Hawaii (Tripler AMC) Timeline

hawkdrivermtp

hawkdrivermtp

PEB Forum Regular Member
PEB Forum Veteran
So here is my time-line as requested.

Injury occurred in Iraq: 18 FEB 2010
Original P3 approved: 5 APR 2011
MMRB: 14 JUL 2011
MMRB Recommended MEB: 23 JUL 2011
Date Commander Notified of MEB Action: 8 AUG 2011
Applied for SSDI: SEP 2011
Date of Physician's Notification of MEB Action: 5 OCT 2011
SSDI Denied: 12 OCT 2011
Physcial Exam Completed: 1 NOV 2011
QTC VA Physical exam: 2 NOV 2011
QTC VA Audiology Exam: 3 NOV 2011
QTC VA Ophthalmology Exam: 7 NOV 2011
QTC VA Behavioral Health exam: 9 NOV 2011
MEB Physicians referral to Podiatry: NOV 2011
Date of MEB Physician Appointment: 21 DEC 2011
Appealed SSDI Denial: DEC 2011
SSDI Denied: 13 JAN 2012
SSDI Formal Appeal Requesed: 13 JAN 2012
Hawaii Disability Rights Center assigned SS Advocate: 24 JAN 2012
Date MEB with signatures of approving authority returned to PEBLO: 9 FEB 2012
Dat Patient Counseled on MEB: 10 FEB 2012
Date Appeal filed: 16 FEB 2012
Date Physician dictated MEB narrative Summary: 28 FEB 2012
Original P3 Updated: 29 FEB 2012
Date MEB appeal returned to PEBLO by MEB approving authority: 5 MAR 2012
Date Case Received from the MTF: 12 MAR 2012
Date SM found unfit by PEB (LEWIS): 11 APR 2012

That is pretty much my exact time-line as of now. As you can see, there is almost a year between my original injury until my P3 was approved. I still had 6 months left in Iraq when I was injured, yet instead of having me MEDEVAC'd out of theater, my BN CDR wanted to keep me to perform duties, against my flight docs recommendation. Once I returned from Iraq and up until the P3 was finally approved, I underwent 3 laser PTK surgeries and a number of micro-puncture (needle pokes to eye to create scar), as well as several superficial keretectomy procedures (scalpel to cornea to scrape damaged tissue). I was told after PTK I would be able to receive PRK to bring my vision back to normal, but since I had 3 rounds of PTK laser treatment, the damage was too far done and I was left with 20/200 when all was said and done. I started out even with my injury at 20/20! It's been one long ride for me. The day of my injury in Iraq is when I could no longer perform my duties as a test pilot. Entire flight career down the drain, very likely because my BN CDR did not allow me to leave Iraq so I could receive proper treatment.

I failed to mention how my PCM and new BN CDR wished to place me in the WTU, but my PCM wished to push me through the MAR2 program. I waited months between when my P3 was approved for word on when MAR2 would begin in Hawaii because they where no longer holding MMRBs in Hawaii. After waiting a couple months, I contacted a MAJ I believe at the Pentagon and within days, MMRBs resumed at Schofield because the MAR2 was not in affect at this installation. Since I was going up for a MAR2, then MMRB, then MEB, it was decided it was too late for me to go to the WTU. It was later acknowledged that upon return from Iraq, I should have been assigned to the WTU. If so, I truly believe I would be mentally in a better place.

Currently waiting for the VA to come back with their findings and awaiting my formal hearing with my SS advocate and judge to determine SSDI outcome.

Also of note, I had 2 conditions I was found unfit for and I believe 12 conditions the VA is rating me on that were not considered unfit. I may have a long wait.......

Hope this helps give an idea of how "the system is working."
 
It looks like once you hit the actual MEB/PEB it went quick Feb-March for you PEB wow I wish. I see you had to go through alot of crap to get to this point and I hope they give you your due cause you have been through hell. I cannot believe they wouldnt return you for proper treatment I truely hope it wasent to keep numbers up because that was a P.O.S. thing to do. I wish you the best, Good Luck with the VA SSDI I hope it works out for you.
 
Shel81 - The reason I was kept in combat, was because my CDR was hoping my eye would cure itself and I would be okay....you know, a little quarters, a little bit of eye drops, etc, etc.... I was grounded for all flight duties until I began to improve slightly, then I was sent to one of the larger COBs and saw an optometrist who could do nothing for me and referred me to an ophthalmologist at an even larger COB, but since there was only one in the country, I was never provided the opportunity to be seen. At least the ophthalmologist at Tripler understood how I got screwed over and was very likely the cause of the status I am in now. A fellow Aviator who is now retired, told me I needed to file a lawsuit against the individual who refused to allow me to leave, but, honestly, I don't think I would ever be able to prove anything and it would just be a huge waste of my time and money.
 
