IDES

ncfitzge,
Missed one other issue here. The VA rating and local board are both worked at the same time (after the VA accepts the contracted docs eval; at least thats how mine worked). As soon as the VA accepted my medical eval, the base started the local board and VA started the rating phase.
 
lola456 said:
Question... The AF wont separate you until the VA decides your percentage? On E-Benifits, my process began on Mar 16 and its still in the "development" phase. I am currently going through the IDES process and in Stage 2 (PEB DoD), Part 1 (IPEB). My package was sent to the IPEB on May 25, and havent heard a peep from anyone yet, but am I looking at another 4 months before I get i separation orders? (I havent actually received a fit or unfit, but my PEBLO said all the cases shes seen with Ulcerative Colitis have came back as discharge with sev. pay) Im just trying to get to my husband as quick as possible, who is stationed in Tx and I'm in Ga. This just sitting here with no news is driving us crazy!
Click to expand...

Thats correct, the AF uses the VA percentage for your rating. I dont know that I'd believe e-benefits, call your VA rep. I call my VA rep and PEBLO every friday to see whats going on and make sure it hasnt went back to some doc for extra info or something. The timesframe says you should have recieved the results anytime now. My peblo did say he was getting results back at about 3 weeks under the normal program. SO hopefully you'll hear something soon. I'm headed to Texas myself when this is done...:-)
 
To be honest, the VA rating part confuses the hell out of me. I have heard it is done a lot of different ways. I'm not sure which one I believe anymore. All I know the VA is flippin slow. Here is how my case is outlined:

10-Nov-10 - Coded for MEB
29-Nov-10 - Notified of MEB Proceedings
02-Dec-10 - DAWG Decided I need full MEB
13-Dec-10 - Signed MEB paperwork and met VA to schedule appt
13-Jan-11 - Last VA Appt
15-Feb-11 - Received VA evaluations for package
14-Mar-11 - PCMs turned in NARSUM
17-Mar-11 - Local MEB, referred to IPEB
23-Mar-11 - Signed MEB package and sent to AFPC
05-Apr-11 - IPEB found Unfit and sent package to VA
08-Apr-11 - VA initiated rating process
27-Apr-11 - VA finish assigning ratings
20-Jun-11 - Called VA and was told they are still waiting to finalize my ratings and send notification
22-Jun-11 - Sitting around twiddling my thumbs...

The VA rep said they do not start assigning ratings until AFPC sends them the package. This helps prevent backlogs in case the local MEB decides to fast-track or RTD. Which makes sense, since we are sitting around waiting 4-6 months after AFPC sends the package.
 
lola456 said:
Question... The AF wont separate you until the VA decides your percentage? On E-Benifits, my process began on Mar 16 and its still in the "development" phase. I am currently going through the IDES process and in Stage 2 (PEB DoD), Part 1 (IPEB). My package was sent to the IPEB on May 25, and havent heard a peep from anyone yet, but am I looking at another 4 months before I get i separation orders? (I havent actually received a fit or unfit, but my PEBLO said all the cases shes seen with Ulcerative Colitis have came back as discharge with sev. pay) Im just trying to get to my husband as quick as possible, who is stationed in Tx and I'm in Ga. This just sitting here with no news is driving us crazy!
Click to expand...

Hey Lola,

You are correct, you will not be able to separate until the VA assigns the rating. Also, AFPC will not notify you of being found fit or unfit. If you were found fit, you most likely would have heard back by now. If they found you unfit, your package will be sent straight to the VA and asked for the disability ratings of the disqualifying conditions. They will use those % to determine your AF disability rating and send you PEBLO the results and you will have to accept or request a FPEB.

I talked to my PEBLO last week and he said that the VA and AFPC are starting to slow down again. This is because more bases are participating in the IDES. He also mentioned that the are taking about 6 months to get the IPEB results back. If you accept the results, you will have up to 90 days to separate. If you take worst case scenario, you will be looking at 9 months before you are official separated.
 
ncfitzge said:
Hey Lola,

You are correct, you will not be able to separate until the VA assigns the rating. Also, AFPC will not notify you of being found fit or unfit. If you were found fit, you most likely would have heard back by now. If they found you unfit, your package will be sent straight to the VA and asked for the disability ratings of the disqualifying conditions. They will use those % to determine your AF disability rating and send you PEBLO the results and you will have to accept or request a FPEB.

