I think I hold the record - Please help.

AWG

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It has almost become a joke at the armory and with my friends and coworkers who know me and I guess that at some point I just have to laugh about it. I have been working on getting a medical discharge from the Missouri National Guard since 2008. Even though I have debilitating headaches, a serious back injury, diabetes, knee pain, and PTSD,I still drill and go to annual training. I have had 15 different profiles most of which are permanent. My current limitations are:

"No climbing, crouching, jumping/landing, kneeling, lifting/lowering/carrying, or running. walking/marching at own pace and distance. Requires access to fixed medical treatment facility within 30 minutes. No continuous consumption of combat rations. PTSD mandates no exposure to weapons, ammunition, or live fire with ready access to MTF. Back and knee limit physical capabilities. Migraine headaches disable when active. Special diet required and ability to monitor blood sugar."

PULHES - 312113

I have written congress and the governor's office but short of going to CNN, which would probably get me in trouble, I have no idea what to do and my health isn't getting any better.

Does anyone have any ideas?
 
Where are you? I am now in Kansas City so I may be able to help figure out where we can get you some help.
 
I am in Poplar Bluff, SE Missouri if you're not familiar with it.
 
Too far away...

I suggest that you go to a specialist (military doc) for one of your worst conditions [with your spouse if you have one], and discuss with them about your difficulties of day to day life ON AND OFF Drill, how it affects your ability to have a job (if you are capable), your ability to lead Soldiers, mental health (is it making it worse?), relationships, discuss everything you can to see what your options are. They may hopefully throw out doing a MEB for you

Are you on disability if you don't have a job? Are you able to work?
 
Too far away...

I suggest that you go to a specialist (military doc) for one of your worst conditions [with your spouse if you have one], and discuss with them about your difficulties of day to day life ON AND OFF Drill, how it affects your ability to have a job (if you are capable), your ability to lead Soldiers, mental health (is it making it worse?), relationships, discuss everything you can to see what your options are. They may hopefully throw out doing a MEB for you

Are you on disability if you don't have a job? Are you able to work?

I should have said in my post that I have actually been in the MEB process since 2009. I have had to switch jobs, I used to work in a lumber yard but my back problems prompted me to go through Voc Rehab, I completed that and now have a desk job at the VAMC here. I am also drawing 60% on service connections through the VA.
 
That's a point to bring up to them, especially having to change jobs due to your injuries. I am glad that you could use that program and can do something atleast!

I was AD and talked to my specialist, he wanted to do surgery, but doing so would have extended me past my EST and I had a 90% chance of getting out on MEB before my ETS. I suggested MEB and he said that was his next suggestion, he put down that I denied surgery, and that he recommended MEB and have surgery after I was out. I retired 12 days before my ETS, and now going to have start my surgeries in the coming weeks...
 
Update: I received my VA ratings and even thought the MEB doctors tried to downgrade them the VA argued that they should remain the same. So now I have:

PTSD: 30%
Back injury: 20% (not unfitting according to the Army)
Migraines: 10%
Diabetes: 10% (not service connected so not compensible)
Tinnitus: 10%

So my total VA rating has always been 60% and I think my CRSC will be at 40% based on PTSD and migraines associated with PTSD but I am just guessing. I am E-5 with 17 YOS (I would probably be an E-6 but I've been in this process for about 5 years now). Right now I am waiting on the DA 199 and hoping that they will not throw me a curve ball and try to screw me out of something by downgrading the VA ratings somehow.
 
After some advice from another member it looks like I will get:
PTSD - 30%
Back Injury - 20%
Migraine Headaches secondary to PTSD - 10%
Tinnitus - 10%
Total VA rating - 60%
All are combat related so I am thinking that CRSC will also be 60% so VA pay is about 1254.00 and CRSC should be roughly 600.00 - 800.00 monthly. Also the Tricare will save me another 700.00 a month.
 
Update: I received my VA ratings and even thought the MEB doctors tried to downgrade them the VA argued that they should remain the same. So now I have:

PTSD: 30%
Back injury: 20% (not unfitting according to the Army)
Migraines: 10%
Diabetes: 10% (not service connected so not compensible)
Tinnitus: 10%

So my total VA rating has always been 60% and I think my CRSC will be at 40% based on PTSD and migraines associated with PTSD but I am just guessing. I am E-5 with 17 YOS (I would probably be an E-6 but I've been in this process for about 5 years now). Right now I am waiting on the DA 199 and hoping that they will not throw me a curve ball and try to screw me out of something by downgrading the VA ratings somehow.

After some advice from another member it looks like I will get:
PTSD - 30%
Back Injury - 20%
Migraine Headaches secondary to PTSD - 10%
Tinnitus - 10%
Total VA rating - 60%
All are combat related so I am thinking that CRSC will also be 60% so VA pay is about 1254.00 and CRSC should be roughly 600.00 - 800.00 monthly. Also the Tricare will save me another 700.00 a month.

