After The PDBR

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.

Ok wow! I wish I knew this before I posted what I found today. You are the first one to inform us we would not get retroactive pay and you are correct. I posted this in other threads asking questions. I believe it will be helpful here as well...

Greetings,
I posted this under another Thread, but thought it would be beneficial if I post it here as well! Please read all of it especially if you believe you will receive retroactive pay :mad:

__________________

I am finding that if a military member did not serve for 20 years active duty or more we are not entitled to any retroactive back pay and VA compensation during the same period of time.

I was just rated 30% retired by the Air Force and had a 90% rating from the VA since 2002. I had 7 years 11 months active duty which is less than 20 years of active duty service. It was explained that a person like myself, would not receive retroactive back pay nor any separate pay at all. Because I did not serve 20 years active duty.

With that said, because I was rated by the VA like many of you and my rating was 30% for the which the Air Force rated me at 20% I became eligible for retirement when the changes were made. So it seems I would receive retro payment? What happens is the 30% retirement income ($850) I am awarded by the Air Force was paid for and factored into my VA benefits already since 2002. Due to the fact that I am rated 90% ($1869) which includes the asthma rating from the VA and Air Force at 30%. That makes me ineligible to receive funds for the same disability! That is why the Air Force matched the VA ratings they knew no one could get retroactive! Maybe combat related can receive both I am not sure.

** those serving 20 years active will be able to receive 50% base pay or such at retirement. Then qualify to be rated by the VA, if they have any service connected disability. Thus they can receive 2 separate checks! One from Air Force and One from VA if their VA rating is more than 50%.

But for those like myself may ask why go through this process! The retirement status allows members like me to have access to Tricare, Dental, and other base commissary/ facilities. But I already did because my husband is an active duty AF officer. Other than that, that we will not receive retroactive back pay unless you have 20 years of total service and if that is the case you would been eligible to meet the board :( because you would have been retired at 20 years....

Anyone who went to the board is not going to receive retroactive pay. That is what was explained to me and from these two post it is accurate!

Confusing I know... Sounds wrong I know, but its correct... It sucks badly!

But Concurrent pay of retirement and Va monies are only for those who were not retired solely by disability! The link is below. Sucks but here it is....

Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP)

Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) allows military retirees to receive both military retired pay and Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation. This was prohibited until the CRDP program began on January 1, 2004.
CRDP is a "phase in" of benefits that gradually restores a retiree's VA disability offset. This means that an eligible retiree's retired pay will gradually increase each year until the phase in is complete in 2014.
You do not need to apply for CRDP. If qualified, you will be enrolled automatically.
EligibilityYou must be eligible for retired pay to qualify for CRDP. If you were placed on a disability retirement, but would be eligible for military retired pay in the absence of the disability, you may be entitled to receive CRDP.
Under these rules, you may be entitled to CRDP if…
  • you are a regular retiree with a VA disability rating of 50 percent or greater.
  • you are a reserve retiree with 20 qualifying years of service, who has a VA disability rating of 50 percent or greater and who has reached retirement age. (In most cases the retirement age for reservists is 60, but certain reserve retirees may be eligible before they turn 60. If you are a member of the Ready Reserve, your retirement age can be reduced below age 60 by three months for each 90 days of active service you have performed during a fiscal year.)
  • you are retired under Temporary Early Retirement Act (TERA) and have a VA disability rating of 50 percent or greater.
  • you are a disability retiree who earned entitlement to retired pay under any provision of law other than solely by disability, and you have a VA disability rating of 50 percent or greater. You might become eligible for CRDP at the time you would have become eligible for retired pay.
Here is a link to the website:
http://www.dfas.mil/dfas/retiredmilitary/disability/crdp.html

-GP​
 
Has anyone heard anything regarding CRDP and Chap. 61 retirees? I heard about legislation in congress regarding this and wonder if anyone knows of anything new?
 
Nolansgrandpa, what did you hear? I have read many things but pretty sure nothing is going to happen until after the election. Then we start all over again with the same BS.....nothing happens!! I have emailed the WH, senators, and house representative! A VA employee mentioned to me about two months ago that 2013/2014 we should have it but I am not seeing it in writing.
 
I talked to a pay technician at DFAS and he told me that there is legislation in congress regarding those of us Chap. 61 retirees who have less than 20 years being able to collect both retirement and VA disability compensation. This is what he gave me: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c112:H.R.186.IH:

Basically it is before the 112th Congress (H.R. 186)
 
Nolansgrandpa,

That is interesting to read this as I have seen that bill a while back but thought it dropped off the face of the earth. So this bill is still active??? I wonder if they are actually going to do this!!! I have heard stories from the VA side of things at the regional office stating 2013/2014! We shall see!!
 
