AGR MEB

[County]

I am AGR. I have had have two failed back surgeries. The base medical clinic submitted my medical packet and Commander's Impact Statement to Shaw 5 weeks ago.

I received a call today from a gentleman at Shaw who said my packet has been reviewed and I would go through a full MEB. He said he would call me Monday morning to discuss timelines and other details.

He also said a representative from the VA would call me on Monday and would like to meet with me via Microsoft Teams.

Anyone know what I can expect from a phone call or Teams meeting with the VA?

New to this whole process. Been reading some good info on here. And direct advice is welcome. Thanks in advance.

 

[Provis]

I am AGR. I have had have two failed back surgeries. The base medical clinic submitted my medical packet and Commander's Impact Statement to Shaw 5 weeks ago.

I received a call today from a gentleman at Shaw who said my packet has been reviewed and I would go through a full MEB. He said he would call me Monday morning to discuss timelines and other details.

He also said a representative from the VA would call me on Monday and would like to meet with me via Microsoft Teams.

Anyone know what I can expect from a phone call or Teams meeting with the VA?

New to this whole process. Been reading some good info on here. And direct advice is welcome. Thanks in advance.

You will have a MSC from the VA which helps you with your VA claims. You list everything but only the conditions considered unfitting will be rated towards a medical retirement. A PEBLO will reach out too. The PEBLO is in charge of processing all of your paperwork. Since you are AGR make sure to keep your command in the loop as they are not used to seeing this happen. They are also authorized to contact your PEBLO to get updates. You will also be assigned a JAG that you can contact to help you since this is a process that has many steps that you can appeal.

My wife just retired and she was AGR. This process is pretty complicated. I always recommend getting an attorney that is dedicated to you. They aren't cheap but you can influence the outcome with proper planning and strategy especially if you hire one from the beginning.

 

[County]

You will have a MSC from the VA which helps you with your VA claims. You list everything but only the conditions considered unfitting will be rated towards a medical retirement. A PEBLO will reach out too. The PEBLO is in charge of processing all of your paperwork. Since you are AGR make sure to keep your command in the loop as they are not used to seeing this happen. They are also authorized to contact your PEBLO to get updates. You will also be assigned a JAG that you can contact to help you since this is a process that has many steps that you can appeal.

My wife just retired and she was AGR. This process is pretty complicated. I always recommend getting an attorney that is dedicated to you. They aren't cheap but you can influence the outcome with proper planning and strategy especially if you hire one from the beginning.

Thanks for the info! I read the AGR Handbook and it said I could ask for representation after my initial rating came back. If I can hire a lawyer from the start that's exactly what I want to do. My medical squadron told me the military would only rate me for the unfitting condition, but the VA would rate me for the unfitting condition plus everything else. Is this incorrect? Where can I go find out info that will help me know what I need to be doing?

 

[Provis]

Thanks for the info! I read the AGR Handbook and it said I could ask for representation after my initial rating came back. If I can hire a lawyer from the start that's exactly what I want to do. My medical squadron told me the military would only rate me for the unfitting condition, but the VA would rate me for the unfitting condition plus everything else. Is this incorrect? Where can I go find out info that will help me know what I need to be doing?

That is correct. Know that other conditions can be added later on at the NARSUM stage and through appeal at the FPEB. I would consider interviewing and hiring a dedicated private attorney that can review your health records and develop a strategy to get you the best outcome. Regardless of whether you hire an attorney I would go through all of your health records and create a list of all conditions you will claim with that VA. Next I would check symptoms on each condition you plan to claim and compare it to the VA ratings table to see what the condition is rated based on your symptoms. Especially for unfitting conditions you may want to go to the Dr. and have them fill out a DBQ making sure to list everything. That way if the C&P examiner differs you will get the better outcome since when there are 2 confilcting DBQ's the VA has to give you the benefit of the doubt. I would check to see if any of my conditions could be added to unfitting and start building your case right away so that you are prepared to do appeals such as a rebuttal and or IMR at NARSUM stage and beyond.

I HIGHLY recommend a dedicated attorney. Not only will it ensure that you get the best result but it makes the process much less stressful. My wife had much better results with an attorney than we expected to get. She ended up with a lot more compensation and that additional compensation more than paid for her attorney fees within the first year of getting her chapter 61 pension.

 

[County]

That is correct. Know that other conditions can be added later on at the NARSUM stage and through appeal at the FPEB. I would consider interviewing and hiring a dedicated private attorney that can review your health records and develop a strategy to get you the best outcome. Regardless of whether you hire an attorney I would go through all of your health records and create a list of all conditions you will claim with that VA. Next I would check symptoms on each condition you plan to claim and compare it to the VA ratings table to see what the condition is rated based on your symptoms. Especially for unfitting conditions you may want to go to the Dr. and have them fill out a DBQ making sure to list everything. That way if the C&P examiner differs you will get the better outcome since when there are 2 confilcting DBQ's the VA has to give you the benefit of the doubt. I would check to see if any of my conditions could be added to unfitting and start building your case right away so that you are prepared to do appeals such as a rebuttal and or IMR at NARSUM stage and beyond.

I HIGHLY recommend a dedicated attorney. Not only will it ensure that you get the best result but it makes the process much less stressful. My wife had much better results with an attorney than we expected to get. She ended up with a lot more compensation and that additional compensation more than paid for her attorney fees within the first year of getting her chapter 61 pension.

Thanks! Is there a listing of lawyers here on this site? How do I go about choosing one?

 

[Provis]

Thanks! Is there a listing of lawyers here on this site? How do I go about choosing one?

I sent you a message with some options that are dedicated to this. There are only a few in the entire country that specialize in representing IDES clients.

 

[NavyICE]

I sent you a message with some options that are dedicated to this. There are only a few in the entire country that specialize in representing IDES clients.

Provis, would you mind sharing that list and any recommendations with me as well? Would very much appreciate it!

 

[notacos4u]

I sent you a message with some options that are dedicated to this. There are only a few in the entire country that specialize in representing IDES clients.

@Provis would you mind sending me the list as well. I am currently in the process as well and already had my 1:1 with my MSC on Thursday and have until Monday, (tomorrow, May 6) to add anything to my list of things I would like to get seen (evaluated) for. I understand I have up to a year after a final determination is made on fitness for duty and discharge to get those items included and receive any back pay to my conditions, dated back to my discharge date, but I would rather get everything done while I am still currently AGR.

I currently have 17years 5 months of active duty and 18 years 7 months of total time including M Day time.

 

[Provis]

@Provis would you mind sending me the list as well. I am currently in the process as well and already had my 1:1 with my MSC on Thursday and have until Monday, (tomorrow, May 6) to add anything to my list of things I would like to get seen (evaluated) for. I understand I have up to a year after a final determination is made on fitness for duty and discharge to get those items included and receive any back pay to my conditions, dated back to my discharge date, but I would rather get everything done while I am still currently AGR.

I currently have 17years 5 months of active duty and 18 years 7 months of total time including M Day time.

Sending you them now. I HIGHLY recommend hiring a dedicated private attorney even though they are expensive. My wife used one and she was AGR with 17 AFS and 20 good years. I am certain she would not have gotten the results she had if she had relied on the Army's free assigned attorney. They are overwhelmed and cannot spend enough time on each person's case to ensure that everyone gets the best results.