After The PDBR

Well, today I faxed off my DA 2656 to DFAS. I called them on Friday and they have already received my packet to start working on my account. My biggest question is CRSC! I meet all the requirements but the problem is that when i went through the MEB process almost 9 years ago. My commander never conducted LOD investigation. The only thing he did was write up a one page formal letter say that i was great soldier but my injuries will allow me to continue my service....that's it. My old orders state my accident was NOT and instrument of war and now my NEW orders state the same thing. So, my issue is whether to apply or not! I have 30% rating from the PDBR, 90% through the VA so what do you guys think I should do?? Also, getting my AKO account is like pulling teeth. They still don't have me listed as retired. I emailed my PDA and she is trying to get that fixed but advised me to call AKO helpdesk but they take information that is pushed to them via HRC. I called them and they state it is going to take some time!!!
 
Hello all,
I was recently approved for retirement by the PDBR. I am presently waiting for DFAS to conclude an audit of my account? I am not sure what to expect from this audit. I was discharged in 2004 with severance pay which was recouped by the VA prior to any receipt of disability compensation. Now, DFAS is trying to recoup the money again. My estimate is that the military (Army) owes me and my family not only alot of back retirement pay, but medical expenses, a retirement ceremony and award, a final movement of my household goods, and all of the savings that we could have enjoyed had the Army did the right thing to begin with and gave me and others the retirements that were deserved. I served for more than 16 years on active duty and had every intention of completing 20 plus years. Life since the Army has been a roller coaster of emotions for my entire family having to deal with being unemployed on and off, and losing our home to foreclosure.
Has anyone received Back (retro) retirement pay to date? I am in the process of collecting all of the medical bills that were paid out during the last several years. Has anyone had any luck there? I do know one thing, we all need to come together and lobby congress to change the law regarding CRDP for those of us with less than 20 years.

Thanks and I look forward to hearing from you guys and gals.
 
Nolansgrandpa,

My husband was awarded retirement trough the PDBR a while ago. I did get tricare to pay for some of the past bills, but it wasn't easy. I had to contact every doctors office, hospital, and lab billing department and have them submit all the past bills to tricare. As you can imagine, they really didn't want to bill something to them because many of the bills were old and paid for by other insurance and or us. We did get some money back from this, but not near as much as I was hoping for. It makes me upset that I had to work for many years to basically pay for other insurance when he should have gotten tricare all along. I wish they would reimberse us for the insurance premiums that we had to pay for because he "wasn't retired".

I am sorry to hear about your home.... and I agree with you that something has to change. I wish I had somesort of idea as to how to change these issues. Anyone have any suggestions?

Commosgt,

My husband did get a back payment of CRSC. He was not discharged do to anything combat related, but he does have many diagnosis of combat issues. I would strongly urge you to apply... the worst that can happen is they say "no". I believe the amount was retro to 2008 when the laws changed to cover CRSC. CRSC also moved much faster at payment and a decision compaired to the VA, and the PDBR. Good luck...

Trish
 
Thanks Trish!!! How many years of tricare bills were paid? Any advice on doing this as far as getting reimbursed? Any documents or sharing of information will be appreciated!!!

DFAS has all of my documents as of Thursday including those that i have faxed. I am hoping to file for CRSC before i start working for the VA.
 
Also, how long did it take from start to finish?
 
Thanks for the information Trish...You mentioned that you guys were not reimbursed for monthly medical care premiums?
Also, just wondering if anyone has received retro retirement pay. I was informed yesterday by DFAS that they were witholding severance pay from my check monthly. I informed the person at DFAS that my severance pay had already been recouped by the VA. Apparently DFAS and VA are not on the same page of music. I appears that I will have to do their jobs and straighten all of this out much like the uphill battle that I have had over the last several years. Of course, when you contact the VA, they point fingers at the next guy and never really give you any logical answers. We have missed out on so much not having been retired in the first place. The least that they (DFAS and VA) can do is to get on the same page of music.
 
Nolasgrandpa, I highly suggest a congressional if you have tried everything you can to resolve it yourself. DFAS and VA will start communicating effectively if you file. But again only use that if it is the last resort.

Trish, did you ever use a congressional with Tricare? If so, what was the outcome?
 
Tricare went back to the date he "lost" tricare. So it was fully retroed back. We were able to get reimbursment for a surgery that was about six and a half months after he was discharged.

The way I did the back bills was:
I waited till we had tricare prime and all the paperwork for it was done with
I called tricare and explained the situation. I got the supervisors name and number.
I called all the Dr's offices and hospitals and spoke with the head of each billing department and asked that they bill tricare prime
I kept a list and revisited the list every few weeks until everything was paid or they gave me an EOB explaining why it wouldn't be paid

Honestly it was a lot of work, but I would do it again if I was ever in the same situation. Another bad thing about this is the fact that they only covered under the standard rate, and not prime.... because we didn't pay premiums for prime. But boy we paid a lot in having other health care because they didn't give him retirement until the PDBR rating.

