Medical Board Questions, help!

Hi there. I am currently active duty in the Navy. I was sea duty then was transfered to shore duty on limdu orders, now i have been put on a med board.

My background:
Im currenlty in the beginning process of my medical board. I was recommended for a medical board with "Major Depression" and "Anxiety" . Unfortunatley, I experienced a misscarriage Feb 2019. My misscarriage triggered me to go into a depressive state. I was no longer able to focus, i was having mood swings, i was having troubles concentrating at work and i started having sleep issues. I became reclusive, i no longer had intrest in activities i once loved. I started having relationship problems with my husband to the point where we almost seperated. i felt so alone and i just wanted to sleep and not wake up.

I started going to fleet and family prior to my limdu orders. I went to them for 4 months until i finally had a severe mental break down and i scheduled an appointment with the mental health clinic. I have been seeing my pyschologist there for almost 5 months now. Since then i have been changing medications trying to find the right dosage. I have gone through 3 different prescriptions along with different dosages. The side effects included mood swings, headaches, fatique, dizziness, low self esteem and weight gain... i told my pyschologists that although i was not suicidal i had horrible thoughts that i didnt know where they were coming from. i am no longer the person i was and i hate it.

So here i am now. begining my med board and im not gonna lie, im freaking out about it.

So heres the deal, my contract is over in October 2020. Will this process keep me in pasted that? My pyschologist told me that since i am doing a med board i could be POSSIBLY out as early as April 2020. Is that relastic?

i meet with the PEBLO tomorrow and my JAG lawyer later this week. Can i actualy trust these people? I spoke with my JAG once, he insisted that i go thru the VA and make the claims and due this process the "Right" way versus taking the quick and easy route. Was this a mistake that i agreed with him?

As far as the VA goes, are they checking all my issues? I have been seen for podiatry for a heel and ankle injury that i obtained while in the navy. should i tell the va to look at that as well? I have medical documentation for these too.

Most importanly. How will this effect me after i get out? Will i still be able to get a normal job ? Will i still be able to have all my benefits ie: VA loan?

Not gonna lie, i feel horrible im going out this way. i didnt plan for any of this. and i truly feel like a failure and i really honeslty tried to act ok. i really did put a smile on my face and try to act ok... but im miserable.

Any help or advice will be greatly appriecated.

 

[bellasmom937]

Now the waiting begins. Once the VA docs finish typing up their DBQs (could take days or weeks), it gets sent to the MSC who sends it to your PEBLO. Your PEBLO will provide most of the paperwork to your Navy doc who did the Navy-side of your evaluation. They will then type up what's called a Narrative Summary (NARSUM). This will then be sent back to your PEBLO who will then send it to you to sign (make sure the read it and review it with a JAG to make sure it looks good). Once you sign that and send it to your PEBLO, they will send everything to the PEB.

Just try to be patient. It's the holiday standdown period for much of the military, so things will move slowly right now.

Thank you for your help!

 

[bellasmom937]

Ill start with every timeline is different. DoN has a huge backup right now. As you get advice and look at timelines, your best best is to use your Navy and Marine Corps brethren as a good gauge. My timeline is below. Assuming that your timeline goes exactly as mine does (I had a slightly longer VA decision than most; Dates past va package closed are estimates based on the averages for DoN packages right now):

1 Feb - FIT / UNFIT decision
15 Mar- VA Package closed
15 Apr - Decision provided to you by PEBLO
1 May - Decision accepted / appealed

If Accepted:
1 Jun (+ Terminal / PTAD) - EAS

If Appeal
1 Jun - Formal Board
1 Jul - (+ Terminal / PTAD) - EAS

My timeline:
2 Aug 2019 - C&P Complete
19 Aug 2019 - Package submitted to PEB.
22 Oct 2019 - Package sent to VA - PEBLO informs unfit decision was reached.
3 Dec 2019 - VA compensation page shows "closed" & "decision letter sent".
PROJECTED - 30-45 Days for Decision to be sent to me.

Thank you this helps alot!!! How do you access the VA compensation page? Does that show where I am currently at in the process?

 

[bellasmom937]

Thank you for your help!

I know you have alot of experience and background! I've seen you on so many boards! Quick question. I did my hearing test today. DR. Asked if I experienced loss of hearing/ringing and I told him yes and 3/4 times a week experience ringing in and out of work ( I'm a jet engine mechanic on f18s). He conducted his exams and test. He didnt tell me any results only thing he said at the end was "what hear protection are you using (I told I wore my cranial set daily and when we did high power maintenance I used foamies with my head set), he then asked what percentage of the time was I wearing double hearing, and I told him since my command 9nly requires double hearing during high powers I told him roughly 25% of the time. He didnt say anything else, just said his exam was complete. I feel like I didn't even hear half the beep tones. But did give me any recaps. Any idea?