After nine years I received a letter from HRC from a LTC stating that I have been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Does this do anything for me? When i had my retirement ceremony General Caldwell (5th Army Commander) stated he was going to ensure that i received a retirement award since I never received anything when i was discharged.....we will see!
 
I never received an award for even being discharged period. I did almost 17 years, always excellent NCOER's, 290 and above PT, Drill Sergeant, Recruiter, and all of the other badges from the infantry. We should receive a retirement award as should the spouses for enduring the hardships that they faced (moving, new schools, friends, broken furniture, deployments etc...)
When you really think about it we have missed out on alot! Not only $$$, but PX, commissary, Tricare, and so on...
Now, it seems as if really nothing was accomplished. Contact your congressman and be heard! Let them know that you want both your retirement and VA disability pay! Look at H.R. 186 and H.R. 333 and ask questions....
 
Latest Updates (in bold):

Action - Start - My Action - Status - Completed Date
Request for review of Military Separation: 3/29/2011 - Review Completed: 5/18/2011
SAF/MRBR Application Reviewed:5/18/2011 - Requested STRs via FOIA - Completed: 6/16/2011
Records Received by PDBR:6/16/2011 - Review Completed: 10/28/2011
PDBR decision:10/28/2011 - Completed: 11/29/2011
Retirement Granted: 11/29/2011 - Completed: 12/6/2011
----------------------------- AFTER Decision------------------------------------
Directive Sent from SECAF to CSAF: 12/6/2011 - Completed: 12/22/2011
TRICARE: 12/22/2011 - Completed: 2/16/2012
Corrected Retirement Orders: 12/22/2011 - Completed: 2/17/2012
ID Cards: 2/17/2012 - Completed: 2/22/2012
DD214: 2/1/2012 - Completed: 2/29/2012
DFAS Account Created: 2/6/2012 - Completed: 4/9/2012
DFAS/VA Audit complete: 2/6/2012 - ??
----------------------------------------
DFAS did not receive my SBP documents. They show my spouse, and I'll just leave it alone. I'll never get the pay anyway, so it's moot.

TRICARE Reimbursement:

Pharmacy: All documents, EOBs, letters from PDBR and DMDC support unit - had to ask the DMDC support office for a letter of eligibility back-dated to the earliest date of eligibility (2000). I

Physicians: Sent in claims beyond the 1-year limit; most returned. They say I haven't shown proof of retroactive eligibility even though the DMDC letter and letters from the DoD state I am. I'm going to appeal each denial (you have 120 days from the date of decision to do this) and re-submit. For providers "in network", the provider must resubmit the claims. I've been working with one provider that reluctantly resubmitted a claim yesterday. She was pessimistic that it would go through, but it will at least show me if what we did was correct. I'll post the results.
 
I say that nothing is "moot"...If we give up then things are moot. I was able to get my SBP corrected to show that I declined it ...and now I owe no back SBP.

Congress has H.R. 333 and H.R. 303 in front of them......these bills would allow Chap. 61 retiree's both disability pay from VA and retirement from your service.
Unless we get the word out to other retirees and talk to our representatives then yes......everything will be as you say "moot". The military created this problem and thrust many of us into the corner by not retiring us in the first place! Now, it is time for them to fix the problem and do right by its veterans!

The war is not over...never give up!
 
After nine years I received a letter from HRC from a LTC stating that I have been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. Does this do anything for me? When i had my retirement ceremony General Caldwell (5th Army Commander) stated he was going to ensure that i received a retirement award since I never received anything when i was discharged.....we will see!


Commosgt - I hate to say this, but the GWoT service medal is as common as the NDSM, or KDSM. The GWoT was handed out like candy to almost every SM, you had to be flagged not to receive it.
 
Avnsgt,

I found out about that later on. I found documents about myself and my guys being sent to D.C. for support operations for 9/11 and those have been turned into HRC......still waiting.
 
