Physical Evaluation Board System Overview

An overview of the Physical Disability Evaluation System, including the MEB and PEB. Also, important decisions at each stage of the PDES, benefits, continuation on active duty/active reserve ( COAD / COAR ), the eight year rule, and more.

Outcomes: Fit, Severance, TDRL, PDRL

A forum for discussing the outcomes of the Physical Evaluation Board.
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Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES)

A Forum to discuss the IDES, where the Service makes fit/unfit determination and VA Rating Board determines ratings.
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945
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News Feeds

A forum updated with content about DOD/Service specific/VA disability issues.
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460
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2012 National Defense Authorization Act

A forum for discussions about the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
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11
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69
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11
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69

2008 National Defense Authorization Act Forum

A Forum for discussing issues and questions regarding the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act and its impact on MEB/PEB cases.
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58
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307
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58
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307

Physical Disability Compensation

A place to discuss all issues having to do with compensation from DoD for physcial disability.
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369
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The question on most of our minds is this: How long is it all going to take? This is an attempt to answer that question, but it's going to take all of us to do it. The idea is to give a very detailed account of the timeline of each person's case. It's one thing to say "in February I was tumpy tumpy" but there's a world of difference and two pay periods between the beginning of the month and end of it. Somwhere there's the theory if the sample population (ours here) is large enough, it comes to represent the whole (all military members going through this). If there are enough people who take notes and are good at remembering dates, or do like I do and keep a monthly planner you can keep notes in, then it would go a long way to...
This post, like this site, is a work in progress. I realized recently that even though all the information on the Physical Disability Evaluation System (PDES) can be found here, first time visitors probably need a guide to understand what is going on with their case. I will be posting a more comprehensive "Guide" in the near future. But for now, I want to put out this post to help newcomers and members alike understand how to use this site. First, in the Physical Disability Evaluation System Overview Forum, you can find some basic overview/information papers on understanding the process. The updated "Guide" that I will publish will eventually replace the info papers found there. But for now, you can get a grasp of the process. I...
BEWARE- An Alarming AF Trend: Improper Use Of Legacy Disability Evaluation System
I have an important advisory and issue of great importance for Air Force Reserve Component Members (Air Reserve and Air National Guard members). A few weeks back a colleague of mine called me and asked whether I had heard of ARC/ANG members being processed through the Legacy Disability Evaluation System (LDES). My friend shared a story of a client who was an AF Reserve member who was referred to the MEB and then the PEB notified his client that he was being processed by the PEB as an LDES case. The client had a current VA rating that was higher than the PEB decision. I was asked what I thought of this and I said that this made no sense and seemed patently illegal. I thought this was just an error or an aberration- until the next day...
Welcome again, everyone (well, as of now I am the only one registered here, but this is for all the future members). As I explained in the anouncement, I have created this site to provide US Military Servicemembers information about the MEB / PEB proccess. This is intended to be a one stop information resource center and discussion board. This is my first message board/website, so please bear with me as I learn more about this board's software and how to improve the user experience. Please feel free to offer suggestions. I know I won't be able to please everyone, but I will listen to input. Well, I hope this Board is helpful to the Servicemembers going through the PDES. I wish everyone the best of luck.
Common issues in the IDES process
So, you are starting in the military disability process....you probably feel like the characters above. Let me point out several pointers and common errors that impact folks in getting to a favorable outcome. 1) Make an honest and fair evaluation of your situation and your goals as early as possible- then fight for your desired outcome. I have stated this countless times. One of the best things you can do to get the outcome you desire is to decide as early as possible what your desired outcome is. I have come across many cases where the member gets a bad outcome because they have "waffled" on what they want. For example, I have seen many cases where a member really wants to be found fit and continue their career. So, at the MEB...
