PDBR updates

commosgt

PEB Forum Regular Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Does anyone have any updates on there cases or any news flashes anyone would like to share. Please include if you can, your case number, year of filing, and any updates etc.


commosgt
 
Just got off the phone with the PDBR 5 minutes ago. I filed my claim in late March 2010 and got a docket number of 2010-00543. I was advised that as of September 12, 2011, the PDBR sent their findings to the Army.

Does anyone know how long it takes to hear a response?
 
Orbenny, where did your file go to Crystal City? Meaning once all the files from DOD and VA were received!
 
I actually just spoke to the people down at the intake unit (mr. anderson) and someone at the board (greg johnson) both of whom tell me that my findings were just finalized and will be sent to the navy (i'm a Marine) on monday. I am really frustrated because they wont tell me what the board recommended. I know they can see it and really cant understand why they wont tell me. really what would be the harm in telling us what the recommendation is? We all understand that it is not final until our branch has their say, just give us some info!! any info!! I also spoke with someone that works with Marines in these cases and he tells me the navy is taking around 2-3 weeks to make a determination and send out the findings. FYI my docket number is 2010-0087 and i sent in my packet originally in feb 2010. I also found out that the board relocated from crystal city to andrews afb about a month ago. I hope any of this helps.
 
Orbenny, must apologize as I did communicate correctly. I will rephrase and retype........When was your file sent to Crystal City, VA. How long did it take for all of your files from DOD and VA be sent to the intake unit prior to being sent to Crystal City? Sometimes it takes several months before your files are received especially from the VA. Some are lucky to receive their files very quickly, in my case 30 days. Others are 90 to 120 days out before being sent to Crystal City!
 
arm1000,

I can understand your frustration! All, I can tell you is be patient and hang in there......go fishing! The purpose of not telling you the findings is in case there is a mistake, the idea that you receive the board recommendations in the mail! Once the board makes the recommendation it will be sent to branch and normally from what i have read and heard it takes about 3 weeks to two months. Now I know that is not what you want to hear but i will tell after dealing with the VA since 2003 I have grown through experience of hurry up and wait. Best thing is to keep your mind busy, say a prayer, and breathe!

Now with that said, thank you for the information as I did not know they moved to Andrews AFB! Yes, i know Mr Anderson as he is the supervisor for the intake unit. As far as Mr. Johnson, that is a new one! How did you contact him or did he contact you and what does he do...very curious!!! My case number 2010-01184, I submitted my packet through the help of LTC Parker and Jason in October 2010, DoD and VA information was received in November 2010, Sent to Crystal City in December 2010 and inprocessed and received by the board in January 2011. As far as I know at this time from the intake unit my case is with Doctors from what I was told. What bothers me is there are notes on the system but the folks at the intake unit don't understand them. They state they have asked for help on this from the board but so far nothing has been done.....very secretive! Again hang in there, you have fought the good fight, stay focused!
 
I was told that my case was sent of on Aug 24th to the Army. I called the the Army Review Board Agency and was told my case was given a number, 20110017366, and it would be reviewed by the members of the Army's BCMR and they will decide if the Army will accept the recommendations of the PDBR. They said it could take one to three months to complete it. So, another board, and another group of bureurcrats making decisicions with little or no experience of what we people have been put through for almost two years now.
 
Orbenny, must apologize as I did communicate correctly. I will rephrase and retype........When was your file sent to Crystal City, VA. How long did it take for all of your files from DOD and VA be sent to the intake unit prior to being sent to Crystal City? Sometimes it takes several months before your files are received especially from the VA. Some are lucky to receive their files very quickly, in my case 30 days. Others are 90 to 120 days out before being sent to Crystal City!


My file was first sent to Crystal City on October 28, 2010. As a reminder I filed in March of 2010 and on September 12, 2011, my file was sent to the Army.

As for my file to get to the PDBR from DOD, I am not sure; however according to the Boards Records it came way before the VA's.
 
A little background: I filed 2/3/2011, and requested not only the items for which I was discharged be reviewed but also those considered disabling by the VA at the time of discharge per DoD instruction 6040.44 dated June 27, 2008, Change 1, 6/2/2009.

For those looking for dates and paths:

Filed: 2/3/2011
PDBR intake unit received: 3/29/2011 (~2 months from date of application)
Given docket ending in: 00079
VA records received via FOIA request: 6/7/2011 (~4 months from date of application)
Sent to board: 6/24/2011 (~4.5 months from date of application)
Recommendation sent to Director, Air Force Review Boards Agency for decision: 10/28/2011 (~7 months from date of application). I was told today that Request approved. Increased to 30% for medical retirement purposes. Total time to process: 12/6/2011 (~10 months from date of application)
Latest: Directive ordering correction sent from SECAF to AF Chief of Staff & forwarded to appropriate action offices: DFAS, TRICARE, DD-214 re-issue, VA, etc. : 12/22/2011 (<11 months from date of application)
- I checked this past weekend, and see two of my three kids, my wife and myself are in TRICARE. My last kid was born after my discharge, so I'll have to wait until I get my ID to get him into the system.

