19 Year SM looking for advice.

S

swisher43

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
I have what seems to be a unique situation and I am unsure how to handle it. Any insight would be appreciated.

I have a diagnosis for PTSD and TBI. I am also at 19 years and 1 month TIS. I underwent treatment for both that took nearly a year and eventually returned to duty this February.

Since returning to duty after my fitness for duty eval and coming off medications I have slowly been degrading back to where I started. The only difference now is I can see the downward spiral.

I am afraid if I go back to BH to go back on medications and seek treatment they will initiate a MEB. I have already submitted my retirement packet and expect to have my retirement orders within the next 30 days.

Should I not go in for treatment and retire normally? If so what does this look like for post retirement treatment? I honestly do need help with severe anger, depression and anxiety.

Should I go back to BH and seek treatment now? If I do would they initiate a medical board?

I do not want to lose my 20 retirement benifits. If I have my retirement orders before I seek treatment does anyone know if they'll initiate an MEB or let me get treatment and retire?
 
I think seeking behavioral health would be a good choice. You could always go private as well instead of using the VA. Up to you. I have a few friends doing this as well, but they are trying to get to 19 1/2 before initiating their MEB. This way they make it to 20 years. Its not the right answer, however someone shouldn't get hosed out of a retirement for a year or less. That's just my opinion.
 
Hello @swisher43

I infer that the 19 years and 1 month are AD toward a regular retirement. I mention this because often an individual will state they have 20 years service but do not differentiate between 20 good years for a RC retirement and 20 years AD for a regular retirement.

That said, some of the people who might be able to assist you include:
@chaplaincharlie
@Provis
@tony292
@oddpedestrian

Ron
 
RonG said:
Hello @swisher43

I infer that the 19 years and 1 month are AD toward a regular retirement. I mention this because often an individual will state they have 20 years service but do not differentiate between 20 good years for a RC retirement and 20 years AD for a regular retirement.

That said, some of the people who might be able to assist you include:
@chaplaincharlie
@Provis
@tony292
@oddpedestrian

Ron
Click to expand...
Correct. AD time towards regular retirement.
 
swisher43 said:
Correct. AD time towards regular retirement.
Click to expand...
If you're really paranoid I would suggest going the private route. I don't think that's necessary because at 19 years and one month you can definitely stretch it out to 20 years and that's only if they initiate an MEB. In fact, you can express those concerns towards your PCM and let them know you have a retirement coming at 11 months. They can exercise some discretion meaning they may not refer you. The military really doesn't want to put people through IDES unless they absolutely have to when they're going to be retiring in less than a year as it ends up putting you in the service longer.

Also, if you do get put in IDES let your PEBLO know how close you are to retirement. I know everyone's talking trash on them but there are good ones out there and they will lose your paperwork or be slow in some areas if it's a good thing for you especially since other people are anxious to get through IDES quickly and be happy to jump ahead of you.
 
You might want to seek treatment from a Vet Center. Vet Centers are VA facilities that are free standing from hospitals and clinics. They will treat AD with PTSD. This allows you to ensure you make 20 AND get the treatment you need.

Vet Centers are located in many places around the country AND they often travel away from the their centers to different cities around them to make it easier to get treatment.
www.vetcenter.va.gov

VA.gov | Veterans Affairs

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.
www.vetcenter.va.gov www.vetcenter.va.gov
I rate their services for PTSD or MST very high.
 
Provis said:
If you're really paranoid I would suggest going the private route. I don't think that's necessary because at 19 years and one month you can definitely stretch it out to 20 years and that's only if they initiate an MEB. In fact, you can express those concerns towards your PCM and let them know you have a retirement coming at 11 months. They can exercise some discretion meaning they may not refer you. The military really doesn't want to put people through IDES unless they absolutely have to when they're going to be retiring in less than a year as it ends up putting you in the service longer.

Also, if you do get put in IDES let your PEBLO know how close you are to retirement. I know everyone's talking trash on them but there are good ones out there and they will lose your paperwork or be slow in some areas if it's a good thing for you especially since other people are anxious to get through IDES quickly and be happy to jump ahead of you.
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I am leaning towards the option of just getting help, but it feels like rolling the dice to make it to 20 years.

I keep looking through the timeline thread and it seems like every timeline I look at they are getting out in 6-9 months.

Maybe I'm just unfamiliar with the process and how I would be able to extend it to 11 months if required. Is there a general post that describes the process and my options each step of the way?

I can't seem to find one. Thanks for your help.
 
There are many places in the process that you can appeal. Each time that delays the process. For example for the MEB once they create a narrative summary you can request a Independent Medical Review (IMR). Once that come back you can write a rebuttal to the IMR. Your assigned military attorney/PEBLO can explain it all. For your medical exams you can ask for a further out appointment date. They try to get you in as soon as possible but it never hurts to ask to have the date scheduled out further. All these little things can add months to the timeline. If you tell them you are trying to stretch it out to hit your 20 years a lot of people will accommodate you. For example, if you need help the PCM shouldn't immediately request IDES. Ask for some time to see if different medications and or counselling could help your MH situation. If they then decide to put you in IDES several months will have passed and you won't be worried about not hitting 20 years.
 
Vet Center records are not released to DoD or the VA unless you request that they be released. It’s a free option and great place to receive help. I paid out of pocket for private practice help until…wait for it…a MSG in our S3 shop told me about the Vet Center. He was also MEBing and ironically/consequently working at the Vet Center after both our medical retirements.

I tell people this all the time. The only time the Army has called to check on me after retirement was for my TDRL reevaluation. My wife and children ask me everyday how I am doing.

And like @Provis said above, you can stretch an MEB in numerous ways.
 
You can easily make it to 20. There are at least 6 levels of appeals during the process. Also, save your leave as leave time counts toward your 20. I’d get help now. Look into the vet center as Charlie said. Or if that doesn’t work go to BH. Either way getting seen now will help your case with the VA after you’re out.

I appealed at every level and not case took just over a year.
 
I understand your health problem and that you do not want to retire earlier than you should because you will lose certain privileges.
 
But in this case, you should put health first and follow the correct treatment plan. I recommend you to consult with a specialist regarding pension calculations and give up the idea of working when your health does not allow it because it can worsen. I know a retirement planning financial advisor who took care of all the necessary calculations for my grandmother's retirement from work.
 
Honestly, I think you should consider your health first. I understand that perhaps losing 20 retirement benefits will be a bad thing. However, you might get some of them. If you don't go to the treatment, your situation will get worse. My mother struggled with anxiety and depression before retirement. She wanted to go to a recovery center, but she didn't want to stop working before her retirement. I connected a financial advisor from Financial Advisor Columbia SC| Retirement Planning Insurance to sort that out. He did a great job. Now my mother is feeling great and has a great pension. You should call an advisor or a lawyer too.
 
If I were you, I would do two important things. I would first talk to a good doctor about your condition and what should be the next steps or what s the needed treatment. Then, I would talk to a financial advisor and see his proposals based on your situation - if retirement is a good option or if another action plan has to be taken. In my med school years, I had problems with my debt repayment. I decided I had to turn to thefinitygroup.com for advice, and they prepared a plan on what I should do and how fast will I be able to repay it. They also helped me manage my budget to have some savings at the end of my school. So happy I got their help.
 
Dude, get the help and care you need. It’s a big step recognizing your own issues, that means it’s time to bury them and put it to rest so you can move on and live a great retired life. Either way I agree with most comments that you will hit 20 years, I truly believe that’s a non-issue. I 100% support you getting the help you need so you can put your issues behind you. It’s time to thrive and not just survive Battle Buddy!
 
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