Medically discharged from Army because of irregular heartbeat?

Question

My brother is in the U.S. Army and they recently discovered that he had an irregular heartbeat. He is also having some problems with his arm. (Some kind of carpal tunnel thing that causes him excessive pain.) He's worried that he might be medically discharged. Does anyone know if that's likely, or where I could find out if it's likely?
Thanks a bunch.

Sorry to add this after so many people answered. (Thanks, by the way!) It isn't carpul tunnel that he actually has. It's called something tunnel, but my brother said it's worse then carpul tunnel. They were talking about operating on that, but decided against it. Then he got a shot of cotrisone in his arm for the pain so he could work. His whole arm turned purple. When they were trying to figure out why that happened, they found the irregular heartbeat. We lost contact with him and he's overseas, so we don't know what happened! I hope those details help with my question.

Answer 1

I had the same problem, it seems as though when it comes to irregular heart beat or heart murmurm doctors can't seem to agree. One will say yes and another no. He needs to get enough opinions which he has a medical right to get several doctors to agree on his situation. You can't tell doctors there wrong in a diagnosis they get very upset if another doctor diagnosis something different than thier diagnosis, but it's his life and they will get over it. Even if he has to go to several civilian cardiologist to get an accurate diagnosis.

Carpal tunnel diagnosis is the same way.

Sincerely yours,
Fred M. Hunter
[e-mail]

Answer 2

It's possible. I highly doubt he would be discharged for carpal tunnel. I know several people that have it who are active duty.

An irregular heartbeat? Maybe... I was having some "heart" issues before, and I had to go through a lot of tests to make sure everything was ok. I imagine they will do the same to him to make sure there is nothing else wrong.

Answer 3

Take that letter from the doctor that said you don't have a heart murmur, and go see a recruiter. You probably can re-enlist, but it might take a bit of *****-work on your part. They will assemble your packet and ship it to MEPS for the doc there to clear it. Note that a letter from a CARDIOLOGIST will be much more effective than GENERAL PRACTICE. So if you can get your doc to refer you to a heart specialist, then do it. I've been in your spot before, so I know the feeling. If your RE code on your DD-214 is RE-4, then you will only be able to get in the National Guard, MAYBE. After that though, you can get a transfer to Regular service after six months (I think it's a Form 368 or something). RE-3, waiver will get you wherever you need to go. RE-1, you shouldn't be talking, you should be at MEPS right now. IM me at stnewton09 (Yahoo) if you need any help.

Answer 4

If he have cardi tacky he need to get out because that is a very serious thing and can easily lead to a heart-attack and the carpel tunnel is very painful as well and usually require surgery, with the streeful life that the military can bring that will slao greater his chances of somethign happening........................GoodLuck

Answer 5

The most important thing is to have it on military medical record and make sure when he discharges that that is on his medical discharge. Also ensure that he gets compensated before he gets out and finds the nearest VA to follow up with. Follow up with the VA constantly. Health is really important

Answer 6

My sister joined the Army with an irregular heartbeat and they never really said anything to her about it.

Answer 7

In 1966 they were gonna draft my young butt even tho' I had a heart murmur. I enlisted in the Marine Corps and was promptly sent to the Nam.
Go figure!!!