Was trying, as hard as it is, to get a time frame on when everything would proccess. I am going for my physical this week and all my board work up should hopefuly be sent out by Friday the 22nd of Aug. This is through the Navy. With a good guesstimation when would all of you think I could see an answer? I am trying to get things set up to get an apartment back home. I would like to preferably be out of here by the end of Oct. Is this a reasonable time frame, or do any of you figure that it could be longer? I've been told by three military doctors that I should most defiently be getting a medical discharge finding. Also anyone Navy, do you know when you can get setup for TAPS. I was told that I would have to go through TAPS before they will let me get out. Thank you.
Does anyone know when the PEB Board Meets?
- Thread starter QTheDukeQ
- Start date
I recently just went through the process. Without knowing your condition or details it is hard to say, BUT I will say that you should expect 30 days from the date of submission for an answer. From there you will have at a MINIMUM 30 days for separation, but are entitled from 30 to 90 days to separate. Yes you are REQUIRED to attend TAPS class (and DTAPS for a disability) prior to separation and that can be scheduled through your Command Career Counselor.
Now all of this is in a "Perfect World", and I will tell you now that you most defiantly are NOT in one. Your local Medical Physicians dictation will give the board what they think, BUT it is the board’s decision as to whether you will be separated or not so please take what they say with a grain of salt.
From the start of my Medical Board until my final finding it took me roughly 84 days. I don't want to be pessimistic, but this is a process that you can't rush unless you don't care what they give you.
Now all of this is in a "Perfect World", and I will tell you now that you most defiantly are NOT in one. Your local Medical Physicians dictation will give the board what they think, BUT it is the board’s decision as to whether you will be separated or not so please take what they say with a grain of salt.
From the start of my Medical Board until my final finding it took me roughly 84 days. I don't want to be pessimistic, but this is a process that you can't rush unless you don't care what they give you.
My situation is that I broke my ankle back in Jan. of 07. I have had six surgerys trying to correct it. I have been Limdu for 16 months now. My third period was up at the begining of August. I have had my first half of my seperations physical and go for my second half Wednesday the 20th. I talked with the higher ups this morning and they are setting up my Non-medical assesment tommorow, and the message traffic from the med board office was stating that my board package should be mailed by Friday the 22nd. That is why I am curious if they meet at the end of the month, if they would actualy review it at the end of Aug. or would it sit around for a month before they look at it. I am wanting to be out and heading back home by the end of October and no one knows a straight answer if that will be possible or not. That's why through the experience of the individuals here that someone could give me a reasonable time frame answer other then 70-90 days. It seems ridiculous that the process would take that long! Any help would be much appreciated.
I have 10 years of Active Duty NAVY service and have JUST gone through this process
The board will discuses your case in the order that it was received. So that is why it will take approximately 30 days from the date that it is submitted for you to get an answer. Once you get that answer you have 3 days to accept the findings or challenge them and request a re-consideration. Then as I said in a "perfect world" you would have at a MINIMUM 30 days for separation after you get your orders which can take an additional 2 weeks. So in a perfect world you are looking at about 77 days to separate. That is assuming that you get the answer that you want (90% of people DON'T), and that is provided that you can get into TAP class that is normally only held monthly and is a first come first serve basis regardless of situation.
If you don’t get the answers you want then you will need to add at least 30 days to this time for your reconsideration, and that will take you to 107 days until you separate. Now if you need a formal board then you are looking at an additional 3 months to 100+ days.
This process is far from perfect, and far from exactly structured to a definitive timeline. If it was a clear cut process then this forum would not need to be here. This is a process that you can not rush, and for the medical personnel at your local MTF saying that you are a sure thing is wrong. ONLY the PEB will know what they will asses your case.
Will you get out by the end of October? It is possible, but highly unlikely...
Food for thought.. A friend of mine was Administratively Separated after 3 knee surgeries, and will permanently use a cane for the rest of his life with permanent knee problems in both knees and back issues.
Well, my review was written up well enough from the Navy orthopedic surgen here on base (who thankfully was not the same one that performed my surgerys) with dorsiflexion at 10 degrees. The VA disibilty rating should be (and we all know should be means nothing) 30%. I've had the request put in for TAPS on the September 8-11 session. I figure if I get an answer back by the 19th I can set up for an Oct. 31 end date and then go on terminal leave on Oct. the 3rd. Again these are my thoughts in a perfect world, and everyone I talk to tells me to not expect it to go this easy. I just need to move on for my own mental sanity, and not be stuck in this anoying limbo anymore. Plus I miss my kids and want to get back home to them so bad.
