Is this a game

[casey]

I have posted my individual situation in other postings, and I suppose that for the purpose of this post, it is not needed to post them again.

Needless to say I feel that the results of my PEB were wrong. They offered seperation and a 20 rating. I think it should be higher, a lot higher.

I must admit however, everytime I begin to believe that I have been wronged, that there has been a mistake and that I will get it overturned I begin to doubt myself. Surely the military could not mess things up this bad. Surely, these medical professionals were able to look at my case and take all things into consideration. I begin to feel as though maybe they were right. Maybe the findings are correct, and I simply need to deal with it. After all, that is all I am after, what is fair and right.

But there is this underlying feeling or thought that keeps teasing me, saying that the military offered you a low settlement, hoping that I would take it. Is this a game?

Would the military, an organization that I have loved serving in for almost 17 years, really try to mess with me and so many others in this manner? Would they really not rush to take care of their servicemembers?

I am new to this entire process. In fact I have not even given my answer to the board yet. But I must admit that this is the hardest part of all of this, trying to wrap my head around the motivations of the military. I just dont want to believe that they would not be fair with me.

 

[maparker]

Believe it and take charge. Demand a formal board.

Mike

 

[Jeff D H]

Casey --- I know a ton of soldiers who have gone through this process I don't know anyone who ever thought they got a fair deal. Yes they make MASSIVE mistakes and flat ignore regulations. I recomnend you appeal. Because a 20% rating is NOTHING. You do not get retirement, you do not get anything. Even the money they pay you comes out of any future monthly VA benifits you get.

There is really no reason not to appeal so long as they still find you unfit for military service.

Yes this is a giant game, and the first part of that game is trying to get rid of you with a lower rating. Only about 1 in 10 soldiers ever appeals the informal findings, they will try to scare you, grief you, and discourage you. Make you doubt things you believe are true. Don't give up, unless enough soldiers stand up for their rights and clog the system, informal boards will never award fair ratings to start.

 

[dfinniss]

I have come to realize we're just a number as sad as that is. Troops returning home from the war are homeless and sick! Nobody looks after them and yet they expect them to serve with everything but only want to give us a tiny check after they jack us up!

I'm going through the motions now and they screwed it all up for me so we have to fix my Nar Sum which has a wrong diagnosis and treatment along with undiagnosed things. They just push you through the process so they can give you as little as they can! Trust me. I am an insurance agent on the outside (used to be until I was activated) and these people do all they do so that we do not receive our max benefits! It is sick but you have to demand YOUR rights and read the regs to make sure you're going to get what you deserve. Fight as much as you can. I have to file a congressional and/or BCMR because they took me off of orders when I got home from my deployment with my LOD in hand! That got all screwed up and I am trying to get the gap fixed. It's not fun.

Good luck!