Eglin IDES TBI Timeline

M

myheadhurts

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
Hello all, figured I'd make a post while I wait out the rest of this and maybe get some advice along the way.

08/2023 - TBI occurred, continues care through ISS and many, many providers throughout Med Group for next year
07/2024 - SECOND TBI via car accident
12/24/2024 - Code 37 Applied
1/7/2025 - CIS Signed. Do Not Retain
3/6/2025 - Skillbridge Started Locally
3/12/2025 - Full MEB Requested
3/20/2025 - VA C&P Appointments scheduled through OptumServ
4/22/2025 - Eye C&P
4/24/2025 - General C&P
5/1/2025 - Audiology C&P
5/3/2025 - Enrolled in Wounded Warriors Program
5/13/2025 - MH C&P
5/21/2025 - TBI C&P (Last one)
6/3/2025 - 618 Signed - PEBLO stated "still waiting on one document to send case to AFPC"
6/10/2025 - Followed up with PEBLO, still waiting on one document (wouldn't tell me which one)
6/11/2025 - Called VA x2411 #, no update on proposed ratings
xx/xx/2025 - First FSS Email
xx/xx/2025 - Second FSS Email
xx/xx/2025 - 1180 Signed xx DOD%/xx VA%
xx/xx/2025 - Orders cut
xx/xx/2025 - Final Out/DOS


Overall been an "okay" process so far, a little frustrated with the lack of information from PEBLO regarding what paperwork we're waiting on.
Civilian employment/putting an offer on a house is pending my DOS so obviously that is anxiety inducing as well. Have a dream job lined up that accommodates my disability letting me WFH and I don't want to throw it away by having this dragged out longer than it needs.

If anyone has any insight on what I should do to speed the process along please let me know!
 
6/18/2025 - PEBLO stated my case was finally sent up today to AFPC! Hopefully that's true, haven't received an email yet from FSS.

It took so much pestering to see what the "addendum" even was and which desk it was stuck at to get a signature - I'd like to think being annoying and asking every few days pushed it along but who knows.

EDIT: I'm really trying to be out of here by my initial DOS in early September, does that sound realistic with this timeline?
 
08/2023 - TBI occurred, continues care through ISS and many, many providers throughout Med Group for next year
07/2024 - SECOND TBI via car accident
12/24/2024 - Code 37 Applied
1/7/2025 - CIS Signed. Do Not Retain
3/6/2025 - Skillbridge Started Locally
3/12/2025 - Full MEB Requested
3/20/2025 - VA C&P Appointments scheduled through OptumServ
4/22/2025 - Eye C&P
4/24/2025 - General C&P
5/1/2025 - Audiology C&P
5/3/2025 - Enrolled in Wounded Warriors Program
5/13/2025 - MH C&P
5/21/2025 - TBI C&P (Last one)
6/3/2025 - 618 Signed - PEBLO stated "still waiting on one document to send case to AFPC"
6/10/2025 - Followed up with PEBLO, still waiting on one document (wouldn't tell me which one)
6/11/2025 - Called VA x2411 #, no update on proposed ratings
6/18/2025 - PEBLO stated my case was finally sent up today to AFPC! Hopefully that's true, haven't received an email yet from FSS.
6/24/2025 - First FSS Email
xx/xx/2025 - Second FSS Email
xx/xx/2025 - 1180 Signed xx DOD%/xx VA%
xx/xx/2025 - Orders cut
xx/xx/2025 - Final Out/DOS


First FSS email received.. called VA and they confirmed they had my case on the 22nd. Waiting game starts now!
 
Hey! I'm going through an MEB right now and my case is at AFPC, it's been four weeks since I got my email from MyFSS. My PEBLO told me it would be 2-8 weeks, but I think it might be closer to 10 weeks.

I wish you nothing but luck and that they start coming back faster!
 
iwanttogohome said:
Hey! I'm going through an MEB right now and my case is at AFPC, it's been four weeks since I got my email from MyFSS. My PEBLO told me it would be 2-8 weeks, but I think it might be closer to 10 weeks.

I wish you nothing but luck and that they start coming back faster!
Click to expand...
2-8 weeks is such a huge window! I'm hoping everything is cut and dry with my case and it gets pushed quickly.

Do you happen to know if the VA proposed ratings were included with that timeline of "2-8" or is that ONLY for the fit/unfit decision?