I completely understand where you are coming from. Please forgive me if I sound negative because I consider myself extremely optimistic. You just need to have a conservative view on this process.
I understand being in LIMBO SUCKS!! I have been in that exact same situation from April until now and it will finally end in October.. Believe me I understand.
When my Physician wrote my dictation he explicitly said "Cannot forward deploy", "not suitable for shipboard life", and my "medical conditions preclude military service". My condition of Severe Persistent Asthma also would have given me a VSARD of 30% as well. My first board came back as "FIT for continued Naval Service", and I had to submit reconsideration with the help of Jason. Then and only then was I given the correct rating.
This process is a slow one, and my case actually went very fast in comparison to MANY of the other guys on this board that are STILL waiting for answers. You have been in the Navy long enough to understand that this is hurry up and wait lifestyle. Just have patience because if you rush this you WILL run the risk of possible not getting what you are entitled too.
I wish you the best of luck, and if you need anything please feel free to ask.
I understand being in LIMBO SUCKS!! I have been in that exact same situation from April until now and it will finally end in October.. Believe me I understand.
When my Physician wrote my dictation he explicitly said "Cannot forward deploy", "not suitable for shipboard life", and my "medical conditions preclude military service". My condition of Severe Persistent Asthma also would have given me a VSARD of 30% as well. My first board came back as "FIT for continued Naval Service", and I had to submit reconsideration with the help of Jason. Then and only then was I given the correct rating.
This process is a slow one, and my case actually went very fast in comparison to MANY of the other guys on this board that are STILL waiting for answers. You have been in the Navy long enough to understand that this is hurry up and wait lifestyle. Just have patience because if you rush this you WILL run the risk of possible not getting what you are entitled too.
I wish you the best of luck, and if you need anything please feel free to ask.
QTheDukeQ
I'm Navy, and I've been waiting in limbo two years just to get my MEB started, so I know how frustrating this is. We have an informal little timeline here for the time it's taken some people to get their results: http://www.pebforum.com/physical-ev...ine-medical-evaluation-board-through-peb.html
As hard as it's going to be, it's going to be best for you and for your family to put off the immediate gratification of getting through this process as quickly as you can to get the best results you can. The numbers have been crunched here before, and it's several hundred thousands of dollars in benefits you could potentially be giving up for settling for less than you deserve.
TAP class is full of great information, at least the one I've been to. It was well worth taking notes throughout the week. I learned more on this site than I did at DTAP, but the most important part of DTAP is being able to sign up for the BDD program (Benefits Disability at Discharge) that can get you started on your VA claim before you are separated. This is supposed to cut out up to a year of having to wait after getting out to get your VA rating, and that doesn't include appealing it if necessary. A VA rating before you get out can also help your case if the PEB rates you too low; you can use your VA rating in an appeal. Here, TAP is available once a week, every week. DTAP was scheduled through the PEBLO at my MTF. The sooner you can get into each class, the better.
There has been more than one person here who has waited almost two months just to get their results back from the IPEB. I'm expecting 100-120 days from start to finish for me, and I think that's a conservative estimate. It's just really, really, really hard to try to make any plans until you have a concrete date for separation. It sucks.
I'm Navy, and I've been waiting in limbo two years just to get my MEB started, so I know how frustrating this is. We have an informal little timeline here for the time it's taken some people to get their results: http://www.pebforum.com/physical-ev...ine-medical-evaluation-board-through-peb.html
As hard as it's going to be, it's going to be best for you and for your family to put off the immediate gratification of getting through this process as quickly as you can to get the best results you can. The numbers have been crunched here before, and it's several hundred thousands of dollars in benefits you could potentially be giving up for settling for less than you deserve.
TAP class is full of great information, at least the one I've been to. It was well worth taking notes throughout the week. I learned more on this site than I did at DTAP, but the most important part of DTAP is being able to sign up for the BDD program (Benefits Disability at Discharge) that can get you started on your VA claim before you are separated. This is supposed to cut out up to a year of having to wait after getting out to get your VA rating, and that doesn't include appealing it if necessary. A VA rating before you get out can also help your case if the PEB rates you too low; you can use your VA rating in an appeal. Here, TAP is available once a week, every week. DTAP was scheduled through the PEBLO at my MTF. The sooner you can get into each class, the better.
