392446 for
more details.
Please read carefully point number 7 and
8, hence it's case-by-case basis, dependable on the
factors such as the range of Diagnosis, Extent of Diagnosis,
Degree of Diagnosis/Injury/Illness/Disease...etc.
And yes, the MB has the official authority to grant excuse
stay-in status.
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Source:
www.ns.sg/publish/NSPORTAL/public/mindef_services/index/ehealth/faq.html
What is a
Medical Board?
A Medical Board is a session conducted to evaluate the medical
condition of a serviceman and to decide on an appropriate PES
grading.
A serviceman is required to undergo a Medical Review prior to a
Medical Board. This allows the Unit Medical Officer to prepare a
Statement of Case and gather sufficient information (e.g.
specialist medical reports, investigation results etc) so that the
Medical Board is able to make a decision on the PES status.
Depending on the complexity of your condition, more than one review
may be required.
Medical board appointments can only be made by a medical officer
when your medical information is complete and all investigation
results are back.
You have the option to either be present or absent at your medical
board. For your convenience and in clear-cut cases, your medical
officer may give you the option of not being present for your
medical board (i.e. having a Board-in-Absentia). You can however
still choose to be present during your medical board in such
cases.
However, for complicated cases, you are required to be present
during your medical board (i.e. Board-in-Presence).