Help Understanding Army National Guard Medical Discharge - MEB in 2010

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YAAB4422

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First time posting but I have been googling and googling just to try and get some questions answered but figured I would try and post here.

I was Army National Guard and joined in 2007. I was medically discharged in 2010. I know that I went through the MEB process as I have the document that recommends my separation but I am not sure if there was a PEB or not. I never had an actual physical or psych eval during the MEB but just filled out a Medical form and emailed to my NCO. I believe that they just "looked at my medical records" to make determinations as the whole process was done via email. I had provided some personal records since I was guard all I had otherwise were my training records. I was never told whether or not I had any access to benefits and I just assumed I did not as I never deployed. So I am not even sure if they tried to look into my records from Basic and AIT. I have no way of knowing if they did a LOD or not or if I ever even received a DOD percentage (even one lower than 30%). All I know is I was medically separated under an Honorable discharge. Recently after reviewing some information on the VA website, I see that I may be entitled to benefits so I applied for VA in November 2025. The application is still in process and I haven't even had my C&P exam yet currently at 160 days. In trying to find information about my MEB/PEB I received a copy of my MEB Memorandum from state and that version said "recommend initiation of separation action-medical retirement" and also "condition does not warrant request for waiver from Chief, National Guard Bureau." The one I originally received says "action-medical discharge" which to me is odd. I also had to request my NGB 22 as I never received one and that one says under Authority and reason "NGR 600-200: MG Medical, Physical or Mental condition retention" but the reenlistment code says "RE3" which I think means can reenlist with a waiver. This was also not signed until I requested it as the person who sent it said they needed to create one as mine was missing. I reached out to Army HRC to see if they can get me my MEB/PEB records so I am waiting on that.

Sorry this is so long but I am just confused as I am trying to figure this all out on my own. Was I potentially entitled to benefits from getting out medically in 2010 but they just did not process the MEB correctly or at least did not direct me to apply? If I had received a service connection back then, would I have automatically have been reviewed for VA benefits? Did they never even review my medical history for potential service connection as I didn't even know that I could connect it without combat? If I get approved from the VA would I be entitled to being back dated in this scenario? I want to talk with someone and figure out if I need to get a lawyer or not. As something doesn't seem right. I know I don't even know yet if the VA will approve me but my evidence is pretty clear. I appreciate any input or suggestions you can provide. Thank you!
 
Those with more experience can chime in, but it simply sounds like you were medically separated without MEB due none service related conditions.
 
YAAB4422 said:
First time posting but I have been googling and googling just to try and get some questions answered but figured I would try and post here.

I was Army National Guard and joined in 2007. I was medically discharged in 2010. I know that I went through the MEB process as I have the document that recommends my separation but I am not sure if there was a PEB or not. I never had an actual physical or psych eval during the MEB but just filled out a Medical form and emailed to my NCO. I believe that they just "looked at my medical records" to make determinations as the whole process was done via email. I had provided some personal records since I was guard all I had otherwise were my training records. I was never told whether or not I had any access to benefits and I just assumed I did not as I never deployed. So I am not even sure if they tried to look into my records from Basic and AIT. I have no way of knowing if they did a LOD or not or if I ever even received a DOD percentage (even one lower than 30%). All I know is I was medically separated under an Honorable discharge. Recently after reviewing some information on the VA website, I see that I may be entitled to benefits so I applied for VA in November 2025. The application is still in process and I haven't even had my C&P exam yet currently at 160 days. In trying to find information about my MEB/PEB I received a copy of my MEB Memorandum from state and that version said "recommend initiation of separation action-medical retirement" and also "condition does not warrant request for waiver from Chief, National Guard Bureau." The one I originally received says "action-medical discharge" which to me is odd. I also had to request my NGB 22 as I never received one and that one says under Authority and reason "NGR 600-200: MG Medical, Physical or Mental condition retention" but the reenlistment code says "RE3" which I think means can reenlist with a waiver. This was also not signed until I requested it as the person who sent it said they needed to create one as mine was missing. I reached out to Army HRC to see if they can get me my MEB/PEB records so I am waiting on that.

