It's been over 609 days since I started this process

M

MattS97

New Member
Registered Member
Let's start with the facts:
- I gave up my pay to go on a form of terminal leave due to my station/job in order to go get a job to try and afford college.
- I started the MEB process back in Jan ~12, 2022.
- I went to all of my evaluations between Jan-May, 2022.
- I had a WAY later evaluation in Jan, 2023.
- I received a letter of proposed ratings in Feb, 2023. Totally 100%.
- I was informed Mar 7th, 2023 by my Navy and Marine Corps Disability Attorney that I was placed on TDRL.
- I received my DD-214 on May 26th, 2023 and turned it into the VA for their records.
- I have contacted the VA requesting updates on my case since May on a near weekly basis and all they tell me is that "It is pending a decision."
- I contacted my local House of Representatives to see if they could ask after my case on my behalf in the first week of August, 2023 and received on August 31st through them from the VA "claim remains pending a decision by a Rating Specialist. We will complete his claim and notify him of our decision as expeditiously as possible. I apologize for the delay.".

Let me start out by saying, I don't know what I am doing, what is happening, or even if anything is supposed to be happening. All I do know is that I am tired of being in this limbo state where my life is a Tired and worn out wake up, go to work, wait for some form of communication from someone about my situation, go to sleep and repeat. I am not lying when I say this, I want to go back into the service. I joined to make a difference, and I have been going to my appointments, I'm not on any medications, I have been pushing myself to get better physically without over doing it, and I am just tired of waiting. Can anyone please help?

My questions are these; Am I supposed to be getting paid benefits from the VA? Am I supposed to be calling someone or scheduling something? Should I call my Navy and Marine Corps Disability Attorney office and see if they can help? Do I need to be more patient for them to make this decision? Is there someone else I can call to help me get any traction on this? Is there nothing that is supposed to be happening and I am supposed to just be waiting? Is this the right place to ask these questions? How do I get cleared to return to duty?
 
Somewhere along the end of your process sounds like things took a wrong turn. Were you going through IDES? Did you complete the full process? I know that while in the IDES process you are not allowed to separate from the military. At what point in time did you accept your ratings and sign for them? Or did you not sign and accept findings?

So, if you went through the long process of a MEB and would like to turn back to duty, why didn't you appeal when they found you unfit? Normally they give you an opportunity to fight if you want to stay in. That probably would have been easier. Because once you are out the process to get back in will probably be a complicated one. Assuming you will have to get proof from a doctor or some extra layer of screening. If you didn't want to stay in at the time of the MEB, what makes you want to get cleared to return to duty now ?
 
I was going through the IDES system. I completed the process. I accepted the proposed ratings and signed for them back in February of 2023. I did want to stay in, but I was told by multiple people along the way that it was immpossible. I wrote a letter trying to appeal it and it went nowhere.
 
This is probably going to be a real stupid question, but have you confirmed that you were properly separated from service and that you are not somehow still in an active duty status? Are you receiving pay from any entity in any form whatsoever?
 
Following. I'm going through a similar situation and got out a few months after you. I separated in late July and am still getting active duty pay. I called DFAS today and they told me that my separation documents were never submitted by my manpower department and that I need to contact them. My claims are at the same level as yours. If I hear any updates, I'll keep you posted.
 
aa223390 said:
Following. I'm going through a similar situation and got out a few months after you. I separated in late July and am still getting active duty pay. I called DFAS today and they told me that my separation documents were never submitted by my manpower department and that I need to contact them. My claims are at the same level as yours. If I hear any updates, I'll keep you posted.
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What branch? If you are also navy, I have a feeling that I may know what is going on with your issue, since it is much more recent. Not necessarily the case for the OP, since it has been a few months.
 
PERS-95 said:
This is probably going to be a real stupid question, but have you confirmed that you were properly separated from service and that you are not somehow still in an active duty status? Are you receiving pay from any entity in any form whatsoever?
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I am not sure how to confirm that if I am honest. I know they have my DD-214 and I haven't received any pay since December 2021 so I am not sure. Should I call my last command to ask them if they informed whomever they need to? Or what would you suggest?
 
MattS97 said:
I am not sure how to confirm that if I am honest. I know they have my DD-214 and I haven't received any pay since December 2021 so I am not sure. Should I call my last command to ask them if they informed whomever they need to? Or what would you suggest?
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If you haven't received any pay, then you are no longer AD in the system, because you would still be (erroneously) getting AD pay.

But you aren't getting paid DOD or VA pay either, which would indicate you weren't separated properly. My suspicion would be that at the very least, your retirement pay account at DFAS wasn't set up properly.

But, since you haven't gotten VA benefits yet either, there's an issue there, too.

If it were me, I would call DFAS tomorrow and ask the status of my retirement pay account, and then I would call VA and ask what I am showing in their system and see whether they show me as eligible for benefits. If yes, then why am I not receiving? If no, then why not. Then go from there.
 
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