I was told it would take 6 - 8 months to process. I believe the key to this getting done as far as it has is:

1. Bug the VA with a FOIA request to produce your records for the PDBR
2. Make sure your case has all the documentation to get through the system without much effort
3. Hope it wasn't just rubber-stamped because it has no chance of success (kidding...)

In short, do as much of their jobs for them and you'll get further faster - JMHO.
 
arm1000,

I can understand your frustration! All, I can tell you is be patient and hang in there......go fishing! The purpose of not telling you the findings is in case there is a mistake, the idea that you receive the board recommendations in the mail! Once the board makes the recommendation it will be sent to branch and normally from what i have read and heard it takes about 3 weeks to two months. Now I know that is not what you want to hear but i will tell after dealing with the VA since 2003 I have grown through experience of hurry up and wait. Best thing is to keep your mind busy, say a prayer, and breathe!

Now with that said, thank you for the information as I did not know they moved to Andrews AFB! Yes, i know Mr Anderson as he is the supervisor for the intake unit. As far as Mr. Johnson, that is a new one! How did you contact him or did he contact you and what does he do...very curious!!! My case number 2010-01184, I submitted my packet through the help of LTC Parker and Jason in October 2010, DoD and VA information was received in November 2010, Sent to Crystal City in December 2010 and inprocessed and received by the board in January 2011. As far as I know at this time from the intake unit my case is with Doctors from what I was told. What bothers me is there are notes on the system but the folks at the intake unit don't understand them. They state they have asked for help on this from the board but so far nothing has been done.....very secretive! Again hang in there, you have fought the good fight, stay focused!


Here is some good information:

ALCON,
  • In accordance with BRAC law, effective 12 SEP 2011, the U.S. Army Physical Disability Agency Headquarters and National Capital Region Physical Evaluation Board (NCRPEB, formerly known as the D.C. PEB) will be relocating to Potomac Gateway South (http://ptcgateway.com) located in Crystal City, VA.
  • Be advised that the physical and mailing addresses are different and are provided below:
    • HQs and NCR PEB Physical address for FEDEX/UPS deliveries and Soldiers appearing in person for Formal Boards: HQs, USAPDA or NCR PEB, 3rd Floor, 2900 Crystal Drive, Arlington VA 22202
    • Mailing Address for USPS regular and registered mail: HQs, USAPDA or NCR PEB 2530 Crystal Drive, Arlington VA 22202
  • Effective 2 Sep 2011, DO NOT send any mail correspondence to Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC). Postal operations will shut down completely in preparation for garrison closure. Please forward all regular and registered USPS mail to: 2530 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202. ALL FEDEX and UPS outgoing and incoming package service will terminate at HQs, USAPDA on 8 Sep 2011 and will resume at 2900 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202 on 12 Sep 2011.
  • Temporary phone numbers will be provided on or about 7 Sep 2011. Please note that these numbers will be temporary until telephone service at our new location is established. We will update everyone via email and the HRC/PDA website when permanent phone numbers are available. Both the Agency HQs and NCR PEB staff will have AKO email access while their Outlook email accounts are being migrated to the HQDA domain.
  • Our toll free number (1-877-577-3065) will still be available for Soldier inquiries. During our relocation to Crystal City, every effort will be made to ensure that minimal disruption occurs for everyone involved with the PDES.
https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/Active/TAGD/Pda/pdapage.htm

I called them and they have just moved, so they are going to call me once everything is up and running...I hope to hear that they have my case.
 
For those of you in the Army wishing to know the status of your case after the PDBR makes their recommendation, you need to call the Army Review Board Agency at 1-703-607-1600. I just spoke with a nice woman there who advised me that PDBR cases are considered an expidit and will be pushed to the front of the line....My case was received by them on September 22, 2011. Will keep everyone updated on how long it is taking.....

Anyone in the same situation?
 
orbenny,

I submitted around the same time as you did, and my case number is a digit less than yours (Army case). The last info I received was in OCT 2010, when my case was forwarded for adjudication. I have not been diligent with phone calls regarding the status of my case, but the fact that our case numbers are so close may, with conclusions, be helpful to other wondering about patterns in this, the PDBR mud.
 
orbenny,

I submitted around the same time as you did, and my case number is a digit less than yours (Army case). The last info I received was in OCT 2010, when my case was forwarded for adjudication. I have not been diligent with phone calls regarding the status of my case, but the fact that our case numbers are so close may, with conclusions, be helpful to other wondering about patterns in this, the PDBR mud.
.


