VA rep says husband is UNFIT! Can we trust that answer at this point?

Hi all!

My husband has been in the LimDu process since Jan. 2015. His two conditions being rated by the DoD are Ulcerative Colitis and UC-related arthritis.

Timeline:
Pending decision approval and compensation changed on eBene on Jan. 19, 2016
Last C& P exam: Feb. 12, 2016
NARSUM sent off Feb. 22 2016
Ebenefits changed to status of "preparation for decision" on April 14, 2016
* Emailed VA Rep. and PEBLO to get details on status change. Was told by PEBLO a final answer could be 1-3 months before she sees final answer. Today the VA Rep. told us that it means my husband has been rated as "unfit" by DoD (Navy) but he can't see my husband's file until Navy approves it. He said PEBLO should be getting a hold of us to let us know the final answer.

How much can we trust that answer from the VA rep at this point? We are always nervous when it comes to "decisions" by the Navy unless it is on paper.

Thoughts? Anyone else been in this situation?
 
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There is a chance that the VA rep saw the proposed ratings, and that he did not want to tell you them because they might change. BUT, if he saw proposed ratings, and that in the VA system, that means the PEB passed the file on to the VA for ratings, which indicates UNFIT.
 
slayhert said:
There is a chance that the VA rep saw the proposed ratings, and that he did not want to tell you them because they might change. BUT, if he saw proposed ratings, and that in the VA system, that means the PEB passed the file on to the VA for ratings, which indicates UNFIT.
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I should add that in eBenefits under claims, a compensation claim was open with pending decision approval and a development letter sent. We never received an update from the PEBLO. On April 14, a second claim opened that reads "preparation for decision" and when we asked the MCR about this, he said that means it is at the VA for ratings and he was found unfit. Doesn't it seem a bit sketchy for him to give us an answer based on the ever-wonky eBenefits?

At any rate, we are happy to receive an unfit rating if that's the case.
 
navywife2010 said:
I should add that in eBenefits under claims, a compensation claim was open with pending decision approval and a development letter sent. We never received an update from the PEBLO. On April 14, a second claim opened that reads "preparation for decision" and when we asked the MCR about this, he said that means it is at the VA for ratings and he was found unfit. Doesn't it seem a bit sketchy for him to give us an answer based on the ever-wonky eBenefits?

At any rate, we are happy to receive an unfit rating if that's the case.
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No, in very simple terms, as part of IDES you file an initial claim. Your case goes to the PEB and your initial claim goes to the VA. Once the PEB reviews your file, it sends what it thinks is unfitting to the VA for rating. When that happens you see a new claim open, and close in your Ebenefits account. It wont have any information in it, other than an open date and a close date. Thats the VA rating the conditions for the PEB. So if the PEB is rating conditions then you must be unfit, because they are requesting the VA to rate an unfitting condition.
 
slayhert said:
No, in very simple terms, as part of IDES you file an initial claim. Your case goes to the PEB and your initial claim goes to the VA. Once the PEB reviews your file, it sends what it thinks is unfitting to the VA for rating. When that happens you see a new claim open, and close in your Ebenefits account. It wont have any information in it, other than an open date and a close date. Thats the VA rating the conditions for the PEB. So if the PEB is rating conditions then you must be unfit, because they are requesting the VA to rate an unfitting condition.
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Hi Slayhert,
Thanks for the information. While the PEBLO and MCR give a lot of information during initial visits, they never seem to want to answer too many questions once things start popping up in eBenefits. We would rather the VA takes its time with rating to do it right the first time, of course!

Are you through with the process or in the middle of it?
 
navywife2010 said:
Hi Slayhert,
Thanks for the information. While the PEBLO and MCR give a lot of information during initial visits, they never seem to want to answer too many questions once things start popping up in eBenefits. We would rather the VA takes its time with rating to do it right the first time, of course!

Are you through with the process or in the middle of it?
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I just got my results Last Friday. I am speaking with an IDES attorney now about my options, because one of my ratings was low. He's trying to find out if you can ask for a reconsideration of a Cat 2 item on your findings, then I will go from there.
 
When a member is found unfit a second claim is opened. The first claim is to assist the military with assessing disability. The second claim keeps the info of the the first claim but is prepared to pay the member once a DD-214 is uploaded by the member.
 
slayhert said:
I just got my results Last Friday. I am speaking with an IDES attorney now about my options, because one of my ratings was low. He's trying to find out if you can ask for a reconsideration of a Cat 2 item on your findings, then I will go from there.
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Best of luck to you! I hope it goes the way you wish!
 
chaplaincharlie said:
When a member is found unfit a second claim is opened. The first claim is to assist the military with assessing disability. The second claim keeps the info of the the first claim but is prepared to pay the member once a DD-214 is uploaded by the member.
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Thank you for that response, Chaplain Charlie!
 
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