Need help understanding. National Guard Med Board

Hero4sale85

Hero4sale85

Member
Registered Member
First, myself. I'm currently 100% VA. I've served in the National Guard as a MDay Soldier for 22 years, currently holding the rank of E6. I deployed three times. During my deployments, I received a Purple Heart and a Cab.

I getting Med boarded after providing 5 years of Psychiatric documents, along with other conditions. My goal was to medically retire and keep Tricare. The only thing I want for my family and I. I understand I qualify for VA Healthcare, but I live close to a VA hospital where I have had terrible appointments.

First question-
I understood that if I medically retire, I have my VA Disability and I also receive Tricare (I believe for free, but if not at the current rate and this includes my family). At the age of 60, minus AD time, I could retire and then apply for CRDP (may be wrong, but allows me to draw full VA and DOD Pension). Is this correct? Or would it be possible for me to draw a pension earlier that 60 minus AD Time?

2nd question-
I'm still with my unit. I haven't rolled off yet. However, I did attend a VA ordered examination. When I called the VA for this, they said it was for the DOD. I signed the document where I informed them I didn't want the VA to use any appointments for VA claim purposes. Is this how it usually goes for National Guard Medboard? I believe AD goes to a base somewhere, and I didn't think it would apply to me, but I figured I wouldn't hear all all from the VA during this Medboard process. Insteas, DOD would be making appoints for me. Is this how it goes? Also, when do I expect to roll of my units roster. I've been in the process since Aug25, and had my first appoint me early Jan26, with two more appointments next week.

Also, any advice or tips? Thank you for any responses!
 
Hero4sale85 said:
First, myself. I'm currently 100% VA. I've served in the National Guard as a MDay Soldier for 22 years, currently holding the rank of E6. I deployed three times. During my deployments, I received a Purple Heart and a Cab.

I getting Med boarded after providing 5 years of Psychiatric documents, along with other conditions. My goal was to medically retire and keep Tricare. The only thing I want for my family and I. I understand I qualify for VA Healthcare, but I live close to a VA hospital where I have had terrible appointments.

First question-
I understood that if I medically retire, I have my VA Disability and I also receive Tricare (I believe for free, but if not at the current rate and this includes my family). At the age of 60, minus AD time, I could retire and then apply for CRDP (may be wrong, but allows me to draw full VA and DOD Pension). Is this correct? Or would it be possible for me to draw a pension earlier that 60 minus AD Time?

2nd question-
I'm still with my unit. I haven't rolled off yet. However, I did attend a VA ordered examination. When I called the VA for this, they said it was for the DOD. I signed the document where I informed them I didn't want the VA to use any appointments for VA claim purposes. Is this how it usually goes for National Guard Medboard? I believe AD goes to a base somewhere, and I didn't think it would apply to me, but I figured I wouldn't hear all all from the VA during this Medboard process. Insteas, DOD would be making appoints for me. Is this how it goes? Also, when do I expect to roll of my units roster. I've been in the process since Aug25, and had my first appoint me early Jan26, with two more appointments next week.

Also, any advice or tips? Thank you for any responses!
Click to expand...

I use to be in your shoes....I just completed by medboard in October 2024 with the Army Reserves after doing 6 years active, 6 National guard, and 7 Reserves.
#1. If you're able to get over 30% DoD from the medboard, you could get Tricare Select for you and your family. There wouldn't be no monthly payment, just some co-pays

#2. I was E-6 too...Technically you won't qualify for retirement pay because although we "retired" the retirement pay calculation is LESS than the VA pay so it's "waived"
BUT.............especially for you, I noticed you said you have a PURPLE HEART AND CAB.
Because of that, you will qualify for CRSC
I was 100%VA too before the medboard, and got 80% DOD
CRSC just approved me for 90%,

Once you retired, and you submit your CRSC application, once you get approve. You will be able to Receive both VA pay and CRSC pay.
All I needed was around 50% CRSC to MAX it out which is what I would of gotten at 60 years old with the Reserves. So, you could be getting the pay immediately instead of 60 in your case too.


#3. Are you not assigned a case manager? usually once you have a P3 profile, You would be starting the medboard and are assigned a case manager. I was still in my unit rolls because the Commander had to sign some documents but I wasn't doing any PT or Annual Training because of the Permanent profile.

**** You would also be assigned a Peblo. I told mine, I only want to be Rated by DOD only because i'm fine with my VA rating. So, everything is controlled by your peblo.
Do you have a P3 profile?
Are you assigned a case manager yet?
 
teey said:
I use to be in your shoes....I just completed by medboard in October 2024 with the Army Reserves after doing 6 years active, 6 National guard, and 7 Reserves.
#1. If you're able to get over 30% DoD from the medboard, you could get Tricare Select for you and your family. There wouldn't be no monthly payment, just some co-pays

#2. I was E-6 too...Technically you won't qualify for retirement pay because although we "retired" the retirement pay calculation is LESS than the VA pay so it's "waived"
BUT.............especially for you, I noticed you said you have a PURPLE HEART AND CAB.
Because of that, you will qualify for CRSC
I was 100%VA too before the medboard, and got 80% DOD
CRSC just approved me for 90%,

Once you retired, and you submit your CRSC application, once you get approve. You will be able to Receive both VA pay and CRSC pay.
All I needed was around 50% CRSC to MAX it out which is what I would of gotten at 60 years old with the Reserves. So, you could be getting the pay immediately instead of 60 in your case too.


#3. Are you not assigned a case manager? usually once you have a P3 profile, You would be starting the medboard and are assigned a case manager. I was still in my unit rolls because the Commander had to sign some documents but I wasn't doing any PT or Annual Training because of the Permanent profile.

**** You would also be assigned a Peblo. I told mine, I only want to be Rated by DOD only because i'm fine with my VA rating. So, everything is controlled by your peblo.
Do you have a P3 profile?
Are you assigned a case manager yet?
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info.

Yes, I am assigned a Peblo and a MSC. I did the rounds of VA appointments. I see a decision letter, but it's not posted to my VA portal. So I can't view it. As far as my Plebo, I haven't talked to much aside from signing the paper work. So, not sure if my MSC gets done with it, then it goes to her.

Just feels like I'm in limbo.
 
Also, what is the CSRC pay calculation? E6 base pay? Or 50 of what I would receive at 60? If you wouldn't mind, since we will likely be in the same boots, can you let me know how much you received total? PM me if you'd like.

I have a daughter and want to make sure I can provide for her and give her the life she deserves. Unfortunately due to anxiety and depression, I'm not always at my best.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top