PTSD

cmjames84

PEB Forum Regular Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Registered Member
I have a real quick question that could turn in to a few more if some of the members don't mind. My PEBLO and the attorney at legal both told me that PTSD that is deemed "fails retention standards" then 99 times out 100 it will be found "unfit" by the PEB. Is this any where near accurate? If not and you all believe as I do that you can't put a judgement on it like that I will post my QTC and NARSUM findings below. Hopefully someone can tell me whether they believe it will be deemed unfit. Anyone reading this, I hope you have a minute because I post a long summary of the NARSUM and QTC... I am not so much worried for the potential rating as whether or not it will be deemed unfit... I apologize for the duplicate post.
Narsum:
"will not be able to perform duties in austere or combat environments. He continues to complain of nightmares, traumatic anger, issues with memory and concentration, irritability, depression and panic attacks."
"will require medication/behavioral health management indefinitely. It is not likely that he will be able to return to full-duty in 5 years" (That statement makes me wonder about PDRL vs TDRL)
Impact on military duty performance:
"The Soldier is incapable of reliably performing a number of military requirements including weapons firing, deployment, and being responsible for the well-being of other Soldiers." (makes me feel worthless but whatever)
QTC:
Mental Status Examination
The claimant is a reliable historian (LOL). Orientation is within normal limits. Appearance and hygiene are appropriate. Behavior is appropriate. He has poor eye contact during the exam. Affect and mood shows mood swings, anxiety and depressed mood. Reports depression, anxiety and irritability. Communication is within normal limits. Speech is within normal limits. Claimant shows impaired attention and/or focus. Reduces effectiveness. Panic attacks are present and occur more than once a week. The attacks occur more in crowds. There are signs of suspiciousness with the following examples: Does not sit with back to a wall. No delusions or hallucinations. obsessive-compulsive behavior is present but is not severe.
Thought processes are impaired as he has confusion, has slowness of thought and has difficulty understanding directions. Reports mental confusion, slowness of thought, difficulty understanding directions. Judgment is not impaired. Abstract thinking is normal. Memory is impaired and the degree is moderate - problems with retention of highly learned material, forgets to complete tasks. There are passive thoughts of death, no plan. Homocidal ideation is absent.
Remarks
The following changes have occured to claimant's psychosocial functional status and quality of life following the traumatic exposure: social isolation, reduced effectiveness and increased interpersonal conflict. The effects of PTSD symptoms on claimant's employment and overall quality of life include social isolation, reduced effectiveness and increased interpersonal conflict due to depression, irritability and issues with concentration and memory. No pre-trauma factors.
The best description of the claimant's current psychiatric impairment is psychiatric symptoms cause occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgemjent thinking and mood. The above statement is supported by the following symptoms: suicidal ideation, near continuous depression affecting the ability to function independently, appropriately and effectively, difficulty in adapting to stressful circumstances (including work or a work-like setting), inability to establish and maintain effective relationships and social isolation, issues with concentration. Currently, he has difficulty maintaining effective family role functioning because of his depression. Currently, he is unable to perform recreation or leisurely pursuits. He has difficulty understanding complex commands because he forgets part of the command. Based upon the examination, the claimant needs to seek follow up treatment."
 
I really appreciate your opinions ranger2992 and ceilingfan. Obviously this is great to hear!
 
Just an update from my previous post, I spoke with my PEBLO this morning and it stated the following:

1. The Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) found *** *********** *****, ***-**-****; physically unfit to continue military service for the following PEB referred unfitting conditions:
a. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). (MEB Dx 2) (V1-Yes; V3-Yes; V4-Yes)
b. Right Shoulder Subluxation Status Post Arthroscopy. (MEB Dx 1) (V1-Yes; V3-Yes; V4-Yes)
c. Left Shoulder Subluxation Status Post Arthroscopy. (MEB Dx 1) (V1-Yes; V3-Yes; V4-Yes)

looks like I'm good to go, hopefully getting a good rating!


