MedBoard Questions

N

N00b

New Member
Registered Member
Hello Everyone,

I am an Army Reservist with an 8-year obligation that ends this July/August. Initially, I planned to leave the Army, but I was offered a medboard and have recently received a permanent profile with an approving authority signature (I'm assuming the next step is to hurry up and wait for a PEBLO). After doing some preliminary research, I have found conflicting information regarding the process, so I’m hoping to gain some clarity and advice from those with experience.

Background:
  • I currently have an 80% VA disability rating that includes multiple claims. I was awarded 50% for an unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder; however, the P3 on my permanent profile indicates a depressive disorder.
  • I have medical documentation from an incident that occurred during active duty orders for training (which required me to PCS). Unfortunately, I did not obtain a Line of Duty (LOD) at the time, as I was unaware that it was necessary back in 2018. According to the FAQs on the Army HRC’s Medical Boards (Disability Evaluation System [DES]), I should be covered since the incident occurred while I was on active duty orders for more than 30 days and I have the medical documentation.
  • I am currently receiving care (regular therapy sessions) and taking medication for the anxiety and depression I was diagnosed with in 2023, and the documentation I provided to the nurse care manager clearly links these conditions to the incident during my service.
Questions:
  1. Should I consider hiring an attorney in addition to the legal assistance provided by the Army?
  2. Given that my VA rating is for an unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder, but the medboard is focused on a depressive disorder, should I expect any conflicts when establishing a service connection?
  3. As a reservist, if I receive a DoD rating of 30% or above, will I be eligible for Tricare Retiree benefits?
  4. I am a few months away from being eligible to resign my commission, will that create a conflict with getting benefits?
  5. Since I do not have an LOD, will my available medical documentation (ER discharge paperwork, the VA service connection, and my therapist’s diagnosis) be sufficient to establish a service connection?
  6. Overall, what additional documentation or steps should I take?

Thank you in advance for any insights or shared experiences that can help me navigate this process.
 
I would just ETS if I were you. Since you would be referred as non duty related there are no benefits. You can't get a pension or severance nor any tricare insurance.
 
Provis said:
I would just ETS if I were you. Since you would be referred as non duty related there are no benefits. You can't get a pension or severance nor any tricare insurance.
Click to expand...
I actually just found out today that I'm being referred as duty related along with a IDRM memo.
 
Congrats! See below:

1. i always recommend hiring a dedicated attorney. Its impossible for JAG to be able to do as good of a job as a private IDES attorney. They simply have too many cases to give everyone the time and effort needed. A private attorney will read your medical records. They will suggest other conditions to try to add if possible. They will direct you on gathering additional medical evidence if necessary. They understand how the VA ratings affect chapter 61 pay. For example, my wife't attorney submitted a VARR to increase an unfitting condition's rating even though she was maxed out on DOD%. Everyone to include the PEBLO thought she and her attorney was nuts. What they didn't understand is that if that condition was a little higher she would go from 90% to 100% VA which is a big difference. With that bump the numbers worked in her favor for CRSC. So she got $1,500 via CRSC instead of zero from CRSC if her VA total % was at 90%.
2. If you have the military stating duty related I wouldn't worry so much about. the VA. However, always appeal if something isn't right in the early stages because that information is used by the iPEB,FPEB and VARR rater from the VA to make determinations.
3. If duty related then yes you get immediate tricare for you and your family right away and its for life!
4. Don't resign. If you are going into IDES put a pause on everything. Not sure if you could resign while in IDES even if you wanted to. However, you have a lot to lose if don't finish the IDES process. Tricare is huge!
5. You want all your medical evidence given to the Army and VA so that they see the big picture and connect the dots. You may even need to write up some letters for your docs to sign so that its clear.
6. ask your attorney. I strongly recommend hiring one especially for reservists that have duty related IDES since you are so detached from the process. Sending you references now.
 
Provis said:
Congrats! See below:

1. i always recommend hiring a dedicated attorney. Its impossible for JAG to be able to do as good of a job as a private IDES attorney. They simply have too many cases to give everyone the time and effort needed. A private attorney will read your medical records. They will suggest other conditions to try to add if possible. They will direct you on gathering additional medical evidence if necessary. They understand how the VA ratings affect chapter 61 pay. For example, my wife't attorney submitted a VARR to increase an unfitting condition's rating even though she was maxed out on DOD%. Everyone to include the PEBLO thought she and her attorney was nuts. What they didn't understand is that if that condition was a little higher she would go from 90% to 100% VA which is a big difference. With that bump the numbers worked in her favor for CRSC. So she got $1,500 via CRSC instead of zero from CRSC if her VA total % was at 90%.
2. If you have the military stating duty related I wouldn't worry so much about. the VA. However, always appeal if something isn't right in the early stages because that information is used by the iPEB,FPEB and VARR rater from the VA to make determinations.
3. If duty related then yes you get immediate tricare for you and your family right away and its for life!
4. Don't resign. If you are going into IDES put a pause on everything. Not sure if you could resign while in IDES even if you wanted to. However, you have a lot to lose if don't finish the IDES process. Tricare is huge!
5. You want all your medical evidence given to the Army and VA so that they see the big picture and connect the dots. You may even need to write up some letters for your docs to sign so that its clear.
6. ask your attorney. I strongly recommend hiring one especially for reservists that have duty related IDES since you are so detached from the process. Sending you references now.
Click to expand...
Much appreciated Sir! This insight is greatly appreciated
 
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