A long and arduous process

Mario A

Mario A

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
Hello all!

I am an active duty Marine with 12 years of active service. I started the med board process back in May of 2014. Thus far, the process has been represented well by most timeline expectations so that's been nice.

I initially was submitted for a med board for Bipolar disorder NOS. The navy and marine corps require you to take mental health examinations for these kinds of med board. I took those tests in June. The results indicates that though I did exhibit symptoms of bipolar, the results were not conclusive enough to support a diagnosis.

My package was submitted none the less and as you would expect, I was found fit but the ipeb. I requested an fpeb and just had it on the 7th of this month. With the evidence supporting my claim of ptsd and bipolar, as well as a new meb which was written by a different doctor, the hearing seemed to lean (in my opinion) in my favor of being found unfit.

The members of the board asked general questions like, "do you have children", "what do you plan to do when you leave the military", and a general question regarding the contradictions in the two meb's and why I thought one doctor believes one thing, and the other believes another.

Oh, the hearing was also conducted over the phone.

My question is, does anyone have any idea what the turn around time is for the boards decision to be released to me or my PEBLO? My lawyer told me anywhere between 2 and 3 weeks for a fit finding, and as long as it takes for the VA to assign ratings for an unfit finding.

If anyone has a general question about the process, from start to the FPEB, I've kinda been through the whole gauntlet, feel free to ask away! And to all who read this, good luck, or thank you for your input. Take care!
 
Mario A said:
Hello all!

I am an active duty Marine with 12 years of active service. I started the med board process back in May of 2014. Thus far, the process has been represented well by most timeline expectations so that's been nice.

I initially was submitted for a med board for Bipolar disorder NOS. The navy and marine corps require you to take mental health examinations for these kinds of med board. I took those tests in June. The results indicates that though I did exhibit symptoms of bipolar, the results were not conclusive enough to support a diagnosis.

My package was submitted none the less and as you would expect, I was found fit but the ipeb. I requested an fpeb and just had it on the 7th of this month. With the evidence supporting my claim of ptsd and bipolar, as well as a new meb which was written by a different doctor, the hearing seemed to lean (in my opinion) in my favor of being found unfit.

The members of the board asked general questions like, "do you have children", "what do you plan to do when you leave the military", and a general question regarding the contradictions in the two meb's and why I thought one doctor believes one thing, and the other believes another.

Oh, the hearing was also conducted over the phone.

My question is, does anyone have any idea what the turn around time is for the boards decision to be released to me or my PEBLO? My lawyer told me anywhere between 2 and 3 weeks for a fit finding, and as long as it takes for the VA to assign ratings for an unfit finding.

If anyone has a general question about the process, from start to the FPEB, I've kinda been through the whole gauntlet, feel free to ask away! And to all who read this, good luck, or thank you for your input. Take care!
Click to expand...

Welcome to the PEB Forum! :)

Alright, indeed that's the fighting spirit; congratulations for sure! :D

Well, the FPEB needs to forward a request to the DoVA D-RAS requesting the rating evaluation of all "unfit for duty" medical conditions with rationale and supporting documentation to include the rating decision of all DoVA claimed medical conditions at this point.

In my opinion, you shall have at least a couple of weeks to a couple of months wait until the DoVA D-RAS completes their evaluation then forward the rating rationale and supporting documentation back to the PEB of record.

Upon the PEB's receipt of the DoVA D-RAS' rating rationale and supporting documentation, they must adopt the DoVA proposed ratings for all "unfit for duty" medical conditions then perform their own adjudication of either a PDRL or TDRL finding. Take care and continue to enjoy life! :cool:

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

Best Wishes!
 
Well, thank you Warrior for your quick response!

Okay, that's what I figured. I'll make sure to keep checking out the forum for questions I might be able to address.

You guys take care, and this forum is awesome.
 
Mario A said:
Well, thank you Warrior for your quick response!

Okay, that's what I figured. I'll make sure to keep checking out the forum for questions I might be able to address.

You guys take care, and this forum is awesome.
Click to expand...

Indeed, you are welcome! :)

Good deal, I/we look forward to your participation, and take care also! :cool:

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

Best Wishes!
 
When addressing the Board, would a written statement from my caregiver be good? What kind of witnesses or letters did you guys or anyone on here use?

By what you guys above are saying, if the FPEB finds you unfit for that condition, they will automatically send it to the VA right? If so, that makes sense.

What is anyone's experience with council paid for by the government in the FPEB? Are they lazy or do they fight for you? Because we have called twice now, emailed him, and still no response.

Will they tell us that day at the board their decision?
 
freedomflight said:
When addressing the Board, would a written statement from my caregiver be good? What kind of witnesses or letters did you guys or anyone on here use?

By what you guys above are saying, if the FPEB finds you unfit for that condition, they will automatically send it to the VA right? If so, that makes sense.

What is anyone's experience with council paid for by the government in the FPEB? Are they lazy or do they fight for you? Because we have called twice now, emailed him, and still no response.

Will they tell us that day at the board their decision?
Click to expand...


YES! Any statement you can get that is in your favor would be helpful. My lawyer had asked for one but wasn't able to get a hold of my psychiatrist in time.

