Sharing my experiences with PDBR

gambit64

gambit64

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
I wanted to share my experiences with the PDBR in hopes this may help some of my fellow veterans in their process with the PDBR.

I was originally placed on the TDRL in Oct 2002 due to asthma after 17 years of service. I could no longer pass the PT test due to asthma attacks and the Army chose to discharge me. At the same time I went through the VA assessment and was given a 30% disability rating due to the meds I had to take. One year later, the Army changed my rating to 10% while the VA retained the 30%. I was officially discharged Nov, 2003 with severance pay.

I started the PDBR process in May, 2012 and my case was pretty easy and clear. The Army's assessment was not in line with the VA and the board recommended my discharge be re-characterized as retired. The Army changed my status Dec 2012 to retired, with pay and benefits retroactive to 2003. Even though the decision was made in Dec, it took until 5 March for the orders to be cut.

I had some issues getting my ID card as no one could figure out who needed to change my status in DEERS. It finally got done and I was able to get my ID card within three days of the orders. I submitted all of my paperwork to DFAS on 25 March and I am now waiting for DFAS to process my account. I am hopeful that by the end of April, it will be set up and back pay processed and paid.

Based on my experiences, I offer the following advice for those still involved in the process:
1. This is about you, so follow-up frequently throughout the process. I have had no troubles calling the PDBR and DFAS to get an updated status on the process.
2. The VA can be challenging. If you were awarded severance and the VA has recouped that severance, get the VA to issue an audit of your account as soon as you get the results of the PDBR. I had to personally call the VA regional office and get them to give me the audit since the intake unit could not make that phone call. Once you get to the right people in the VA, it goes quick.
3. Submit all your paperwork to DFAS as soon as possible. This includes the VA audit of the severance recoup. DFAS has been most helpful through this process and I have not had any issues with their customer service. They have encouraged me to call often to check on the processing of my retirement account.

I hope this helps, and if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
 
Welcome to the PEB Forum! :)

Best Wishes!
 
Here is an update. I received a call from DFAS on Friday, 19 April. Yes, they called me. They called to tell me that they had all the necessary paperwork and they were re-establishing my account (I had one when I was first temporarily retired in 2002). They gave me the dollar amount I would be receiving and said it should begin within the next 30 days. They are also working my backpay as well and that may be deposited at a later date. I am now looking into what I need to do with the VA to get them to start sending me my VA off-set since the Army will recoup the remaining severance pay from the backpay owed to me.
 
Hi all,

I was discharged in 2003 after over eight years for a heart condition, that was secondary to a "mental condition" that caused my heart to have arrhythmia's (for over four years straight, and worsening, but that's another story). I was given 10%, and severance pay. I offically have repaid my severance back through disability withholding. However, I am wondering if anyone has paid it back and had to deal with the retirement side of all the paying back, etc?

I applied last May 2012. I was notified they were done collecting evidence by letter dated 27 Aug 2012 and told it would be about 10 mos before I was moved to the next phase. I would like to call, but I can't find a number. When I e-mail, I don't really get my questions answered. Anyone have a number?

I'm really nervous. I was diagnosed with PTSD through the VA, and rated at 60%. I have a lovely version that is killing my short term memory. So, getting through this process would be extremely helpful since I am unable to work (I sometimes forget where I'm heading when I'm out and about).
 
hazeywave said:
Hi all,

I was discharged in 2003 after over eight years for a heart condition, that was secondary to a "mental condition" that caused my heart to have arrhythmia's (for over four years straight, and worsening, but that's another story). I was given 10%, and severance pay. I offically have repaid my severance back through disability withholding. However, I am wondering if anyone has paid it back and had to deal with the retirement side of all the paying back, etc?

I applied last May 2012. I was notified they were done collecting evidence by letter dated 27 Aug 2012 and told it would be about 10 mos before I was moved to the next phase. I would like to call, but I can't find a number. When I e-mail, I don't really get my questions answered. Anyone have a number?

I'm really nervous. I was diagnosed with PTSD through the VA, and rated at 60%. I have a lovely version that is killing my short term memory. So, getting through this process would be extremely helpful since I am unable to work (I sometimes forget where I'm heading when I'm out and about).
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I am not sure about the timeline, but I can tell you that the service will compare the VA rating you received for the disqualifying medical conditions and compare that to the VA's assessment for the same conditions. They will only consider those conditions that disqualified you for service. If they do change your rating and place you on the retired list, I would recommend getting an audit from the VA to show that you have repaid all the severance pay. I did that and submitted that with my paperwork to DFAS. DFAS will not recoup the same severance pay if you have already paid it, but you must have the audit from the VA stating how much was paid back. Hope this helps.
 
I have the paperwork stating that I was finished, so hopefully that will help. Very much appreciated. Thank you.
 
I wanted to give an update on my retirement pay. I am schedule to receive my first monthly check at the end of this month (May 2013). I have received the first of three installments for my back pay. Since my pack pay goes back to 2003, it is a sizable amount. I was also informed that as of the 8th of May, the VA has changed my status showing all the severance has been recouped. Thus, I should receive my VA compensation as well at the end of the month. I will believe that when I see it. The only things left are to get info on when the remaining two installments of my back pay will be deposited and ensure the VA pay is deposited. Other than that, it has been a long time coming and this process has taken 11 months to complete. I will say that DFAS has been very helpful and I have not had a bad experience yet when calling them.

To those of you still going through the process, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Even though that tunnel may be long and dark for a while.
 
gambit64 said:
I wanted to give an update on my retirement pay. I am schedule to receive my first monthly check at the end of this month (May 2013). I have received the first of three installments for my back pay. Since my pack pay goes back to 2003, it is a sizable amount. I was also informed that as of the 8th of May, the VA has changed my status showing all the severance has been recouped. Thus, I should receive my VA compensation as well at the end of the month. I will believe that when I see it. The only things left are to get info on when the remaining two installments of my back pay will be deposited and ensure the VA pay is deposited. Other than that, it has been a long time coming and this process has taken 11 months to complete. I will say that DFAS has been very helpful and I have not had a bad experience yet when calling them.

To those of you still going through the process, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Even though that tunnel may be long and dark for a while.
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Good update to the PEB Forum community, thanks! :)

Enjoy your military retirement; it's well-earned and well-deserved! ;)

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

Best Wishes!
 
Ok folks,
Here is another update. I have received my first retirement pay on 31 May, so that is all set and working. I also recieved two installments of my back pay with the final one coming within the next 2 to 3 weeks. The only remaining issue is ensuring my VA pay resumes since the Army has recouped all the severance pay. The VA has told me it will take 90 days for them to process the change, but they assured me I would get the back pay effective to when the Army recouped the severance. Overall, it has been a smooth process. I have to stress that you must continue to follow up since this is about you. Don't expect anyone to take care of it, always follow up.
 
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