5/16/13 - referral to MEB
5/20/13 - PEBLO counseling
5/21/13 - MEB briefing
5/22/13 - Pre C&P interview and meeting with VA MSC
6/7/13 - Mental QTC Appointment
6/10/13 - Mental telephonic interview with Dr writing mental NARSUM
6/14/13 - Physical QTC Appointment
6/21/13 - PEBLO's CA notified me that my QTC exams were in
7/1/13 - PEBLO's CA notified me that the NARSUM's were in and the 3947 was being forwarded for signatures
7/8/13 - PEBLO issued complete packet to me to concur - Fails retention standards for Bilateral Shoulders and PTSD
7/10/13 - MEB packet forwarded to PEB (Fort Sam Houston, TX)
7/15/13 - Unfit memo (not received until 7/31/2013...) Findings forwarded to VA (not sure which one though)
 
Just an update from my previous post, I spoke with my PEBLO this morning and it stated the following:

1. The Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) found *** *********** *****, ***-**-****; physically unfit to continue military service for the following PEB referred unfitting conditions:
a. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). (MEB Dx 2) (V1-Yes; V3-Yes; V4-Yes)
b. Right Shoulder Subluxation Status Post Arthroscopy. (MEB Dx 1) (V1-Yes; V3-Yes; V4-Yes)
c. Left Shoulder Subluxation Status Post Arthroscopy. (MEB Dx 1) (V1-Yes; V3-Yes; V4-Yes)

looks like I'm good to go, hopefully getting a good rating!


5/16/13 - referral to MEB
5/20/13 - PEBLO counseling
5/21/13 - MEB briefing
5/22/13 - Pre C&P interview and meeting with VA MSC
6/7/13 - Mental QTC Appointment
6/10/13 - Mental telephonic interview with Dr writing mental NARSUM
6/14/13 - Physical QTC Appointment
6/21/13 - PEBLO's CA notified me that my QTC exams were in
7/1/13 - PEBLO's CA notified me that the NARSUM's were in and the 3947 was being forwarded for signatures
7/8/13 - PEBLO issued complete packet to me to concur - Fails retention standards for Bilateral Shoulders and PTSD
7/10/13 - MEB packet forwarded to PEB (Fort Sam Houston, TX)
7/15/13 - Unfit memo (not received until 7/31/2013...) Findings forwarded to VA (not sure which one though)
Great! Keep up the good work by staying proactively involved in your IDES! Seems like everything is moving along fairly well for you. Keep us updated! Again, congrats!
 
Great! Keep up the good work by staying proactively involved in your IDES! Seems like everything is moving along fairly well for you. Keep us updated! Again, congrats!
I will definitely keep everyone informed in hopes that someone in a similar situation or even here at Fort Gordon will read this and gain some insight. I was somewhat upset when I actually talked to my PEBLO this morning and she told me about the unfit memo after I asked her about it. Her contact assistant just kept telling me that we are awaiting results from the PEB, putting 2 and 2 together that meant we were waiting for ratings and all. I guess they didn't think that I'm as detailed oriented as I am smh...
 
by the way, anyone have any idea what this means on my memo: (MEB Dx 2) (V1-Yes; V3-Yes; V4-Yes)?
 
Just an update from my previous post, I spoke with my PEBLO this morning and it stated the following:

1. The Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) found *** *********** *****, ***-**-****; physically unfit to continue military service for the following PEB referred unfitting conditions:
a. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). (MEB Dx 2) (V1-Yes; V3-Yes; V4-Yes)
b. Right Shoulder Subluxation Status Post Arthroscopy. (MEB Dx 1) (V1-Yes; V3-Yes; V4-Yes)
c. Left Shoulder Subluxation Status Post Arthroscopy. (MEB Dx 1) (V1-Yes; V3-Yes; V4-Yes)

looks like I'm good to go, hopefully getting a good rating!


5/16/13 - referral to MEB
5/20/13 - PEBLO counseling
5/21/13 - MEB briefing
5/22/13 - Pre C&P interview and meeting with VA MSC
6/7/13 - Mental QTC Appointment
6/10/13 - Mental telephonic interview with Dr writing mental NARSUM
6/14/13 - Physical QTC Appointment
6/21/13 - PEBLO's CA notified me that my QTC exams were in
7/1/13 - PEBLO's CA notified me that the NARSUM's were in and the 3947 was being forwarded for signatures
7/8/13 - PEBLO issued complete packet to me to concur - Fails retention standards for Bilateral Shoulders and PTSD
7/10/13 - MEB packet forwarded to PEB (Fort Sam Houston, TX)
7/15/13 - Unfit memo (not received until 7/31/2013...) Findings forwarded to VA (not sure which one though)

Good deal! Congratulations! :)

Did you receive a copy of the unfit for duty memorandum from your PEBLO?

