I know it’s just an estimate and I still have to wait for the Air Force to make their decision; however, how easy or difficult is it to appeal and try to get 100% when you’re already at a 90? I’ve read that it’s easy and usually the person gets the 100 but I’ve also read it can be difficult. Anyone successfully appeal from 90 to 100 when under an MEB/IDES? Thanks in advance for the insight!
Estimate Received (IDES)
- Thread starter 3E3Cripple
- Start date
So you can only appeal unfitting conditions via a VARR. If the % is wrong for any other conditions that the VA rates you need to wait until you get out and receive an award letter from the VA. Then you have options to appeal the rating.
A VARR will allow you to increase the % and if awarded it will increase your DOD% and your total VA%. You just have to do the VA math to see if it will move the needle for either. So lets say you have an unfitting condition that is 30% but should be 70%. You can google VA disability calculator and find many websites that can calculate the VA math. So enter all of your disabilities as proposed and it should show 90%. Then delete the one that is 30% and click the one for 70% and see if that makes it 100%.
I use the Hill and Ponton calculator often. Here is the link: 2025 VA Disability Ratings Calculator | Hill & Ponton, P.A.
Asking a question that is in the realm of my last. Does anyone have experience with the VA not rating a condition that you are getting MEB’d for due to lack of records? Note: I have all my records, VA claims they could only find one time in career and no diagnoses was found. Condition is lumbar Spondylosis. I have diagnoses for back issues from neurosurgeon and my records going back 13 years. Looking for advice on what you provided to get the condition rated.
Might need to get MSC involved. My guess is that they didn't have all of your records. Are you AD with AD docs? Sometimes records don't get into the system if the Soldier is AGR, or Tricare Remote or Guard/Reservist.
Should be able to have your PEBLO find out what is missing and then submit the records via the MSC. If not, I would think you could include records with a VARR to go from no rating to a legit rating.
Yeah I believe records were not sent. I’m active duty (13yrs) and the only record the VA referred to was from Nov/2018 stating I had low back pain and stated that was not enough to make a determination for a rating. I’m getting boarded because I have blown discs, ddd, bilateral leg, etc etc, can’t deploy, and refused back surgery. So somehow they didn’t see the neuro surgeon diagnoses for all issues. I have a solid diagnoses for my back problems. But just to clarify, does anyone know what actually constitutes as a diagnoses? Does it have to be from a specialist or can it be from a PCM? And how does a co start problem reflected in your records or from MRI’s not count as an actual issue?