Just learned of PDBR

[flex4star]

Hello, I just found out about the PDBR. I was discharged from the Marine Corps in July of 2003 after serving 12 1/2 years with 10% and severance pay. A few months later I was awarded 40% from the VA for the same condition and an overall of 100% Permanent & Total Disability due to that and all of my other issues. I am going to be sending in my DD Form 294 within the next couple of days along with my rating letter from the VA. I know that the board is able to get your records from the military and from the VA. However, I have copies of all of my medical records.....should I go ahead and submit them with the application?

From what I've read on here it is a LONG process, so just wondering if this might speed the process along. I will keep posting with updates.

Any info is greatly appreciated.

Star

 

[Justrluk]

I'd send all I could. I had to dog the VA until finally I made a FOIA request. They received the documents at the intake unit a few weeks later. Save yourself the cost of copying the records and ask the VA for a copy. In my interaction with the intake unit, I was told that the better organized I was, the quicker the case would go to the PDBR for decision. Others here have waited up to a year for a decision, but every case is unique. Best to you!

 

[flex4star]

Thanks so much for your reply. I will keep updating the progress. A long road, but well worth the wait if I get retired. Also, even if I don't I haven't lost anything.

 

[flex4star]

Are you talking about a FOIA request to get VA disability rating letter/records or actual VA medical records (from seeing the VA doctors)? Sorry I am so lost.

 

[Justrluk]

I sent a FOIA request to the VA Medical Center for the records needed. The PDBR intake already had my STRs from the VAMC Regional Office. They had made several requests to the medical side of the house. I'm dealing with the same problem with a claim I have at the VARO right now. The medical folks won't send records...