IPEB Found Unfit, 30% AF, 40% VA, Requested FMEB hearing

T

tmsaf

PEB Forum Regular Member
I was found unfit due to Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia (both considered Combat related), only evaluated by VA for unfitting conditions as I want a RTD with limitations in lieu of retirement. I am asking for this because I have eighteen and a half years in the Air Force.

I was reassured by the VA doctor and the VA representative that I could request that my case be reopened to rate ALL of my conditions after this process is over, and that they did not recommend I be rated for everything if I wanted an RTD....

I also found out yesterday that although I am eligible to apply for retirement in Feb 2013, I will not be allowed to do so until this is finished...this is what I am looking at...I hit 19 years TIS in Feb 2013, I planned on going on terminal leave in Dec 2013... Is not being eligible to even apply for retirement legal?? Is there any way around this?

I have a current DOS of September 2013, and need to extend in order to attain 20 years, so for six months...was told by the Military Personnel Flight that I can only extend on a month by month basis if I have an MEB ongoing????? Is this correct?

Also, funny as it is, when my intent to request a formal board was faxed to San Antonio yesterday, the office down there called my PEBLO back to ask what my rationale was for not accepting the permanent retirement they offered? Is it possible that they do not understand the difference between a career retiree's benefits and a Chapter 61 retiree's benefits? I was appalled that I had to give them the rationale that I WANT MY 20!

I honestly feel like I have become an advocate for veteran's rights, and that I am instructing every AD Air Force member on benefits etc. I do not mind doing this, but to have to instruct the medical board themselves is absolutely ludicrous! I am an Intelligence Troop, and briefing is my forte, so I guess I am going to give the most important briefing of my career in a few months when I go to the Formal Board.

Any advise or clarification on my questions is truly appreciated. I like to be completely prepared walking into a situation.....I feel like they are wasting AF Resources and funds, because if they do not give me an RTD with limitations, I intend to appeal to the SECAF, and the wait time for him to review the cases is 12-14 months on average....I may just make my 20 while in Med Board Limbo, although I still apparently cant naturally apply for retirement when I am eligible.
 
Your argument to the PEB is going to have to be that you are fit for duty.

There are also programs that let members continue on active duty despite being found unfit. In the Army it is called Continuation on Active Duty (COAD) and in the Navy/USMC it is called Permanent Limited Duty (PLD). The AF should have something similar.

I am curious how the PEB determined that your Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia were combat related. Can you shed some light on this?

Mike
 
tmsaf said:
I have a current DOS of September 2013, and need to extend in order to attain 20 years, so for six months...was told by the Military Personnel Flight that I can only extend on a month by month basis if I have an MEB ongoing????? Is this correct?
Click to expand...

This is not correct. I just got my ETS extended last week for 6 months. According to my MPF they have to follow what the medical command authorizes for allowed time. My PEBLO had to send in a letter to their Command to request the extension and the reply was then forwarded to the MPF Group Career Advisor for the extension to be done.
 
buckstr said:
This is not correct. I just got my ETS extended last week for 6 months. According to my MPF they have to follow what the medical command authorizes for allowed time. My PEBLO had to send in a letter to their Command to request the extension and the reply was then forwarded to the MPF Group Career Advisor for the extension to be done.
Click to expand...

wonderful news! I will talk to my PEBLO about this. Thank you
 
maparker said:
Your argument to the PEB is going to have to be that you are fit for duty.

There are also programs that let members continue on active duty despite being found unfit. In the Army it is called Continuation on Active Duty (COAD) and in the Navy/USMC it is called Permanent Limited Duty (PLD). The AF should have something similar.

I am curious how the PEB determined that your Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia were combat related. Can you shed some light on this?

Mike
Click to expand...

I was stationed at Balad AB Iraq where I was exposed to the burn pits. I did not get sick until my return from my deployment. I really didn't know what was happening to me at all, but according to my research this is not unusual for those of us who were exposed. Respiratory problems and autoimmune disorders of unknown origin, migraines etc are all common illnesses among many of us coming back. I made it a point to highlight this with the Department of Defense guidance to the VA on these specific locations when I went to the VA and sent my package to the Med Board. I also highlighted it to my PCM when I was diagnosed...of course I was scoffed at, but his notations of my allegation of exposure made it into my NARSUM, I made sure that it did. I recommend anyone who has been exposed do the same, as the DOD is aware of the results of the exposure, even though they do not openly advertise it.
 
I was stationed at FOB Speicher in o4 , there with the 1058 GTC . I to spent many hrs at the burn pit scavinging for usefull items . When I returned home I developed asthma and phemphugus foliacious which is a autoimmune skin disease which i was finally able to claim as a related condition after 7 yrs , My problem is I have now gone through 3 peblos and the last one is a real winner . Every question i ask her she just throws right back at me ,How do these people get these jobs ? They have no idea what we have been through or are going through , I dont believe they are all like the one i have , How can I get any info on my meb ? I have conntacted AFPC and RAFPC to no avail . My msc tells me a little but there is only so much she has access too . I really would like to go off on the peblo but fear it would only hurt my case . any helpwould be appreciated .
 
tmsaf said:
the Department of Defense guidance to the VA on these specific locations I recommend anyone who has been exposed do the same, as the DOD is aware of the results of the exposure, even though they do not openly advertise it.
Click to expand...

