Referred for MRB and just so many Questions and concerns

Background:
NY Army National Guard Soldier
I have approximately 17.5 years AGR, reach 18 years in November, currently still AGR, I currently have over 90 days of leave, and will still have 60 come the new fiscal year.
In September, I reach 19 years M-Day.

I am doing my MED board through Ft, Drum. That’s where my PEBLO and VA rep are located out of.
I was told by the VA rep, it is supposed to take 6-7 months to complete everything, but currently on average, it’s taking around 9 months.

So I was referred to the MRB process back in February, had my brief with my PEBLO approximately March 12, returned the requested documents approximately April 12.
End of April had my VA brief and met with VA rep May 2 to fill out all items I’m looking to get looked at and a potential VA rating for.

I see a bunch of references to an attorney for this process, and if I’m interpreting it correctly, should I be provided an attorney for this? or is it my responsibility to go out and get my own? I have not been contacted at all from an attorney in this.

I am being referred for my shoulder that I had surgery on back in 2022, I also had a torn bicep repaired at the same time. I still have ROM and strength limitations with that shoulder and arm. When I had the surgery performed, they also repaired my torn bicep, but I don’t see that listed as a referred condition, should it be? My referred conditions are “L shoulder AC JOINT osteoarthritis” and the 2nd one is “L shoulder rotator cuff tear s/p surgery with residuals”. There is nothing listed in there for the repair of the bicep muscle and physical therapy was never really conducted on that during my recovery. Do to my chain of command and the toxic nature of them, they made attending physical therapy hard to attend and when attending it, was always questioned about attending as often as the physical therapist recommended, until it just wasn’t worth the hassle to attend them anymore even though my recovery wasn’t complete. What are the probabilities of my being rated at 30% or higher for these conditions? I’m aware you don’t have access to my medical stuff, just wondering from what others have experienced in regard to these conditions. Should I be looking to have the torn bicep muscle added as a referred condition as that surgery was conducted at the same time?

I was also being seen for degenerative and herniated disc in my back that I was almost put into a MED board for, that the Doctor I was seeing recommended getting surgery for, doing Stem cell therapy, which I would have had to have paid for out of my own pocket, or try another round of physical therapy, but never received the referral through tricare for it and because trying to get referrals or treatment being a NG Soldier and having to go through a small Navy base for care and referrals it never happened. Finally, I just gave up and rather than be put in a MED board, I just had the PA at the navy base clear me, even though the issues weren’t better. This has been a well documented issue for the NG Soldiers trying to get care, treatments, or referrals through the, so much so, last year, our TAG set up a town hall with the medical people there and throughout the region to address the concerns and grievances and the lack of care we receive. It took me over 2 years for a dental procedure to be completed because the system is so flawed. They finally ended up coordinating for me to go out to Groton, Ct for treatment at their active duty post. Should I try to have this added as a referred condition, as once again, it’s not better, just got tired of not being able to get treatment or referrals for it?


Some of my dilemma’s start with, do I try to hide the extent of my disability so I can hopefully be found fit for duty, and then be able to, more likely than not, reach my 20 years active, but then when I try to claim it after the 20 years, it comes back to bite me in the ass, and I don’t get rated properly because of the MED board findings, just 2 years prior. Or do I be honest with the extent and limitations of my shoulder, and “hope” that for those 2 referred conditions, is enough to get me to 30% and if not,

I am fully aware that if I receive a rating of 20%, all I’m going to get is a severance and then whatever the VA applies for my claims, although the VA payments will be offset until I pay back the severance. DEFINITELY not what I am hoping for.

Other option is I get rated at 30% or more and get found unfit for duty and get medically retired at which point the difference of VA rating payment % is offset by my MEDBOARD disqualifying condition rating, also not ideal as I am so close to achieving 20 years active time and/or 20 years MDAY. I know after all exams are completed and a decision has been made, I can apply for COAD, and although it says an O6, I pretty sure, our TAG will have final say on whether or not to allow me to continue on COAD till I reach my 20. My question on this part is: if I’m denied COAD to continue on active duty, could I be allowed to continue on as an MDay to achieve my 20 years for retirement?

Are there any recommended sites to join or places/ people to go to who can help with going through this whole process as this whole thing has been overwhelming and I’m really at a loss as to what to claim, what not to claim. What are some of the ailments every Soldier should automatically put in for as presumptive conditions almost every Soldier has. Are there any resources that can guide you through the whole process and what to expect during every step? I am petrified I am going to say the wrong thing or things during the exams and really screw myself over in regards to my claims, both referred and additional claimed conditions.

