My IDES Timeline
- Thread starter Nomathematician357
- Start date
Got my ratings today from my PEBLO.
DoD 80% Temporary Retirement
VA 100%
Still a bit confused about temporary retirement and what it means for my future, but definitely pleased with my VA rating!
DoD 80% Temporary Retirement
VA 100%
Still a bit confused about temporary retirement and what it means for my future, but definitely pleased with my VA rating!
Temporary retirement means you will be retired temporarily and you will be re evaluated in 18 months where they can either remove you from retiree and separate you or move you to the permanent retirement list. It gives them an opportunity to see if your condition gets better after you get out.
Please someone correct me if im wrong but im almost positive the temporary means basically down the road you will be re-evaluated to see if your conditions improved which would lower your rating potentially, or after re-evaluation you are the same or worse which may put you on permanent list.
You are correct. They tend to lower it but it can be lowered, stay the same or go up. The issue with TDRL is that it's like a prolonged VA C&P exam. Since they base the results on your medical records over that period and the exam you go to. So you want everything to stay the same until PDRL if possible. If rating goes down you can fight it but its more stress so better to not give them a reason to make any changes.
So even though my top rating can change, the bottom one won’t and it’s 30%, the threshold for permanent retirement.
I’ve already received a higher rating from the VA of 100% so at least it won’t affect my compensation.
So does this mean I’ll be permanently retired anyway eventually because of the bottom conditions?
Attachments
Do you think it’d be worth my while to fight this if I already have another condition that places me over the threshold, or should I just accept the TDRL?
Since one condition is PDRL you will be able to medically retire no matter the results of the other condition. Is your VA compensation greater than the amount you would receive for a medical retirement at 75% DOD? If the VA amount is greater the entire pension will be offset by VA compensation and you will get Tricare too. If the answer is no to that question then you have a financial incentive to keep the max DOD 75 % and I would appeal to get the 70% DOD changed to PDRL. You may need some doctors to write notes so you have evidence to submit for your appeal.
I have no idea how to do this DoD math. I’ve been in for 13.5 years, so I’m guessing VA with my dependent will be higher anyway.
Unless you have the evidence to prove your mental health condition is currently permanent and stable I wouldn’t fight it.
“3.17.3. Placement on TDRL. Applies to service members that meet the requirements for permanent disability retirement except that the disability is not determined to be stable but may be permanent. A disability will be determined stable when the preponderance of medical evidence indicates the severity of the condition will probably not change enough within the next three years to increase or decrease the disability rating percentage.” - AFI 36-3212
This is place to protect both you and the Air Force. The fact that you are pretty much guaranteed 30% anyway thereby securing PDRL in the next 3 years and the fact that you are likely being paid more by the VA anyway makes me think you shouldn’t appeal.
Take the last 36 months of pay and then add it together. Then take that number and divide by 36. That is your HIGH 36 number. take that number and multiply it by .75 and that will be the max you can get by law for chapter 61 retirement. If that number is less than $3,500 then it doesn't matter. By accepting VA compensation it will be tax free but offset your entire medical pension amount.
EDIT* simple way to calculate it though won't be as accurate. Take your current monthly base pay and multiply it by .75 If less than $3,500 then you are good to go and no need to appeal. If that amount is higher use the directions above to get an accurate result to see if that's still the case.
If an E7 or below there is no benefit for you trying to get PDRL for the 70% condition....
Thanks for explaining that! It’s definitely less than $3,500. I won’t fight it. So to clarify, all I need to do is the eval every year and a half or so until they move me to PRDL?
Yes. You could totally ignore everything and not even go to the exam if you wanted LOL. I would still try to get the highest pdrl total rating because VA ratings can change and if you go down to less than 100% the math may not be on your side and you would have wished you had a higher DOD percentage.
Yes, I’d just add to make sure you continue to get treatment and keep your records. Will be useful when you get reevaluated, that way you have the best chance for maintaining your current DOD percentage should the VA decide to reduce you at some point in the future.
UPDATES!
25 Mar - received ratings - 80% DoD, 100% VA. Signed 618 with PEBLO
31 Mar - accepted ratings, signed form 1180. Awaiting case manager contact via PEBLO for orders and retirement date.
So ready to start terminal leave and get out already! Life has been just kind of hanging in limbo and I’m chomping at the bit to get on with the next chapter!
Did you receive your final letter?
I’ve not gotten my final letter yet — apparently there’s some secondary exam I had to have done for one of my conditions that’s been dragging their feet on closing the claim. I still can’t see my final rating in ebenefits and I’ve already finaled out, so it’s making me nervous since my retirement date is 5 July and I still do t have my final stuff.
My rating didn’t show on ebenefits until 15 days after my retirement and I still have yet to receive a “final letter”. Just make sure the VA gets a copy of your DD214 as soon as you get it to get things rolling, I had to fax mine in.