New to to forum and new MEB

[Jones_2021]

Hello shipmates!

My MEB packet was received by DC and has begun the IPEB/FPEB process (08FEB22). I have a couple of questions about this section of the board if anyone could help out I’d really appreciate it.

I elected for early legal counsel but I’m not sure what that means/entails. Should I be calling the number provided or putting together questions? I’m confused as to what this does to the process (longer, shorter etc). I’ve seen some posts saying it made it shorter but why is that.
Second, I see some people on here hired attorneys. Was the reasoning because you were found fit or to get a better percentage. Does your attorney work in conjunction with your assigned JAG or take over the case?
Lastly, for the most recent people findings, what have y’all’s timelines been? I have found various timelines online and the people I know who have been through a MEB range from 7 months to 3 years.

All help is greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

 

[Provis]

Hello shipmates!

My MEB packet was received by DC and has begun the IPEB/FPEB process (08FEB22). I have a couple of questions about this section of the board if anyone could help out I’d really appreciate it.

I elected for early legal counsel but I’m not sure what that means/entails. Should I be calling the number provided or putting together questions? I’m confused as to what this does to the process (longer, shorter etc). I’ve seen some posts saying it made it shorter but why is that.
Second, I see some people on here hired attorneys. Was the reasoning because you were found fit or to get a better percentage. Does your attorney work in conjunction with your assigned JAG or take over the case?
Lastly, for the most recent people findings, what have y’all’s timelines been? I have found various timelines online and the people I know who have been through a MEB range from 7 months to 3 years.

All help is greatly appreciated!! Thanks!

I would contact your legal representative and start to educate yourself on the process.

As for the attorney thing. Hiring a private one means you have a dedicated attorney who doesn't have 50-100 other clients. The IDES legal people aren't bad. Its just hard to get the best result when they are stretched thin. When using free IDES attorney you typically are in a reactive situation. For example, your NARSUM isn't' what you want and so you ask legal to go over options. They will talk about doing a IMR or rebuttal etc. With a private attorney you are proactive working on all of this stuff from the start. So you are seeing how your medical evidence stacks up for ratings, you are planning on trying to get another condition added for unfitting, you are coached on how to properly communicate your symptoms for the C&P exam.

Since there is a wide range of outcomes from being found "fit' to getting a higher rating a lot of people choose to pay money on a dedicated attorney to be proactive and to help them get the best outcome possible. My wife has a private attorney and it looks like she will have 3 unfitting conditions meaning her DOD % will probably be double what she thought she would get at the beginning. I can't say for certain as she hasn't gotten her ratings in yet but its looking good that she will accomplish her goals for this process.