Mind you these are all referenced to the Army, some may cross over to the other services those of you out there please post them on this discussion too! Thanks all!! Legacy-Old MEB/PEB process. IDES-Integrated Disability Evaluation System; new MEB/PEB process. DoD-means any military service/encompasses all. MEB-Medical Evaluation Board. PEB-Physical Evaluation Board. MMRB-MOS/Medical Retention Board. NARSUM-Narrative Summary. IPEB- Informal Physical Evaluation Board. FPEB-Formal Physical Evaluation Board. IPR –Independent Physical Review (Same as IMR). IMR-Independent Medical Review (Same as IPR). PDBR-Physical Disability Board of Review, for those out of the service already that need to correct a...
I was recently contacted by a staff member from the DoD Recovering Warrior Task Force. There is a panel discussion that they are holding in the Crystal City (Arlington), VA on Dec. 5, and they are looking for interested members going through the IDES. I was asked to post this announcement (which sounds like a good opportunity for people to have their concerns heard): The DoD Recovering Warrior Task Force (RWTF) is seeking Wounded, Ill, or Injured Service members who are in the Integrated Disability System Evaluation System (IDES) process, preparing for transition to civilian life, and willing to participate in a panel discussion. The RWTF was established by Congress in 2010 to provide DoD with advice and recommendations on...
Hello all, I was referred to IDES by my PCM on 30OCT. I had my legal briefing and initial PEBLO meeting on 19NOV. I’m currently at 19 years and 2 months of TIS. I’ll have 80 days of terminal leave. During the meeting with my PEBLO, I asked him whether or not I should be concerned about making it to 20 years. He informed me that it is an “unwritten rule” that if a service member is finishing the IDES process within 6 months from their 20 year mark, they will simply use my 20 year mark as the “out date” on my orders. While I do believe him, I’m still a little worried. I don’t want to assume that what he says will be the case only to come up short of my 20 years. Has anyone ever heard of this “unwritten rule” or had a similar...
I’ve been on a running profile for approximately 1 year but not a whole year… I suffer from shin fractures.. I received an email from my PEBLO / DAWG about an IRILO … I’m placed in code 37 I’m currently stationed in Guam where everything is more than limited it took forever for medical to send and find my referral to therapy, additionally it took therapy several weeks to have an opening . My PEBLO told me don’t worry I will be fine but I’ll most likely have code 37 or any code for a while. My leadership is tracking they are going to fight as much as they can for me to stay in.. already in such a short period of time I’ve made so much career progress awards etc .. I don’t want to get out I have a family and I’m not quite ready yet what...
I am currently at 23 years in, and still owe another 1.5 years to retire as an officer, however, the Rheumatologist believes I have Fibromyalgia and wants to wait to run the tests until after I apply for retirement (6 months away from applying). At this point, I am miserable; I am now in an admin function (no longer taking care of Airmen), I hate coming to work, have routine anxiety/panic attacks about coming to work, constantly feeling worn out (also diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome). At what point do I just say give me the MEB and risk losing my officer retirement that I worked really hard for. Additionally, I have suffered a broken back, three torn labrum’s in my hips from a fall at work, hepatic tumor/recision, thyroid...
***Please delete if not allowed*** Hello all! I have been found unfit per my PEBLO and am awaiting my ratings. As SGLI will expire soon after I medically retire, I am looking into private company (non VGLI) term life insurance policies for someone like us who seem to have a lot of pre-existing conditions. Any recommendations for highest coverage/lowest premiums? Thanks!
Hoping to find some old medical records from my first time on active duty in 1997. Some from Fort Riley some from Fort Irwin. Left AD in 2000 came back reserve in 2008. I don’t think I ever had some of these. Basically TMC visits and ER visits. Do I just send a request to the National Personnel Center? I’m wondering if the records even exist anymore.
Hoping someone can provide me som info. TAFMS: 12 years SATSERVICE: 21 years USMC AD 4 years -> USAFR/CA ANG Traditional Reserve -> AGR since 2019 (6 years) Currently an AGR with ETS in 2025 Code AAC 37 /DAV 42 on my AF 469 on 13NOV24 If I am found unfi t and and placed on PRL, how will compensation be calculated? Thanks for the info.
Hello, So I was found unfit Oct 22, 2024. Nov 5th the VA opened and closed my claim on the VA.gov app I’m wondering everyone’s most recent timelines. ? I sent a job offer letter from a family biz to my peblo for an expedited process but I’m now being ignored. Does anyone know the VA number to get a claim status ? Anyone who I can talk to to expedite this process other than my PEBLO?
Good evening, I had some old posts on here about a year ago asking about the MEB process because I was ALMOST about to start the MED board process because my Dr. put me on Renflaxin (immune suppressant). I was put on that medication because Mezalamine did not work. I convinced my Dr. to give Mezalamine one more try and I had 3 or 4 more flare ups after that and now I’m being put back on biological infusions and In the future an at home injection with Entyvio. The MedBoard admin department (totally forgot the name) called me today giving me a heads up and asking for personal admin data saying a decision on the MEB referral from the PCM would be made the next couple weeks. My question is if you’ve had a similar experience or knowledge...
I am currently in the MEDBOARD process and have completed the initial round of appointments which included a vision, behavioral health, general health, and audio exam. After completing the last one yesterday which was the general separation health assessment I received a confirmation e-mail for a new behavioral health appointment which has me confused and a little worried as I have already completed one for the VA. Can anyone shed light on this situation or what this could mean? Is this something I should be worried about or should prepare for?