I don't know how to get them to pay for the other health insurance premiums? If anyone has any ideas, PLEASE share.

My husband was also in the same boat as you... he had already paid back all of the recoup amount to the VA. The DOD did have this on his record after all the PDBR paperwork went through. He did not have to prove that he had already paid because as soon as he had his ID card and they had all their paperwork figured out they had the payment as paid in full recorded. He did get a lot of run around from the payment issues before they had him fully in their system as being retired, so it might just take a little more time for them to get all the correct info. The only "back payment" he received was from CRSC. He does not get "retirement" pay... I think it is because he is 100 perm and total VA?? not sure??

The whole CRSC only took a few months (2-3) from the time we sent in the paperwork to the full payment being in the bank (including back pay). I was impressed because CRSC did seem to have their act together and it went very smoothly.

Good luck, and yes I do think that it is horrible that you and all of the other Vets who had to do the PDBR are loosing out on a lot -because of all the time that you did not get your benefits.

Trish
 
Trish,

I am not sure of all of the details of your potential insurance claims, but as a baseline, I think that there are two potential avenues to try to address these claims. The first would be through the Board for Correction of Military Records. The second would be through filing suit in the Court of Federal Claims. (These are not stated in any order; that is I am not saying one is preferential over the other option).

I don't know if your claims would be meritorious, either. Would need a lot more details to give my thoughts on this point.
 
Trish
Thanks for the information. My wife and I appreciate it. I am going to let the DFAS/VA confusion settle for a week or so before I began to pursue all of the medical bill stuff. Thanks for the information.
 
commosgt
Like you, I've been out a while... coming up on 7 years for me, so you're likely to experience some of the same problems I did. But I pray that you don't because they take a ridiculous amount of time and effort to fix. First, my AKO account was/is deactivated because I was medically discharged in 2005, not retired. Called "Help Desk" a few times, but... Called HRC as suggested by one of the help desk techs, but HRC tells me they have nothing to do with it. Also, DFAS has been requesting my rank history from HRC without any success. I have copies of old LES's and ERB's but DFAS does not want what I have, only what HRC has. I'm trying to establish relationships with liaison POC's so this process doesn't stress me the hell out again. Congrats on your retirement and I hope it goes smoothly for you.

11Bravo
 
NDBravehart84
Congrats on your retirement. Regarding the AKO/DKO account info. That is the information I get from "help desk" whenever I attempt to establish an account. What we have here is them telling us one thing and doing another when it's time for action. I was medically separated and had been out nearly 6 years before the PDBR, so my account had been deactivated. I cannot reactivate it without going through them, so as long as they keep denying me and using that explanation, the info remains.
 
Eleven Boo Boo said:
First, follow the instructions they send you.

Phase 1 of 2
The Army Review Boards Agency sent a packet to inform me that the Secretary accepts the board’s recommendation to permanently retire me. There are some things you can do with this packet to get started. TriCare is one of them, and some people have reported that they brought the packet to military facilities and were issued ID cards. As soon as you get this paperwork, contact your region's Retirement Services Office and ask if you can attend a retirement briefing. Get familiar with the RSO. You’ll need them later.

TriCare
You do not need orders to utilize Tricare. DoD will update your status in DEERS as retired long before you receive orders. Go online to the TriCare website and create an online account. Their system will automatically check, and if you are retired in DEERS, you will be able to create the account. You will be under TriCare Standard. You must apply for Prime, if that’s what you want, but you may be required to submit orders with the application. Keep in mind that you will have to pay a premium for Tricare Prime. People have been reporting that TriCare paid for “some” of their medical expenses incurred between separation from the military and PDBR retirement. TriCare wanted copies of ALL the receipts for medical treatments retirees wanted reimbursed. Start digging up old receipts and request copies from treatment facilities, if possible.

Phase 2 of 2
Army Physical Disability Agency sends a packet (3 weeks after the first packet) with orders, paperwork for direct deposit of retirement pay and allotments, election of Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), and instructions on how to submit them properly to DFAS. As soon as you get this packet, fill it out and have the Retirement Services Officer notarize and fax it to DFAS. Also mail a hard copy to DFAS. It’s better to get paperwork to DFAS sooner than later.

DFAS
DFAS is slow. Waiting for DFAS to set up an account is akin to waiting for the PDBR. They have to request info from the VA and PDBR, and also request your pay history and then coordinate and make payment computations based on info from those sources. There’s nothing you can do, and it will likely take a few months.

