Pretty good pace so far...

I'm not sure if it has been asked in this post yet but Aviator I was wondering how you got all the dates for when your package moved through the system??
 
I'm not sure if it has been asked in this post yet but Aviator I was wondering how you got all the dates for when your package moved through the system??

I used a combination of the VA hotline, IRIS inquiries, my PEBLO, my VA MSC and the DAV.
I also made one call to AFPC disabilities section at Randolph and that is when I had found out that the PEB had found me unfit and sent the memo requesting ratings from the VA. However, if you call AFPC direct, you will probably get a pissed off employee on the other end that will tell you to contact your PEBLO. Despite how mean the lady was to me, I was as nice and apologetic as I could be to her...and she finally calmed down and gave me all the info I needed.;)

If you are running into a brick wall, go to your local DAV, VFW or American Legion and complete a Form 21-22 to assign them a POA. They will be able to get into all your VA information, including all the notes, package movement, etc. that the VA won't give us- best of all, it's free.:)
 
Thank you for the speedy reply :) and so far my PEBLO refuses to give me any updates at all, which is very frustrating. And the VA hotline hasn't been very helpful either, I called them today And all the person told me was that they received my DES, which I've never even heard of before. If I go to the DAV, how long will it take to get results from them? Because my case was sent out to the PEB on 23AUG.
 
I am stuck overseas and we do not have a DAV (at least what I am being told) my package was sent off a week before Thanksgiving to the PEB and ebenefits says now that I am in the prep for decision so I am hoping to find out some info. I did the MFR explaining I am 6mths past my DEROS and had a 3mth delay in my package getting lost at the DAWG. i have already went to the VA appts and everything in Oct. How do I find out who to get POA being stationed in Italy? TIA?!
 
If I go to the DAV, how long will it take to get results from them? Because my case was sent out to the PEB on 23AUG.

Once you complete and return the form 21-22, it usually takes a week or so for the VA to recognize it and assign the PoA. You will be able to see the assignment when you log into Ebenefits. Once the DAV is on there, they can work immediately to get info for you.

How do I find out who to get POA being stationed in Italy? TIA?!

You don't have to live near a DAV to assign them a PoA, it can be done by getting the form and signing/getting it notarized and faxing/mailing it into the main office.

http://dav.org/veterans/VeteransAffairs.aspx
and
http://dav.org/veterans/NSOffices.aspx

The site states: If you reside outside the continental United States, Hawaii, Alaska or Puerto Rico, but not in Mexico, Canada, South America, Central America, Caribbean or the Philippines, please contact:

VA Regional Office
1000 Liberty Ave., Rm. 1606
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Telephone: 412-395-6241
Send an email
 
You assign the PoA to the DAV. They will then assign you a counselor who will gather information from the VA on your behalf (from what I gather - I have not done this yet. Have to talk with the wife about the membership fee)
 
Sorry, I was under some heavy meds when I posted:confused: When you go to the DAV and complete the 21-22 (PoA), the DAV has to submit the PoA to the VA, then the VA recognizes them as your reps and notate it on Ebenefits. At that point, the DAV can start working to get answers for you. Until then, they are not legally permitted to converse with the VA on your behalf.
When the VA recognizes the PoA and posts it on your Ebenefits, it looks like this (obviously your regional offices will vary):
Additional Details

  • Your Designated Power of Attorney
    DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS
  • Regional Office of Jurisdiction:
    help_icon.gif

    Providence
  • Send Documentation To
    Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office
    Regional Office
    380 Westminster Street
    Providence, RI 02903
 
You assign the PoA to the DAV. They will then assign you a counselor who will gather information from the VA on your behalf (from what I gather - I have not done this yet. Have to talk with the wife about the membership fee)

No membership is required! The DAV, American Legion and VFW offer this service free to all vets...club members or not. Now, it would be kind to consider joining when you are out, especially if they do a lot to help you.;)
 
Thank you, I will be doing this first thing Wed morning so I can get some answers. This would be special POA correct just for medical purposes only.
 
Thank you, I will be doing this first thing Wed morning so I can get some answers. This would be special POA correct just for medical purposes only.
Yes, special POA. easiest is get ahold of DAV, VFW, etc. and get the POA form from them, get it notarized and give it back to them. They take care of everything really.
 