There has been more than one person here who has waited almost two months just to get their results back from the IPEB. I'm expecting 100-120 days from start to finish for me, and I think that's a conservative estimate. It's just really, really, really hard to try to make any plans until you have a concrete date for separation. It sucks.
Jason Perry
Founder and Leader
Site Founder
Staff Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Lifetime Supporter
Registered Member
That code is for "ankylosis." That is when your joint is frozen in one position. If you have mobility in the joint, you are looking at code 5271. However, in some instances, I would argue code 5284 is appropriate (especially when the limitation is due to something outside of the joint). In your case, the broken ankle may have been the start of your problem (making 5271 a likely candidate for rating criteria). What I would want to look at is what happened with the surgeries and what other parts of your anatomy are affected. Note that this is an uphill battle (though winnable on appeal). The PEB will most likely stick to 5271 and max you out on 20%. Also, if your limitations are serious, I would argue an extra-schedular rating is appropriate. This is even more of a long shot at the PEB, but the military routinely fails to address this appropriately. It is almost a built in appeal (though whether succesful or not will depend on the facts of your case).
Hope this was helpful.
Hope this was helpful.
Also, now that I've been reading through these forums I have started to become confused on DOD retirement pay compared to VA disability. Everyone says that the magic number is a 30% rating, but that what disabled retirment pay you get at a 30% and up rating lessons what you would receive from a VA disability. So why is it not more advantagous to get rated by the PEB at 20% and get a severance check, then go to the VA and get rated at 30%-40% and collect a VA disability? What is better about having DOD compensation compared to VA compensation? When I asked my doctor about medical benifits he said I would be covered either way. One of my other concerns is that any future medical problems I have from this injury will be covered medicaly by one side or the other. I already have popping in my right knee. So if I have issues with that down the road would that be covered because it was aggrivated by being on crutches for such a long period? I now over compensate my body wieght on my right side to keep the wieght off of my left ankle.
Unless you are retired with over 20 years or your injury was related to combat, the VA will not pay you until the number of months have passed that would have paid for the severance pay you got from the military. So if you get $1,000 in severance pay and got $100 a month from the VA, you wouldn't get paid from the VA for 10 months.
Military disability retirement would allow your family, if you have one now or will have one later, to be included into your health care plan under TRICARE. The money that could be saved here would be phenomenal in itself. Also, the VA rating can go up or down through your life, but military disability is locked for life. Not to mention you would get all the benefits of a military retiree with 20 years in service, such as base privileges.
They are two completely separate programs run by two different agencies, but we have the good fortune of being able to take the best of both of them being medically retired.
Military disability retirement would allow your family, if you have one now or will have one later, to be included into your health care plan under TRICARE. The money that could be saved here would be phenomenal in itself. Also, the VA rating can go up or down through your life, but military disability is locked for life. Not to mention you would get all the benefits of a military retiree with 20 years in service, such as base privileges.
They are two completely separate programs run by two different agencies, but we have the good fortune of being able to take the best of both of them being medically retired.
QTheDukeQ
I too thought the 5270 would apply but as I have some motion (even though it is not much use) I was rated under 5271. I do hope that I will do better on appeal. What Jason told you is what I am in the middle of. [FONT="]The new 2008 NDAA law states that if the unfitting disability incurred in a combat zone or combat operations area, it is no longer offset by VA compensation.
[/FONT]
I too thought the 5270 would apply but as I have some motion (even though it is not much use) I was rated under 5271. I do hope that I will do better on appeal. What Jason told you is what I am in the middle of. [FONT="]The new 2008 NDAA law states that if the unfitting disability incurred in a combat zone or combat operations area, it is no longer offset by VA compensation.
[/FONT]
OK I am F***** Pissed right now. My command has a message stating that my PEB package was to be mailed by COB AUG. 22. When I called up to medical boards this morning to request a copy of my medical assesment they told me they could not give me a copy till my package has been mailed. I asked why my package hadn't been mailed yet and they told me that they were still waiting to have my medical records copied. They started the PEB process back on AUG. 7th. There should be no reason why my medical record could not have been copied between then and now. Also, at anytime I should be allowed to recieve information contained in my medical record and not told just to wait and call back on Friday. My chain of command tells me there is nothing I can do to get the process taken care of. The two women that run medical boards here are civilians and I have had nothing but piss poor attitudes from them since I have been stuck in this LIMDU hell for the past 18 months. Is there anything I can do, or do I have to sit with my thumb up my ass untill they decide to get off thiers and do thier job?