Sorry this is so long but I am just confused as I am trying to figure this all out on my own. Was I potentially entitled to benefits from getting out medically in 2010 but they just did not process the MEB correctly or at least did not direct me to apply? If I had received a service connection back then, would I have automatically have been reviewed for VA benefits? Did they never even review my medical history for potential service connection as I didn't even know that I could connect it without combat? If I get approved from the VA would I be entitled to being back dated in this scenario? I want to talk with someone and figure out if I need to get a lawyer or not. As something doesn't seem right. I know I don't even know yet if the VA will approve me but my evidence is pretty clear. I appreciate any input or suggestions you can provide. Thank you!
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So if you were guard or reserves chances are they kicked you out without severance or medical retirement which is very common if you haven't served very long. Your benefits are from the VA and you have now applied. The only issue is that you waited to apply until recently. If you had applied within 12 months of separating the VA your benefits would have started the day after you were discharged. So I would just wait and keep on tracking on getting VA benefits. That's what they are there for. Medical retirement and severance is a separate thing for Soldiers can get if they have a duty related condition that makes them unfit to do their job. Most people that are in only a short period of time are chaptered out or MEB with a condition that the military states is non duty related meaning not compensation able to provide severance or medical retirement.

You aren't missing much anyway. I had this happen after 1 year of service. Had i fought and tried to say the preexisting condition was permanently aggravated I would have gotten a small severance check. Then I would have not gotten VA pay for a long while until that severance check was paid back. You can't get paid for the same condition both by the military and the VA.
 
Provis said:
So if you were guard or reserves chances are they kicked you out without severance or medical retirement which is very common if you haven't served very long. Your benefits are from the VA and you have now applied. The only issue is that you waited to apply until recently. If you had applied within 12 months of separating the VA your benefits would have started the day after you were discharged. So I would just wait and keep on tracking on getting VA benefits. That's what they are there for. Medical retirement and severance is a separate thing for Soldiers can get if they have a duty related condition that makes them unfit to do their job. Most people that are in only a short period of time are chaptered out or MEB with a condition that the military states is non duty related meaning not compensation able to provide severance or medical retirement.

You aren't missing much anyway. I had this happen after 1 year of service. Had i fought and tried to say the preexisting condition was permanently aggravated I would have gotten a small severance check. Then I would have not gotten VA pay for a long while until that severance check was paid back. You can't get paid for the same condition both by the military and the VA.
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Thank you for your reply. I don't really care about being "retired" so much as ensuring I was properly discharged and to confirm the correct designation of reason. I do have MEB documentation but it is inconsistent and the HRC basically told me that it looked like my MEB/PEB was never concluded and the case was never adjudicated. I don't understand how I could have been discharged medically if that was the case. I have applied for VA finally, I just feel like there was an error with my discharge which I think should qualify me for a backdated effective date as the VA should have had my info back in 2010 if I went through a proper MEB/PEB process. I am not sure. I do understand I never applied myself, but I didn't know I could. I guess I will just wait and see what they say. Thank you for your help.
 
YAAB4422 said:
Thank you for your reply. I don't really care about being "retired" so much as ensuring I was properly discharged and to confirm the correct designation of reason. I do have MEB documentation but it is inconsistent and the HRC basically told me that it looked like my MEB/PEB was never concluded and the case was never adjudicated. I don't understand how I could have been discharged medically if that was the case. I have applied for VA finally, I just feel like there was an error with my discharge which I think should qualify me for a backdated effective date as the VA should have had my info back in 2010 if I went through a proper MEB/PEB process. I am not sure. I do understand I never applied myself, but I didn't know I could. I guess I will just wait and see what they say. Thank you for your help.
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If you have not, put in a FOIA request for all your MEB and related records. If the paperwork does not clear up your questions, you could then file an ABCMR. But if you do that ensure you are very clear and asking for a specific outcome such as if you MEB was not handled correctly. It will take a few years for that. Legal help is advised for that process.

And while not the best news, the VA has very strict rules on back pay. It is very rare anyone wins multi-year back pay which would be a separate but parallel issue to any potential DoD retirement or separation.
 
DaveK said:
If you have not, put in a FOIA request for all your MEB and related records. If the paperwork does not clear up your questions, you could then file an ABCMR. But if you do that ensure you are very clear and asking for a specific outcome such as if you MEB was not handled correctly. It will take a few years for that. Legal help is advised for that process.

And while not the best news, the VA has very strict rules on back pay. It is very rare anyone wins multi-year back pay which would be a separate but parallel issue to any potential DoD retirement or separation.
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Thank you for your help.
 
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