 

[bellasmom937]

Im so frustrated with the meb/peb process. Im in the peb portion of the process and recieved my ratings from the VA 20 percent for my shoulder 10 percent for my knee and 70 percent for ptsd/bipolar. However the 70 percent in the letter I recieved says its not service connected and theres no diagnosis and the rating is for ides purposes only. This is after i sent in over 100 pages of medical records have a lod for my ptsd and my c&p exam shows i have ptsd. When i called the VA apparently i filed a claim back in 2000 and was denied for bipolar (dont Remember doing it) however the ptsd is a new claim. Im waiting to recieve my da 199. Has anyone else had something like this happen?

Hi there! Sorry about your situation, I really hope someone can give you answers. You currently are on my thread. Basically on my board, basically this is my board were people can see only my postings and replies to people posting to me. If you go to the menu u will an option to create new thread for yourself and pick what category your thread is about

Good luck!

 

[Strumy]

Thank you this helps alot!!! How do you access the VA compensation page? Does that show where I am currently at in the process?

The only thing the VA site showed me in the process was when the VA completed their proposed ratings after the PEB asked them to rate my C&P exams.
VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs Register there and get yourself a confirmed account I think it is and then you can see your status of the claim post PEB unfitting decision under disability - check your claim status.

Best way to know where you are is to stay on top of your PEBLO and Lawyer. When I was getting close to a known movement point, I would call weekly making sure they knew how much I appreciated their time and that this call was more for my sanity than thinking they arent doing their job. These folks can really be a big asset to you, so be firm and know what you are talking about as much as you can to make their job as easy as possible to help you.

Once your C&P exams have been completed, your PEBLO will give you a package with the full breakdown of what the exams found, but there will be no ratings. Later in the process the raters will use those to determine the rating. Depending on how good you are at interpreting these, if you put in the time you can come out with a decent idea of what the VA would propose for your conditions using the rating schedule. I projected 60-90% and was pretty confident I would be at 70% and VA just came back officially with 90%.

Regarding your hearing exam -
I went in 100% positive that I had minor hearing loss based on my audiograms. Their tests showed minor, but not to a level that would be rated for compensation. Positive for tinnitus. Doctor doing the exam gave absolutely no hints to me as to what she found or didnt find. You will get a very clear breakdown of what happened when you get the package from your PEBLO with the exam findings.

Ive finally come to the realization that this process is kind of like entry level training in that, every day one day closer to getting the hell out of it.

Hope this helps!

 

[bellasmom937]

Ill start with every timeline is different. DoN has a huge backup right now. As you get advice and look at timelines, your best best is to use your Navy and Marine Corps brethren as a good gauge. My timeline is below. Assuming that your timeline goes exactly as mine does (I had a slightly longer VA decision than most; Dates past va package closed are estimates based on the averages for DoN packages right now):

1 Feb - FIT / UNFIT decision
15 Mar- VA Package closed
15 Apr - Decision provided to you by PEBLO
1 May - Decision accepted / appealed

If Accepted:
1 Jun (+ Terminal / PTAD) - EAS

If Appeal
1 Jun - Formal Board
1 Jul - (+ Terminal / PTAD) - EAS

My timeline:
2 Aug 2019 - C&P Complete
19 Aug 2019 - Package submitted to PEB.
22 Oct 2019 - Package sent to VA - PEBLO informs unfit decision was reached.
3 Dec 2019 - VA compensation page shows "closed" & "decision letter sent".
PROJECTED - 30-45 Days for Decision to be sent to me.

Hi there! How recent is your timeline?

 

[bellasmom937]

Hi there! How recent is your timeline? I recently checked the VA claim status on their website and they are showing a time of estimated completion in NOV 2020. As to my knowledge my package should have been submitted. Is this really the timeframe? They initially told me I could be put as early as April 2020.

 

[Strumy]

Hi there! How recent is your timeline?

I am currently complete with the VA rating and waiting for the DOD decision letter so this is a pretty current timeline / projection. Speaking with the PEB this past week they are saying 45-50 days for a decision post VA determination, and if you appeal 90 additional days (60 for a formal board and 30 more for the results).

