Denied MEB due to Approved Retirement Date

M

MEBHopeful

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
Any input on how to proceed will be appreciate. I'm ADAF 20+ years of service.

I was referred for a MEB 2 months after I submitted for retirement. The hospital drug their feet in getting my case together and submitted to AFPC. I was recently returned to duty with the justification being I have an approved retirement date. However, based on the DoDi, having an approved retirement date doesn't automatically mean I should be returned to duty. I'm being told despite me having evidence that if I weren't retiring I would b referred for a full MEB, AFPC is unwilling to change the disposition. Has anyone dealt with this? I'm told I should submit a congressional or speak with the IG- are either of those a good idea?

Is there a benefit to being medically retired versus voluntary retirement that would make this battle worth it?

Thank you in advance
 
MEBHopeful said:
Any input on how to proceed will be appreciate. I'm ADAF 20+ years of service.

I was referred for a MEB 2 months after I submitted for retirement. The hospital drug their feet in getting my case together and submitted to AFPC. I was recently returned to duty with the justification being I have an approved retirement date. However, based on the DoDi, having an approved retirement date doesn't automatically mean I should be returned to duty. I'm being told despite me having evidence that if I weren't retiring I would b referred for a full MEB, AFPC is unwilling to change the disposition. Has anyone dealt with this? I'm told I should submit a congressional or speak with the IG- are either of those a good idea?

Is there a benefit to being medically retired versus voluntary retirement that would make this battle worth it?

Thank you in advance
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For those with 20 years AD there isn't any additional compensation for medically retiring. You will max out compensation with the getting your earned longevity pension and VA compensation as long as your total VA ratings is 50% or higher.

Why do you want to medically retire? I would much rather have a set date than go through IDES when there isn't a benefit.
 
MEBHopeful said:
Any input on how to proceed will be appreciate. I'm ADAF 20+ years of service.

I was referred for a MEB 2 months after I submitted for retirement. The hospital drug their feet in getting my case together and submitted to AFPC. I was recently returned to duty with the justification being I have an approved retirement date. However, based on the DoDi, having an approved retirement date doesn't automatically mean I should be returned to duty. I'm being told despite me having evidence that if I weren't retiring I would b referred for a full MEB, AFPC is unwilling to change the disposition. Has anyone dealt with this? I'm told I should submit a congressional or speak with the IG- are either of those a good idea?

Is there a benefit to being medically retired versus voluntary retirement that would make this battle worth it?

Thank you in advance
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From my understanding, there is a TRICARE benefit if you're forced out, along with your disability payments start immediately after retirement.

Someone else can chime in if I'm off.
 
Rekmor said:
From my understanding, there is a TRICARE benefit if you're forced out, along with your disability payments start immediately after retirement.

Someone else can chime in if I'm off.
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Regular retirees receive this benefit as well as far as TRICARE is concerned. Only difference with a medboard in this situation is effectively a BDD process where your VA claim is fully developed. That is a very long winded way to do it though.
 
I was briefed by a PEBLO that being MEB'd after 20 years can benefit your DoD retirement depending on the DoD percentage- which is separate from the VA retirement. The whole process is quite complicated to understand, and it's been difficult trying to locate answers.
 
Provis said:
For those with 20 years AD there isn't any additional compensation for medically retiring. You will max out compensation with the getting your earned longevity pension and VA compensation as long as your total VA ratings is 50% or higher.

Why do you want to medically retire? I would much rather have a set date than go through IDES when there isn't a benefit.
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I was briefed by a PEBLO that being MEB'd after 20 years can benefit your DoD retirement depending on the DoD percentage- which is separate from the VA retirement. The whole process is quite complicated to understand, and it's been difficult trying to locate answers.
 
MEBHopeful said:
I was briefed by a PEBLO that being MEB'd after 20 years can benefit your DoD retirement depending on the DoD percentage- which is separate from the VA retirement. The whole process is quite complicated to understand, and it's been difficult trying to locate answers.
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I think you're thinking of CRDP. A medboard isn't required for that to my knowledge.

The following link is a Marine Corps link but it should be the same idea:


There's probably more relevant-to-the-Air-Force references around this forum.

I could be mistaken but I kept seeing this benefit pop up when I was looking into CRSC.
 
