AFBCMR Package sent/RSD

VAJumper

VAJumper

Moderator
PEB Forum Veteran
I sent off my package to the AFBCMR since the IPEB did not rate three unfitting items:

Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy: ??
COPD requiring oxygen therapy: 100%
Meniere's Syndrome: 60%

On 25 Oct, I will be testifying before a VA Congressional Committee with an RSD physician and National RSD speaker/author in an attempt to get RSD added to the VA rating tables (VASRD).

In the US, it's estimated that 2% of all nerve injuries result in RSD. There are more cases of RSD than Fibromyalgia, Breast cancer, and AIDS combined. On this site alone, at least 12 people have reported being diagnosed with CRPS/RSD.

Its primary symptom is an intense burning pain, long after the injury has healed. Google RSD to find out more. RSD can be reversed if caught and treated early--if you think you have it, get evaluated by a pain management specialist.

Combined Federal Campaign (CFC)

The Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association (RSDSA) participates in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), a program that allows pledges made by Federal civilian, postal, and military donors during the campaign season (September 1st to December 15th) to support eligible not-for-profit organizations that provide health and human service benefits throughout the world.

If you are a federal government or military employee and would like to support the work of the RSDSA, please take part in the CFC by entering RSDSA and/or code #11045 on your pledge card.
 
AFBCMR SUCCESS! The Board is recommending an increase resulting in a permanent disability rating to 80%.
 
No, did it all by my lonesome.
 
Quick question about the unfitting items; who or where was it determined the items were unfitting?
 
IPEB and PEB are the only boards that can make a determination of fitness.
 
VAJumper said:
IPEB and PEB are the only boards that can make a determination of fitness.
Click to expand...

Generally, this is true. Just wanted to point out that the BCMRs have the power to make determinations of fitness as well, exercising their power on behalf of the Secretary of the Service. This is a really technical point, but wanted to make sure that no inadvertent confusion arises because of the general rule.
 
I just sent in a package requesting that the AFBCMR add a condition (the highest rated condition by the VA at the date of separation) to the list of disabling conditions and rate it appropriately. I assume that by the BCMR raising this percentage, the amount of retired pay increases as well?
 
Jumper,
I am doing mine backwards - went through the MEB-SAF process for one item and was found fit for duty, I challenged the DES to rate all items (my PCM listed 8 in the NARSUM), finally forced to retire "In the Best Interest of the Air Force" without returning to my original AFSC.

AFPC refused to return me to duty even after I was determined Fit for Duty, to many Duty Limiting Conditions (DLCs) to return to my former job, lucky I had been in for 23+ years so I retired length of service but way before my HYT.

VA found me 100% P&T for 22 items and backdated everything to the day I retired (I used the BDD). The VA and the DES were evaluating my multiple conditions at the same time, thought I was getting out sooner than later so that works out in my favor.

I just got my AFBCMR case # and yes it is very complex, I applied to have my retirement changed to disability (100%) vs. Length of Service (55%), so now I just wait and see how long it takes, I will keep you posted, we started the MEB process in early 2008...
 
Ford, Glad you got a VA rating so quickly--I'm still waitng. If you own your own home, you will likely be exempt from paying property taxes, so check into that if you haven't already. The challenge for you is convincing the BCRM which conditions were unfitting at the time of your discharge. I had about 3 which should have been unfitting, but were not found so due to the poor lack of lack documentation detailing the effects of the diagnosis such a for Meniere's Syndrome and Vertigo. The focus was on my most severe disabilities and the documentation in my records reflected that. They didn't even consider the fact that I was on lifelong oxygen as unfitting. My records didn't show the results of recent testing with 02 levels as low as 79%. The BCMR even upheld that decision since my records only show I was prescribed 02--presumably for pain relief. No docotr prescribes 02 for pain, and neither Tricare nor insurance would cover the cost of that since 02 is not prescribed for pain relief. :mad: I digress.

Hopefully, what you have given the BCMR is a list of disagnosis along with medical documentation that supports it. In addition, you should have also told the BCMR what code each item should have been rated under with the severity highlighted as documented in your medical records. It's never too late to send the board information if you haven't already provided it. You have to make it easy for them to decide your case, which is what I finally did to get my rating up to 80%, for the maximum 75% of base pay for retirement.


Ford said:
Jumper,
I am doing mine backwards - went through the MEB-SAF process for one item and was found fit for duty, I challenged the DES to rate all items (my PCM listed 8 in the NARSUM), finally forced to retire "In the Best Interest of the Air Force" without returning to my original AFSC.

AFPC refused to return me to duty even after I was determined Fit for Duty, to many Duty Limiting Conditions (DLCs) to return to my former job, lucky I had been in for 23+ years so I retired length of service but way before my HYT.

VA found me 100% P&T for 22 items and backdated everything to the day I retired (I used the BDD). The VA and the DES were evaluating my multiple conditions at the same time, thought I was getting out sooner than later so that works out in my favor.

I just got my AFBCMR case # and yes it is very complex, I applied to have my retirement changed to disability (100%) vs. Length of Service (55%), so now I just wait and see how long it takes, I will keep you posted, we started the MEB process in early 2008...
Click to expand...
 
To anyone,
My local VSO thought the 75% rule had been changed and now it was possible to recieve a full 100% (retirement) if time or disability were proven - any info on this (Fact or Fiction)?
Thanks,
 
I just got out Dec 28th with over 20 yr AD and 80%. Just got my first pay check 1 Feb for 75%. I think the rumor is wrong.
 
75% is the max from the DoD. You can be found 100% disable from the DoD and you will still only get 75%. The VA of course is different.
 
So Sgt Ford, how did it turn out?
 
How did it turn out?
 
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