Aloha, I've been a guest on these pages for a while and thought I would go ahead and post something.
Sept '22 - Start Mental Health care after PCSing in the summer.
Feb '23 - MH provider recommends 'higher level of care'
Mar '23 - Voluntarily admitted to the Meadows Behavioral Health Care, Main Campus in AZ for a 35-day stay.
Jun '23 - Start Partial Hospitalization Program for continued care
Aug '23 - 16 years in service
Sept '23 - Finish continued care; start having serious conversations with my MH provider regarding med board and what I want.
26 Feb '24 – Assignment Limitation Code 37 applied.
24 May '24 – Sent to Full MEB. AFPC Med Standards complete IRILO review and ordered 10 MDG to immediately start full Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) for retention consideration. With PCM signature on 28 May, the DES timeline officially started.
(24 May – 5 Aug) – VA scheduled/processed VA C&P exams to support DES consideration
5 Aug '24– Start 20-day MEB timeline. VA returns DES package to 10 MDG/PEBLO. This date starts the local (base level) 20-day MEB Stage of the IDES. In this time, the MDG has 20 days to complete the MEB review and submit the package back to AFPC/Med Standards (submission to Physical Evaluation Board or PEB).
7 Aug '24 - 17 years of service
22 Aug '24 – PEBLO presents MEB results and they are missing any physical conditions, only one Mental Health condition is included.
27 Aug '24 – Start 7 Day IMR. Impartial Medical Review (IMR) is requested (via signature/elections) for physical medical conditions. IMR is supposed to be a 7-day process.
3 Sep '24 – IMR provider agrees several physical medical conditions should have been included in original MEB package. Does not specify what conditions or provide medical standards.
13 Sep '24 – Asked PEBLO for update on IMR
19 Sep '24 – Response from PEBLO that case was put into deferment, told “no timeline” for an answer about IMR. Also informed that my PCM changed and someone else would be reviewing case.
20 Sep '24 – asked PEBLO who my new PCM is so I can get an answer on the IMR (now Dodge).
2 Oct '24 - asked for another update from PEBLO, still no answer on IMR “checking with PCM”
15 Oct '24– asked PEBLO for clarification about going on leave/TDY while waiting for IMR results
17 Oct '24– Memo from PCM does not address anything submitted or provide explanation why IMR provider said conditions should be added but now the PCM does not agree. Only addresses injections and not the other conditions submitted in the IMR. Why is one provider saying add the conditions but PCM does not agree? Asked for help/explanation from PEBLO and was told I needed to meet with PCM to get an answer. Why isn’t PEBLO answering IMR question?
1 Nov '24 – Met with PCM (Dodge), this was very confusing because he kept talking about the IMR. I could not figure out what was going on or why the PCM was involved in the IMR at all or what he was really telling me.
1 Nov '24 - Asked for support/assistance from AFW2/RCC Jimmy Dickson. Jimmy talked to PCM/Dodge and realized IMR was not done. Jimmy relays the MDG is lost in the process and not following step-by-step instructions in regulation. Jimmy met with MDG leadership to get IMR processing moving forward again.
5 Nov '24 – PCM Dodge called again and explained he didn’t agree with IMR provider, conditions did not meet retention standards.
18 Nov '24– PEBLO sends 618/MEB documents (signed 15 Nov) via DoD Safe and I asked why nothing changed on 618. I’m told to talk to PCM.
19 Nov'24 – Jimmy talked to IMR doctor to ask why two doctors could not agree on meeting retention standards or not. The two doctors are still not agreeing. Jimmy is talking to MDG Leadership about providers not agreeing. Jimmy recommends I discuss issues with ODC.
21 Nov '24 – Still working with ODC to figure out how to write a rebuttal letter
22 Nov '24 – RCC Jimmy meets with MDG Leadership to relay frustration with delays and missed timeline. Jimmy also provides copy of incomplete IMR elections form and lets the leadership know the IMR is still not done. Also lets them know that I have not received a final decision about the IMR or officially been presented the completion/elections as required by AF regulation (see IMR elections form).
25 Nov '24 – Completed IMR elections form with PEBLO, officially stopping the clock on the IMR (27 Aug - 25 Nov)
2 Dec '24 – Submitted MEB Rebuttal Letter (prepared with ODC).
5 Dec '24 – Meeting with RCC Jimmy to discuss frustration with MEB process and get a new timeline/expectations for what happens next.