I appreciate any and everyone’s advice, assistance, and guidance in regards to these questions. I know I’ll probably end asking a million more questions, as I have a ton of them, just get over whelmed and can’t concentrate to post everything or I end up forgetting them as I have trouble focusing on more than one thing at a time.

 

[Provis]

Background:
NY Army National Guard Soldier
I have approximately 17.5 years AGR, reach 18 years in November, currently still AGR, I currently have over 90 days of leave, and will still have 60 come the new fiscal year.
In September, I reach 19 years M-Day.

I am doing my MED board through Ft, Drum. That’s where my PEBLO and VA rep are located out of.
I was told by the VA rep, it is supposed to take 6-7 months to complete everything, but currently on average, it’s taking around 9 months.

So I was referred to the MRB process back in February, had my brief with my PEBLO approximately March 12, returned the requested documents approximately April 12.
End of April had my VA brief and met with VA rep May 2 to fill out all items I’m looking to get looked at and a potential VA rating for.

I see a bunch of references to an attorney for this process, and if I’m interpreting it correctly, should I be provided an attorney for this? or is it my responsibility to go out and get my own? I have not been contacted at all from an attorney in this.

I am being referred for my shoulder that I had surgery on back in 2022, I also had a torn bicep repaired at the same time. I still have ROM and strength limitations with that shoulder and arm. When I had the surgery performed, they also repaired my torn bicep, but I don’t see that listed as a referred condition, should it be? My referred conditions are “L shoulder AC JOINT osteoarthritis” and the 2nd one is “L shoulder rotator cuff tear s/p surgery with residuals”. There is nothing listed in there for the repair of the bicep muscle and physical therapy was never really conducted on that during my recovery. Do to my chain of command and the toxic nature of them, they made attending physical therapy hard to attend and when attending it, was always questioned about attending as often as the physical therapist recommended, until it just wasn’t worth the hassle to attend them anymore even though my recovery wasn’t complete. What are the probabilities of my being rated at 30% or higher for these conditions? I’m aware you don’t have access to my medical stuff, just wondering from what others have experienced in regard to these conditions. Should I be looking to have the torn bicep muscle added as a referred condition as that surgery was conducted at the same time?

I was also being seen for degenerative and herniated disc in my back that I was almost put into a MED board for, that the Doctor I was seeing recommended getting surgery for, doing Stem cell therapy, which I would have had to have paid for out of my own pocket, or try another round of physical therapy, but never received the referral through tricare for it and because trying to get referrals or treatment being a NG Soldier and having to go through a small Navy base for care and referrals it never happened. Finally, I just gave up and rather than be put in a MED board, I just had the PA at the navy base clear me, even though the issues weren’t better. This has been a well documented issue for the NG Soldiers trying to get care, treatments, or referrals through the, so much so, last year, our TAG set up a town hall with the medical people there and throughout the region to address the concerns and grievances and the lack of care we receive. It took me over 2 years for a dental procedure to be completed because the system is so flawed. They finally ended up coordinating for me to go out to Groton, Ct for treatment at their active duty post. Should I try to have this added as a referred condition, as once again, it’s not better, just got tired of not being able to get treatment or referrals for it?


Some of my dilemma’s start with, do I try to hide the extent of my disability so I can hopefully be found fit for duty, and then be able to, more likely than not, reach my 20 years active, but then when I try to claim it after the 20 years, it comes back to bite me in the ass, and I don’t get rated properly because of the MED board findings, just 2 years prior. Or do I be honest with the extent and limitations of my shoulder, and “hope” that for those 2 referred conditions, is enough to get me to 30% and if not,

I am fully aware that if I receive a rating of 20%, all I’m going to get is a severance and then whatever the VA applies for my claims, although the VA payments will be offset until I pay back the severance. DEFINITELY not what I am hoping for.

Other option is I get rated at 30% or more and get found unfit for duty and get medically retired at which point the difference of VA rating payment % is offset by my MEDBOARD disqualifying condition rating, also not ideal as I am so close to achieving 20 years active time and/or 20 years MDAY. I know after all exams are completed and a decision has been made, I can apply for COAD, and although it says an O6, I pretty sure, our TAG will have final say on whether or not to allow me to continue on COAD till I reach my 20. My question on this part is: if I’m denied COAD to continue on active duty, could I be allowed to continue on as an MDay to achieve my 20 years for retirement?