I suggest you call the Army Review Board Agency tomorrow at 703-607-1600 and ask about the status of your case. Let us know what you hear.
 
My PDBR results and determinations just arrived via regular mail (Not FEDeX). The end result is great! As a sidenote to orbenny, I think I wrote that my case number was close to yours. I am not sure what yours was but mine is (was) 2010-00464.

Here are the timeline and details:

My LOD injury (right knee ACL, Meniscus, tib/fib bone breaks) first happened on active duty Army at Ft Campbell in 1999. I had two surgeries, no MEB, and ETS from active in 2000. I went in the Guard. I was deployed to Iraq (Guard) in 04. In 05, while in Iraq, I sustained another traumatic injury to the right knee during combat related operations. I was evacuated from theater, went on the CBHCO program and had three more surgeries back home...no MEB, I stayed in the Guard.

In 08, while taking a PT test I blew out the knee, had three more surgeries, this time MEB. I was medically seperated in DEC 2009, given 20% for the knee problem. I did not appeal the 20% and was given severance.
The VA rated the knee at 30% one month after the medical severance. In March 2010 I submitted my PDBR paperwork. I did not assert anything. I simply requested a review for fairness and accuracy.

I received a letter from the PDBR at Randolph stating they had gotten my initial submission in April of 2010. In OCT 2010 I received a letter that my case was submitted for adjudication. Today, 11OCT2011, I have gotten the written Army acceptance of the PDBR's recommendation of 30% Perm Dis Retirement! Department of The Army Arlington VA.

Now to figure out the next step.

Any questions please ask.
 
Hi Badge4107!

Glad to see you're back and that you got a PDRL from the PDBR.

I am very happy for you. God knows you've earned every nickle!

Keep us posted on your timelines for the rest of the process.

And thank-you for being my internet friend!

v/r,
nwlivewire
 
My PDBR results and determinations just arrived via regular mail (Not FEDeX). The end result is great! As a sidenote to orbenny, I think I wrote that my case number was close to yours. I am not sure what yours was but mine is (was) 2010-00464.

Here are the timeline and details:

My LOD injury (right knee ACL, Meniscus, tib/fib bone breaks) first happened on active duty Army at Ft Campbell in 1999. I had two surgeries, no MEB, and ETS from active in 2000. I went in the Guard. I was deployed to Iraq (Guard) in 04. In 05, while in Iraq, I sustained another traumatic injury to the right knee during combat related operations. I was evacuated from theater, went on the CBHCO program and had three more surgeries back home...no MEB, I stayed in the Guard.

In 08, while taking a PT test I blew out the knee, had three more surgeries, this time MEB. I was medically seperated in DEC 2009, given 20% for the knee problem. I did not appeal the 20% and was given severance.
The VA rated the knee at 30% one month after the medical severance. In March 2010 I submitted my PDBR paperwork. I did not assert anything. I simply requested a review for fairness and accuracy.

I received a letter from the PDBR at Randolph stating they had gotten my initial submission in April of 2010. In OCT 2010 I received a letter that my case was submitted for adjudication. Today, 11OCT2011, I have gotten the written Army acceptance of the PDBR's recommendation of 30% Perm Dis Retirement! Department of The Army Arlington VA.

Now to figure out the next step.

Any questions please ask.


Congrats! I was not so lucky. They only increased my shoulder disability to 20%, which I originally got from the VA, and granted me nothing else. An interesting point was that I was granted 70% for PTSD from the VA right off the bat. The PDBR said that they did not see a commander's note saying that I was having any problems. I guess what they failed to realize was that I was on CBHCO and not around the so called command that they were talking about. Additionally, they mentioned that I had one VA C & P evaluation 12 months prior to separation, my MEB, and another VA C & P evaluation that all said they same exact thing, which the VA rated me on and granted 70%.

The notes from the PDBR said that 2 of the 3 board members voted against me while one member said I should be 50% TDRL and 6 months later 50% permanent.

I asked Mr. Anderson if I could ask the PDBR to reconsider and he said nope, but that I could contact the BCMR (Board of Correction for Military Records) and request that they review my file.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH! What do I do brother and sister Veterans?
 
flex4star:

NO! I'm starting to get twitchy about the results. I promised the folks at the intake unit that I would quit bugging them until December if I hadn't heard anything by then. Can't wait to see what happens...
 
Latest update: Change in database; date of action 28 October 2011. The intake unit couldn't tell me what the action was, but that all appeared to be moving along as expected. Don't know if it's good news, bad news or just plain old news, but will post update as soon as available.
 
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