I talked to my PEBLO last week and he said that the VA and AFPC are starting to slow down again. This is because more bases are participating in the IDES. He also mentioned that the are taking about 6 months to get the IPEB results back. If you accept the results, you will have up to 90 days to separate. If you take worst case scenario, you will be looking at 9 months before you are official separated.
Click to expand...

Thanks, you have been more help than my PEBLO! I emailed her this morning, just asking if anything was needed and she replied saying that it could be up to 6 months before they hear anything from AFPC... :-/ Not very happy about that. So my question is, if AFPC finds me unfit, they will not notify my PEBLO? The IDES timeline that i was given from my PEBLO states the IPEB portion is only 15 days, then i can accept or rebut that decision and it goes on from there, so that 15 days has turned into 6 months? My actual DOS will be here before i get an answer... One last thing, once my package is sent to AFPC does my PEBLO have any way of checking the status, like did they say unfit and go to the VA or something like that... Everyone keeps telling me to just go with the flow and be happy im still getting a paycheck, but at this point happiness means more than money. Thanks again for explaining the process a little better!
 
ncfitzge,

Another quick question. How were you able to get all your dates for your timeline? The only time I have been contacted by my PEBLO was that very first appt to meet with the VA guy and when the local board met and I signed the 618 referring me to the IPEB. Will my VA rep be able to provide any more information than my PEBLO?
 
lola456 said:
ncfitzge,

Another quick question. How were you able to get all your dates for your timeline? The only time I have been contacted by my PEBLO was that very first appt to meet with the VA guy and when the local board met and I signed the 618 referring me to the IPEB. Will my VA rep be able to provide any more information than my PEBLO?
Click to expand...

I kept track of my most of my dates. But your PEBLO will be able to tell you when he received the documents that go into your package and when he sends it down to AFPC. After that, the dates get fuzzy. But I used eBenefits.va.gov or called the VA.
 
ncfitzge said:
To be honest, the VA rating part confuses the hell out of me. I have heard it is done a lot of different ways. I'm not sure which one I believe anymore. All I know the VA is flippin slow. Here is how my case is outlined:

10-Nov-10 - Coded for MEB
29-Nov-10 - Notified of MEB Proceedings
02-Dec-10 - DAWG Decided I need full MEB
13-Dec-10 - Signed MEB paperwork and met VA to schedule appt
13-Jan-11 - Last VA Appt
15-Feb-11 - Received VA evaluations for package
14-Mar-11 - PCMs turned in NARSUM
17-Mar-11 - Local MEB, referred to IPEB
23-Mar-11 - Signed MEB package and sent to AFPC
05-Apr-11 - IPEB found Unfit and sent package to VA
08-Apr-11 - VA initiated rating process
27-Apr-11 - VA finish assigning ratings
20-Jun-11 - Called VA and was told they are still waiting to finalize my ratings and send notification
22-Jun-11 - Sitting around twiddling my thumbs...

The VA rep said they do not start assigning ratings until AFPC sends them the package. This helps prevent backlogs in case the local MEB decides to fast-track or RTD. Which makes sense, since we are sitting around waiting 4-6 months after AFPC sends the package.
Click to expand...

Big disconnect in this system then, my VA rep said they are assigning my ratings right now and are almost done. As soon as the VA accepted my package from the contracted VA doc they started working the rating and my local board met. The timeline they gave me shows this is how it is supposed to work so not sure whats going on. My timeline below:

28 Feb 11 - Notified of MEB Proceedings (however I was under the old system and stopped to have another back surgery then restarted under the new system)
13-15 April 11 - Contracted VA medical appointments
26 May 11 - Contracted VA package back and awaiting acceptance from VA
15 Jun 11 - Signed for local board decision to forward to IPEB
22 Jun 11- Package arrived at IPEB (however I found two problems with the package and an ammendment will have to be sent)
 
Just got a call from the VA. They told me when they finished my ratings on the 27th of April that they had sent the results the same day back to AFPC. Amazingly AFPC some how lost my paperwork and I've been sitting here for 2 months for no d#$m reason.
 
ncfitzge said:
Just got a call from the VA. They told me when they finished my ratings on the 27th of April that they had sent the results the same day back to AFPC. Amazingly AFPC some how lost my paperwork and I've been sitting here for 2 months for no d#$m reason.
Click to expand...