If not, I would definitely inquire with your PEBLO to receive a copy of the unfit for duty memorandum since it would have the name and address of the DoVA D-RAS which the PEB forwarded your unfit for duty memorandum. ;)

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!
 
This is all that is on it:

AHRC-DPE-S 15 July 2013

MEMORANDUM FOR VA
SUBJECT: Request for Rating: ****
1. The Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) found *********************; physically unfit to continue military service for the following PEB referred unfitting conditions:
a. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). (MEB Dx 2) (V1-Yes; V3-Yes; V4-Yes)
b. Right Shoulder Subluxation Status Post Arthroscopy. (MEB Dx 1) (V1-Yes; V3-Yes; V4-Yes)
c. Left Shoulder Subluxation Status Post Arthroscopy. (MEB Dx 1) (V1-Yes; V3-Yes; V4-Yes)
2. The PEB found that the following conditions, although medically unacceptable, are not unfitting, independently or combined:
3. Soldier’s Component and current duty status as of the date of this memorandum is Regular Army / Active Duty.
FOR THE PRESIDING OFFICER

(Digital Signature)
 
by the way, anyone have any idea what this means on my memo: (MEB Dx 2) (V1-Yes; V3-Yes; V4-Yes)?

For potential assistance, reference the below attachment which describes in detail the information applicable to your inquiry. :)

In short, the USAPDA PEB determined that your second medical diagnosis PTSD was found unfit for duty to physically continue military service. In addition, you are authorized tax exemptions for your disabilities and may be entitled to Federal employment benefits. ;)

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!
 

Attachments

That document was quite interesting. "
"VA will not reduce their compensation based on the military severance pay."
This obviously has nothing to do with TDRL pay does it? Meaning that the 1 for 1 offset still exists for me?
 
This is all that is on it:

AHRC-DPE-S 15 July 2013

MEMORANDUM FOR VA
SUBJECT: Request for Rating: ****
1. The Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) found *********************; physically unfit to continue military service for the following PEB referred unfitting conditions:
a. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). (MEB Dx 2) (V1-Yes; V3-Yes; V4-Yes)
b. Right Shoulder Subluxation Status Post Arthroscopy. (MEB Dx 1) (V1-Yes; V3-Yes; V4-Yes)
c. Left Shoulder Subluxation Status Post Arthroscopy. (MEB Dx 1) (V1-Yes; V3-Yes; V4-Yes)
2. The PEB found that the following conditions, although medically unacceptable, are not unfitting, independently or combined:
3. Soldier’s Component and current duty status as of the date of this memorandum is Regular Army / Active Duty.
FOR THE PRESIDING OFFICER

(Digital Signature)

Hmm, interestingly amazing in my opinion! :confused:

It seems that the USAPDA PEB didn't follow the guidelines during the construction of their Army memorandum in accordance with (IAW) AR 25-50 Preparing and Managing Correspondence. IAW AR 25-50 Paragraph 2-4a.(5)(a), it states that "When using a single address, type "MEMORANDUM FOR" and the address on the same line."

To that extent, your PEB memorandum is absent of the DoVA D-RAS' full name and its corresponding location's address. It probably could have been an oversight or an intentional placeholder in order to not publish the location of the DoVA D-RAS in order to minimize direct contact by military service members. It's just a thought, but it could potentially be a strategically informed tactic also; heck, I am not sure.

Since that potentially seems to be the situation, I would offer that you contact your PEBLO then make the inquiry as to the name and location of the DoVA D-RAS where your PEB unfit for duty memorandum was forwarded. In the interim, you probably should ask other military service members whom you know as to the location of their DoVA D-RAS.

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!
 
That document was quite interesting. "
"VA will not reduce their compensation based on the military severance pay."
This obviously has nothing to do with TDRL pay does it? Meaning that the 1 for 1 offset still exists for me?

I am not sure of the actual meaning and/or intent. Maybe you can potentially receive a creditable response from your PEBLO and/or a SMEBC attorney?

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!
 
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