Are there any recommended sites to join or places/ people to go to who can help with going through this whole process as this whole thing has been overwhelming and I’m really at a loss as to what to claim, what not to claim. What are some of the ailments every Soldier should automatically put in for as presumptive conditions almost every Soldier has. Are there any resources that can guide you through the whole process and what to expect during every step? I am petrified I am going to say the wrong thing or things during the exams and really screw myself over in regards to my claims, both referred and additional claimed conditions.

I appreciate any and everyone’s advice, assistance, and guidance in regards to these questions. I know I’ll probably end asking a million more questions, as I have a ton of them, just get over whelmed and can’t concentrate to post everything or I end up forgetting them as I have trouble focusing on more than one thing at a time.

Sent you options for attorneys that can answer most questions and represent you if you wish.

My wife's attorney was able to get her the most compensation allowable by law and helped guide her to slow down the process so that she hit 20 good years meaning she would get her VA compensation and her pension concurrently when she reached age 60. Luckily she doesn't need it because she got approved for enough CRSC that she is capped out now finanically and doesn't need to wait 20 years for her 20 year letter to help her out. She was also able to get 2 more conditions added as unfitting and one of them designated as combat related so that all of her chapter 61 pension was exempt from taxes.

If you are found unfit with chapter 61 pension YOU DO NOT DECLINE A CHAPTER 61 PENSION OR REQUEST COAR unless you are very close to hitting the age to get your M Day retirement. You can request COAD as an AGR which would help you hit 20 years regular active duty retirement. If declined you accept chapter 61 findings regardless of whether you will hit 20 good years or not. There was a Soldier on this board that did this and got his 20 year letter only to lose out on an immediate pension. They didn't understand that by being approved for COAR they staying the in the guard only to be put in the retired reserves. Meaning they lost out on 10+ years of a full time pension all because they focused on hitting 20 good years.

 

[Provis]

Background:
NY Army National Guard Soldier
I have approximately 17.5 years AGR, reach 18 years in November, currently still AGR, I currently have over 90 days of leave, and will still have 60 come the new fiscal year.
In September, I reach 19 years M-Day.

I am doing my MED board through Ft, Drum. That’s where my PEBLO and VA rep are located out of.
I was told by the VA rep, it is supposed to take 6-7 months to complete everything, but currently on average, it’s taking around 9 months.

So I was referred to the MRB process back in February, had my brief with my PEBLO approximately March 12, returned the requested documents approximately April 12.
End of April had my VA brief and met with VA rep May 2 to fill out all items I’m looking to get looked at and a potential VA rating for.

I see a bunch of references to an attorney for this process, and if I’m interpreting it correctly, should I be provided an attorney for this? or is it my responsibility to go out and get my own? I have not been contacted at all from an attorney in this.

I am being referred for my shoulder that I had surgery on back in 2022, I also had a torn bicep repaired at the same time. I still have ROM and strength limitations with that shoulder and arm. When I had the surgery performed, they also repaired my torn bicep, but I don’t see that listed as a referred condition, should it be? My referred conditions are “L shoulder AC JOINT osteoarthritis” and the 2nd one is “L shoulder rotator cuff tear s/p surgery with residuals”. There is nothing listed in there for the repair of the bicep muscle and physical therapy was never really conducted on that during my recovery. Do to my chain of command and the toxic nature of them, they made attending physical therapy hard to attend and when attending it, was always questioned about attending as often as the physical therapist recommended, until it just wasn’t worth the hassle to attend them anymore even though my recovery wasn’t complete. What are the probabilities of my being rated at 30% or higher for these conditions? I’m aware you don’t have access to my medical stuff, just wondering from what others have experienced in regard to these conditions. Should I be looking to have the torn bicep muscle added as a referred condition as that surgery was conducted at the same time?

