Regular retirement vs. Medical retirement?

N

Nori

New Member
Registered Member
Hello Team,
I have over 22 years in active duty. But my retirement request was denied due to overseas ADSO. IOT resubmit the packet, the requested retirement date has to be after AUG 2026. Having said that I am having lots of issues with health and taking me away from work much. I got shoulder surgery AUG 2024, however, I still have an issue with it and can't do parade rest. We are discussing MEB Board possibility and yet I have a few other issues that requires other surgeries. I've been told from many folks that my chronic health issues including PTSD might give 100% VA rating. Should I stay in for additional 1 1/2 years to regularly retire or should I go ahead w/MEB Board? I am tired of telling team members that I have medical appointments. The retirement office said that even if I be medically retired, I will still get my military retirement pay and VA pay since I am over 20yrs. The catch is I will be moved to the Stateside and attached to a unit during PED? I am seeking advices here. Thanks in advance for your help.
 
I would absolutely get medboarded; since you're looking to retire ASAP, you have nothing to lose. If you were to get medboarded, you'd likely be out in 6-8 months. You're spot on with the pension; because you're over 20 years AFS, you'll still get your regular "longevity" retirement + your VA disability due to CMRP. Additionally, why you won't make any more gross pay, there is a chance you can make more net pay since you could potentially get your retirement pension tax free if your unfitting condition is determined to be combat related like combat PTSD.
 
Nori said:
Hello Team,
I have over 22 years in active duty. But my retirement request was denied due to overseas ADSO. IOT resubmit the packet, the requested retirement date has to be after AUG 2026. Having said that I am having lots of issues with health and taking me away from work much. I got shoulder surgery AUG 2024, however, I still have an issue with it and can't do parade rest. We are discussing MEB Board possibility and yet I have a few other issues that requires other surgeries. I've been told from many folks that my chronic health issues including PTSD might give 100% VA rating. Should I stay in for additional 1 1/2 years to regularly retire or should I go ahead w/MEB Board? I am tired of telling team members that I have medical appointments. The retirement office said that even if I be medically retired, I will still get my military retirement pay and VA pay since I am over 20yrs. The catch is I will be moved to the Stateside and attached to a unit during PED? I am seeking advices here. Thanks in advance for your help.
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If your medical issues are making it tough to keep serving, the MEB process might be the way to go. It can take a while—several months at least—so even if you start now, you'll still be in for some time before everything is finalized.
If you're struggling with your health, pushing through another 1.5 years just for a regular retirement might not be worth it. Your health should come first. Plus, medical retirement usually comes with better financial benefits than a regular retirement since it takes your disability rating into account. If your conditions are serious, this could mean a higher monthly payment.
 
Nori said:
Hello Team,
I have over 22 years in active duty. But my retirement request was denied due to overseas ADSO. IOT resubmit the packet, the requested retirement date has to be after AUG 2026. Having said that I am having lots of issues with health and taking me away from work much. I got shoulder surgery AUG 2024, however, I still have an issue with it and can't do parade rest. We are discussing MEB Board possibility and yet I have a few other issues that requires other surgeries. I've been told from many folks that my chronic health issues including PTSD might give 100% VA rating. Should I stay in for additional 1 1/2 years to regularly retire or should I go ahead w/MEB Board? I am tired of telling team members that I have medical appointments. The retirement office said that even if I be medically retired, I will still get my military retirement pay and VA pay since I am over 20yrs. The catch is I will be moved to the Stateside and attached to a unit during PED? I am seeking advices here. Thanks in advance for your help.
Click to expand...
MEB would relieve you of your ADSO. It is stressful and takes a while so for me its 50/50. You might only get out 10-12 months earlier than regular retirement. You can't gross more compensation as max compensation is your earned longevity pension + VA pay. It sucks either way. I think I would just truck along and apply for my retirement in 6 months and do BDD claims for the VA at the 6 month mark. I would have a frank conversation with your PCM because the worst case scenario is you get referred to MEB very close to your ADSO obligation/retirement date and you get extended to stay in longer.

Your big issue is that your PCM gets to decide when its time to do a MEB. They tend to want to keep trying different treatments to ensure they did all they can before giving up and stating you are broken and can't be fixed. So in a lot of ways the MEB is out of your hands. You don't get to say if you get one and when your PCM decides to initiate one.
 
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