BDD question for deciding LDES or IDES

Good afternoon all,

My EAS is 5/31/23 however I have found myself facing a medboard that may end up pushing it until what I guess is September.

My question is, I am withing the 90-180 window for the BDD. Is it possible for me to do all of the VA exams on my own, in that window because my EAS is so close while concurrently going through the LDES so that way I spend minimal extra time in the service?

If so, it seems as if LDES would be more beneficial for me specifically if I'm proactive on getting those exams done and have it concurrent with the board.

 

[Provis]

Good afternoon all,

My EAS is 5/31/23 however I have found myself facing a medboard that may end up pushing it until what I guess is September.

My question is, I am withing the 90-180 window for the BDD. Is it possible for me to do all of the VA exams on my own, in that window because my EAS is so close while concurrently going through the LDES so that way I spend minimal extra time in the service?

If so, it seems as if LDES would be more beneficial for me specifically if I'm proactive on getting those exams done and have it concurrent with the board.

IDES has way more protections that you may want to use. The exams don't take a lot of time and may not even increase your overall timeline depending on if there are bottlenecks. I strongly recammend IDES!

 

[robins]

IDES has way more protections that you may want to use. The exams don't take a lot of time and may not even increase your overall timeline depending on if there are bottlenecks. I strongly recammend IDES!

I would agree with Provis and would always recommend IDES. I separated at the beginning of IDES so was not given an option and ended up processing through LDES. The board awarded me 20% and VA awarded me 60% for the same condition. If I had been in IDES, I would have been automatically awarded 60% and medically retired vs. having to fight through the post-separation appeals process.

 

[dbog]

I would agree with Provis and would always recommend IDES. I separated at the beginning of IDES so was not given an option and ended up processing through LDES. The board awarded me 20% and VA awarded me 60% for the same condition. If I had been in IDES, I would have been automatically awarded 60% and medically retired vs. having to fight through the post-separation appeals process

What additional protections does the IDES give that the Ldes does not? To my understanding, it's just a one-stop shop for getting out vice get your referred rating and scat.


Also how did you separate prior to completing IDES and they switch you to LDES? My EAS is 5/31/23 after 12 years, but just started the DES process. Same thing gonna happen to me?

 

[Provis]

What additional protections does the IDES give that the Ldes does not? To my understanding, it's just a one-stop shop for getting out vice get your referred rating and scat.


Also how did you separate prior to completing IDES and they switch you to LDES? My EAS is 5/31/23 after 12 years, but just started the DES process. Same thing gonna happen to me?

When IDES is used the military must use the same ratings that the VA uses. So if a condition is found unfitting the Military has no say in the DOD% for that condition. Also, there are more appeals that be done such as a VARR which is a one time VA reconsideration if the VA rating for an unfitting condition isn't what you think it should be. In fact if you wished to do LDES and it wasn't command directed you would be discouraged to do so and would have to sign a document that you agree to do LDES even though it may be detrimental to your results. They are literally have to counsel you on it before you can volunterily choose LDES.

 

[Jdaniels6]

It really depends what you are looking for. In my case, severance is better than retirement because I'm confident my VA rating will be 100% and the pay won't be any better. I'm going to stay in Europe so the health insurance doesn't help me much, thus, a low DOD rating with severance allows me to get a real big interest free loan that I can invest. I was recalled from terminal leave after I was offered a MEB shortly before my DOS. I went with legacy because I had completed my BDD exams. I'm hopeful that my VA rating and LDES ratings will line up nicely at my new separation date. LDES has been a ridiculously quick process. It started about 10 days ago and I am expecting my ratings within the next 2 weeks.

What you are considering doing isn't dumb, but you really need to weigh what it is that you want to get out of the process. If you're sure to get over a 30% DOD rating for your condition, and want to be medically retired, then I agree with the previous comments in that IDES is probably the better option.