Do you have a link to this specific info online? Thanks..
 
yes a link and more info would be greatly appreciated. I was medevaced out for respiratory issues, and the PEB did not find my exposure to the burn pits combat related. Thanks...Bob
 
I feel your pain, I am just starting the process of the MEB (initial counseling and briefing next week) and am extremely paranoid. I too, have 18 and some change active and just want to get my 20, due to the financial implications of concurrent receipt. I don't understand the logic behind most of it. We can't qualify for Sanctuary, but we should at a minimum qualify for the concurrent receipt. Frustrated!

tmsaf said:
I was found unfit due to Rheumatoid Arthritis and Fibromyalgia (both considered Combat related), only evaluated by VA for unfitting conditions as I want a RTD with limitations in lieu of retirement. I am asking for this because I have eighteen and a half years in the Air Force.

I was reassured by the VA doctor and the VA representative that I could request that my case be reopened to rate ALL of my conditions after this process is over, and that they did not recommend I be rated for everything if I wanted an RTD....

I also found out yesterday that although I am eligible to apply for retirement in Feb 2013, I will not be allowed to do so until this is finished...this is what I am looking at...I hit 19 years TIS in Feb 2013, I planned on going on terminal leave in Dec 2013... Is not being eligible to even apply for retirement legal?? Is there any way around this?

I have a current DOS of September 2013, and need to extend in order to attain 20 years, so for six months...was told by the Military Personnel Flight that I can only extend on a month by month basis if I have an MEB ongoing????? Is this correct?

Also, funny as it is, when my intent to request a formal board was faxed to San Antonio yesterday, the office down there called my PEBLO back to ask what my rationale was for not accepting the permanent retirement they offered? Is it possible that they do not understand the difference between a career retiree's benefits and a Chapter 61 retiree's benefits? I was appalled that I had to give them the rationale that I WANT MY 20!

I honestly feel like I have become an advocate for veteran's rights, and that I am instructing every AD Air Force member on benefits etc. I do not mind doing this, but to have to instruct the medical board themselves is absolutely ludicrous! I am an Intelligence Troop, and briefing is my forte, so I guess I am going to give the most important briefing of my career in a few months when I go to the Formal Board.

Any advise or clarification on my questions is truly appreciated. I like to be completely prepared walking into a situation.....I feel like they are wasting AF Resources and funds, because if they do not give me an RTD with limitations, I intend to appeal to the SECAF, and the wait time for him to review the cases is 12-14 months on average....I may just make my 20 while in Med Board Limbo, although I still apparently cant naturally apply for retirement when I am eligible.
Click to expand...
 
PsychOfficer said:
yes a link and more info would be greatly appreciated. I was medevaced out for respiratory issues, and the PEB did not find my exposure to the burn pits combat related. Thanks...Bob
Click to expand...


They won't find exposure to the pits as combat related. Been there, have the T shirt. My problems were documented as burn pit exposure Balad, Bagram, HOA, etc. and high sulfur exposure from combat sorties in gunships. Until the government openly accepts our injuries as being caused by the pits and, further, proof is solidified that ammo and other combat materials were burned in the pits, we will not get the nod. I've been actively involved with this for a couple of years, including meeting with PEB and CRSC board members. KBR/Haliburton are fighting tooth and nail and denying any wrong doing with the methods they used to manage the pits- billions of $'s in injury compensation is on the line for them. They blame the Army, the Army blames them....
The VA has been directed to establish a burn pit registry, but has yet to implement it. If you have been exposed, it behooves you to get on the registry once it opens. Just ask the 'nam era vets about how the govt is "recognizing" agent orange exposure- hopefully pit exposure recognition won't follow the path.
 
tmsaf said:
I was stationed at Balad AB Iraq where I was exposed to the burn pits. I did not get sick until my return from my deployment. I really didn't know what was happening to me at all, but according to my research this is not unusual for those of us who were exposed. Respiratory problems and autoimmune disorders of unknown origin, migraines etc are all common illnesses among many of us coming back. I made it a point to highlight this with the Department of Defense guidance to the VA on these specific locations when I went to the VA and sent my package to the Med Board. I also highlighted it to my PCM when I was diagnosed...of course I was scoffed at, but his notations of my allegation of exposure made it into my NARSUM, I made sure that it did. I recommend anyone who has been exposed do the same, as the DOD is aware of the results of the exposure, even though they do not openly advertise it.
Click to expand...

What would I have to do to get my fibro combat related? I was at Balad for 6 months also.
 
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