MyPay
Cannot create on-line profile, etc. until DFAS completes their end. Approximately 3 months after initial paperwork is submitted to DFAS.

CRSC
CRSC does nothing until DFAS establishes an account for you. If you submit an application to CRSC prior to DFAS establishing an account for you, CRSC will send you a letter informing you that, essentially, you do not exist. They will, however, hold on to the packet until “you” notify them when DFAS set up your pay account, and inform them again that you would like to apply for CRSC.

JPPSO / Household Goods
Check with JPPSO ASAP to see if your orders are properly formatted. If you intend to have DoD contractors ship your household goods, you have up to one year to complete travel arrangements… according to the narrative on the orders. However, some of our orders are missing the MDC code that JPPSO needs to fulfill their obligation. It’s an arduous task getting the buggers to correct that omission, but if you make a persistent and big enough stink, they will correct it. The people who cut orders at the medical separations office will have to amend the orders. Elicit the help of the Retirement Services Officer (RSO), if necessary.

Vehicle Registration
Being phased out. No more DoD stickers on the windshield. Only need DoD ID card to get on post.

E-mail / AKO/DKO Account
AKO/DKO is the email account with the format "[email protected]", for instance. I tried to create an account and had to call the "help desk" who informed me that medical retirees with less than 20 years do not get AKO/DKO accounts. My account had been deactivated because I have been out of the military going on 7 years now.​
Update: If your account is not deactivated, or you left the military recently, you may not have this issue to deal with. As reported by a few members of this forum.

Disclaimer:
The voices in my head might not be real, but I sure like the way they think.
The information contained here is based on my experience (Regular Army, No dependents). I am not a professional. I may update this post as I go through this post-PDBR process myself. I’ll highlight the updates in red, if I do.

Last, follow the instructions they send you.
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This is a very good thread. The tricare care reimbursement seems like it will be a battle. I can really only think of one ER visit for a dislocated knee that came up to 1600 that I want TRICARE to pay for. A debt collector keeps calling me trying to get this payment. Hopefully TRICARE will pay for at least part of this.
 
trish said:
Tricare went back to the date he "lost" tricare. So it was fully retroed back. We were able to get reimbursment for a surgery that was about six and a half months after he was discharged.

The way I did the back bills was:
I waited till we had tricare prime and all the paperwork for it was done with
I called tricare and explained the situation. I got the supervisors name and number.
I called all the Dr's offices and hospitals and spoke with the head of each billing department and asked that they bill tricare prime
I kept a list and revisited the list every few weeks until everything was paid or they gave me an EOB explaining why it wouldn't be paid

Honestly it was a lot of work, but I would do it again if I was ever in the same situation. Another bad thing about this is the fact that they only covered under the standard rate, and not prime.... because we didn't pay premiums for prime. But boy we paid a lot in having other health care because they didn't give him retirement until the PDBR rating.

I don't know how to get them to pay for the other health insurance premiums? If anyone has any ideas, PLEASE share.

My husband was also in the same boat as you... he had already paid back all of the recoup amount to the VA. The DOD did have this on his record after all the PDBR paperwork went through. He did not have to prove that he had already paid because as soon as he had his ID card and they had all their paperwork figured out they had the payment as paid in full recorded. He did get a lot of run around from the payment issues before they had him fully in their system as being retired, so it might just take a little more time for them to get all the correct info. The only "back payment" he received was from CRSC. He does not get "retirement" pay... I think it is because he is 100 perm and total VA?? not sure??

The whole CRSC only took a few months (2-3) from the time we sent in the paperwork to the full payment being in the bank (including back pay). I was impressed because CRSC did seem to have their act together and it went very smoothly.

Good luck, and yes I do think that it is horrible that you and all of the other Vets who had to do the PDBR are loosing out on a lot -because of all the time that you did not get your benefits.

Trish
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Trish,

I've been trying to get this done myself. For meds, it wasn't a problem getting them to pay for meds within the past year (ExpressScripts). Beyond that, they declined. I now have to send the same letter to them explaining the retro eligibility. TRICARE kicked out all the other claims beyond one year stating that I also needed EOBs from BC/BS for them to look at before they could make a determination. Also, BC/BS won't provide anything beyond what's available on the web (2 years worth) unless there is litigation: I'll have to sue them to get the EOBs for the past six years (their words). It may be worth paying a lawyer to get this done. I'm getting frustrated and just don't feel like dealing with this at this point.

I don't recall from reading, but how long did you go back (six years)? How much and to whom did you send your claims materials? Sorry if this is redundant, but I'm having a rough time getting through this right now and am pretty ticked off by BC/BS not providing EOBs beyond those available on the web. Really, does anyone out there keep EOBs once the bills have been paid???
 