I was also being seen for degenerative and herniated disc in my back that I was almost put into a MED board for, that the Doctor I was seeing recommended getting surgery for, doing Stem cell therapy, which I would have had to have paid for out of my own pocket, or try another round of physical therapy, but never received the referral through tricare for it and because trying to get referrals or treatment being a NG Soldier and having to go through a small Navy base for care and referrals it never happened. Finally, I just gave up and rather than be put in a MED board, I just had the PA at the navy base clear me, even though the issues weren’t better. This has been a well documented issue for the NG Soldiers trying to get care, treatments, or referrals through the, so much so, last year, our TAG set up a town hall with the medical people there and throughout the region to address the concerns and grievances and the lack of care we receive. It took me over 2 years for a dental procedure to be completed because the system is so flawed. They finally ended up coordinating for me to go out to Groton, Ct for treatment at their active duty post. Should I try to have this added as a referred condition, as once again, it’s not better, just got tired of not being able to get treatment or referrals for it?


Some of my dilemma’s start with, do I try to hide the extent of my disability so I can hopefully be found fit for duty, and then be able to, more likely than not, reach my 20 years active, but then when I try to claim it after the 20 years, it comes back to bite me in the ass, and I don’t get rated properly because of the MED board findings, just 2 years prior. Or do I be honest with the extent and limitations of my shoulder, and “hope” that for those 2 referred conditions, is enough to get me to 30% and if not,

I am fully aware that if I receive a rating of 20%, all I’m going to get is a severance and then whatever the VA applies for my claims, although the VA payments will be offset until I pay back the severance. DEFINITELY not what I am hoping for.

Other option is I get rated at 30% or more and get found unfit for duty and get medically retired at which point the difference of VA rating payment % is offset by my MEDBOARD disqualifying condition rating, also not ideal as I am so close to achieving 20 years active time and/or 20 years MDAY. I know after all exams are completed and a decision has been made, I can apply for COAD, and although it says an O6, I pretty sure, our TAG will have final say on whether or not to allow me to continue on COAD till I reach my 20. My question on this part is: if I’m denied COAD to continue on active duty, could I be allowed to continue on as an MDay to achieve my 20 years for retirement?

Are there any recommended sites to join or places/ people to go to who can help with going through this whole process as this whole thing has been overwhelming and I’m really at a loss as to what to claim, what not to claim. What are some of the ailments every Soldier should automatically put in for as presumptive conditions almost every Soldier has. Are there any resources that can guide you through the whole process and what to expect during every step? I am petrified I am going to say the wrong thing or things during the exams and really screw myself over in regards to my claims, both referred and additional claimed conditions.

I appreciate any and everyone’s advice, assistance, and guidance in regards to these questions. I know I’ll probably end asking a million more questions, as I have a ton of them, just get over whelmed and can’t concentrate to post everything or I end up forgetting them as I have trouble focusing on more than one thing at a time.

Also, you do get an attorney but they are swamped. They will have you do the majority of the work and then look it over and help correct things and submit them for you. Nothing that I would be willing to risk my entire financial future on. That is why I hired a private dedicate IDES attorney to represent my wife. As an 04 AGR solider with only 3 more years to go I wasn't willing to risk her entire future earnings to this process to the competency of a free attorney or chance.

 

[Provis]

Background:
NY Army National Guard Soldier
I have approximately 17.5 years AGR, reach 18 years in November, currently still AGR, I currently have over 90 days of leave, and will still have 60 come the new fiscal year.
In September, I reach 19 years M-Day.

I am doing my MED board through Ft, Drum. That’s where my PEBLO and VA rep are located out of.
I was told by the VA rep, it is supposed to take 6-7 months to complete everything, but currently on average, it’s taking around 9 months.

So I was referred to the MRB process back in February, had my brief with my PEBLO approximately March 12, returned the requested documents approximately April 12.
End of April had my VA brief and met with VA rep May 2 to fill out all items I’m looking to get looked at and a potential VA rating for.

I see a bunch of references to an attorney for this process, and if I’m interpreting it correctly, should I be provided an attorney for this? or is it my responsibility to go out and get my own? I have not been contacted at all from an attorney in this.

I am being referred for my shoulder that I had surgery on back in 2022, I also had a torn bicep repaired at the same time. I still have ROM and strength limitations with that shoulder and arm. When I had the surgery performed, they also repaired my torn bicep, but I don’t see that listed as a referred condition, should it be? My referred conditions are “L shoulder AC JOINT osteoarthritis” and the 2nd one is “L shoulder rotator cuff tear s/p surgery with residuals”. There is nothing listed in there for the repair of the bicep muscle and physical therapy was never really conducted on that during my recovery. Do to my chain of command and the toxic nature of them, they made attending physical therapy hard to attend and when attending it, was always questioned about attending as often as the physical therapist recommended, until it just wasn’t worth the hassle to attend them anymore even though my recovery wasn’t complete. What are the probabilities of my being rated at 30% or higher for these conditions? I’m aware you don’t have access to my medical stuff, just wondering from what others have experienced in regard to these conditions. Should I be looking to have the torn bicep muscle added as a referred condition as that surgery was conducted at the same time?