My lawyer was a Navy LT and he was helpful. He had little to no prep time and did a good job of representing me in the hearing. The questions he led me on with I think made a good impression on the board.

I had my hearing via phone conference because I'm out here in Hawaii and don't have a government charge card.

Like I said, I'm still waiting for the results. They DO make the decision that day after the hearing, but they won't tell you it because legally they have to have the decision approved by the president of the board.

Your lawyer will most definitely get in contact with you before the hearing. Most guys don't meet or really talk to their lawyer until the day before. But, do bring ANYTHING you think will help you. I emailed my new MEB to my lawyer as well as other ALTA notes from other doctors.

I hope this helps! And good luck!

-Mario
 
Oh, and my lawyer also told me that I could expect SOME KIND of word about the decision about 2 to 3 weeks after the hearing. My hearing was on the 7th of October this year. So... hopefully I'll hear back soon.
 
freedomflight said:
When addressing the Board, would a written statement from my caregiver be good? What kind of witnesses or letters did you guys or anyone on here use?

By what you guys above are saying, if the FPEB finds you unfit for that condition, they will automatically send it to the VA right? If so, that makes sense.

What is anyone's experience with council paid for by the government in the FPEB? Are they lazy or do they fight for you? Because we have called twice now, emailed him, and still no response.

Will they tell us that day at the board their decision?
Click to expand...

Welcome to the PEB Forum! :)

In addition to @Mario A comments in reference to a Formal PEB hearing, I offer to direct your attention to DoDI 1332.18, August 5, 2014, Enclosure 3, paragraph 3 - Disability Evaluation, pages 16 to 19 for detailed DoD regulatory information. Take care and enjoy life! :cool:

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

Best Wishes!
 
Hello all!

I just got back from the PEBLO and I was rated by DoD 50% and VA 60%. My unfit conditions are both Combat Related. I'm trying to figure out why it looks like if I applied for CRSC, that I would be LOSING money? As it is right now, I would be retired as an E-5 from active duty on TDRL.

Doesn't make any sense. I'm using an excel spreadsheet that I downloaded here

davebarker.portalone.us/CRSC_Calc.xls

I'm using $2900 as my high 36 which comes out to $1450/mo in retirement pay, and I'm putting in my 60% (50% is what I was put on the med board for though) va rating for the CRSC % with a spouse and 2, less than 18 yr/o dependent children. It says I'd be receiving $276 dollars in CRSC and that my total monthly compensation would be $1174? How does that make sense? Why would anyone wanna apply for something that TAKES MONEY AWAY? LOL... I've gotta be doing something wrong. Right??

Anyway, I wanna thank you guys for all your help, and having this forum up. I love it, learned so much from it, and referred many a friend to it. :) You guys keep it up! 1555291_1013916438622257_7349164135257588024_n.jpg Me and my wife wanna thank you all!
 
Yeah that one makes much more sense. Actually got the same number as my other calc after I figured out that you have to do the years of service as well. Hoping that the CRSC is the same percentage as your VA percentage. That'll be great. :-) Thanks for the response Chuckie!
 
Count on an amount between the VA and DoD that equals all of you VA and the lesser of two amounts:

1. Your LOS retirement amount.

2. The amount of VA compensation for your combat related conditions.

What were your unfitting conditions?

Mike
 
I was found unfit for PTSD and Bipolar disorder type II Mike. Thanks!
 
Hey guys!

So... my CRSC application was received by the USMC today. And I still don't get this calculation...

Okay, so let me provide the details.

High 36: $2498 (2015-2014=E4@14 yrs, 2014-2013= E4@13 yrs, 2014-2013=E4 6mo & E5 6mo@12years)
DoD Disability: 50% Combat Related (PTSD/Bipolar Disorder)
Chapter 61 Retirement amount: $1249

YOS (Years of Service): 14yrs 11mo (37%) DEAS: 2000May08 RetDate: 30March2015

VA Disability Compensation: $1323 (60% all combat related [Married, 3 dependent 18yrs or young children])

So my problem is...

my calculator (excel spreadsheet) says this:
Chapter 61 Monthly Payment: $1249 + CRSC Monthly Payment: $712 = Total Monthly Benefit: $1,962

the DFAS calculator says this with these values, 50% Military Service Disability Percentage, 50% CRSC Award Percentage, 60% VA Percentage:
Expected Monthly VA Payment: $1323.09
Retired Pay: $0.00
CRSC Entitlement: $931.00
Total Projected Benefit: $2254.09

So, am I receiving BOTH my full VA Payment + my CRSC and Chapter 61 retirement pay which would come out to ~$3284

-OR-

Am I receiving the VA payment, and the CRSC amount and that's it?

If you have time to respond, please just explain it like you would to a 6 year old. Mahalo!tin-foil-hat-625p.jpg
 
VA payment + CRSC.

The VA is greater than your DoD so it completely offsets your DoD. That offset is partially restored by your CRSC which is limited by the amount of retirement based on your length of service.

Mike
 
Once again, thank you Mike. I always appreciate your help!
 
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