Fort Lewis PEB

Larry3477 said:
Grizz13,
They are probably part of the review committee that the SECARMY and CoS put together to review all the medical files of Soldiers diagnosed with PTSD that were reviewed at JBLM. Since the big scandal last year that showed reviewers were being encouraged to disapprove PTSD or downgrade the level of PTSD, there has been a lot of backlash. Now the Army is saying it is going to review hundreds of thousands of files in the next 90 days. That will most likely slow the MED Board and PEB process there to the pace of a snail for the rest of the Summer until they complete that task and catch up on the backlog.
Click to expand...

You haven't seen my other posts, this is the second time it's gone to PEB because I had the review done on my PTSD claim, which was removed. PEB had some movement on it a month ago when my PEBLO told me they had a question on the TMJ claim, if it was Dental or Medical doc. That was answered and packet was signed by dental doc the same day, then nothing since!
 
Also, another update on JBLM PEBLO tasking, the Ombudsman here let it slip that they are doing data entry into a new system... I waited all day today for a call back from her, I will be calling her tomorrow to find out if she found anything out.
 
grizz13 said:
Also, another update on JBLM PEBLO tasking, the Ombudsman here let it slip that they are doing data entry into a new system... I waited all day today for a call back from her, I will be calling her tomorrow to find out if she found anything out.
Click to expand...

I don't have any inside knowledge on this "new system" so don't take my thoughts as authoritative. But, this seems very odd to me that JBLM would be the only PEB site where this is happening. There are two other sites, and I would think they would each have to do this...or if it is an MEB "new system" why this is not happening Army wide. I suppose this could be a staged roll out, with JBLM as a test site with others to follow. It just seems strange to me that the PEBLOs (who are at the MEB level) are having an impact on the PEB unless they just are not able to forward cases to the PEB. Something (okay, maybe several things) does not seem right.
 
Talked to a member of the legal comunity on JBLM a couple days ago, they told me the reason for the MEDCOM tasking is because (note: i didnt fact check) that when Big Army found about the PTSD issues via soldiers who were rediagnosed at Walter Reed, they wanted them to go back to 2006 and review the mental health cases. Now according to this fella, the DoD said "nope, go back to 2001",hence the tasking.

On a side note, does anyone have a good number for the Ombundsmen on JBLM? I am one of many soldiers whose Peblo left with no warning and am now trying to make sure my paperwork has actually been at the PEB for a month and not sitting on a desk, like a number of my buddies have.
 
02 Feb- recommended MEB
23 Mar - VA C&P appointments complete
03 Apr- Narsum appointment/MEB
13 Apr - MEB found does not meet retention standards
16 Apr- packet sent to PEB Fort Lewis
9 Jun- PEB found unfit
???- awaiting VA ratings

I hear what everyone is saying about "mystery task on Fort Lewis" but the PEB is still processing cases, I have seen mine and two others from our unit come back in the last two weeks. I think with all the attention and congessional action to get the IDES process to the proper state it should be, maybe there is some training going on etc. However PEBLO's and PEB action hasn't ceased from what I have seen. I also had my PEBLO tell me that the Seattle VA ratings processing has dropped drastically. Ratings were starting to be returned around 2 week time frame, unless more VA re-exams are needed or different diagnosis etc. Obviously, you have to add in adminstrative actions such as uploading cases, mailing, preparation. There is headway being made but I think it will be sometime yet before it is all streamlined. I am going to check with my PEBLO in two weeks, to see what the latest status is with the VA and go from there. You can read the GAO report for your own and hopefully it continues to improve.

http://www.gao.gov/assets/600/591061.pdf
 
I spoke with a PEBLO superviser at Lewis. She told me that they lost 1/2 of their staff to a MEDCOM tasker. Due to this, they created a new system for MEB packets similar to a SRP with stations. Im not sure where this is but she did use the terms relocation and PCS. She stated that their hope is to not get behind or lose soldiers in the system since they now have 1/2 the staff and 1900 cases being worked. Also, they just added two psychologists/ psychiatrists to the MEB staff. Prior to this, they had none in their office. This should help with the mental health cases. Hope she is right!!!
 