I was also being seen for degenerative and herniated disc in my back that I was almost put into a MED board for, that the Doctor I was seeing recommended getting surgery for, doing Stem cell therapy, which I would have had to have paid for out of my own pocket, or try another round of physical therapy, but never received the referral through tricare for it and because trying to get referrals or treatment being a NG Soldier and having to go through a small Navy base for care and referrals it never happened. Finally, I just gave up and rather than be put in a MED board, I just had the PA at the navy base clear me, even though the issues weren’t better. This has been a well documented issue for the NG Soldiers trying to get care, treatments, or referrals through the, so much so, last year, our TAG set up a town hall with the medical people there and throughout the region to address the concerns and grievances and the lack of care we receive. It took me over 2 years for a dental procedure to be completed because the system is so flawed. They finally ended up coordinating for me to go out to Groton, Ct for treatment at their active duty post. Should I try to have this added as a referred condition, as once again, it’s not better, just got tired of not being able to get treatment or referrals for it?


Some of my dilemma’s start with, do I try to hide the extent of my disability so I can hopefully be found fit for duty, and then be able to, more likely than not, reach my 20 years active, but then when I try to claim it after the 20 years, it comes back to bite me in the ass, and I don’t get rated properly because of the MED board findings, just 2 years prior. Or do I be honest with the extent and limitations of my shoulder, and “hope” that for those 2 referred conditions, is enough to get me to 30% and if not,

I am fully aware that if I receive a rating of 20%, all I’m going to get is a severance and then whatever the VA applies for my claims, although the VA payments will be offset until I pay back the severance. DEFINITELY not what I am hoping for.

Other option is I get rated at 30% or more and get found unfit for duty and get medically retired at which point the difference of VA rating payment % is offset by my MEDBOARD disqualifying condition rating, also not ideal as I am so close to achieving 20 years active time and/or 20 years MDAY. I know after all exams are completed and a decision has been made, I can apply for COAD, and although it says an O6, I pretty sure, our TAG will have final say on whether or not to allow me to continue on COAD till I reach my 20. My question on this part is: if I’m denied COAD to continue on active duty, could I be allowed to continue on as an MDay to achieve my 20 years for retirement?

Are there any recommended sites to join or places/ people to go to who can help with going through this whole process as this whole thing has been overwhelming and I’m really at a loss as to what to claim, what not to claim. What are some of the ailments every Soldier should automatically put in for as presumptive conditions almost every Soldier has. Are there any resources that can guide you through the whole process and what to expect during every step? I am petrified I am going to say the wrong thing or things during the exams and really screw myself over in regards to my claims, both referred and additional claimed conditions.

I appreciate any and everyone’s advice, assistance, and guidance in regards to these questions. I know I’ll probably end asking a million more questions, as I have a ton of them, just get over whelmed and can’t concentrate to post everything or I end up forgetting them as I have trouble focusing on more than one thing at a time.

One last thing. If you get less than 30% you don't risk getting severance and losing out. Guard/Reserves have a safety net that Active Duty Soldiers do not. If found unfit with 15 good years but less than 20 good years you will be issued a 15 year letter. That letter will allow you to retire in the Guard at age 60 or slightly before then if reduced due to qualified deployments. You won't get severance but instead will be placed in the retired reserves as a gray area Guardsman awaiting pay. If less than 30% even after FPEB apply for COAD. If denied ask if you can apply for COAR. Also there are other appeals in place. If you can't stay active duty AGR and can't reach 30% DOD to get chapter 61 retirement then COAR is a great option to try to get a 20 year letter instead of a 15 year letter. A 20 year letter is better because it allows you to collect your pension and receive VA compensation as well if rated 50% or higher. If you get a 15 year letter any money received for VA compensation will offset your guard pension.

Like I have said. This is way too complicated to not hire an attorney. They are expensive but well worth it in my opinion. I am not paid to say this. I have no financial incentive to give this advice. I just don't want Soldiers to get screwed. 20 years ago I was medically separated and the PEB results were the opposite of my MEB results. That is when we had LDES instead of IDES. So when my wife was set to be referred into IDES instead of reaching 20 active duty years I was determined that she not get screwed like I did years ago.

