After The PDBR

E

Eleven Boo Boo

PEB Forum Regular Member
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.
 
Eleven Boo Boo,

Thank you for your post and it is greatly appreciated! Keep us updated if have further information!!

Commosgt!
 
"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."

I did a HHG move after the PDBR and DOD can extend you up to six years or five can't remember after your retirement date to move. This has to be approved by G-6. Contact your nearest Housing office for more info.
 
Ralphmac,

Once you were notified of the decision, how long did it take to get your DD-214? Did you need it to get your ID, or did you use the directive?

Thanks!
 
justrluk,

I was notified of the PDBR decision October 2011. I still haven't seen the DD-215 they said would "arrive separately". Also, I faxed and mailed paperwork to DFAS November 10, 2011. I called February 9, 2012 and they say they are working on setting up my account. They say it's gone well so far. I can't imagine how long this would take if there were hangups.

11B
 
Justrluk said:
Ralphmac,

Once you were notified of the decision, how long did it take to get your DD-214? Did you need it to get your ID, or did you use the directive?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I think it took nearly 3-4 months after I received retirement orders to get my DD-215 sent to me. No, I didn't need it to get I.D. Getting the DD-215 is done by HRC and they're slow. Once I got orders, etc I went on about my business. That really will cause no hang-ups waiting for that.
 
Thanks! I appreciate the insight. I noticed that TRICARE was active on milConnect today, so that's a good thing. Boo - to what number did you fax your paperwork at DFAS, and what paperwork did you send? Did you send the directive?

Thanks
 
OK, so I just got my blue ID, and the documents that were sent to DFAS to set up the retirement account. Has anyone been lucky getting TRICARE to reimburse past medical expenses? If so, how did you go about it??

Thanks!
 
What is the normal time frame from once you receive the letter that you retired that you recieve your orders? How long does it take for HRC to notify your last duty station that you are retired and they need to take action in getting your orders, tricare, etc. ?
 
Retirement was granted on 12/6/11 and orders were received on 2/17/12. DD-214 received on 2/19/12.
 
Interesting!
 
I am curious of the process! Once you have received the letter from the Army that you are approved by the Deputy Secr. of the Army that you are retired. What is the process and timeline of what is done from the time of the letter till completion. Does anyone have any insight of this? I am aware of the last duty station that you were discharged from. Again the process is what I am interested in and I am sure other soldiers from the Army ( not sure of AF, Navy/Marine Corp, and Coast Guard).
 
Mine happened like this:

Action - Start - My Action - Status - Completed Date
Request for review of Military Separation - 3/29/2011ReviewCompleted5/18/2011
SAF/MRBR Application Reviewed: 5/18/2011Requested STRs via FOIACompleted6/16/2011
Records Received by PDBR: 6/16/2011 Review Completed10/28/2011
PDBR decision: 10/28/2011 Completed11/29/2011
Retirement Granted 11/29/2011 Completed12/6/2011
----------------------------- AFTER Decision------------------------------------
Directive Sent from SECAF to CSAF12/6/2011 - Completed12/22/2011
TRICARE12/22/2011 - Completed2/16/2012
Corrected Retirement Orders12/22/2011 - Completed2/17/2012
ID Cards2/17/2012 - Completed2/22/2012
DD2142/1/2012 - Completed2/29/2012
DFAS Account Created2/6/2012 - ??
DFAS/VA Audit complete: 2/6/2012 - ??
TRICARE Reimbursement: Documents submitted,Gathering all documents; will submit with letter quoting TRICARE retroactive payment rules:Open

I have written a detailed letter to submit to all providers for the past 6 years quoting the portion of the TRICARE reg that allows for retro-payment of claims beyond the one-year point. I'll redact and post a copy, and am curious to see if it works.
 
So here's an update on times:
Action - Start - My Action - Status - Completed Date
Request for review of Military Separation - Completed: 3/29/2011
Review - Completed: 5/18/2011
SAF/MRBR Application Reviewed - Completed: 5/18/2011
Requested STRs via FOIA - Completed: 6/16/2011
Records Received by PDBR - Completed: 6/16/2011
Review Completed - Completed: 10/28/2011
PDBR decision - Completed: 10/28/2011
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 - 4/30/2012
DFAS/VA Audit complete: 2/6/2012 - ?? (as of 4/4/2012, they have not received the VA comp data from the VA).
TRICARE Reimbursement: Documents submitted, gathering all documents; will submit with letter quoting TRICARE retroactive payment rules: Open

I have written a detailed letter to submit to all providers for the past 6 years quoting the portion of the TRICARE reg that allows for retro-payment of claims beyond the one-year point. I've been giving them to providers as I see them, so we'll see what happens. One provider wouldn't send the 6 year report in so they sent it to me and I'll submit the claim. I'm curious to see which is quicker: provider submitted or patient submitted.
 
Well so far this is all i have to report. Received the hard copy from the Deputy Secretary of the Army on March 5th dated March 2nd that I was medically retired. Contacted the RSO at Ft. Sam Houston and went to a briefing, filling out all the paperwork, but have to wait till i get orders. Found out who my PDA is as well as my last duty station POC who will be doing up my orders, DD-214, etc. My RSO contacted the lady at G-1 for retirement ceremony and I talked with her and I am having to hurry up on my bio and order information by tomorrow but no orders yet so how can i have a retirement ceremony if i can't get on base. Anyway, from what i understand the Army is having a difficult time processing soldiers/veterans that changed from medical discharge to retired. Especially soldiers like myself that has been out over 6 years (try 9 for me). So at this point I have no idea, my PDA is very very hard to get a hold of as she stated she gets hundreds of emails and phone calls per day!!! I think the Army was not prepared for any of this due to the fact they made a mistake and now they are paying for it. But I am not frustrated or pissed off as there is no reason to be but dam hurry up and wait is in effect to the bone here! Well enough of the soap box and nothing really to post as far as updates!
 
I sent my application back in Jun 2011. Hopefully I am granted retirement! The Army failed to diagnose my Crohn's disease (even though tests from the Army suggested I had it). I was MEB without a clear cut diagnosis. I was living with Crohn's disease and it has caused lots of damage until last year when I was diagnosed and started treatment. Hopefully the PDBR recognizes this!
 
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: Documents submitted (at least for Pharmacy). Provider wouldn't do it even though the TRICARE rules say they should. Still gathering all documents; will submit with letter quoting TRICARE retroactive payment rules:Open


I have written a detailed letter to submit to all providers for the past 6 years quoting the portion of the TRICARE reg that allows for retro-payment of claims beyond the one-year point. I'll redact and post a copy, and am curious to see if it works.
 
CommoSgt
Congrats! Welcome to the club of post-PDBR retireees. I'll make sure you start getting the news letter ;-)
 
HAHA!!! Well the Physical Disability Agency sent my stuff over to my last duty station. Talked with a supervisor and she stated they would have it done by friday and would send it back to the PDA on friday....hopefully! Pushed back my retirement ceremony to next month. So we will see how things go one step at a time ;)!! But the great thing that happened is that i got a job.....with the VA. Should be interesting how all this comes out!
 
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