K6000 said:
I spoke with a PEBLO superviser at Lewis. She told me that they lost 1/2 of their staff to a MEDCOM tasker. Due to this, they created a new system for MEB packets similar to a SRP with stations. Im not sure where this is but she did use the terms relocation and PCS. She stated that their hope is to not get behind or lose soldiers in the system since they now have 1/2 the staff and 1900 cases being worked. Also, they just added two psychologists/ psychiatrists to the MEB staff. Prior to this, they had none in their office. This should help with the mental health cases. Hope she is right!!!
Click to expand...

I am so disappointed with this news. If anyone here has been down to the PEBLOs office you know that there are at most 10 cubical for where the PEBLOs sit. Most of the time 2-3 of them are on leave which leaves maybe 7 PEBLOs there to work cases now take away half and best number you can hope for is 5. Five people working on all of our cases in “stations like SRP”. I am sure we have all been through SRP sites they have 3-4 people working at each station not one. No wonder stuff is effed up down there. Maybe the techs are helping out but still it just doesn’t make sense to me.
 
Unknown123 said:
Talked to a member of the legal comunity on JBLM a couple days ago, they told me the reason for the MEDCOM tasking is because (note: i didnt fact check) that when Big Army found about the PTSD issues via soldiers who were rediagnosed at Walter Reed, they wanted them to go back to 2006 and review the mental health cases. Now according to this fella, the DoD said "nope, go back to 2001",hence the tasking.

On a side note, does anyone have a good number for the Ombundsmen on JBLM? I am one of many soldiers whose Peblo left with no warning and am now trying to make sure my paperwork has actually been at the PEB for a month and not sitting on a desk, like a number of my buddies have.
Click to expand...

OMBUDSMAN:
Ms. Jones, Tracy 253-226-0952
 
Ashley Cobb said:
OMBUDSMAN:
Ms. Jones, Tracy 253-226-0952
Click to expand...

I talked to Tracy today again, she said PEB got 400 packets back from VA last week, which is putting a bigger strain on them. Nothing one my case yet, I give up for a few weeks... I don't care anymore, I'm nothing but a bother to these people who don't care about the rest of my life... I guess it will be another year and a half till I get out, since PEB will hold my packet for another 3 months, then VA will take 9 months, then another 6 months for orders... Seems like it is taking me 3-9x the time as everyone else.
 
grizz13 said:
I talked to Tracy today again, she said PEB got 400 packets back from VA last week, which is putting a bigger strain on them. Nothing one my case yet, I give up for a few weeks... I don't care anymore, I'm nothing but a bother to these people who don't care about the rest of my life... I guess it will be another year and a half till I get out, since PEB will hold my packet for another 3 months, then VA will take 9 months, then another 6 months for orders... Seems like it is taking me 3-9x the time as everyone else.
Click to expand...
Seriously hope things speed up for you. I'm thinking your file got put in the wrong stack or placed out of sequence somehow. I really hope that's not the case, but who cares if you are bothering them. You have to look out for yourself at the end of the day.
 
UPDATE:

02 Feb- recommended MEB
23 Mar - VA C&P appointments complete
03 Apr- Narsum appointment/MEB
13 Apr - MEB found does not meet retention standards
16 Apr- packet sent to PEB Fort Lewis
9 Jun- PEB found unfit
14 JUNE- VA ebenefits changed to pending decision approval

Anbody know the process now and times? Does it go back to the PEB for the 199 then to my PEBLO?
 
smacinnes40 said:
Just curious how did you find out that PEB found you unfit
Click to expand...
My PEBLO called me and told me I was found unfit and that my file was being sent to the VA for preliminary ratings. It seems like a lot of people never get that phone call, but your PEBLO can track that. I was found unfit within 30 days of signing my NASUM. I would just call your PEBLO and have him/her look it up. Either way, your PEBLO should be informed once the PEB makes their decision.
 
