New guy, waiting on MEB

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pnwcoastie

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
Howdy, med board process started for me in August 2023, packet was finally sent up to PSC last month. Still waiting on confirmation they've received it.

Just looking for some info as far as wait times from anyone who is in a similar position or has been through the process recently. I was told it takes about a year but considering it took nearly 6 months just to submit my package I don't know what to think now. Thanks in advance!
 
What is PSC? I am Active Duty Navy.

I would reach out to your PEBLO or whoever is helped you with the first potion of your MEB.

The tough part you're in, is going off a timeline. I myself was always trying to look at other people's timelines and try to guess where I may be/fall in.

The answer to that, is that NO TIMELINE IS THE SAME!! Cold hard facts my dude/dudette.

For instance, my MEB just wrapped up 11MAR24. I then got a confirmation email that my case was a wrap and being sent to the PEB which is Washington D.C. The board will look at my fitness for determination. I was told 120 days at a minimum but to also keep in mind it could be sooner or later.

So what to do know????? Make use of the time you have now and start setting yourself up for the future. Maybe start looking at the worst case scenario meaning, okay you get the call that youre found UNFIT now what?? Prepare yourself for that now. So many awesome folks out there that help us out.

Some of the organizations I have been using are Hire Heroes they helped me out with a resume, I have used USO Pathfinder, they help folks out with transitioning. Wounded Warrior is a great resource.

Also, you can use your story/situation and be an advocate for someone else you know who is going through the same thing you're going through.

I really hope this helps; I am only giving you my opinion because I am in the same boat. It sucks, but hey I got to make the best of my situation.

You are in the right place by asking the question. This forum and group are a great steppingstone to ask the question and get some good guidance.

I truly hope my response helps and may shed some light. Feel free to reach out if you have a question.

All the best.
 
pnwcoastie said:
Howdy, med board process started for me in August 2023, packet was finally sent up to PSC last month. Still waiting on confirmation they've received it.

Just looking for some info as far as wait times from anyone who is in a similar position or has been through the process recently. I was told it takes about a year but considering it took nearly 6 months just to submit my package I don't know what to think now. Thanks in advance!
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The process is beginning to speed up for Coasties, but it is still relatively slow compared to the DOD/VA IDES program. You should be receiving an email shortly from the Ombudsman at PSC-PSD-MED_ADMIN confirming receipt of your case. For non-Coasties following this thread, the Ombudsman is the Coast Guard equivalent of a PEBLO, and they only have one for the entire service.

"PSC-PSD-MED-ADMIN" is the Coast Guard equivalent of the PEB. This acronym stands for Personnel Service Center-Personnel Support Division-Medical Administration. If you do not receive an email in the near future confirming receipt of your MEB package, you can email the Ombudsman at this address: [email protected]

Full disclosure: I am a private attorney and former Coastie who has been representing members in the PDES process as well as for the DOD branches for the past- twenty-five years. However, this response has been provided purely for informational purposes, as I know that Coasties have a much harder time ascertaining the status of their cases than your peers in the DOD branches. There are efforts underway to change that information deficit, but I do not expect them to have a tracker system like the DOD branches do for the foreseeable future.
 
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Timelines are hard to predict. There are so many variable. A quick search for other Coast Guard member’s timelines may give you some idea, but individual variables can make that an unreliable measure.
 
chaplaincharlie said:
Timelines are hard to predict. There are so many variable. A quick search for other Coast Guard member’s timelines may give you some idea, but individual variables can make that an unreliable measure.
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I agree 100 percent with the timelines! When first starting this process, I would always look at timelines and go from there! I was completely wrong! Looking at timelines are good to get a sense of how someone’s board is going. For example my last VA exam was January 2nd. Although I can see my stuff on TOL my exam, I would often wonder what is taking so long to get back to my PEBLO.
All my exams finally posted back on February 23rd!!! Then my case started to get some traction.

So case in point, don’t compare your timeline to someone else's!!
 
Thank you all for taking the time to reply! Unfortunately, it's on brand for the Coast Guard to be utilizing a slower, antiquated system compared to the rest of the branches.

The O-5 I spoke to who initiated my MEB basically told me it would result in my separation and I don't plan on fighting it so hopefully it won't be dragged out any longer than it has to be.
 
A little update: our IDHS reached out to make sure my MEB was received.

Got a response a week later from the Ombudsman saying it was received and is in "Phase 1 review" and they should be reaching out to me in the next 3 months. No other information.

It's tempting to just separate when my contract expires at the end of July and not even deal with this process :(
 
I’m not sure you would be able to separate at the end of your contract??? Anything dealing with medical, especially being in a MEDBOARD status!?!? You’re pretty much at the mercy of the board at that point.
 
According to policy they can only retain you without your consent for 30 days after your enlistment expires.

But it also says you may be retained with your consent for no more than 6 months, which seems pretty much impossible to get a med board wrapped up lol

Either way I'm just being dramatic, hopefully I'll hear some news sooner than later.
 
pnwcoastie said:
Howdy, med board process started for me in August 2023, packet was finally sent up to PSC last month. Still waiting on confirmation they've received it.

Just looking for some info as far as wait times from anyone who is in a similar position or has been through the process recently. I was told it takes about a year but considering it took nearly 6 months just to submit my package I don't know what to think now. Thanks in advance!
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Hey there. I recently went through the process. It was about 6-7 months from the time they submitted my package to when I got findings. After that, it was another 5 or so months (with heavy prodding) until legal review was completed. From there, 4-month orders. Feel free to message me separately with any questions.
 
pnwcoastie said:
Howdy, med board process started for me in August 2023, packet was finally sent up to PSC last month. Still waiting on confirmation they've received it.