 

[bellasmom937]

So how long did u have to wait until you heard from the Va?

Then after that its 45-50 ? And I dont plan on appealing, that's just of you want a higher percentage right? And if I dont appeal its then a formal board? Then 30 day til what?

 

[Strumy]

So how long did u have to wait until you heard from the Va?

Then after that its 45-50 ? And I dont plan on appealing, that's just of you want a higher percentage right? And if I dont appeal its then a formal board? Then 30 day til what?

You only appeal if you dont like the outcome and project you can get a better outcome from meeting with the board. In my particular case I have 2 possible unfitting injuries and the concern is that they will come back with only one unfitting injury at 20% when both should be used and come back 40-60%

My timeline:
2 Aug 2019 - C&P Complete
19 Aug 2019 - Package submitted to PEB.
22 Oct 2019 - Package sent to VA - PEBLO informs unfit decision was reached.
3 Dec 2019 - VA compensation page shows "closed" & "decision letter sent".

Possible outcomes:
Acceptable / no appeal required
~25 Jan DOD ratings and VA proposed ratings sent
~26 Jan Ratings accepted
~26 Feb EAS/Retire

Not acceptable / formal board requested
~25 Jan DOD ratings and VA proposed ratings sent
~26 Jan Formal board requested
~26 March Formal board
~26 April Formal board results sent
~26 May EAS/Retire

You can use the above as a rough timeline of what you can expect but every case is different. A good place to say up to date on others timelines is the Marine Corps / Navy timeline forums. Start reading others cases and then you can track where they are and how that will impact your timeline.

 

[bellasmom937]

You only appeal if you dont like the outcome and project you can get a better outcome from meeting with the board. In my particular case I have 2 possible unfitting injuries and the concern is that they will come back with only one unfitting injury at 20% when both should be used and come back 40-60% My timeline: 2 Aug 2019 - C&P Complete 19 Aug 2019 - Package submitted to PEB. 22 Oct 2019 - Package sent to VA - PEBLO informs unfit decision was reached. 3 Dec 2019 - VA compensation page shows "closed" & "decision letter sent". Possible outcomes: Acceptable / no appeal required ~25 Jan DOD ratings and VA proposed ratings sent ~26 Jan Ratings accepted ~26 Feb EAS/Retire Not acceptable / formal board requested ~25 Jan DOD ratings and VA proposed ratings sent ~26 Jan Formal board requested ~26 March Formal board ~26 April Formal board results sent ~26 May EAS/Retire You can use the above as a rough timeline of what you can expect but every case is different. A good place to say up to date on others timelines is the Marine Corps / Navy timeline forums. Start reading others cases and then you can track where they are and how that will impact your timeline. Thank you so much!!! You've helped me out a ton I really appreciate it

 

[SadNavyCook]

Hey, I’m Navy as well. It took from my narsum was signed in the beginning of May until Oct 14th to hear I was fit. Filed an appeal a week later and still nothing. My biggest piece of advice? Forget about it, find something to distract you in the meantime, and when you get answers be thankful they’ve come back, and do what you can to ensure you do everything you can to get what you desire. Best of luck, and you’re not alone in the frustrations I promise you.

 

[bellasmom937]

Hey, I’m Navy as well. It took from my narsum was signed in the beginning of May until Oct 14th to hear I was fit. Filed an appeal a week later and still nothing. My biggest piece of advice? Forget about it, find something to distract you in the meantime, and when you get answers be thankful they’ve come back, and do what you can to ensure you do everything you can to get what you desire. Best of luck, and you’re not alone in the frustrations I promise you.

Thank you I appreciate it, I'm just trying to figure out if they are gonna get me outta hear before my EAOS. I really dont want to be here after that. My husband and I hate it here and its very hard to ignore it. Part of me is regretting even starting this whole process.

 

[mark260958]

Im so frustrated with the meb/peb process. Im in the peb portion of the process and recieved my ratings from the VA 20 percent for my shoulder 10 percent for my knee and 70 percent for ptsd/bipolar. However the 70 percent in the letter I recieved says its not service connected and theres no diagnosis and the rating is for ides purposes only. This is after i sent in over 100 pages of medical records have a lod for my ptsd and my c&p exam shows i have ptsd. When i called the VA apparently i filed a claim back in 2000 and was denied for bipolar (dont Remember doing it) however the ptsd is a new claim. Im waiting to recieve my da 199. Has anyone else had something like this happen?

Sorry, I can't understand completely. Can you make it more clear?