Informal to Formal...can ratings be lowered?

Hi,
I have posted here one other time. I am trying to gather as much information for my husband as possible. He is at the end of the informal board process and waiting on ratings. This would be for Schizoeffective disorder. He is afraid if the ratings come back at 50% DOD specifically to fight for a formal board.... Higher percentage. He could qualify for 70%. He has heard that they could actually lower percentages if he chose a formal board. Is there any validity to this?

 

[Warrior644]

Hi,
I have posted here one other time. I am trying to gather as much information for my husband as possible. He is at the end of the informal board process and waiting on ratings. This would be for Schizoeffective disorder. He is afraid if the ratings come back at 50% DOD specifically to fight for a formal board.... Higher percentage. He could qualify for 70%. He has heard that they could actually lower percentages if he chose a formal board. Is there any validity to this?

Welcome to the PEB Forum!

No, not within the DoD IDES MEB/PEB process for sure!

In retrospect, upon requesting and being granted a FPEB, the official start of the FPEB hearing shall null and void any previous PEB recommendation. The PEB must adopt all DoVA D-RAS proposed ratings for all medical conditions.

As such, the President of the FPEB has the authority to make their own decision in reference to the fitness (e.g., "fit for duty" or "unfit for duty") of any medical condition(s), a TDRL or PDRL determination, and a combat/combat-related finding (if warranted). Take care!

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

Best Wishes!

 

[Beth36]

I just want to clarify....sorry! Let's say he got 50% VA and DOD shot back the first time. He would be found unfit and wanted to appeal for a higher rating DOD and a formal board. They would adopt the 50% and just say yay or nay... we will give a higher percentage but not lower it less than 50%?

 

[Warrior644]

I just want to clarify....sorry! Let's say he got 50% VA and DOD shot back the first time. He would be found unfit and wanted to appeal for a higher rating DOD and a formal board. They would adopt the 50% and just say yay or nay... we will give a higher percentage but not lower it less than 50%?

Okay, no worries. Hmm, I am not quite following your inquiry at this point.

Nonetheless, if your husband disagrees with the DoD proposed rating then submitting a VARR with supporting medical evidence/documentation is most appropriate for that particular situation.

Otherwise, if your husband wants to potentially added more "unfit for duty" medical conditions by the PEB, then requesting a Formal PEB hearing is most appropriate for that particular situation. Take care!

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

Best Wishes!

 

[chaplaincharlie]

For unfitting conditions, DoD adopts the percentage set by the VA period. To get a higher percentage you have to convince the FPEB that another illness/injury should have been unfitting OR request a VA Rating Reconsideration for a conditions that has already been found to be unfitting.