questions about appealing, please help!

[whitwhit]

after exactly a year in my meb I recieved a rating of dod70% VA 80%. These are great but I'm thinking I should still appeal. I know I should be thankful. And I'm not trying to be greedy. I can only work 4 hrs a day I've had 4 surgeries in 3 years and more still to come. I'm in constant horrible pain all day everyday, it gets hard to walk even after 4 hrs of work. I miss alot of work due to pain, I'll never be able to hold down a job after this. The other reason is because my most recent surgery it was discovered I have an auto immune disorder tearing my organs up, I almost lost my bladder. I tried adding it but they have to have a diagnosis and none of the specalists I see can determine whice autoimmune disorder is doing it. My questions are:
1. If I appeal could they decrease my rating?
2. How much more time does it add to appeal? (my husband pcs's next year he's already extended once)
3. Do u think I should appeal?
4. Who should I talk to about this, to get some help with my decision or to make my case clear?
sorry for the length, I'm just so confuses and stressed. I really thought I would be fine if I got over 70% but now its here and I'm freaking out.
thanks for any help and advice you can give!

 

[Warrior644]

after exactly a year in my meb I recieved a rating of dod70% VA 80%. These are great but I'm thinking I should still appeal. I know I should be thankful. And I'm not trying to be greedy. I can only work 4 hrs a day I've had 4 surgeries in 3 years and more still to come. I'm in constant horrible pain all day everyday, it gets hard to walk even after 4 hrs of work. I miss alot of work due to pain, I'll never be able to hold down a job after this. The other reason is because my most recent surgery it was discovered I have an auto immune disorder tearing my organs up, I almost lost my bladder. I tried adding it but they have to have a diagnosis and none of the specalists I see can determine whice autoimmune disorder is doing it. My questions are:
1. If I appeal could they decrease my rating?
2. How much more time does it add to appeal? (my husband pcs's next year he's already extended once)
3. Do u think I should appeal?
4. Who should I talk to about this, to get some help with my decision or to make my case clear?
sorry for the length, I'm just so confuses and stressed. I really thought I would be fine if I got over 70% but now its here and I'm freaking out.
thanks for any help and advice you can give!

Welcome to the PEB Forum!

From my experiences within the DoD IDES MEB/PEB process, I offer responses to your inquiry as follows:

Q1: If I appeal could they decrease my rating?
A1: Within the DoD IDES process, the FPEB doesn't have any authority to change a rating by the DoVA D-RAS albeit they can change your fitness determination on any medical condition. If this shall occur, then the overall DoD rating could change to below the 30% threshold for military disability retirement.

Q2: How much more time does it add to appeal? (my husband pcs's next year he's already extended once)
A2: It depends on the DoD IDES appeal's caseload of your assigned Regional PEB; maybe an additional two months maximum in my opinion.

Q3: Do u think I should appeal?
A3a: Unfortunately, I can't provide any specific sound feedback albeit it's not about being greedy! It about ensuring that the proper military disability compensation is awarded as based upon your military service-connected medical conditions in my opinion.
A3b: Hmm, are you satisfied with your DoD proposed rating and DoVA proposed rating?
A3c: Did you receive a PDRL determination or a TDRL determination? If a TDRL determination, do you want to appeal for a PDRL determination? Are there any additional medical conditions which you feel should have received an "unfit for duty" determination? Did any of your medical conditions "incurred in a combat zone" or "incurred while performing combat-related operations?"

Q4: Who should I talk to about this, to get some help with my decision or to make my case clear?
A4: Please coordinate with the SMEBC or MEB Legal Office for review, sound insightful feedback, and recommendations.

Moreover, as based upon your aforementioned information, have you considered applying for SSA SSDI federal disability compensation at this point in time? Take care!

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

Best Wishes!