You may not be able to prove anything but I am sure someone somewhere will be able to back up what you are saying. They put your eyesight in danger for any one that’s a bad thing but for an Aviator I can’t even imagine. The least that could happen is they get a slap on the wrist but they will be under some ones microscope from now on. Don’t just let that go I know for the most part it didn’t end well for you but you still can see think if it would have gotten worse. Yep your eye can “cure itself” are they serious SMH! If your CDR isn’t a doctor and the Doctors recommended you be sent back and a Doctor later finds that by your CDR not following another Doctors recommendations you are worse off than before or your condition was aggravated to the point of causing you more harm, then you bet the CDR can be held responsible as he/she should be. Even if you would have been sent back and treated you may have ended up in the same boat that’s true but now there is no way of knowing if early treatment and treatment that was correct would have helped and that rests squarely on that CDRs shoulders.
 
I hear you there, but exactly what you said at the end...there s no way of knowing if early treatment would have helped. After all the surgeries I was left partially blind in my right eye, lower right quarter has no perception and I now suffer night blindness and scotoma. I honestly don't have the time, energy, or desire to pursue this any further. With all the people who were on the deployment, the amount who PCSd and the fact that they are all deployed once again, I just don't see me getting far in the process. What's done is done and now hopefully I am compensated by the Army and/or VA.
 
I really hope you dont have to fight for a fair percentage. I feel like this system is set up to take the fight out of us I have begun to feel the same way. When my MEB started I was like im not taking less than 30% now some days I would be happy just to have it over.
 
If I was single and didn't have a family, I could honestly care less how long the process takes. I'm still getting paid. But my family is ready for this to be over, move, start a new life, etc.... I don't plan to fight regardless of the outcome. I say that now, but I know if I think I am being screwed over, I will probably have a different attitude. Hope everything works out for you as well.
 
Update. I visit eBenefits daily. Already did this AM but still said the same "Gathering Evidence". Just checked again this evening and changed to Pending Decision Approval! I hope this means the end is near!! I talked to the VA last week and was told May 4th, my case was given to a preliminary rating case manager and today, 23rd of May my status changed. God, I hope the rest goes fast.
 
hawkdrivermtp said:
Update. I visit eBenefits daily. Already did this AM but still said the same "Gathering Evidence". Just checked again this evening and changed to Pending Decision Approval! I hope this means the end is near!! I talked to the VA last week and was told May 4th, my case was given to a preliminary rating case manager and today, 23rd of May my status changed. God, I hope the rest goes fast.
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I am using your time line as my yard stick so I am glad you keep it updated. I spoke to the VA today and apparently they assigned it for preliminary rating on the 18th of May so if I judge by around the same time frame it took to get your stuff throught its running around 14 days give or take for any kind of change in status.
 
Shel81 said:
I am using your time line as my yard stick so I am glad you keep it updated. I spoke to the VA today and apparently they assigned it for preliminary rating on the 18th of May so if I judge by around the same time frame it took to get your stuff throught its running around 14 days give or take for any kind of change in status.
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Yeah, it sounds like you are exactly two weeks behind me. I will update this once I receive any updates. Feel free to update on this thread as well if you have any changes to your status. Now that I am in the Pending Approval stage, the VA is not really giving me much info when I call. In fact, they are of no help at this point. I even had one VA worker tell me I wouldn't even find out my ratings until I left the military and finished my claim. He didn't seem to grasp the fact that I was undergoing an MEB/PEB and wouldn't be able to leave the military until the VA forwarded their findings back to the PEB. He finally figured it out after 15 minutes of arguing.
 
hawkdrivermtp said:
Yeah, it sounds like you are exactly two weeks behind me. I will update this once I receive any updates. Feel free to update on this thread as well if you have any changes to your status. Now that I am in the Pending Approval stage, the VA is not really giving me much info when I call. In fact, they are of no help at this point. I even had one VA worker tell me I wouldn't even find out my ratings until I left the military and finished my claim. He didn't seem to grasp the fact that I was undergoing an MEB/PEB and wouldn't be able to leave the military until the VA forwarded their findings back to the PEB. He finally figured it out after 15 minutes of arguing.
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That sounds like the guy I spoke to this morning. I had a "wait.....what?" moment until I figured out he had no idea what the MEB/PEB was I had to explane it to him and after some searching he got the light bulb. I really dont think the MEB/PEB actually have contact with each other LOL go figure right.
 
