Drilling Reservist with VA 100%P&T, possible MEB

Separated from active duty in 2017 after 10y on AD and transferred directly into SELRES. In 2020, I was found 100%P&T by the VA, but continued to drill. Over the last 2ish years, my service-connected conditions have drastically deteriorated, preventing me from fulfilling my reserve duties. I presented these deteriorating conditions to my Command and was directed to consult with my PCM. I provided all medical documentation to my PCM, including my military record (which he obviously has access to), VA claims documentation (including examiners' findings), and private doctors IOT ensure I've done what I can to help him make a fit/unfit determination. The following conditions are a wave top example of what I was rated for, but is not an exhaustive list of all service-connected conditions:
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, major depressive disorder, mood disorder
  • Frequent Migraines with aura
  • arthritis of multiple joints (bilateral hips/knees)
  • Degenerative articular cartilage loss of both hips due to FAI
  • Lumbar radiculpathy
  • Chronic pain
My question to you fine folk is, although you may not automatically be found as unfit for duty while carrying 100%P&T conditions, should the PCM find me unfit, will he do so while including all disqualifying conditions or just one main one? As difficult of a pill to swallow as it is, my objective is to be found unfit and medically retire, as I'm truly incapacitated from successfully completing my reserve duties. Any and all advice is appreciated.
 
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Z85,

I am also a reservist who is going through a MEB recommended by my PCM. I am also 100% P/T by the VA. My PCM told me that only the condition that prevents you from serving is what they look at. So yes, only one.
Good luck
 
Chiefs Fan,
Thank you for the quick reply. That's what I've heard too, although the form I believe the PCM sends forward to the MEB, VA Form 2021-0819, leaves from for many conditions. That alone muddies the water on "only one condition". Seeing as this process is never the same twice, I guess it just depends.. Not a comforting proposition.
Good luck to you as well.
 
A friend of mine listed all of his conditions, but not in the order of severity or incapacitating. Unfortunately, he was found fit for duty with GERD. He had to start all over again.
 
Ah, good tip. I plan on inputting my mental conditions and the bilateral hip/knee issues as 1 and 2 respectively, then go down from there. Sorry to hear about your friend. That does not sound like an ideal situation. Does he have other, likely more disqualifying conditions he just didn't put at the top of the list?
 
Chiefs Fan said:
Z85,

I am also a reservist who is going through a MEB recommended by my PCM. I am also 100% P/T by the VA. My PCM told me that only the condition that prevents you from serving is what they look at. So yes, only one.
Good luck
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What if two or even three conditions are separately medically disqualifying for different MSD codes?
 
Your PCM will only refer you for conditions that may be unfitting, usually a condition that causes a P3 profile. You do not list these referred conditions. Once you are referred, you will be contacted by a VA MSC who will help you complete a VA Form 21-526EZ (Application For Disability Compensation and Related Compensation Benefits), where you will list any other conditions you would like to claim for VA compensation purposes, but not necessarily unfitting.

In regards to the timeframe and timeline of a RC case like yours, don't expect anything to come close to what the DOD timeline goals are. Also, do not read into active component timelines and expect anything remotely close. For reference, I had VA ratings when I was referred, and detailed treatment records with LOD's. I was referred to the IDES right at one year ago, completed exams last October, and that is as far as my case has progressed.
 
Aloha skycntry,
Thanks for the reply. It sounds like if you have multiple conditions that are unfitting you will be evaluated on those, not just one of those. That's good to hear, but also nerve racking. Similar to the whole process!
When you are a reservist (with 100%P&T) and are found unfit, I've read you are required to be put on AD orders. Is this just administratively or are you actually expected to work as an AD member, thus defying the purpose of being placed in MEB in the first place?
 
Z85 said:
Aloha skycntry,
Thanks for the reply. It sounds like if you have multiple conditions that are unfitting you will be evaluated on those, not just one of those. That's good to hear, but also nerve racking. Similar to the whole process!
When you are a reservist (with 100%P&T) and are found unfit, I've read you are required to be put on AD orders. Is this just administratively or are you actually expected to work as an AD member, thus defying the purpose of being placed in MEB in the first place?
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I'm not sure on the AD part. My state did not want to do the paperwork necessary to add multiple referred conditions. Unfortunately, I only learned of this after I was referred.

I have been told and read that only the referred condition would be considered for fitness, but also that any other condition claimed could potentially be found unfitting by the PEB. I was also told by the MSC and PEBLO that I couldn't add a condition after the MEB referral and VA 21-526 was submitted; I was then contacted by the PEBLO who stated they were going to add a condition that I was already VA rated for. The whole process is not as straightforward as regulation would make it sound.
 
Yeah, that makes sense. I just got off the phone with my O6 doc and he said the same thing - it's not a straight forward process, particularly for prior AD reservists with 100%P&T. Ultimately, I provided him about 60 pages of medical documentation related to 7 or so conditions I felt were disqualifying (and already rated by VA). He concurred and will create and send a package up to the personnel service unit who I believe will make the ultimate determination. He explained you can't double dip when it comes to compensation, which I understood already, but confirmed you can be rated by the VA for a condition the service also deems is unqualifyng. I'm sure this will change, but essentially the only straightforward portion is the fact that this will take a while... MTF.
 
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