Just a heads up on a few tidbits of information that may be of interest to folks! First, the Army is apparently consolidating the PEB sites to San Antonio (Joint Base San Antonio-Sam Houston). I have heard from two sources that the Army is moving all PEB operations to JBSA San Antonio. This includes the Army Physical Disability Agency. Next, it is my understanding that the Coast Guard is working on a separate agreement with the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement an "IDES-like" system, where the Coastie will be rated by the VA for any conditions found unfitting by the Coast Guard. This is technically not the IDES, but the end result is supposed to be the same.Read more about this resource...This SECNAVINST was issued yesterday. My cursory review is that it is generally in accordance with law and regulations. However, I have deep concerns about the execution of this Instruction.
Read more about this resource...This case is very important. First, as far as its impact, it is a decision of a three judge case before the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. This is a court above the US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (and one level of judicial review below the US Supreme Court). This case may be appealed to the Supreme Court, but, for now, this case is binding law. As far as substance, it is HUGE. The reason for this is two-fold. First, it impacts a huge number of cases. Second, it states...
This is the link to the DoD policy and PEB FORUM resource for the DOD Retention Policy for Non-Deployable Service Members . Let's discuss the most important parts of the policy memorandum. "The Deputy Secretary of Defense directed the following interim policy guidance, which will remain in effect until the Department issues a DoD Instruction on reporting and retention of non-deployable Service members: • Service members who have been non-deployable for more than 12 consecutive months, for any reason, will be processed for administrative separation in accordance with Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1332.14, Enlisted Administrative Separations, or DoD Instruction 1332.30, Separation of Regular and Reserve Commissioned Officers, or will be referred into the Disability Evaluation System in accordance with DoDI 1332.18...
More than 133,000 vets may qualify for this tax refund windfall From Army Times. By Karen Jowers. "More than 133,000 veterans may qualify for a refund of federal taxes they paid on disability severance pay dating back to 1991 ― taxes that shouldn’t have been collected in the first place. Within the next month, Defense Department officials will send notification letters to veterans that they may be eligible for the refund, said Army Lt. Col. David Dulaney, executive director of the Armed Forces Tax Council. Eligible veterans will have a year after they receive the notice to file a claim for the refund. These refunds, which are the result of a law passed in 2016, apply to veterans who received this pay dating back to Jan. 17, 1991, with taxes withheld, and who also qualified for disability...