AF TDRL Re-evaluation advice needed

JBrown58

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Registered Member
I just received a letter from the AF that I am due for my first re-evaluation for PTSD. I am rated at 70% for PTSD. The AF has gave me two options, I can either go to the nearest active duty base or do a "Can Do Process" where I have my VA doctor send in the information.
Question is, Am I better off going to an active duty base or have the VA do it?
What are your experiences with re-evaluations?
 
JBrown58,
How long since you retired, TDRL, until your notification letter from the AF? I'll be on TDRL starting late Sep 2013 and want to gauge the lngth of time for notification.
Also PTSD and 70%.
Thanks
 
I just received a letter from the AF that I am due for my first re-evaluation for PTSD. I am rated at 70% for PTSD. The AF has gave me two options, I can either go to the nearest active duty base or do a "Can Do Process" where I have my VA doctor send in the information.
Question is, Am I better off going to an active duty base or have the VA do it?
What are your experiences with re-evaluations?
I tend to think by far the VA is better. (As an aside, are you a legacy or IDES case- the VA should do the full evaluation and provide the ratings if IDES. This is in the DTM 11-015- the military services are ignoring this requirement).
 
Jason and Anamericanairman,

Thanks for the replies! I retired on January 28, 2013 and was notified last week for my TDRL re-evaluation. So about 6 months I would be looking for a notification for a re-evaluation.

Jason,
I greatly appreciate the information as I was unaware of the requirement. I am a part of the IDES process. So everyone can see I have included the email that I received along with the attachments to help AF members to now what to expect and loo for.

Below is the email that I received from the AF and along with the attachments:

Email from AF

Greetings TDRL Members,
You will be required to attend a TDRL follow up medical appointment. In order for the TDRL section to schedule and inform you of your appointment, it is imperative that you keep us advised of your address at all times.

Therefore, we require you to read and sign the attached document and return it to us NOT LATER THAN __29 JULY 2013__ to the following address:
AFPC/DPFDD
ATTN: TDRL
550 C STREET WEST STE 6
RANDOLPH AFB, TX 78150
You may also reply back to this email to verify your mailing address and telephone number. Our office will schedule your appointment and Travel Orders will be mailed to the address you provide upon notification from the clinic. Please review the attached information sheet for more information regarding your evaluation process.
If you are currently being treated by a physician/VA and would like to provide your physician's medical report to IPEB, email us with your request for a "CAN-DO" process. Once your doctor provides the required medical report, the IPEB will determine if the report is sufficient to adjudicate your TDRL case. If they disapprove your report, you may have to attend a TDRL mandated appointment (note: The Can-Do is only an option-an alternative to possibly traveling out your local area).
As a reminder, you must provide the TDRL examining physician, copies of all medical records documenting treatments you have received since your last evaluation. Your response will be filed in your TDRL case file. Failure to comply will result in termination of your Air Force pay, and removal from TDRL upon your 5 year expiration without benefits.
 

Attachments

I just received a letter from the AF that I am due for my first re-evaluation for PTSD. I am rated at 70% for PTSD. The AF has gave me two options, I can either go to the nearest active duty base or do a "Can Do Process" where I have my VA doctor send in the information.
Question is, Am I better off going to an active duty base or have the VA do it?
What are your experiences with re-evaluations?
Jason and Anamericanairman,

Thanks for the replies! I retired on January 28, 2013 and was notified last week for my TDRL re-evaluation. So about 6 months I would be looking for a notification for a re-evaluation.

Jason,
I greatly appreciate the information as I was unaware of the requirement. I am a part of the IDES process. So everyone can see I have included the email that I received along with the attachments to help AF members to now what to expect and loo for.

Below is the email that I received from the AF and along with the attachments:

Email from AF

Greetings TDRL Members,
You will be required to attend a TDRL follow up medical appointment. In order for the TDRL section to schedule and inform you of your appointment, it is imperative that you keep us advised of your address at all times.

Therefore, we require you to read and sign the attached document and return it to us NOT LATER THAN __29 JULY 2013__ to the following address:
AFPC/DPFDD
ATTN: TDRL
550 C STREET WEST STE 6
RANDOLPH AFB, TX 78150
You may also reply back to this email to verify your mailing address and telephone number. Our office will schedule your appointment and Travel Orders will be mailed to the address you provide upon notification from the clinic. Please review the attached information sheet for more information regarding your evaluation process.
If you are currently being treated by a physician/VA and would like to provide your physician's medical report to IPEB, email us with your request for a "CAN-DO" process. Once your doctor provides the required medical report, the IPEB will determine if the report is sufficient to adjudicate your TDRL case. If they disapprove your report, you may have to attend a TDRL mandated appointment (note: The Can-Do is only an option-an alternative to possibly traveling out your local area).
As a reminder, you must provide the TDRL examining physician, copies of all medical records documenting treatments you have received since your last evaluation. Your response will be filed in your TDRL case file. Failure to comply will result in termination of your Air Force pay, and removal from TDRL upon your 5 year expiration without benefits.

From a sharing of information point-of-view, appreciate your initiative to post such USAF TDRL information. :)

Indeed, the U.S. Army is not following the DTM 11-015 requirement; therefore, I am definitely not looking forward to my TDRL six-month re-evaluation with IWA then potentially new lower non-DoD IDES process rating determination by the USAPDA PEB. :(

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!
 
JBrown58,

I hope your TDRL Reeval went the way you wanted. Can you share the outcome and your experience with it. Will be retired on 29 Sep 13, TDRL, for same % and condition as yours.

Thanks,
AnAmericanAirman
 
Hi AnAmericanAirman,

I took Jason' advice and made an appointment with m VA doctor that I see and she filled out the paper work and sent it into the Air Force PEB for me. I also had my counselor send a letter to the PEB as well. I spoke with my contact at the wounded warrior and was told that it would take 3-6 months in order to get the results back. Once again I am in a wait and see mode. It went really smooth at the VA with my doctor that I see for PTSD, depression, and anxiety on a monthly basis. I would recommend that you use the VA and see a doctor there regularly as it may make the re-evaluation process much smoother for you. Once I receive a letter from the PEB I will update the post. If you have any other questions please let me know.
 
Hi AnAmericanAirman,

I took Jason' advice and made an appointment with m VA doctor that I see and she filled out the paper work and sent it into the Air Force PEB for me. I also had my counselor send a letter to the PEB as well. I spoke with my contact at the wounded warrior and was told that it would take 3-6 months in order to get the results back. Once again I am in a wait and see mode. It went really smooth at the VA with my doctor that I see for PTSD, depression, and anxiety on a monthly basis. I would recommend that you use the VA and see a doctor there regularly as it may make the re-evaluation process much smoother for you. Once I receive a letter from the PEB I will update the post. If you have any other questions please let me know.

Indeed, good feedback for all to read! Thanks! :)

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!
 
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