Good deal and congratulations! :)


Indeed, hopefully the USAPDA PEB doesn’t try to re-evaluate your PEB-referred unfitting conditions which I am assuming are PTSD (30%) and Migraine Headaches (10%).


To that extent, since DoD IDES procedures are not currently used for rating of DoD TDRL cases, the PEB will determine the disability ratings for all Soldiers being removed from the DoD TDRL unfortunately.

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

Best Wishes!
 
First it's good news then bad news. It looks like not only are the VA ratings nearly meaningless but that I will most likely be on TDRL. UGHHH, during the last 4-5 years (permanent profile in 2008) the DOD has been working on this they have accomplished absolutely zero. 3 doctor appointments, one of which was a sham, one for diabetes that won't mean anything for my case, and one that tried to down grade my PTSD but thankfully the VA said no. So even though the DOD has compiled a metric ton of information on me in the last few years they actually have no more useful information now than when they started. So the question is why not just go with the VA's existing ratings and evaluate for anything new? This is a broken system and I am preaching to the choir so I'll shut up now.
 
First it's good news then bad news. It looks like not only are the VA ratings nearly meaningless but that I will most likely be on TDRL. UGHHH, during the last 4-5 years (permanent profile in 2008) the DOD has been working on this they have accomplished absolutely zero. 3 doctor appointments, one of which was a sham, one for diabetes that won't mean anything for my case, and one that tried to down grade my PTSD but thankfully the VA said no. So even though the DOD has compiled a metric ton of information on me in the last few years they actually have no more useful information now than when they started. So the question is why not just go with the VA's existing ratings and evaluate for anything new? This is a broken system and I am preaching to the choir so I'll shut up now.
I am not sure where you are getting things are meaningless, even being on TDRL is a step forward for the better. It is typical for TDRL for PTSD, BUT since your case has been evaluated and treated for X amount of years and I am assuming you are taking medications and possibly stable, that it may be possible for a PDRL.

Since you are at the point of guessing and estimating, your are going to stress yourself out in a big way. During this time I would suggest for you to start looking for a college to attend, a hobby to take up, look for a different career, play shoot 'em up games, something to take your mind off of the what-ifs and use up your spare time. I would also suggest to stay very far away from drugs and alcohol, doing the wrong thing right now can change your outcome in a bad way.
 
Grizz,
Thanks, thats really good advice. Maybe better than you even know. This past week my migraines have flared up and my PTSD symptoms had started giving me fits again and I couldn't figure out why. Now I think I know. You're right that I have better things to do than to sit around and worry about this, no more guessing games. Thanks again.
 
First it's good news then bad news. It looks like not only are the VA ratings nearly meaningless but that I will most likely be on TDRL. UGHHH, during the last 4-5 years (permanent profile in 2008) the DOD has been working on this they have accomplished absolutely zero. 3 doctor appointments, one of which was a sham, one for diabetes that won't mean anything for my case, and one that tried to down grade my PTSD but thankfully the VA said no. So even though the DOD has compiled a metric ton of information on me in the last few years they actually have no more useful information now than when they started. So the question is why not just go with the VA's existing ratings and evaluate for anything new? This is a broken system and I am preaching to the choir so I'll shut up now.

Grizz,
Thanks, thats really good advice. Maybe better than you even know. This past week my migraines have flared up and my PTSD symptoms had started giving me fits again and I couldn't figure out why. Now I think I know. You're right that I have better things to do than to sit around and worry about this, no more guessing games. Thanks again.

Indeed, very good advise from grizz13! ;)

Nonetheless, placement on the TDRL can be no longer than five years. After five years, you must be removed and given a final rating. If you do not keep the USAPDA informed of your civilian address or do not report for your scheduled TDRL reevaluation, your retired pay may be suspended.

To that extent, please keep moving forward as such the end of placement on TDRL is near at this point for sure!

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

Best Wishes!
 
Grizz,
Thanks, thats really good advice. Maybe better than you even know. This past week my migraines have flared up and my PTSD symptoms had started giving me fits again and I couldn't figure out why. Now I think I know. You're right that I have better things to do than to sit around and worry about this, no more guessing games. Thanks again.
Your welcome! All of us here hope to help in the best ways possible!
 
Amazingly enough my PEBLO sent my DA 199 today. They recommend a 40% rating and PDR. The estimated compensation worksheet shows $1225.00/month retired pay but that sounds high to me since I already get VA disability for the same conditions.
 
Amazingly enough my PEBLO sent my DA 199 today. They recommend a 40% rating and PDR. The estimated compensation worksheet shows $1225.00/month retired pay but that sounds high to me since I already get VA disability for the same conditions.

Well, indeed good news and congratulations; DoD 40% PDRL! :)

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

Best Wishes!
 
Amazingly enough my PEBLO sent my DA 199 today. They recommend a 40% rating and PDR. The estimated compensation worksheet shows $1225.00/month retired pay but that sounds high to me since I already get VA disability for the same conditions.
See!!! What did I tell you :D!!! Congratulations on your future retirement!
 
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