Buddy, it is time to file a congressional!!! I am getting ready to start the process next week righ before I start working for the VA!!!! They have no idea what is going on and they rather point fingers and NOT do there job. So at this point it is time to put people on the line that we vote for to start getting this crap taking care of!!!! Total BS!!!!!!! They made the mistake and now they don't want to fix it, they screwed us!!!! This old soldier is not going to put up with it!!!!! Call and file buddy!!! I am right behind you!!!
 
It sure is very frustrating! But, the most frustrating part is doing others jobs. Like trying to obtain records from the VA that document a severance pay that was already recouped from me. I did 16 years 5 months and 18 days on active duty and was chewed up like a peice of bubble gum until the flavor was gone, and spit to the curb. That is how I have felt for the last 8 years. We have been robbed! I was awarded 30% from the PDBR and I was 80% at VA. However, the old saying or cadence goes...they give you a hundred dollars and take back 99...My monthly compensation at the VA dropped significantly. I would have been better of not even trying to get a retirement. To top it off, DFAS is recouping my severance pay again. I applaud the congress and it's efforts to take another look at us for retirement, however it seems as if we are left with the leg work. DFAS wants me to prove that the severance pay has already been recouped. So, I call the VA and they give me the run around. They are like talking to a black void in space. Very disappointing to say the least!
 
Nolansgrandpa,

This is what i did back in november 2011. I went down to the Regional Office in Houston, Texas. Requested an audit to be done on my severance pay. It took about two weeks as I hounded them to death till they hated to see me coming through the doors. I finally got it in the mail proving that all of this has been done and completed by the VA. When i faxed off my 2656, direct deposit, and W-2, I was told to fax that audit separately for new accounts. What i would do IF you are able is go down to the regional office, sign in, and request to talk with a VA REP. Bring your stuff and the letter you that you received stating you have been retired!!! Tell them you need the AUDIT done ASAP and that you need expediting because of what is going on as well as DFAS situation. If you also have a VSO (Veterans Service Officer like DAV) go next door and talk with them as well. make sure you VSO knows what is going on so they can hound $%^& out them so that you get it done! Then fax it off to DFAS!!! This will help with the BS!!!! IF THIS DOESN'T WORK call your congressmen. It is an election year!!!!!! I think it is time for a Veterans Party because this crap is for the birds!!!!....i need my meds!!! :)
 
nolansgrandpa said:
It sure is very frustrating! But, the most frustrating part is doing others jobs. Like trying to obtain records from the VA that document a severance pay that was already recouped from me. I did 16 years 5 months and 18 days on active duty and was chewed up like a peice of bubble gum until the flavor was gone, and spit to the curb. That is how I have felt for the last 8 years. We have been robbed! I was awarded 30% from the PDBR and I was 80% at VA. However, the old saying or cadence goes...they give you a hundred dollars and take back 99...My monthly compensation at the VA dropped significantly. I would have been better of not even trying to get a retirement. To top it off, DFAS is recouping my severance pay again. I applaud the congress and it's efforts to take another look at us for retirement, however it seems as if we are left with the leg work. DFAS wants me to prove that the severance pay has already been recouped. So, I call the VA and they give me the run around. They are like talking to a black void in space. Very disappointing to say the least!
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First off, I am sorry for your situation regarding the drop in VA. If I can ask, why did your VA compensation drop? Also, why do you feel that you would have been better off by not trying to get or receive retirement? Won't TriCare offset what you are loosing from the VA? I only ask because I am in the process of applying to the PDBR and I do not want to rob Peter to pay Paul. Yes, I do understand the statement "they give you $100 and take back $99", however, you should be able to apply to either CRCS or CRPD to assist you with the offset. Please let us/me know so we can contact our Congressman/women, expect what may come, and coordinate our avenues of approach.

Again, sorry for your frustration and I am hopeful that you can and will be able to be in the positive with our retirement. The fight will continue as ussual but we can take your experience and proceed with caution "lessons learned" as well as assist you with your issues. Congrats on your retirement and I believe that you will be better off in the long-run.

Frank,
 
Frank,
How many years were you in and what is your VA %???
Unfortunately, unless I am missing something, I do not qualify for CRDP due to not having made it to 20 plus years of service according to Chap. 61 Retiree rules. So, when I talked to DFAS they indicated to me that not only are they recouping money that has already been recouped (I have to bear the proof that it has), but the VA is only contributing 10% to my retirement. For all purposes except for compensation I am otherwise 80% rated at VA. I have contacted my congressman (Senate and House) to look into this for me. I will keep everyone posted. Has anyone heard anything regarding retro retirement pay?
 
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