Trying to figure out if I have another 4-6 weeks of waiting after I hear from AFPC regarding the fit/unfit or if they do it all at once... Trying to put an offer in a house and I have no clue when I can comfortably close!
 
My issue is post-concussion syndrome (i got a tbi in 2022) and vertigo, so I unfortunately think we're somewhat in the same boat. However, I am at Davis-Monthan AFB and my PEBLO told me everything, like the fit/unfit and ratings (DoD & VA) will come back together.

But if I were you, I'd wait just a little bit longer on making an offer on a house, because there is always the off chance you get a decision you do not agree with. I am waiting until I hear what I want (100% and medical retirement) before I make any choices like that. But at the end of the day, it's up to you to use your own judgement for things like that
 
myheadhurts said:
2-8 weeks is such a huge window! I'm hoping everything is cut and dry with my case and it gets pushed quickly.

Do you happen to know if the VA proposed ratings were included with that timeline of "2-8" or is that ONLY for the fit/unfit decision?

Trying to figure out if I have another 4-6 weeks of waiting after I hear from AFPC regarding the fit/unfit or if they do it all at once... Trying to put an offer in a house and I have no clue when I can comfortably close!
Click to expand...
Making plans immediately while in IDES is a recipe for disaster. You want to review the steps at each stage and not feel rushed. It could hurt you long term financially if concur just to move the process along if you would have appealed without the added pressure to keep the process moving. Also, nothing is guaranteed until you get to the end! Also, you may agree with the fit/unfit finding but disagree on other items such as combat related or % which are 2 separate appeals (FPEB & VARR).

Slow down. Its okay to rent for a year and 6 months into your lease start house hunting. Many more come on here with regrets and almost always its that they didn't slow down and were focused on timeline instead of getting the right results.
 
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Update:
6/18/2025 - PEBLO stated my case was finally sent up today to AFPC! Hopefully that's true, haven't received an email yet from FSS.
6/24/2025 - First FSS Email
8/8/2025 - VA Claim closed on App
8/11/2025 - Called MSC/PEBLO, both told me 90 % VA over the phone but do not know the DoD rating yet (or didn't give it to me).
xx/xx/2025 - Second FSS Email
xx/xx/2025 - 1180 Signed xx DOD%/xx VA%
xx/xx/2025 - Orders cut
xx/xx/2025 - Final Out/DOS

Been calling the -1000 VA number, MSC, and PEBLO throughout the past few weeks and getting the same answer ("we don't have anymore info currently"). It's awesome to finally see some movement. My skillbridge is almost up and my original DOS is 9/6/2025 so hopefully something lines up there.

MSC did tell me that my lower and mid back pain was denied as well as chronic fatigue syndrome, both of which are documented starting while active duty. Should hopefully be a simple nexus letter and review after separation but as long as I'm above 30% DoD I'm signing the 1180. Experiencing a family hardship currently and we need to move back to a support system ASAP.

Doubt there are many post-MEB lurkers in the forums but does anyone know the timeframe for receiving the actual VA Award Letter after DOS? I plan to get my DD214 to the VA as soon as I get it but just didn't know the timeline for actually being able to download the letter for income verification purposes (purchasing a home and would like to do so as we PCS out).
 
8/14/2025 - Second FSS Email at 8:00 PM so of course after hours LOL. PEBLO is out until Monday so will have to wait until over the weekend to sign anything.
 
8/18/2025 - Met with PEBLO, 1180 states 70% DoD/90% VA. Contacting ODC to see if a VARR is worth it to get me up to 100% VA, currently at 92% with VA math.
 
Just remember that a VARR would only be for your referred condition(s) rating to be reconsidered and adjusted. I'm guessing TBI/mental health is your referred condition. If so, you most likely got 70% for that using the mental health rating. The only other rating above that is 100% (MH alone - and pretty tough to get unless you display total occupational and social impairment).
 
I forgot to add they added Migraines on my list of unfit conditions. Looks like they gave me 40% for my TBI and 50% for migraines totaling 70% for the DoD rating.

I see that 50% is the max they will assign for migraines but I believe my mental health shows more in my records and I experience symptoms that align with 70% mental health rating (which they only assigned me 30% in the pyramiding of the TBI)
 
So what were your referred conditions? TBI and migraines?
It's tricky with TBI because TBI’s and mental health can be rated separately but most often they are rated as one combined due to overlapping symptoms.