FYI.........If you going to try to use a move of your family and household goods at government expense, you better make sure that you have not been out of the miliatry longer than 6 years. According to the Army, you have one year from your retirement date to use the move, unless you ask for an extension. Then, you can extend it yearly for a total of 6 years. That's it! So, if you did not ask for an initial extension, you are going to have to ask for a waiver in order to get this benefit. If you were like me and was discharged in 2004, and did not use your move, and were unaware that you only had a year to file for an extension...you missed the boat on it according to the Army. Oh, we're sorry but since your retirement date is 2004 you are past the 6 year window. The answer I got was go to the Board of Corrections to see if they will move my retirement date forward. Oh no, I can see doing that.....then they would find a way to stick it to me again and take money away from me and my family.
Just another loss of a so called "RETIREMENT" benefit!
Truly, getting retired has only done one thing for me........I got a blue ID card that I cannot even use because there are no bases near me. The Tricare thing is a "JOKE"! If you live where there is no base you have an assigned PCM and ours is a Nurse Practitioner, not even a doctor. So, truly TRICARE is essentially WELFARE! Being retired at this point is no different from not being retired.

The military essentially gave us 100 dollars and took back 99!
 
FYI.........If you going to try to use a move of your family and household goods at government expense, you better make sure that you have not been out of the miliatry longer than 6 years. According to the Army, you have one year from your retirement date to use the move, unless you ask for an extension. Then, you can extend it yearly for a total of 6 years. That's it! So, if you did not ask for an initial extension, you are going to have to ask for a waiver in order to get this benefit. If you were like me and was discharged in 2004, and did not use your move, and were unaware that you only had a year to file for an extension...you missed the boat on it according to the Army. Oh, we're sorry but since your retirement date is 2004 you are past the 6 year window. The answer I got was go to the Board of Corrections to see if they will move my retirement date forward. Oh no, I can see doing that.....then they would find a way to stick it to me again and take money away from me and my family.
Just another loss of a so called "RETIREMENT" benefit!
Truly, getting retired has only done one thing for me........I got a blue ID card that I cannot even use because there are no bases near me. The Tricare thing is a "JOKE"! If you live where there is no base you have an assigned PCM and ours is a Nurse Practitioner, not even a doctor. So, truly TRICARE is essentially WELFARE! Being retired at this point is no different from not being retired.

The military essentially gave us 100 dollars and took back 99!
Nolans,
Sorry about your frustrations. I assume you're using Tricare Prime. I would recommend getting rid of Prime and going with Standard so you have more options, since the current situation isn't good for you. As far as an NP.....that's personal preference. I prefer NP's over most MD's, but that's because I find them more "integrative" than most MD's. If you went to the BCMR and asked for them to grant you a waiver for a move, it might be awarded. They aren't going to "stick it to you" for asking. It can't hurt to ask; if you never ask you'll never know.

However, good info about the move so others know.
 
Who do I contact for the email address? I was just approved via the PDBR/Service Branch for retirement.
I know this is an old feed, and it's 2016, but I really want to know.
thank you,

Have you ever asked for a SUPERVISER....."They" like "we" operate with rules and regulations.... AKO's own 1SG says YOUR NOT CORRECT. Maybe you should ask for some help when you talk to them or perhaps talk to RETIREMENT SERVICES.

My problem is you keep telling everyone here the wrong information because of your experience, like your case is the gospil or something. Your case is unique because "YOU WERE Medically Seperated".......... and years later IT'S CHANGED NOW TO RETIREMENT.

Come on BOO BOO you know it takes forever to correct something that's changed... Maybe You Need To Talk To The Right Person And Send Them Copies of YOUR NEW PAPERWORK .....or file an IG Complaint. :mad:



First, follow the instructions they send you.
E-mail / AKO/DKO Account

Medical retirees with less than 20 years do not get AKO/DKO accounts. 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 of that.

I sent an inquiry to AKO And this is what AKO said:
Thank you for taking the time to send me your thoughts. Below, you'll find your original feedback and my answer.
Here is a copy of what you submitted: I have been told that I will no longer have access to AKO after my impending Medical Retirement becaause I don't have 20 years service. Is this true? I am Medically Retiring w/90% disability (all occurred in combat) TDRL w/19 years service. I don't believe it..... but It's what we have been told. Is this true?
My response to your feedback: This is not correct. If you are medically retired, you will retain AKO access. If you are being medically discharged, then you wouldn't have access to AKO.
Respectfully,
1SG O'Cloud
I HOPE THIS CLEARS THE AIR AND KEEPS EVERYONE ON THE CORRECT PATH WITH THE CORRECT INFORMATION
 
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
Medical retirees with less than 20 years do not get AKO/DKO accounts. 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 of that.

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.
great news post, how long did it take to get an answer from the Army after your case left the PDBR, mine left the 27th of January and still waiting :-(
 
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