"I am stationed in Germany, and may be starting the MEB process. I heard rumor that they will ship you back CONUS for them now. Does anyone know if that is true or somewhere I could go to look it up? Also are there set duty stations or do they put as close to your home of record?"
New to MEB
- Thread starter Ronald Bostic
- Start date
I am not sure, depends if you can still perform limited duties while with your unit. If they decide to send you to a WTU, it might end up being on the east cost as that is the closest WTU location. You should discuss this with your case manager.
If you are Army, you will PCS back to CONUS for IDES. Here is a link to the United States Army Europe info: http://www.eur.army.mil/IDES/default.html.
Once a soldier is referred to the IDES, the MEB phase of the process will begin. The MEB phase of the IDES process will take place at a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) located in CONUS where a comprehensive evaluation will be conducted by a Department of Veterns Affairs (VA) doctor. Once the VA evaluation is returned the the MEB, it will review the evaluation and determine if any of the soldier's conditions fail retention standards. A narrative summary (NARSUM) and a DA Form 3947 will be issued once the review is complete. A soldier is then given 7 duty days to respond to the NARSUM and the results of the review. If the MEB findings determine one of the soldiers conditions do not meet retention standards, the soldier will be referred to the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB).
Due to the use of VA doctors, soldiers assigned OCONUS will be required to PCS to a WTU at one of six designated CONUS locations for completion of the IDES. Currently, the Army's are Ft Bliss, Ft Hood, Ft Sam Houston, Ft Gordon, Ft Bragg, and Ft Lewis. Similarly, other branches have predetermined locations. Ideally the soldier would PCS to the WTU closest to home/family, but that's not guaranteed.
As with everything, there are always exceptions to policy that may provide relief from the requirement to PCS back to a CONUS location. Some exceptions would be Dual Military assigned in Europe where it's impractical to PCS spouse, soldiers who are European citizens and desire to stay in Europe after military service, or if there's a significant illness or disability of European family members. With the newness of these IDES changes, the outcome of applying for an exception is unpredictable. Regardless of which branch of service you are in, this is backbone of the process up to what you're asking about. There's always going to be local and branch specific policies and procedures, but it should always ( in a sometimes roundabout way) coincide with IDES guidelines. I hope this helps.
Due to the use of VA doctors, soldiers assigned OCONUS will be required to PCS to a WTU at one of six designated CONUS locations for completion of the IDES. Currently, the Army's are Ft Bliss, Ft Hood, Ft Sam Houston, Ft Gordon, Ft Bragg, and Ft Lewis. Similarly, other branches have predetermined locations. Ideally the soldier would PCS to the WTU closest to home/family, but that's not guaranteed.
As with everything, there are always exceptions to policy that may provide relief from the requirement to PCS back to a CONUS location. Some exceptions would be Dual Military assigned in Europe where it's impractical to PCS spouse, soldiers who are European citizens and desire to stay in Europe after military service, or if there's a significant illness or disability of European family members. With the newness of these IDES changes, the outcome of applying for an exception is unpredictable. Regardless of which branch of service you are in, this is backbone of the process up to what you're asking about. There's always going to be local and branch specific policies and procedures, but it should always ( in a sometimes roundabout way) coincide with IDES guidelines. I hope this helps.
Thanks guys I appriciate the info alot..
I have a couple of questions..
1. I have had three hospitalizations over the course of my career for Major depression disorder --reoccurring, two of which in the past 2 months. My psychiatrist that has to write the behavioral health section is not sure how to do it. I am stationed in Bethesda and he was there before the merge and not sure of Army methods.
2. I am a type II diabetic, went through a MEB in 2005. Can I go through a MEB again for the diabetes?
3. How is the MEB Process even started?
1. I have had three hospitalizations over the course of my career for Major depression disorder --reoccurring, two of which in the past 2 months. My psychiatrist that has to write the behavioral health section is not sure how to do it. I am stationed in Bethesda and he was there before the merge and not sure of Army methods.
2. I am a type II diabetic, went through a MEB in 2005. Can I go through a MEB again for the diabetes?
3. How is the MEB Process even started?
Thanks for this detailed info. I am especially interested in the exceptions to the requirement to return to CONUS. My Command has denied my appeals, despite the fact that my MEB/PEB has concluded, finding me unfit and I am awaiting only VA ratings at this point. What would be the most efficient channels to appeal this denial? In my case, my mother is extremely ill and I need to be in proximity to assist.
Just to clarify: I went through my MEB in CONUS, but my HOR and family are OCONUS, and I was told when the process started that following the fit/unfit decision that I could return to Landshtul (on my dime, if necessary) while awaiting the VA ratings. When the unfit decision came, I immediately requested the transfer and was turned down, as mentioned above. In addition to offering to pay my way back to Landshtul, I have offered also to return to CONUS for any additional exams - VA or otherwise - that should be required, again, out of pocket. This is worthwhile even financially, because I have had to make several trips back and forth, some on the spur of the moment, tripling the price of the ticket (I assume that I would get a couple of weeks' notice if summoned back for an exam). Thanks in advance for advice/guidance.
Difficult situation. Please start a new thread so you can get the attention and advice you are looking for.