 

[notacos4u]

Sent you options for attorneys that can answer most questions and represent you if you wish.

My wife's attorney was able to get her the most compensation allowable by law and helped guide her to slow down the process so that she hit 20 good years meaning she would get her VA compensation and her pension concurrently when she reached age 60. Luckily she doesn't need it because she got approved for enough CRSC that she is capped out now finanically and doesn't need to wait 20 years for her 20 year letter to help her out. She was also able to get 2 more conditions added as unfitting and one of them designated as combat related so that all of her chapter 61 pension was exempt from taxes.

If you are found unfit with chapter 61 pension YOU DO NOT DECLINE A CHAPTER 61 PENSION OR REQUEST COAR unless you are very close to hitting the age to get your M Day retirement. You can request COAD as an AGR which would help you hit 20 years regular active duty retirement. If declined you accept chapter 61 findings regardless of whether you will hit 20 good years or not. There was a Soldier on this board that did this and got his 20 year letter only to lose out on an immediate pension. They didn't understand that by being approved for COAR they staying the in the guard only to be put in the retired reserves. Meaning they lost out on 10+ years of a full time pension all because they focused on hitting 20 good years.

I received your PM and will be reaching out to one of the attorneys you provided, thank you very much.

I am currently 54, and turn 55 in December, I have 2 combat tours, 1 from 2008-2009 and one in 2013-2014 while I was AGR, that pushes back my retirement date to receive pay to 59, because 4 of those periods qualify for early compensation, where as, they are saying the period in 2013-2014, although they cut my AGR orders to put me on title 10 orders, that period doesn’t qualify because I was AGR before and after that deployment. I would reach 20 years MDay September 25, 2025, which would mean, I believe I would have to wait roughly 3 years to draw my military pension, but if I’m correct in my thinking, I would still be receiving my VA disability compensation from the date I hit my 20 year MDay. Correct me if my line of thinking is wrong, as this is all convoluted and confusing.

My military pension even if I retired out as an MDay Soldier, would still be very close to a 20 year AGR retirement, minus 2.5-5% depending on how many points I actually would retire with. Depending on my va rating, I could drill for points and defer payment. If I were to get found medically unfit, I don't expect that decision nor me to come off active duty orders until December at the very earliest, because no matter what, come October, I'll still have 60 days of leave left. That would be, 9 months left to serve to reach my 20 good years. Heck, even if I didn't drill for points at all, I'd still have a good year because I already served 78 days during my anniversary year (September 26- September 25). Am I understanding this correctly??

I appreciate all your knowledge and assistance in regards to this. I am definitely still going to follow your advice and hire an attorney. Either way, my ultimate outcome would be to be able to get approved for COAD and serve out the final less than 2 years to achieve my 20 year active duty retirement.

 

[notacos4u]

Another question as I have to have everything to my MSC tomorrow by COB, when he had me filling out the VA form 21-526, I believe he had originally put in there, depression w/ suicidal ideation. I had him remove the suicidal ideation, because one, I didn't want my guns taken away and 2, I've never actually developed a plan or taken the steps to try to kill myself, yeah I've had thoughts that everyone and everything would be better off without me, but not to the extent I ever planned to do any self harm. Should I keep it removed, should I have him put it back in, do you think? Thanks

 

[Provis]

Another question as I have to have everything to my MSC tomorrow by COB, when he had me filling out the VA form 21-526, I believe he had originally put in there, depression w/ suicidal ideation. I had him remove the suicidal ideation, because one, I didn't want my guns taken away and 2, I've never actually developed a plan or taken the steps to try to kill myself, yeah I've had thoughts that everyone and everything would be better off without me, but not to the extent I ever planned to do any self harm. Should I keep it removed, should I have him put it back in, do you think? Thanks

Mental health conditions are all lumped together. It would have been fine either way. You can have suicidal ideation without having restrictions placed on you. That is just 1 of many symptoms that will be evaluated to give you a mental health rating. I would keep it but it won't matter anyway. What will matter is your health records and what symptoms you state to a C&P examiner later on in the process. Read up on each condition and how the VA rates it. Then make sure to mention all the symptoms that you have so that you don't forget anything. This will give you an idea of what your ratings for each condition will be.