LOD

LODs are huge for medical board? Anyone who served in the Reserves or Gaurd knows medical never likes doing LODs. I have a mountain of medical documentation on active duty orders, however there was never LODs completed on the reserves side. This could cause issues during the a PEB? This is a huge red flag imo on how the process works. How many people have fought this battle? Are there ways around this? I could probably get my unit to do LODs retroactively, but this just seems like another hurdle.
I'm currently being medically retired in the air national guard and am wondering if I'll get the post 911 bill. I have no deployments but was on title 10 orders for my boot camp and tech school which was over 30 days and I'm being discharged due to a service connected disability. I've heard a lot of mixed answers. Can anyone help me out with their experience or with regulations to support their answer? Thank you.
Hello. Just trying to understand what some of my options might be. I am an AGR Soldier in the Army national guard with over 20 years of federal active duty service. As a commissioned officer I still have a year left of my active duty service obligation. And obviously I have not met the 10 year requirement as a commissioned officer. I have not been deployed to a combat zone. I have had a P3 profile in the past. If given the chance, would it be more beneficial to finish my service obligation and file for retirement and file my VA disability claims? I know I would have to resign my commission and revert back to my previous Enlisted rank. Talking to my HRO, this seems like an option available to me. Or If I were to go through the...
Hello, I am cognitively impaired and I just got my initial findings and they basically gave me like 700 pages to read in like five days and I spoke to the DOD issued lawyer and he thinks I’ll get 90 va 30 dodbut that wasn’t based on looking through all those pages. And I’m slow so I couldn’t help but think that something wasn’t right with my narsum and and I spoke to my Pablo and the lawyer, the lawyer said that he thought it was fine and that there was no point in writing a statement unless I wanted to, however the PEB basically is saying that they’re not gonna take all of my condition and then they’ve grouped conditions that shouldn’t be grouped together and on top of that it says that I hit my head at home but that’s not true. I had...
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. My case was submitted to PEB on Sep 17th. PEBLO stated 6-10 week before orders and clearing I applied for a government job around then, knowing that the process is lengthy and difficult. I received notification of a tentative offer from the hiring manager but they said they cannot post it to USA jobs because I do not have a DD214 or VA ratings. The Hiring manager said they will wait a while but will have to terminate the offer if they dont receive the documents. What can i do to to speed up the process? I sent my PEBLO the email conversation as well as a commanders Memorandum requesting expedite but she will not submit it. any information would be greatly appreciated.
Hello everyone, long time reader, and first time poster. My VA rating is complete and I am currently waiting on my DOD rating to come back. I was unofficially informed I am at 90% VA rating. I am anticipating it comes this week or early next week. I submitted a sleep study claim with APAP through my MCS very late in the process. I am wondering if it is possible or if I should prolong the process to try and buy time to get the OSA (Obstructive sleep apnea) W/APAP added. I will be at 100%, if it is added without complications. I have one referred condition and it’s at 70%. After reading my DBQ and comparing it 100% DBQ’s I believe I have a loose case for a VARR. I will of course speak to counsel when prompted but, I wanted any...
Does the type of profile matter to trigger an MEB? I have been on and off a fitness profile for almost 5 years. The last stretch has been nearly one year. I asked PCM about a med board and he stated he didn't want to do it because I am almost a year away from my separation and he wanted to keep reclass an option if I decide to stay in (I am not reenlisting). He did update my profile to a duty profile, which it should have been all along. My question is... is a long term fitness profile enough to trigger an MEB?

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