What to expect in this process?

txaggie9

txaggie9

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
Good evening,

My husband is facing a MEB & it is something that we didn't expect. It's very overwhelming for me as we just PCSed here 3 months or so ago. What does he need besides his medical history? How does the evaluation/MEB process go?

We are hoping for retirement but not sure since his contract ends in 2013...and we don't know how long this process will take now..we've heard two years & we've heard a few months. We can't make any plans because everything is up in the air.

If anyone can give me anything as to what we can expect, I'll appreciate it.
 
Welcome. In order to be of better assistance could you please provide more info:
1. Army/Navy/Air Force
2. Reservist/National Guard
3. Rank and Time on active duty
4. If you are comfortable with it, conditions that led to MEB
5. CONUS or OCONUS (Duty Station, if comfortable with it)
6. What do you want? Retirement/Continue on active duty
7. Do you know whether he will fall under the Legacy MEB (No VA/QTC involvement prior to discharge) or the new IDES (where VA/QTC medical exam form part of the MEB)? The answer to Q7 will give you a better estimate of the timeline. Legacy MEB's tend to be shorter than IDES, but IDES is more beneficial for the service member.

The answers to those questions will help in wading through the regs and service-specific intricacies, and there is a lot to read on the process. BUT it can be done. Chin up and for starters, start looking at the download section of this website. There is a wealth of information.

Comeback
 
Dear Comeback;

Need your assistance with MEB length my particular info:

1. Army (Reservist)
2. Mobilized (currently in WTU West Point)
3. CW2 Total Time 16 years (12.5 years active duty)
4. Lower extreme P3 issue with L Knee problems. I have other medical issues non retainable per reg.
5. I would consider medical retirement if the percentage is high in number 80% or more or remain to attain my regular retirement and receive VA disability compensation until then.
6. Being processed under new IDES procedures.

Thank you,
jgates62
 
Chief, first off, thank you for your service.
I am not an expert, but I try to help and disseminate any valuable information that I get. You can download a copy of the VASRD in the “download” section of this website. That is the document the VA uses to rate your conditions. Another website that I found helps in “predicting” what your rating may be is this one http://www.index.va.gov/search/va/bva_search.jsp?QT=knee+pain&SQ=vetapp11&RPP=10&LC=0&ET=&UA=Search . You can type in the search box the condition you want to research, and it will give you all the BVA cases that dealt with that issue. What I like about that is that it also provides the diagnostic codes that are more beneficial for the service member, because some conditions can be covered under more than one diagnostic code. Also, another handy reg to know is AR 40-501, Chapter 3. That is the reg that your doc will consult to determine whether your condition(s) meet retention standards or not.
If the knee issue is the only medical concern that’s driving the MEB, it will be hard to get to 30%, let alone 80%. But I am a born pessimist, so fight the MEB/PEB findings if the rating is unacceptable. My understanding of the whole process is that orthopedic issues tend to get below 30% (meaning a severance separation of 2 x base pay x # years served on active duty). When you read the VASRD, pay attention to the range of motion and its corresponding rating.
Below is a timeline table for the IDES, but it usually takes longer than that depending on how well-staffed your installation and the corresponding PEB location is, or how complex the case is.
PROCESS
TIMELINE
MEB Referral
30 days
Claim Development
30 days
Medical Evaluations
45 days
MEB Stage
35 days
Informal PEB
15 days
VA Rating Board
15 days
Transition
45 days
175 days

Another thing that also comes to mind is Line of Duties. Make sure that you get all your medical conditions that have a potential for permanency documented through an LOD. The best way to prove service-connection is through an LOD. I work with LODs at my duty station and what I usually require is orders bringing the soldier on active duty with a date that corresponds with the date(s) of medical treatment.
Have you been referred to an MEB yet (i.e. assigned a PEBLO, had briefing with him, and started VA exams? Are your conditions as a result of combat or combar-related?
 
comeback said:
Welcome. In order to be of better assistance could you please provide more info:
1. Army/Navy/Air Force- He's Army
2. Reservist/National Guard-NA
3. Rank and Time on active duty- E5/Over 5 years now
4. If you are comfortable with it, conditions that led to MEB- back and shoulder issues along with knee issues and breathing issues from past deployments, and anxiety disorder
5. CONUS or OCONUS (Duty Station, if comfortable with it)-CONUS
6. What do you want? Retirement/Continue on active duty- Retirement
7. Do you know whether he will fall under the Legacy MEB (No VA/QTC involvement prior to discharge) or the new IDES (where VA/QTC medical exam form part of the MEB)? The answer to Q7 will give you a better estimate of the timeline. Legacy MEB's tend to be shorter than IDES, but IDES is more beneficial for the service member. -Not sure, think IDES though..he has to go to a medical exam before they can tell him whether they will MEB him or not.

The answers to those questions will help in wading through the regs and service-specific intricacies, and there is a lot to read on the process. BUT it can be done. Chin up and for starters, start looking at the download section of this website. There is a wealth of information.

Comeback
Click to expand...

Thank you for the information. My answers are in blue.

 
We've also heard the VFW is helpful in these situations. Is that true?
 
txaggie9 said:
We've also heard the VFW is helpful in these situations. Is that true?
Click to expand...
At the MEB/PEB level? Generally, no. You can call them and ask, but I only have ever seen one VSO who regularly appeared at PEB's. He was great with VASRD rating issues. Less so for legal issues. But, most VSO's don't have any real experience with PEBs.
 
Jason said:
At the MEB/PEB level? Generally, no. You can call them and ask, but I only have ever seen one VSO who regularly appeared at PEB's. He was great with VASRD rating issues. Less so for legal issues. But, most VSO's don't have any real experience with PEBs.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the information. Which process would be initiated first, the MEB or the PEB? Also, would my husband stay with his current unit or be moved to the WTU during the whole process of MEB/PEB?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top