Hello again, I am tracking my progress in e-benefits and it said it is in the 'ratings' portion...how long after did you guys find out what is going on when you entered the ratings process?
 
First off, sorry for the late response. I've been fairly busy trying to get everything done since I'm staying overseas with my husband and had to obtain command sponsorship, etc. Second, the only final out briefing I did with the VA was over the phone since I'm still in Okinawa. I did fill out a form in the beginning of my MEB that included my dependents. But the first time I filled it out my then PEBLO told me my son and husband didn't count since my husband was active duty. Then after I spoke with the VA rep that was on island (they rotate every 3 months) he told me that I do claim them. So I made the PEBLO change it. I am just worried if the right form ever made it to them. I noticed in eBenefits that my original claim is closed out and the new claim opened up to finalize everything. I also submitted a IRIS inquiry to find out about my dependent status. Thank you guys for the help. Hopefully I will hear something back soon. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!!
 
WELP!!! 60 AF/100 VA...PERM RETIREMENT!!!! Found out today so im super excited!

Good to hear (relatively speaking, of course. Having disabilities sucks). It's a good idea to continue to secure the DAV (or any other service org) as representation because you will be dealing with the VA for the rest of your life, and you will eventually need the help. It's better to have them and not need them, than need them and not have them.;)
 
First off, sorry for the late response. I've been fairly busy trying to get everything done since I'm staying overseas with my husband and had to obtain command sponsorship, etc. Second, the only final out briefing I did with the VA was over the phone since I'm still in Okinawa. I did fill out a form in the beginning of my MEB that included my dependents. But the first time I filled it out my then PEBLO told me my son and husband didn't count since my husband was active duty. Then after I spoke with the VA rep that was on island (they rotate every 3 months) he told me that I do claim them. So I made the PEBLO change it. I am just worried if the right form ever made it to them. I noticed in eBenefits that my original claim is closed out and the new claim opened up to finalize everything. I also submitted a IRIS inquiry to find out about my dependent status. Thank you guys for the help. Hopefully I will hear something back soon. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!!

It might be a good idea to re-accomplish the form, make new copies of birth/marriage certs, etc. and send them certified mail to the VA...that way it is traceable. As for your son not being included because your husband is active duty- that sounds incorrect to me...he is still your dependents no matter what your husbands status is. You might want to ping another MSC at another base or contact the DAV and have them look into the answer. Good to hear from you again.
 
Update 30 Jan 13:
Official MEB breifing: 8 May 2012​
VA Rep meeting: 10 May 2012​
VA C&P appts complete: 6 June 2012​
VA narrative received by PCM/NARSUM started: 18 June 2012​
NARSUM complete, revisions requested: 2 July 2012​
Revised NARSUM complete, MEB package signed: 3 July 2012​
MEB package sent to IPEB: 5 July 2012​
Package received by IPEB: 12 July 2012​
Package checked in to board: 16 July 2012​
Package sent from PEB to VA: 4 Sept 2012
Package in process for proposed ratings and generating answer to PEB: 6 Sept 2012
Proposed ratings in, 100% P&T: 04 Oct 2012
PEBLO called today, MEB results back 100% P&T VA, 100% PDRL DoD: 9 Oct 2012
Met with PEBLO/VA MSC to get form 356 (199)/VA ratings pkg brief, 10 day window to concur or appeal started: 10 Oct 12
Signed 356 (199) today: 15 Oct 12
Received orders today, retirement date 28 Jan 13: 22 Oct 12
Final out: 16 Nov 12
Retirement ceremony: 19 Nov 12
Final day in the AF: 28 Jan 13
Retired: 29 Jan 13
Received DD 214 from Wounded Warrior rep: 30 Jan 13
Sent CRSC package off to attorneys in Washington D.C.: 30 Jan 13
 
Leave it up to finance to hold things up. I went there today and they are having a "green Wednesday" where the whole MPF shuts down to conserve energy. They used to do it on the third Friday of the month, but I guess now it's whenever they want to. They also have down days for "training" and shut the whole operation down.
 
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