Yeah some of them really know what they are doing and some seem just as lost as us sometimes. Called again moments ago and requested a fax of my preliminary ratings but the rep told me he couldn't do that. Seems like it all depends on who you talk to. I know my rating has been decided as of 23 May and it looks like they mailed me something on 25 May so maybe it has the info I was requested via fax. He told me something about having to let the mail system do its job then if I had questions to call back. Maybe this is good news. I'll let you know regardless what happens.
 
Well I ended up getting through to my local VA rep after numerous calls to the 1-800 VA number. They refused to fax or tell me my preliminary ratings over the phone. So I called my rep here in Hawaii and he gave me my ratings over the phone. Quite disappointed in the outcome but I really don't have the will to fight an appeal. I was awarded 20% DoD and 60% VA. My unfit condition is combat related though so I shouldnt have to repay my severance. The severance is nice as a CW3 with 14 years but would have rather retired with benefits. That's my update. yay.........
 
You only got 20% from DoD? That kind of sucks especially after 14years of service. So do get severance at 14 years times 2times your base pay minus taxes?
Have you heard when you will be getting orders and finally be finished?
I called the VA on 18 May and they said my packet was finalized and decided on 11 May and I would get something in the mail in "23" days (odd number if you ask me. So here it is 30 May and PEBLO still has heard nothing and we are yet waiting again....
Best of Luck to you and your family!
 
Yep, 20%. You are correct CW3 base pay x2 x 14 years service. Shouldn't be taxed as it is combat related.

If you have a VA rep you sat down with to schedule your VA C&P exams, call him/her. They have the same info and should be able to tell you your findings. At least mine did.
 
hawkdrivermtp said:
Yep, 20%. You are correct CW3 base pay x2 x 14 years service. Shouldn't be taxed as it is combat related.

If you have a VA rep you sat down with to schedule your VA C&P exams, call him/her. They have the same info and should be able to tell you your findings. At least mine did.
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I think they cap out your years in service at 12 if you are not over 20 years. I am pretty sure about that so you may want to check. At least you wont have to repay that money back. I caculated my amount a few days ago and after the 25% taxes are taken out it really isnt that much but at this point I will be happy to just be able to move on with my civilian life.
 
Shel81 said:
I think they cap out your years in service at 12 if you are not over 20 years. I am pretty sure about that so you may want to check. At least you wont have to repay that money back. I caculated my amount a few days ago and after the 25% taxes are taken out it really isnt that much but at this point I will be happy to just be able to move on with my civilian life.
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I have heard the 12 year cap but have also heard it goes up to 19 years now. Maybe we can get some clarification. I am almost positive it has been mentioned in these forums that its 19 years. I still haven't received my VA results in the mail that were sent a week ago from Seattle. It only takes about 3 days for mail from the west coast to arrive in Hawaii so not sure why I haven't received anything by them by now. If I haven't received anything yet, unlikely my PEBLO has either. Guess I just have to continue being patient.
 
Shel81 said:
I think they cap out your years in service at 12 if you are not over 20 years. I am pretty sure about that so you may want to check. At least you wont have to repay that money back. I caculated my amount a few days ago and after the 25% taxes are taken out it really isnt that much but at this point I will be happy to just be able to move on with my civilian life.
Click to expand...

CORRECTION: The 19 years is an enhancement of the old 12 years limit as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 (NDAA 08). That means, 19 years is the maximum years of service to calculate severance pay. It has not been changed back to 12 years.
 
PEB received case 3/5/12
Unfit by PEB- 4/2/12
Case foward to Seattle VA- 4/2/12
Rating finished- 5/10/12
Received the "brown Folder" today 5/10/12
Army 20% VA 70%
Migraine and Bilateral Plantar Fasciitis denied.

Total rating was 100% now 70% ( VA math)

Also the rating can be changed by PEB
 
comeback said:
CORRECTION: The 19 years is an enhancement of the old 12 years limit as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 (NDAA 08). That means, 19 years is the maximum years of service to calculate severance pay. It has not been changed back to 12 years.
Click to expand...
Yeah, but I did read the entire AR 635-40 page to page when Jason added it a few weeks back. This AR is dated 20 March 2012 by the way. It reads on pg 73 of the pdf file section C-12:

a. Severance pay. In computing pay for those with less than 20 years’ active service and a disability percentage of
less than 30 percent, figure 2 months’ basic pay for every year of active duty with a maximum of 12 years service.
Consider 6 months or more as a whole year for computing years of service as a multiplier. A Soldier with less than 6
months’ service cannot receive severance pay. The Soldier may apply to the VA for disability compensation. (Years of
service for members of the RC is computed in accordance with 10 USC 12732.)

With this being recently published, I'm not sure how NDAA 08 stands with an updated Army Regulation stating specifically 12 years maximum for severance pay. Anybody have any ideas on this? Maybe Jason can hit this up if he sees it. I included the updated AR.
 

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