6 Dec '24 – PEBLO emails Rebuttal Response, 3rd doctor agrees with IMR doctor and recommends 3 physical conditions get added to MEB paperwork (migraines, TMJ, hernia).
7 Jan '25 – Stop MEB Phase. I received an email from the Total Force Service Center that my MEB package was received at the AFPC Disability Operations Branch! Officially stopping the 20-day MEB phase (plus 10 days for IMR/Rebuttal) of the DES process.
27 Jan '25 – Case Returned. Sometime in the last couple weeks the MEB package was returned to the installation without action. Never received notification from PEBLO. Shirt and RCC Jimmy let me know case was re-submitted to AFPC (again), I never knew it was returned? Start waiting for Ratings Proposal (assumed to take about 2 months with personnel shortage at VA).
11 Mar '25 – Submitted form to add Hernia to VA claim in response to an email from VA asking if I wanted to add it (I assume because it was one of the conditions added to my NARSUM)
31 Mar '25 – Hernia VA Appt
31 Mar '25 - Submitted imaging report for hernia to VA claims
18 April '25 – Asked RCC if there was a way to see where we were in the queue, told “PEB case manager is building my file…likely to get a call in about 2 weeks from the PEBLO to wrap things up…found unfit, offered 100% VA (DOD unknown), unsure if PDRL or TDRL”
In the beginning, around Christmas 2023 I was very prepared to medically retire from the AF. I thought I was ineligible for the Limited Assignment Program because mental health conditions are, by definition, unstable conditions warranting placement on TDRL. However, my ODC indicated we could get an ETP for anything. In summer 2024 I wanted to apply for LAS because I still felt like I can contribute (and the math for retirement pay), and I was coming up on 17 years of service. I am now coming up on 18 years of service (in August 2025) and even more so would love to finish my time. However, an unexpected leadership change at my job leaves me unsure if I'll have my new commander's support (we have an interim boss, new boss hasn't been named yet). Not to mention the current government financial climate. I will say through it all my RCC has been incredible. Thanks in advance for any support you might post.
Cheers!
Sept '22 - Start Mental Health care after PCSing in the summer.
Feb '23 - MH provider recommends 'higher level of care'
Mar '23 - Voluntarily admitted to the Meadows Behavioral Health Care, Main Campus in AZ for a 35-day stay.
Jun '23 - Start Partial Hospitalization Program for continued care
Aug '23 - 16 years in service
Sept '23 - Finish continued care; start having serious conversations with my MH provider regarding med board and what I want.
26 Feb '24 – Assignment Limitation Code 37 applied.
24 May '24 – Sent to Full MEB. AFPC Med Standards complete IRILO review and ordered 10 MDG to immediately start full Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) for retention consideration. With PCM signature on 28 May, the DES timeline officially started.
(24 May – 5 Aug) – VA scheduled/processed VA C&P exams to support DES consideration
5 Aug '24– Start 20-day MEB timeline. VA returns DES package to 10 MDG/PEBLO. This date starts the local (base level) 20-day MEB Stage of the IDES. In this time, the MDG has 20 days to complete the MEB review and submit the package back to AFPC/Med Standards (submission to Physical Evaluation Board or PEB).
7 Aug '24 - 17 years of service
22 Aug '24 – PEBLO presents MEB results and they are missing any physical conditions, only one Mental Health condition is included.
27 Aug '24 – Start 7 Day IMR. Impartial Medical Review (IMR) is requested (via signature/elections) for physical medical conditions. IMR is supposed to be a 7-day process.
3 Sep '24 – IMR provider agrees several physical medical conditions should have been included in original MEB package. Does not specify what conditions or provide medical standards.
13 Sep '24 – Asked PEBLO for update on IMR
19 Sep '24 – Response from PEBLO that case was put into deferment, told “no timeline” for an answer about IMR. Also informed that my PCM changed and someone else would be reviewing case.
