Hello everyone. I want to share my experience with the MEB/PEB here in hopes it may help others in a similar scenario. Please feel free to reach out anytime.
Background: Joined the Navy Sep 2004. Accumulated various and un related injuries / illness’s up to my 18 1/2 year mark. MEB was initiated following the discovery of brain lesions, causing severe hand tremors and various polyneuropathy issues of all extremities. Some serious back issues were added to my referring conditions. However, I will state, other VA claimed issues seemed more unfitting than these. More on that at the end for lessons learned. I am now over 19 1/2 years. The PEB concluded and I accepted my findings, Naval message was released today with a PDRL NLT date of 30May. However, I also submitted a Permanent Limited Duty (PLD) request immediately after accepting my findings. PERS 454 and 954 report it is a 3-6 month turn around time for PLD. So, PLD ended up acting as something I wasn’t expecting, less an approval for continued service and more a delay tactic, on account by the time it is determined, I will be over 20 years. The process works as follows: NLT date given, 2 weeks before date PERS will request a 90 day extension to this date. Rinse and repeat. If and when your EOAS approaches, your command will submit a retain in service request. Essentially, you are on PLD hold. Long story short, I learned the following:
-Don’t start a MEB until at least 19 1/2 years in, 19 even if you are ballsey. Fight it.
-Your referring conditions matter! I had 5, not sure if that’s the limit but if it is, use all 5. Mine combined to 90% DOD rating. I can only imagine how many get referred for only one condition, increasing the odds of a rating less than 30%, thus, separation vice retirement.
-PLD is not guaranteed. I built a very very strong package. Reach out if you need help. The less time you ask for, the better. Highlight your critical role you play and how you can still do it, only mention your desire for the 20 year milestone briefly. Command endorsement is paramount. Hand written looks best.
-Communicate, and be pleasant with your PEBLO, MSC, lawyer, and PERS. They are actually great people and you want them on your side.
-Draft and route your PLD early, so it’s ready to submit. You only get 15 days after PEB findings notification.
-For most, PLD is not worth the risk, appeal and request a formal board first. This is your best path to giving you more time.
*placeholder for things I forgot.
Lastly, here is my timeline, not exact, but approximately:
August 2023 - entered into IDES
September 2023 - C&P exams complete
Jan 2024 - NARSUM signed
Feb 2024 - PEB adjorned
Mar 2024 - Notification of Unfit and ratings
April 2024 - Election of options, agreed
April 2024 - PLD submission
Today - PDRL NLT message released
Sep 2024 - Retire, hopefully?
Feel free to reach out!
V/r,
BigMidge
Background: Joined the Navy Sep 2004. Accumulated various and un related injuries / illness’s up to my 18 1/2 year mark. MEB was initiated following the discovery of brain lesions, causing severe hand tremors and various polyneuropathy issues of all extremities. Some serious back issues were added to my referring conditions. However, I will state, other VA claimed issues seemed more unfitting than these. More on that at the end for lessons learned. I am now over 19 1/2 years. The PEB concluded and I accepted my findings, Naval message was released today with a PDRL NLT date of 30May. However, I also submitted a Permanent Limited Duty (PLD) request immediately after accepting my findings. PERS 454 and 954 report it is a 3-6 month turn around time for PLD. So, PLD ended up acting as something I wasn’t expecting, less an approval for continued service and more a delay tactic, on account by the time it is determined, I will be over 20 years. The process works as follows: NLT date given, 2 weeks before date PERS will request a 90 day extension to this date. Rinse and repeat. If and when your EOAS approaches, your command will submit a retain in service request. Essentially, you are on PLD hold. Long story short, I learned the following:
-Don’t start a MEB until at least 19 1/2 years in, 19 even if you are ballsey. Fight it.
-Your referring conditions matter! I had 5, not sure if that’s the limit but if it is, use all 5. Mine combined to 90% DOD rating. I can only imagine how many get referred for only one condition, increasing the odds of a rating less than 30%, thus, separation vice retirement.
-PLD is not guaranteed. I built a very very strong package. Reach out if you need help. The less time you ask for, the better. Highlight your critical role you play and how you can still do it, only mention your desire for the 20 year milestone briefly. Command endorsement is paramount. Hand written looks best.
-Communicate, and be pleasant with your PEBLO, MSC, lawyer, and PERS. They are actually great people and you want them on your side.
-Draft and route your PLD early, so it’s ready to submit. You only get 15 days after PEB findings notification.
-For most, PLD is not worth the risk, appeal and request a formal board first. This is your best path to giving you more time.
*placeholder for things I forgot.
Lastly, here is my timeline, not exact, but approximately:
August 2023 - entered into IDES
September 2023 - C&P exams complete
Jan 2024 - NARSUM signed
Feb 2024 - PEB adjorned
Mar 2024 - Notification of Unfit and ratings
April 2024 - Election of options, agreed
April 2024 - PLD submission
Today - PDRL NLT message released
Sep 2024 - Retire, hopefully?
Feel free to reach out!
V/r,
BigMidge