Any Insight Would Be Greatly Appreciative

M

mrboston561

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
Hello all my fellow Vets!

I have made some headway in this long process and I believe I am nearing the end. I submitted my packet July 23, 2015. Just last month I followed up on a status check, and I was told via email:

"The PDBR adjudicated your case and forwarded our recommendation to the Air Force DDA on 31 JAN 2017"

I was confused at first because I separated from the Army. So after looking around online i ran across some people saying contact ARBA in which I did this morning and was surprised that the replied back the same day and informed me via email:

"Your application was recently considered by the Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR). Our agency has oversight of the PDBR. The application identified as AR2017XXXXXX has been considered by the PDBR and sent to the Army Review Boards Agency for final review and approval by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Review Boards). Once the review is completed, you will be notified of the decision.

Additionally, we have updated your address as requested."

I heard about a gentleman name Al and finally found a number for him and called him as well but he said he doesn't see my information in the system.

So with all of that being said, from someones experience, what's the wait process from here, and how often should I check?

A little background, I was medically separated March 27, 2008 with a 0% rating (My issues were both knees, my lower back and migraines) from the Army and severance pay of about 23K. I had no idea that you could even go to the VA but a neighbor told me, and luckily when I did it was within the year I got out. VA reviewed my claim and I received 10% for my right knee, 10% for my left knee, 10% for my back, and 10% for what they labeled as indescribable headaches, giving me a 30% total rating in January 2009. The migraines intensified and I was missing days from work and not being able to function and then in 2010 my 10% indescribable headaches went to 30% and changed to migraine headaches giving me a 50% total rating. And again things got worse and although my knees and back were still hurting, the migraines were super intense, and in September 2012 my 30% migraines went to 50% which is the max you can get for that condition giving me a total of 70% VA disability rating. From someone's experience, do I have a shot at getting a favorable retirement decision because it has been 14 years of this migraine issue since returning from Korea and no medicine they have given me has ever worked. Only trying to lay somewhere where its dark and quiet until it feels like going away.

Thanks to all that will reply in advance!
 
Apply and have patience. It's a 2 year plus wait. Message keebs, she is a SME in the pdbr realm. Don't look forward r reassurance in the first run. This whole process is a dice toss. Good luck. Thank you for your honorable service to our nation
 
I'm in the same boat. PDBR recommendation was forwarded to the Army on Jan 31, 2017. If I hear anything I will let you know. I too was separated with 0%, but for only one knee. They never evaluated my other knee (which I injured while waiting for PEB) so the PDBR probably won't look at it. They usually only consider the conditions that the PEB considered unfit for service. Of all the cases I have been reading, the PDBR wants to rate your condition at the time of discharge. For me, that means I will be super lucky to get 20%. For you, if the evidence exists, you might get the 10% ratings you had for the four conditions or you might not. It depends on the board, the justification the Army used at the time of your discharge, and as TOT31 said...someone throwing some dice somewhere. I wish you the best of luck though!
 
Talynhawk said:
I'm in the same boat. PDBR recommendation was forwarded to the Army on Jan 31, 2017. If I hear anything I will let you know. I too was separated with 0%, but for only one knee. They never evaluated my other knee (which I injured while waiting for PEB) so the PDBR probably won't look at it. They usually only consider the conditions that the PEB considered unfit for service. Of all the cases I have been reading, the PDBR wants to rate your condition at the time of discharge. For me, that means I will be super lucky to get 20%. For you, if the evidence exists, you might get the 10% ratings you had for the four conditions or you might not. It depends on the board, the justification the Army used at the time of your discharge, and as TOT31 said...someone throwing some dice somewhere. I wish you the best of luck though!
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Talynhawk, thanks for the reply. I don't know much places to research but from what I have seen there is no standard of which they rate. It truly is case by case. Which is a gift and a curse. I understand the year time frame, but if a person was even 20% that caused them to have to be released from active duty, and over the years it worsens, why would you only consider they year the service member was released and not he impact of his or her claim prior to submitting? I will keep you posted as well. Stay as positive as you can!
 
TOT31 said:
Apply and have patience. It's a 2 year plus wait. Message keebs, she is a SME in the pdbr realm. Don't look forward r reassurance in the first run. This whole process is a dice toss. Good luck. Thank you for your honorable service to our nation
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I took your advice and messaged her. Thank you for your service. My 2 year mark is in a couple of months so we shall see
 
mrboston561 said:
I took your advice and messaged her. Thank you for your service. My 2 year mark is in a couple of months so we shall see
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Hey Boston, did you have lawyers representing you? Veteran disability lawyers know how to read the PEB, VA and MEB narsum and bounce it off the VASRD to see if they followed the law in regards to your ratings. This is important because the pdbr uses all this information to make a final rating recommendation. If it wasn't followed, lawyers will point it out and walk the pdbr in on their deficiencies. If you didn't have lawyers representing you and the pdbr doesn't retire you, it's not the end. There is still the chance at redress in federal court. I hope the best for you and your board and a final rating that leads to retirement. The bcmr is no longer an option but federal court is.
 
TOT31 said:
Hey Boston, did you have lawyers representing you? Veteran disability lawyers know how to read the PEB, VA and MEB narsum and bounce it off the VASRD to see if they followed the law in regards to your ratings. This is important because the pdbr uses all this information to make a final rating recommendation. If it wasn't followed, lawyers will point it out and walk the pdbr in on their deficiencies. If you didn't have lawyers representing you and the pdbr doesn't retire you, it's not the end. There is still the chance at redress in federal court. I hope the best for you and your board and a final rating that leads to retirement. The bcmr is no longer an option but federal court is.
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TOT31, no I didn't. In fact, the only way I heard about this program even existing is through a co worker who was talking about and sent me a link and I asked them if I qualified and they said I did. So I got what was needed and sent it over. So I will keep people updated once I hear something, and it would be nice to no other actions because I thought there decision was final and you couldn't appeal. Thanks for that insight, it is much appreciated.
 
Still waiting on something to take place. My stuff was sent over 31 January to the Army after being "worked" from July 2015. I'm almost approaching the two year mark so hopefully I hear something sooner or later
 
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