Formal Board

[mabanks]

During this whole IDES process, I have finally been treated for a condition that was left untreated before my packet went up to the VA. While it was up awaiting ratings my PCM finally ran some test and I was diagnosed with Graves Disease w/cold nodule. Biopsy of the nodule showed inconclusive of cancer so now they need to do surgery to remove my thyroid and biopsy the whole nodule to rule out cancer. With all this going on the PEB is not rescheduling my formal board and I am to attend prior to my surgery. How can results be made without knowing what the final outcome of my surgery will be?

Does this sound screwy to anyone else?

Thanks for any and all comments.

 

[Warrior644]

During this whole IDES process, I have finally been treated for a condition that was left untreated before my packet went up to the VA. While it was up awaiting ratings my PCM finally ran some test and I was diagnosed with Graves Disease w/cold nodule. Biopsy of the nodule showed inconclusive of cancer so now they need to do surgery to remove my thyroid and biopsy the whole nodule to rule out cancer. With all this going on the PEB is not rescheduling my formal board and I am to attend prior to my surgery. How can results be made without knowing what the final outcome of my surgery will be?

Does this sound screwy to anyone else?

Thanks for any and all comments.

Unfortunately, the FPEB hearing is not concerned with any medical condition(s) not listed via the MEB to include not on the physical profile and/or not mentioned/diagnosed on the DoVA C&P Examination(s) at least from my experiences within the DoD IDES MEB/PEB process.

As such, I would strongly suggest that you mention the new medical diagnosis to your FPEB assigned counsel for additional advice PRIOR to the FPEB hearing. Does the new "Graves Disease w/cold nodule" medical diagnosis significantly affect your ability to performance your assigned military duties at this point in time prior to the required medical surgery?

At a minimum in my opinion, I would mention the new "Graves Disease w/cold nodule" medical diagnosis to ensure it becomes a part of your official FPEB hearing record albeit there probably doesn't exist ample medical evidence to show significant affects on your military duty performance at this point in time.

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!

 

[mabanks]

Unfortunately, the FPEB hearing is not concerned with any medical condition(s) not listed via the MEB to include not on the physical profile and/or not mentioned/diagnosed on the DoVA C&P Examination(s) at least from my experiences within the DoD IDES MEB/PEB process.

As such, I would strongly suggest that you mention the new medical diagnosis to your FPEB assigned counsel for additional advice PRIOR to the FPEB hearing. Does the new "Graves Disease w/cold nodule" medical diagnosis significantly affect your ability to performance your assigned military duties at this point in time prior to the required medical surgery?

At a minimum in my opinion, I would mention the new "Graves Disease w/cold nodule" medical diagnosis to ensure it becomes a part of your official FPEB hearing record albeit there probably doesn't exist ample medical evidence to show significant affects on your military duty performance at this point in time.

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!

Warrior 644-

My legal counsel is aware of the new condition and it does effect my ability to performe my assigned military duties so he worked up the necessary documentation and the board was cancelled and my packet is being returned to the MTF. Once the surgery is complete I will have to do another C&P exam for the condition and have it added to my paperwork and sent back up. Looks like I will be here awhile longer.

Thanks for your input.

 

[Warrior644]

Warrior 644-

My legal counsel is aware of the new condition and it does effect my ability to performe my assigned military duties so he worked up the necessary documentation and the board was cancelled and my packet is being returned to the MTF. Once the surgery is complete I will have to do another C&P exam for the condition and have it added to my paperwork and sent back up. Looks like I will be here awhile longer.

Thanks for your input.

All right! This is what I like to here; good job by you and your PEB assigned attorney, too!

To that extent, I pray for a successful medical surgery and uneventful recovery duration.

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!

 

[jeffb]

Sorry I have to ask this . Your MEB dianoses dont matter . The VA goes through your whole record to find potential unfit conditions . This is what I know about the IDES . Then when all your QTC appointments are done a MEB is written that goes to Washington to get determinnded fit or unfit ? Am I wrong ?

 

[ranger2992]

Sorry I have to ask this . Your MEB dianoses dont matter . The VA goes through your whole record to find potential unfit conditions . This is what I know about the IDES . Then when all your QTC appointments are done a MEB is written that goes to Washington to get determinnded fit or unfit ? Am I wrong ?

You are right and wrong.

First, it's up to you to make your claim during your initial meeting with the VA MSC. When you fill out your claim form, they then set up your physicals based on claimed conditions. If you are thinking that the VA will go through your records and identify everything, it will result in a bad outcome.

The MEB is required to provide the PEB with a complete, and accurate listing of all your medical conditions. Initially, they develop this from your VA physicals, and then after add things if you ask for an IMR, or file an appeal and show them where they missed something. The MEB is also required to state whether or not your condition "meets" or "fails" retention standards IAW the medical fitness regulation for your branch of service.

The PEB determines whether you are "fit" or "unfit" for each condition listed on your NARSUM as a "DX". Remember that they are generally only going to find you unfit for something if it effects your ability to perform your military duties. All the other DX items will get a fit rating, but still go to the VA for ratings, and a compensation determination by the VA. After the VA is done, they send all the ratings back to the PEB, and they adjudicate your case.

The service will issue you DOD disability ratings for only the conditions you were found unfit for. All the other conditions are rated and compensated by the VA. This is why in almost every case a service member gets a decision that has one combined rating for DOD, and another for the VA. The VA one is usually higher than the DOD.

Last thing I want to say is that IDES is a very self involved process. You scared me with your comment that the VA was going to look through your files to find stuff. This just isn't the case, and it will result in a poor outcome. It's up to you to point everything out, understand your rights, and appeal as needed to get conditions looked at. If you are not involved in this, you will be very frustrated by this process, and come away thinking you got screwed.

Joe

 

[Knox_HR_Guy]

During this whole IDES process, I have finally been treated for a condition that was left untreated before my packet went up to the VA. While it was up awaiting ratings my PCM finally ran some test and I was diagnosed with Graves Disease w/cold nodule. Biopsy of the nodule showed inconclusive of cancer so now they need to do surgery to remove my thyroid and biopsy the whole nodule to rule out cancer. With all this going on the PEB is not rescheduling my formal board and I am to attend prior to my surgery. How can results be made without knowing what the final outcome of my surgery will be?

Does this sound screwy to anyone else?

Thanks for any and all comments.

Remember that the PEB is based solely on thee findings of the MEB and nothing else. You won't be referred to a PEB for a condition that is being diagnosed, only for a disqualifying condition confirmed to exist prior to the MEB. You may want to contact your legal representative for assistance. The PEBLO will likely not be much help on this.