Thus the reason I call both my PEBLO and my VA Rep every Friday. Stay on them and make them call. I had them give me a copy of my package a week after it went to the IPEB just to find out they marked "Pre existing condition" and had a profile from last October in it. Also, my VA medical eval had several unsubstantiated items in it due to my medical records not being available to the doc. At least I know I have to start working those issues now for my VA appeal.
 
Forgot to mention this tidbit. Got a copy of the package that went to the IPEB. Half of my claims said not substantiated due to medical records being unavailable! Really? Three volumes were sent to you, what, you cant find them or ask about them to finish the eval? Now I have to do an appeal. Also, my PEBLO marked the package as being a pre-existing condition and included a profile from a year ago. Really frustrated at this...end of rant.
 
Mike2001 said:
Thus the reason I call both my PEBLO and my VA Rep every Friday. Stay on them and make them call. I had them give me a copy of my package a week after it went to the IPEB just to find out they marked "Pre existing condition" and had a profile from last October in it. Also, my VA medical eval had several unsubstantiated items in it due to my medical records not being available to the doc. At least I know I have to start working those issues now for my VA appeal.
Click to expand...

At least your PEBLO does their job, I sent mine an email, my package was sent to IPEB on 25 May, no word on anything yet, and she said itll take 6 months and pretty much for me not to contact her. Can they (PEBLO) actually call and check the status of IPEB packages, or is mine just lazy?
 
They PEBLO is able to call AFPC and request a status, but they seem to get their panties in a bunch if the PEBLO keeps calling. If you are found unfit, you will not hear anything until the VA returns the preliminary disability results to AFPC.

From what I have noticed, if you do not get a Return-to-Duty result within 30 days, you most likely have been unfit or the board has requested additional information and you were not notified.

AFPC does not check the progress with the VA. Which is why my package has been missing for the last two months.

My suggestion would be to keep track of your own stuff. You can call the VA's 800 number and ask them the status of your file. They will be able to tell you if it is sent back to the PEB. If the eBenefits website says your 'Regulatory or Procedural Review' is closed, give them a call and see if they had sent the results to the PEB. If they did, start harping your PEBLO and tell them the VA is done and they had already sent the results to AFPC.

I'm giving my PEBLO one more day to get a hold of someone at AFPC and then I'm call the Chief of the Disability and Benefits Office.
 
Mike2001 said:
Forgot to mention this tidbit. Got a copy of the package that went to the IPEB. Half of my claims said not substantiated due to medical records being unavailable! Really? Three volumes were sent to you, what, you cant find them or ask about them to finish the eval? Now I have to do an appeal. Also, my PEBLO marked the package as being a pre-existing condition and included a profile from a year ago. Really frustrated at this...end of rant.
Click to expand...

Didn't they give you the change to review your package before your signed it? I sat in my PEBLO's office for almost an hour reading the entire package that you have to sign to be sent to the IPEB.
 
The the hits just keep coming...

I just talked to the Chief of the Disability Branch at AFPC. They acknowledged they received my results from the VA on 27 Apr 11. They also mentioned they forwarded my results to my PEBLO on the 11 May 11. For some reason, my PEBLO and his office did not receive them, supposedly.

What really pisses me off, is that my PEBLO supposedly checked in with AFPC at the end of May and was told my package was still at the VA.

The disconnect within the system is ridiculous.

I'm not sure if people are actually trying to keep track of these things. It would not surprise me if people are just assuming the VA has the package and not actually checking the system.
 
lola456 said:
At least your PEBLO does their job, I sent mine an email, my package was sent to IPEB on 25 May, no word on anything yet, and she said itll take 6 months and pretty much for me not to contact her. Can they (PEBLO) actually call and check the status of IPEB packages, or is mine just lazy?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if they can call the board but I would assume they can. I've seen the assignment folks call them before. If your PEBLO is a POS (like many I have seen, hopefully youll get the acronym) I'd call the patient advocate or the SGH at your hospital and address the issue. You should be in constant contact with them and the VA rep for updates and review every piece of paperwork that goes through either of them.
 
ncfitzge said:
Didn't they give you the change to review your package before your signed it? I sat in my PEBLO's office for almost an hour reading the entire package that you have to sign to be sent to the IPEB.
Click to expand...

I did read it but wasnt given the entire package before it was sent. Noticed they marked UCMJ and had them change that but the dates for my injuries were right, didnt notice the column next to it that said pre-existing though. Guess I put too much trust in my PEBLO filling out the form correctly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top