Also does it effect your board processing if you go to mental health for depression? This whole situation is just starting to get to me so much that I don't know how much more of it I can take. I'm tired of people just telling me to be patient and let the process happen. I'm sick and tired of my job I've been forced to work, I'm sick and tired of being in pain, and I'm sick and tired of not being able to be free and go home. This has become worse then a prison sentance to me and I just don't know how to take it anymore.
Also does it effect your board processing if you go to mental health for depression? This whole situation is just starting to get to me so much that I don't know how much more of it I can take. I'm tired of people just telling me to be patient and let the process happen. I'm sick and tired of my job I've been forced to work, I'm sick and tired of being in pain, and I'm sick and tired of not being able to be free and go home. This has become worse then a prison sentance to me and I just don't know how to take it anymore.
Chugging along at a snails pace.
Well, I finaly was able to get a copy of my medical assesment today, and med boards stated they mailed off my package yesterday, but with the holiday weekend it will be interesting to see when they finaly get it. Re-reading through it, I now am wondering is there a rating for arthritic problems?
Well, I finaly was able to get a copy of my medical assesment today, and med boards stated they mailed off my package yesterday, but with the holiday weekend it will be interesting to see when they finaly get it. Re-reading through it, I now am wondering is there a rating for arthritic problems?
Jason Perry
Founder and Leader
Site Founder
Staff Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Lifetime Supporter
Registered Member
Q,
From the PEB point of view, mental health disorders are simply other conditions that may or may not be disqualifying or unfitting. If you mean would going now change your case processing, most likely only if your condition is disqualifying, if you are hospitalized, or if the doctor/MTF commander thinks it is serious enough to recall your case. If you are wondering if there is any reason not to go, I don't see any. This is a stressful process, to be sure, and if you need help, I think you should get it. If it is to the degree described above, they may have to write an addnedum to your Narrative Summary, which would delay your case.
Yes, under an immune disease process, there is diagnostic code 5002, and for degenerative arthritis, there is 5003. Both are found under musculoskeletal system. Both codes will rate you under the ROM for the affected joints, or an alternate rating if it results in a higher award. Look in the VASRD under the Ratings/Conditions Forum.
My medical assessment states that it is; [FONT="]Septic arthritis of the left ankle with post debridement residual osteopenia of the left ankle [/FONT]. What would that be considered? Also after looking through the codes would there be any real chance that I could fight for a 30%? It seems like everything with the ankle they try to rate out at 20%.
Jason Perry
Founder and Leader
Site Founder
Staff Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Lifetime Supporter
Registered Member
Q,
Just realized, you are just down the road from me (I am just north of New Haven). Small world...
Remember, the VASRD ratings are based on degree of functional impairment. I think that the septic arthritis is closer to a degenerative than immune process (even if infection kicked it off) so, I think that 5003 is more likely. But ,even if rated under an arthritis code, the actual rating criteria may come under the the limitation of ROM, under 5271. Remember my comments in another post about the posibility of "foot injuries, other," as a possible rating criteria. Not sure this would apply, but it should be considered, in my opinion.
Just realized, you are just down the road from me (I am just north of New Haven). Small world...
Remember, the VASRD ratings are based on degree of functional impairment. I think that the septic arthritis is closer to a degenerative than immune process (even if infection kicked it off) so, I think that 5003 is more likely. But ,even if rated under an arthritis code, the actual rating criteria may come under the the limitation of ROM, under 5271. Remember my comments in another post about the posibility of "foot injuries, other," as a possible rating criteria. Not sure this would apply, but it should be considered, in my opinion.
Thank you for the reply's Jason. Yes tis a small world. You might know my civilian doc Dr. Reach from Yale. Anyway, I'm hoping I might get a better understanding when I talk to the VA rep during DTAPS. I haven't decided if it would be better for me to try to get rated through the VA out here in CT before I get out, or get rated back in Indiana when I move back home. After almost 20 months since I broke my ankle I just want an answer!