Two benefits of PEB directed medical retirement:
1. Some small benefits in TriCare.
2. If injury is combat related, some part/all of retirement income may be tax free.
 
chaplaincharlie said:
Two benefits of PEB directed medical retirement:
1. Some small benefits in TriCare.
2. If injury is combat related, some part/all of retirement income may be tax free.
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For #2 you need more than just that. The total DOD% must be higher than earned longevity. If pay is based on the higher longevity amount its not tax free.
For #1. Small benefit of saving $300 per year if Soldier choses Tricare Select. If they choose Tricare Prime then no difference between medical and regular retirement.
 
Rekmor said:
From my understanding, there is a TRICARE benefit if you're forced out, along with your disability payments start immediately after retirement.

Someone else can chime in if I'm off.
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All those things are the same whether regular retirement or medical retirement. If you have total VA % of 50% or higher you will get both your VA disability payments AND your regular retirement pension.

If I had the choice I would choose regular retirement every time. The most you can get for Gross income is the combination of your earned longevity regular retirement + VA disability compensation and you will already get that if you have a regular retirement. Also, if you sign up for the BDD program you can have all of your VA stuff done while you are still in so the VA disability gets started as soon as possible. Even if you didn't do that as long as you apply for VA disability within 1 year of getting out they backdate it to include backpay to the date after you retire so you aren't missing out on anything.
 
Provis said:
For #2 you need more than just that. The total DOD% must be higher than earned longevity. If pay is based on the higher longevity amount its not tax free.
For #1. Small benefit of saving $300 per year if Soldier choses Tricare Select. If they choose Tricare Prime then no difference between medical and regular retirement.
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Someone in another forum referred me to the DFAS website to compute the financial difference. Defense Finance and Accounting Service > RetiredMilitary > disability > disability

From what I read, if the DoD disability rating is higher than 50%, your DoD retirement computation will be based on the rating percentage instead of your time in service (aka longevity). Therefore, there is a chance of DoD retirement pay increase versus the regular DoD retirement.
 
MEBHopeful said:
Someone in another forum referred me to the DFAS website to compute the financial difference. Defense Finance and Accounting Service > RetiredMilitary > disability > disability

From what I read, if the DoD disability rating is higher than 50%, your DoD retirement computation will be based on the rating percentage instead of your time in service (aka longevity). Therefore, there is a chance of DoD retirement pay increase versus the regular DoD retirement.
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You won't get more even if DOD% is higher. There is a cap like I have said all along. The purpose of a chapter 61 retirement is to help those who couldn't reach 20 years. For those over 20 years the purpose is to stop you from serving more since you are not fit for duty any longer. You have an approved retirement date and so they are saying you don't need to be put in IDES.
 
Provis said:
You won't get more even if DOD% is higher. There is a cap like I have said all along. The purpose of a chapter 61 retirement is to help those who couldn't reach 20 years. For those over 20 years the purpose is to stop you from serving more since you are not fit for duty any longer. You have an approved retirement date and so they are saying you don't need to be put in IDES.
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Oh I see, thank you for taking the time to clarify and elaborate I do see on the website where it says 75% is the cap.

"The multiplier percentage is at the option of the member who may chose either the percentage of disability assigned or the years of creditable service times 2½%. In either case, the multiplier is limited to 75% by law."
 
MEBHopeful said:
Oh I see, thank you for taking the time to clarify and elaborate I do see on the website where it says 75% is the cap.

"The multiplier percentage is at the option of the member who may chose either the percentage of disability assigned or the years of creditable service times 2½%. In either case, the multiplier is limited to 75% by law."
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That is not the cap I am referring to. It doesn't matter if you medically retire at any DOD% your total gross compensation will be the same. I would choose a regular retirement with a known separation date almost every time if possible.

The only time a medical retirement might help you is if the unfitting condition that you are referred for was for a combat related injury which for most the answer is no. If that is your situation a medical retirement doesn't help you and not only do you have to go through it but you also lose control of the timeline of when you will get out. That is why I would pick a regular retirement every single time with the exception of having an unfitting combat related condition. However, based on your original post they aren't putting you in IDES and you are set to retire via your submission of your retirement packet. That is the best outcome for you as the Soldier and for your branch of service.
 