20 Sep '24 – asked PEBLO who my new PCM is so I can get an answer on the IMR (now Dodge).
2 Oct '24 - asked for another update from PEBLO, still no answer on IMR “checking with PCM”
15 Oct '24– asked PEBLO for clarification about going on leave/TDY while waiting for IMR results
17 Oct '24– Memo from PCM does not address anything submitted or provide explanation why IMR provider said conditions should be added but now the PCM does not agree. Only addresses injections and not the other conditions submitted in the IMR. Why is one provider saying add the conditions but PCM does not agree? Asked for help/explanation from PEBLO and was told I needed to meet with PCM to get an answer. Why isn’t PEBLO answering IMR question?
1 Nov '24 – Met with PCM (Dodge), this was very confusing because he kept talking about the IMR. I could not figure out what was going on or why the PCM was involved in the IMR at all or what he was really telling me.
1 Nov '24 - Asked for support/assistance from AFW2/RCC Jimmy Dickson. Jimmy talked to PCM/Dodge and realized IMR was not done. Jimmy relays the MDG is lost in the process and not following step-by-step instructions in regulation. Jimmy met with MDG leadership to get IMR processing moving forward again.
5 Nov '24 – PCM Dodge called again and explained he didn’t agree with IMR provider, conditions did not meet retention standards.
18 Nov '24– PEBLO sends 618/MEB documents (signed 15 Nov) via DoD Safe and I asked why nothing changed on 618. I’m told to talk to PCM.
19 Nov'24 – Jimmy talked to IMR doctor to ask why two doctors could not agree on meeting retention standards or not. The two doctors are still not agreeing. Jimmy is talking to MDG Leadership about providers not agreeing. Jimmy recommends I discuss issues with ODC.
21 Nov '24 – Still working with ODC to figure out how to write a rebuttal letter
22 Nov '24 – RCC Jimmy meets with MDG Leadership to relay frustration with delays and missed timeline. Jimmy also provides copy of incomplete IMR elections form and lets the leadership know the IMR is still not done. Also lets them know that I have not received a final decision about the IMR or officially been presented the completion/elections as required by AF regulation (see IMR elections form).
25 Nov '24 – Completed IMR elections form with PEBLO, officially stopping the clock on the IMR (27 Aug - 25 Nov)
2 Dec '24 – Submitted MEB Rebuttal Letter (prepared with ODC).
5 Dec '24 – Meeting with RCC Jimmy to discuss frustration with MEB process and get a new timeline/expectations for what happens next.
6 Dec '24 – PEBLO emails Rebuttal Response, 3rd doctor agrees with IMR doctor and recommends 3 physical conditions get added to MEB paperwork (migraines, TMJ, hernia).
7 Jan '25 – Stop MEB Phase. I received an email from the Total Force Service Center that my MEB package was received at the AFPC Disability Operations Branch! Officially stopping the 20-day MEB phase (plus 10 days for IMR/Rebuttal) of the DES process.
27 Jan '25 – Case Returned. Sometime in the last couple weeks the MEB package was returned to the installation without action. Never received notification from PEBLO. Shirt and RCC Jimmy let me know case was re-submitted to AFPC (again), I never knew it was returned? Start waiting for Ratings Proposal (assumed to take about 2 months with personnel shortage at VA).
11 Mar '25 – Submitted form to add Hernia to VA claim in response to an email from VA asking if I wanted to add it (I assume because it was one of the conditions added to my NARSUM)
31 Mar '25 – Hernia VA Appt
31 Mar '25 - Submitted imaging report for hernia to VA claims
18 April '25 – Asked RCC if there was a way to see where we were in the queue, told “PEB case manager is building my file…likely to get a call in about 2 weeks from the PEBLO to wrap things up…found unfit, offered 100% VA (DOD unknown), unsure if PDRL or TDRL”
In the beginning, around Christmas 2023 I was very prepared to medically retire from the AF. I thought I was ineligible for the Limited Assignment Program because mental health conditions are, by definition, unstable conditions warranting placement on TDRL. However, my ODC indicated we could get an ETP for anything. In summer 2024 I wanted to apply for LAS because I still felt like I can contribute (and the math for retirement pay), and I was coming up on 17 years of service. I am now coming up on 18 years of service (in August 2025) and even more so would love to finish my time. However, an unexpected leadership change at my job leaves me unsure if I'll have my new commander's support (we have an interim boss, new boss hasn't been named yet). Not to mention the current government financial climate. I will say through it all my RCC has been incredible. Thanks in advance for any support you might post.
Cheers!