Hi all,
I think I've reached a good decision to accept my IPEB findings, but wanted some feedback. I am using my legal/VA/wounded warrior resources as well.
BLUF: I'm a Navy O3 with 9 years of service. I had stage 3 and then stage 4 melanoma, now in remission for >6 months, have a bunch of residuals because of treatments, surgeries, etc. My IPEB came back with a proposed 100% P&T VA, 20% DoD - separation with severance. I think I want to accept the IPEB decision rather than push for a FPEB/retirement, as it would give me full healthcare at the VA, coverage for my husband under CHAMPVA, a good severance (>100K), and the ability to take a GS14 position that I expect an offer for in the next week without having to wait 180 days. I also just kind of want to be done, as this process and the related stress has been on my mind for at least 3 years.
Additional background:
I have 24 VA-rated conditions, 2 of which were referred. All are static and all service connected. None combat related.
1. 70% ***Referred for this but PEB said it wasn't unfitting
2. 40%
3. 30%
4. 20%
5. 20%
6. 20% ***This is the only referred condition the PEB found unfitting
7. 20%
8. 20%
9. 20%
10-18 10%
19-24 0%.
Is there anything I'm missing by not pushing for an FPEB to get to retirement? At first glance, some of my "resources" are saying I should be entitled for medical retirement. The way I see it, the only thing I would really gain is Tricare, and I'm already covered by the VA (plus the insurance I will have with employment). As a 100% P&T I would have access to many of the regular retiree benefits (Commissary, exchange, MWR, etc). I would also be giving up the severance, which is not chump change in my situation. My recoupment would only be on the one 20% unfitting condition.
An FPEB would drag out the process many months, who knows with the COVID-19 state of things. The next condition most likely to be unfitting is the 70%, which is Major Depression/Anxiety, and I'm concerned about being put on the TDRL and being re-evaluated because I know that can easily be reduced.
The GS14 job is actually my old billet that was converted to a civilian job... It's a pretty specialized knowledge set and I was in the job for >2 years, so I would be surprised if someone else was more qualified. Assuming I get it, I'd like to be able to accept without having to worry about a waiver or a 180-day wait.
Thanks in advance for any insight, and please let me know if additional information would be helpful. I tried to keep this (relatively) brief.
I think I've reached a good decision to accept my IPEB findings, but wanted some feedback. I am using my legal/VA/wounded warrior resources as well.
BLUF: I'm a Navy O3 with 9 years of service. I had stage 3 and then stage 4 melanoma, now in remission for >6 months, have a bunch of residuals because of treatments, surgeries, etc. My IPEB came back with a proposed 100% P&T VA, 20% DoD - separation with severance. I think I want to accept the IPEB decision rather than push for a FPEB/retirement, as it would give me full healthcare at the VA, coverage for my husband under CHAMPVA, a good severance (>100K), and the ability to take a GS14 position that I expect an offer for in the next week without having to wait 180 days. I also just kind of want to be done, as this process and the related stress has been on my mind for at least 3 years.
Additional background:
I have 24 VA-rated conditions, 2 of which were referred. All are static and all service connected. None combat related.
1. 70% ***Referred for this but PEB said it wasn't unfitting
2. 40%
3. 30%
4. 20%
5. 20%
6. 20% ***This is the only referred condition the PEB found unfitting
7. 20%
8. 20%
9. 20%
10-18 10%
19-24 0%.
Is there anything I'm missing by not pushing for an FPEB to get to retirement? At first glance, some of my "resources" are saying I should be entitled for medical retirement. The way I see it, the only thing I would really gain is Tricare, and I'm already covered by the VA (plus the insurance I will have with employment). As a 100% P&T I would have access to many of the regular retiree benefits (Commissary, exchange, MWR, etc). I would also be giving up the severance, which is not chump change in my situation. My recoupment would only be on the one 20% unfitting condition.
An FPEB would drag out the process many months, who knows with the COVID-19 state of things. The next condition most likely to be unfitting is the 70%, which is Major Depression/Anxiety, and I'm concerned about being put on the TDRL and being re-evaluated because I know that can easily be reduced.
The GS14 job is actually my old billet that was converted to a civilian job... It's a pretty specialized knowledge set and I was in the job for >2 years, so I would be surprised if someone else was more qualified. Assuming I get it, I'd like to be able to accept without having to worry about a waiver or a 180-day wait.
Thanks in advance for any insight, and please let me know if additional information would be helpful. I tried to keep this (relatively) brief.