Just looking for some info as far as wait times from anyone who is in a similar position or has been through the process recently. I was told it takes about a year but considering it took nearly 6 months just to submit my package I don't know what to think now. Thanks in advance!
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Hey there! Currently in the same boat, kinda. Was placed on light duty by our IDHS in July 2023. For RA. Narsum done by MO end of january 2024. Packet went up to PSC on 12May. PSC accepted my packet on 28May. They told me the VA will reach out within 7-10 days to schedule appointments. Meeting scheduled with the PEBLO 31May. Hopefully this ball starts rolling a bit faster; I’ve been desk work only for over a year as an Engineering rate and it’s driving me nuts. IDHS thinks I’ll be separated by fall, MO thinks I’ll be separated by the beginning of 2025. My EOE is August of 2025
 
Inevitablewait said:
Hey there! Currently in the same boat, kinda. Was placed on light duty by our IDHS in July 2023. For RA. Narsum done by MO end of january 2024. Packet went up to PSC on 12May. PSC accepted my packet on 28May. They told me the VA will reach out within 7-10 days to schedule appointments. Meeting scheduled with the PEBLO 31May. Hopefully this ball starts rolling a bit faster; I’ve been desk work only for over a year as an Engineering rate and it’s driving me nuts. IDHS thinks I’ll be separated by fall, MO thinks I’ll be separated by the beginning of 2025. My EOE is August of 2025
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This means that you are part of the Coast Guard's new IDES program. For now, you should begin completing your SHA and your VA Form 21-526EZ and have a list of conditions for which you are seeking service connection ready to go for your MSC (i.e. the VA Rep). The good news is that your PEBLO will be one of the following individuals, all of whom are based at PSD-MED-ADMIN- HSC Sasha McGory, HS1 Julia Austin, or Ms. Sabrina Issac. They are all great ladies and, as PSD-MED-ADMIN stakeholders, are located in the very same branch that will process your PEB. Thus, the communication issues experienced by many of your DOD peers on this forum will not be a problem for you.

And, while you initial MEB NarSum referring you into the process as written by your PCM, the final version will be treated by one of several retired 0-6s and 0-5s medical officers hired on as civilian employees- all of whom have extensive experience drafting IDES NarSums for the various DOD branches. While the Coast Guard's version of IDES is still in its infancy, I have reviewed its component parts and the workflow with the assigned project officer and the branch chief, and it looks very promising. Based on my 30 years of representing Coasties in PDES PEB cases, I would say that this new IDES system will be a major leap forward with respect to case processing speed and thoroughness for Coast Guard PEB cases.
 
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johnbgately said:
This means that you are part of the Coast Guard's new IDES program. For now, you should begin completing your SHA and your VA Form 21-526EZ and have a list of conditions for which you are seeking service connection ready to go for your MSC (i.e. the VA Rep). The good news is that your PEBLO will be one of the following individuals, all of whom are based at PSD-MED-ADMIN- HSC Sasha McGory, HS1 Julia Austin, or Ms. Sabrina Issac. They are all great ladies and, as PSD-MED-ADMIN stakeholders, are located in the very same branch that will process your PEB. Thus, the communication issues experienced by many of your DOD peers on this forum will not be a problem for you.

And, while you initial MEB NarSum referring you into the process as written by your PCM, the final version will be treated by one of several retired 0-6s and 0-5s medical officers hired on as civilian employees- all of whom have extensive experience drafting IDES NarSums for the various DOD branches. While the Coast Guard's version of IDES is still in its infancy, I have reviewed its component parts and the workflow with the assigned project officer and the branch chief, and it looks very promising. Based on my 30 years of representing Coasties in PDES PEB cases, I would say that this new IDES system will be a major leap forward with respect to case processing speed and thoroughness for Coast Guard PEB cases.
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Note- typo in the first sentence of the second paragraph: And, while your initial NarSum..."
 
johnbgately said:
Note- typo in the first sentence of the second paragraph: And, while your initial NarSum..."
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Has the USCG officially shifted over to IDES? My understanding is that they're still in the outdated system, unless the change was incredibly recent (as in, the past month or so).

I wanted to echo what you said about starting to figure out your VA claim -- start getting seen for any conditions you may have ignored/pushed through. Make sure it's documented. For USCG, you won't get your VA rating as part of the medboard system, you'll have to initiate a BDD claim.
 
The Coast Guard is gradually rolling out an IDES system, but it is still in the pilot stage. I have one client who was just enrolled on it, but many cases will continue to be legacy cases until it is ready to go fully online Coast Guard wide
 
johnbgately said:
The Coast Guard is gradually rolling out an IDES system, but it is still in the pilot stage. I have one client who was just enrolled on it, but many cases will continue to be legacy cases until it is ready to go fully online Coast Guard wide
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Ahhh, gotcha. Good to hear -- it's long overdue for sure.
 
johnbgately said:
The Coast Guard is gradually rolling out an IDES system, but it is still in the pilot stage. I have one client who was just enrolled on it, but many cases will continue to be legacy cases until it is ready to go fully online Coast Guard wide
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Hi John, my servicing clinic is the USCGA and I’m in the new system. It’s a very grey area to everyone I talk to. My documents are meticulous as I’m in tricare prime remote where I’m at and the MO does every follow up with me remotely and my civilian doctors put a lot in the notes on my file ar each appointment. I immediately have the IDHS upload them to Genesis. I had a member go through the old legacy system a couple years back and it took forever. Mine seems to be rolling fast.
 
Quick update: Pending final review and signature as of 6/12

Should go to EPM as soon as that's done for separation orders.
 
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