I know that is why i keep going back to ask them over and over and to this date still no answer, but i beleive my va Preliminaries already came back according to the PEBLO supervisor.
 
smacinnes40 said:
I know that is why i keep going back to ask them over and over and to this date still no answer, but i beleive my va Preliminaries already came back according to the PEBLO supervisor.
Click to expand...
If you have preliminary ratings, it is likely you were found unfit at the PEB. If you were found fit for duty, your VA claims would have been canceled and you would have then had to reapply when you leave the service. That's how my VA rep explained it to me. I don't know why your PEBLO cant find out for you. When did you sign your NARSUM and when did your file get sent to the PEB? There are some others that have had really long waits for the PEB results for one reason or another. I can only speak from my own experience. It was exactly 30 days from when I signed my NARSUM that I was found unfit at the PEB, then about 30 days for my preliminary VA ratings to be received. Two weeks later I signed my DA 199.

Note...My PEB was at Ft. Lewis but my PEBLO is in Hawaii. Not sure if that matters to anyone, but it seems like Ft. Lewis is having issues. Somehow I managed to get through whatever fiasco they are going through with little problems.
 
Well i do not have any true answers.

Basically here is what occured.
Narsum was signed 17 April 2012, MEB forwarded packet to PEB 19 APRIL 2012.
PEBLO went on leave for 3 weeks so no one could really tell me what the status of the packet was.

on 17 MAY 2012 a new update showed up on both my MEB in AKO and ebenefits. The EBENEFITS had a new message, when you are in you are in, the message stated i was identified as a memeber who is eligiable for VA benefits and this was related to my VA CLAIM.

on my claim status is shows preperation for decision

Claim Received: 01/20/2012
Claim Type: Compensation
Estimated Claim Completion Date: unavailable We are currently unable to provide you with a projected completion date for this type of claim. Please await further claim status notification for this Regional Office.

Then on the next steps...

Next Steps:

Your claim is currently located in our "Rating" phase. We will propose a decision on your claim when all outstanding requirements are satisfied.

Several factors will determine the duration of the "Decision" phase, including:
  • type of claim filed
  • number of disabilities you claim
  • complexity of your disability(ies), and
  • availability of evidence needed to decide your claim.
I finally got something that makes sense when i spoke to another PEBLO or clerk, they pulled my record up and showed me that on 1 MAY 2012 my case went before the informal evaluation board. That was the last update on the system.

Just a few days later, I was able to speak with the supervisor and they provided a little more information that it is possible i am in the writing phases of the 199 but i find it hard to believe as that would be to quick, however it does hit around the 6 month window they been speaking of.
 
Smacinnes40,

Now that's where my confusion comes from, my ebenefits states the same as yours, however I have been told by the random Peblo's that I am still waiting on Fit/Unfit and that my packet has not made it to the VA. For what it's worth, i was told my packet was sent up 30 days ago (Peblo sat on it for a couple weeks). I called the 1-800 VA line and from what I gathered, it seemed like they were trying to tell me that they have an idea what my ratings will be, but they are waiting for the PEB decision. I know ebenefits can be misleading, and I am rather confused about the "Preperation for Decision". Anyone have insight?
 
Just a recommendation, probaly not a good job to put someone phone number on this site, that should be personal especially when they are working on active cases, just a thought. The ombudsmun do everything they can to help out.
 
smacinnes40 said:
Just a recommendation, probaly not a good job to put someone phone number on this site, that should be personal especially when they are working on active cases, just a thought. The ombudsmun do everything they can to help out.
Click to expand...

Actually, it's beneficial to people like me that aren't given the info by the PEBLO's or anyone else that likes to leave us "not so holier than thou" with no info. They do not give us the info we deserve, so yes we share info for all of us because we all don't have people to represent or respect us. You will see this repeatedly that most are left in the dark. Do not scold those that empower each other. A group with knowledge is more powerful than a signle person with none...
 
That I understand, however leave the name out, provide the phone number plus you can provide the MTF information which provides everything for them, again, these individuals are professionals in their work and names should never be given on the website.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top