Hello @MEBHopeful
cc: @Provis

Ref: “That is not the cap I am referring to. It doesn't matter if you medically retire at any DOD% your total gross compensation will be the same. I would choose a regular retirement with a known separation date almost every time if possible.”

That is golden.
And as stated by Provis, your DOD retired pay, irrespective of disability or regular will not exceed the longevity portion of the retired pay.

There are dozens , maybe hundreds of computations on this board showing examples.

Ron
 
MEBHopeful said:
Any input on how to proceed will be appreciate. I'm ADAF 20+ years of service.

I was referred for a MEB 2 months after I submitted for retirement. The hospital drug their feet in getting my case together and submitted to AFPC. I was recently returned to duty with the justification being I have an approved retirement date. However, based on the DoDi, having an approved retirement date doesn't automatically mean I should be returned to duty. I'm being told despite me having evidence that if I weren't retiring I would b referred for a full MEB, AFPC is unwilling to change the disposition. Has anyone dealt with this? I'm told I should submit a congressional or speak with the IG- are either of those a good idea?

Is there a benefit to being medically retired versus voluntary retirement that would make this battle worth it?

Thank you in advance
Click to expand...
1. What the regulations say

DoDI 1332.18 (Disability Evaluation System) and AR 40-501 are crystal clear:

If a Soldier is given a permanent P3 for a condition that does not meet retention standards, they must be referred to the MEB/IDES.

The fact that retirement orders have already been published does not erase that requirement. If the Soldier is unfit, they are owed the disability process.



2. What some states/commands do in practice

Some commands discourage or block late referrals if the Soldier already has a retirement date. Their reasoning (not supported by federal policy) is:

“You’re already getting a pension, so no need for IDES.”

“Too late in the process — retirement orders are cut.”


That’s exactly what you’re seeing on Reddit — Soldiers being told “no Med Board because you’re retiring anyway.”


3. Why that’s wrong

It’s not just about the pension — a Med Board/IDES also determines disability percentage, combat-related status, and possible concurrent receipt (CRDP/CRSC).

Blocking that process can cost a Soldier hundreds of dollars a month for life (sometimes thousands if combat-related).

The DoD guidance makes no “retirement orders already published” exception.


4. How common is it?

Unfortunately… it happens a lot, especially in Guard/Reserve units where state-level leadership tries to manage strength numbers.

I wouldn’t say it’s “official practice,” but it’s a pattern in some states: Soldiers over 20 years are pressured to just take retirement instead of fighting for MEB.



---

✅ Bottom line:
No, it is not correct practice to deny a Med Board just because retirement orders exist. If a Soldier gets a permanent P3 for a non-retention condition, they are supposed to go through MEB/IDES — even if that means delaying or canceling retirement orders.


If you were given a p3 you are required a med board by law...
 
MEBHopeful said:
Any input on how to proceed will be appreciate. I'm ADAF 20+ years of service.

I was referred for a MEB 2 months after I submitted for retirement. The hospital drug their feet in getting my case together and submitted to AFPC. I was recently returned to duty with the justification being I have an approved retirement date. However, based on the DoDi, having an approved retirement date doesn't automatically mean I should be returned to duty. I'm being told despite me having evidence that if I weren't retiring I would b referred for a full MEB, AFPC is unwilling to change the disposition. Has anyone dealt with this? I'm told I should submit a congressional or speak with the IG- are either of those a good idea?

Is there a benefit to being medically retired versus voluntary retirement that would make this battle worth it?

Thank you in advance
Click to expand...
You’re running into a timing issue more than a medical one. Once a retirement is approved the system tends to treat you as exiting for length of service unless the MEB was fully initiated and locked before that approval, so they default to returning you to duty to finish the retirement path. That’s why AFPC is reluctant to reopen it, because administratively they see it as a closed loop rather than an active disability case. The difference can matter depending on ratings, tax treatment, and whether conditions are found service connected, so it’s not just academic. Before going straight to congressional I’d try getting a formal review through your PEBLO or legal assistance so there’s a documented argument about when the referral actually occurred. IG or congressional usually gets attention but works best after you show you tried the internal correction routes first.
 
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