If they did not combine your MH and TBI then a VARR would not help your MH rating (unless it was a referred condition).
 
"TBI with Residual Sequelae; DVA Rated as TBI with unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress"
"Migraine including migraine variants"
Those are the two listed on the actual DAF 356. Would a VARR impact the MH rating? It looks like it's combined with the TBI
 
Spoke with ODC, he stated it would take an additional 3 weeks minimum to submit a VARR and it may not even guarantee you get up to what you need for 100%. Recommended I find counsel as a civilian and handle the claims/increase in ratings after the fact.

6/24/2025 - First FSS Email
08/14/2025 - Second FSS Email
08/18/2025 - 1180 Signed 70% DOD/90% VA
xx/xx/2025 - Orders cut
xx/xx/2025 - Final Out/DOS
 
Anyone dealt with this before? I feel someone royally screwed up here... my original DOS was 9/6/2025 and my PEBLO had me fill out an extension paper a few days after my 1180 was signed. I have my orders is PRDA but they are labeled 9/6 for my approved retirement.

This gives me less than 15 days to outprocess and pack and move my entire house since we live on base. The extension was supposed to let me move my retirement date to 29 Sept. I cant use TMO since they need a 30 day notice, my base housing requires a 30 day notice to vacate, and I dont sign on my new house until 24 Sept leaving us to stay in a hotel until then (and find a place for our things).

My unit is having me come in until my DOS to outprocess starting tomorrow. I have an appointment with the shirt in the morning to see what can be done but he's only a stand-in and hasn't dealt with any issues before me.
 
I would talk to your first Sergeant and then you and your supervisor stop by your base FSS in person and get a detailed explanation and a plan to move forward.
Work with your chain of command to get this resolved FSS probably fucked up
 
Long story short, extended my contract so I could take terminal/PTDY. Here's the final timeline.

08/2023 - TBI occurred, continues care through ISS and many, many providers throughout Med Group for next year
07/2024 - SECOND TBI via car accident
12/24/2024 - Code 37 Applied
1/7/2025 - CIS Signed. Do Not Retain
3/6/2025 - Skillbridge Started Locally
3/12/2025 - Full MEB Requested
3/20/2025 - VA C&P Appointments scheduled through OptumServ
4/22/2025 - Eye C&P
4/24/2025 - General C&P
5/1/2025 - Audiology C&P
5/3/2025 - Enrolled in Wounded Warriors Program
5/13/2025 - MH C&P
5/21/2025 - TBI C&P (Last one)
6/3/2025 - 618 Signed - PEBLO stated "still waiting on one document to send case to AFPC"
6/18/2025 - PEBLO stated my case was finally sent up today to AFPC
6/24/2025 - First FSS Email
8/8/2025 - VA Claim closed on App
8/11/2025 - Called MSC/PEBLO, both told me 90 % VA over the phone but do not know the DoD rating yet (or didn't give it to me).
08/14/2025 - Second FSS Email
08/18/2025 - 1180 Signed 70% DOD/90% VA
08/28/2025 - Orders cut
09/08/2025 - Final Out
09/29/2025 - DOS

Been a journey, glad it's over. Time to move on with life and work towards the 100% P&T claim. Doc marked me for 70% MH ratings on my DBQ but for some reason the rater only gave me 40%. That alongside some other things that were not proposed but have proof in my medical records should bump me up to 100%... Anyone recommend any DAVs that can help push for higher ratings or if I need to get full C&Ps done over again or should they be able to take buddy/spouse statements and my most recent C&Ps?

Thanks all.
 
Update:
Kind of stuck in administrative limbo and not sure how to proceed. I filed for an extension since my original DOS was Sept 6, 2 days after I filed for the extension my orders dropped. I received my orders and did a final-out. I brought up to both finance and the MPF that my DOS and ETS are different dates, my approved retirement is 29 Sep and my DOS shows 6 March 2026. They assured me it would be handled.

Fast forward to today -
Never received my DD214 and I'm already moved back to HOR and started a new job. I have my retirement ID.

I called total force and the local MPF and both stated that my PEBLO was supposed to initiate the DOS change and now I can't get ahold of my PEBLO or the MEB office at Eglin.

Not really sure what to do at this point - has anyone run into this? I need my 214 to file for my VA benefits and start additional claims but MPF says it won't generate until 6 March of next year..
 
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