Physical Disability Board of Review Update

Were all you guys or gals who got denied by the PDBR prior USAF?

I have been waiting for 8 months, is it even worth asking one of my Senators to get a status for me since the PDBR is so secretive of their contact information to get an update?
 
MIKEQ5622 said:
Big Will,

My deferrement for medical opinion already came back and is ready for rating, that being said, it was pretty quick.... Do you think it is a positive thing? I mean the va is suspose to give the benefit of the doubt? I took your advice, I constantly bugged the va and they jumped right on it! Also, now my records should finally be forwarded on to the PDBR board etc.
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GOOD DEAL Brother!! Yeah it looks good, keep your head up and don't give them any distance that they can play with. Its all hurry up and wait time..lol.
 
seminole72 said:
Were all you guys or gals who got denied by the PDBR prior USAF?

I have been waiting for 8 months, is it even worth asking one of my Senators to get a status for me since the PDBR is so secretive of their contact information to get an update?
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So far Sem thats the way it looks..lol
 
That is interesting, is that possibly the reason why your decisions came so quick? There are a lot of Navy conducting infantry duty now as well.

They've had my junk since July 1st. I called some place up in NOVA today and some lady said, "You people keep calling here and I have no idea what you are talking about." LOL.. All i ask is where do i stand in this process, this is just like my MEB, i had no idea what was going on and it took 8 months, deja vu all over again.
 
2 questions Is there not a 3 year time limit on the BCMR? Also if not concurrent and retirement is taxable if 100% from VA wouldn't we actually be losing money by being taxed on the retirement amount?
 
PMI0369 said:
2 questions Is there not a 3 year time limit on the BCMR? Also if not concurrent and retirement is taxable if 100% from VA wouldn't we actually be losing money by being taxed on the retirement amount?
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If you apply within three years of the error or injustice (in military disability cases, it is generally the date of separation/retirement) they have to review your case. However, they also excuse delays in filing if it is "in the interest of justice" (ITIOJ) to do so. Well, you may ask, what does that mean, ITIOJ? Basically, it means if your case is meritorious on the facts, they should excuse late filing. So, in order to deny a case for late filing, they have to look at the merits. If they have gotten this wrong, it may open the doors to Federal Court.

I am not sure if I am tracking your last question. Yes, if you have an option between two equal payments, one taxed, the other non-taxed, the tax-free is the best option (there are some rare family law issues that can impact all of this, too). The problem is that you have to look at the actual paid amounts from each source (i.e., compare dollars to dollars, not percentage to percentage). In some cases, there will be no increase in compensation by virtue of a higher rating from the military. In others, there will be. It depends on base retired pay, years of service, VA rating, dependency situation among other factors.
 
MIKEQ5622 said:
Any ideas people?

Say the PDBR retires you at 30% of base pay, say you get 1000 for retirement and 1000 a month VA Comp. You should receive the retro pay to date of PEB. That being said, do you think all retirement pay will be offset by what you have received from date of seperation by the va? Do you think that only the retired disability for retirement will offset from what the disability from PEB condition was not all service conditions for va comp or do you think that they will offset from total?

Yes I know tough to understand and tough put in words.

Example:

DOD retirement is 1000 for asthma.

Va Comp your asthma is only rated at 30% which would be est. $200 va comp but you get 1000 for all service connections from the va. Will the retirement just be deducted for what the retired disability would be for va comp or do you think that it would all be offset?

Hope I explained it ok???
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In the above scenario, does the member have 20 years or more service (active or reserve)? If I understand what you are asking, then the answer resolves on the question if the member is eligible for CRDP (basically, 20 yrs or more service, or TERA retiree).
 
Even if taxed I think its still worth it just for the satisfaction of being retired and the insurance but mostly to show we didnt quit. Didnt congress pass a law for concurrent receipt to be phased in starting next year over the next ten years? I know the rule says you have to have over 20 but thats not my fault I got denied reenlistment 3 times because non deployable due to medical.
 
MIKEQ5622 said:
Big Will,

I have an idea, just resubmit all of your paperwork to the PDBR and see for shits and giggles if it makes it all the way thru the process again. You never know, it might make it thru and there may be a different outcome.
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HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I just might do that.
 
berdby said:
I checked my document here is the timeline:
29 Jan 2009 Letter received from PDBR at Randolph AFB saying they received my packet.
13 Aug 2009 Received Letter from PDBR at Randolph AFB that my packet was complete and being forwarded to board.
3 Sept 2009 PDBR Board Convened (In Arlington, VA)
14 Sept 2009 the record of proceedings is completed along with the decision letter from the PDBR (Stamped 14 Sept 2009) and forwarded to the Sec of the Army for Review
1 Oct 2009 Army Review Boards Agency accepts recommendation of PDBR for PDRL and forwards package to me on Oct 9th.
16 Oct 2009 Received Package because the board has the wrong address on the packet which I had changed with them twice before of course.
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Thanks for that timely and detailed reply. I will try to work it into my best guess time line. All I can say is that as of right now, from the board receiving your packet to you receiving notification, you are at the minimum side of my guesstimate time line. In other words the best guess average processing time from the board getting a complete packet (all medical records etc.) to a serviceman getting notice is about 60 - 120 days. Based on published PDBR instructions / PDBR goals / PDBR time lines / and a few actual cases.

In my case they got my complete packet on 9 July 09. This Tuesday will be 105 days. (I figure you where right around 60 days, and would have been 50 days except for your address correction) But I figure my wait time is within my original guesstimate. I honestly thought there would be a whole bunch coming out in October since that is the start of the new fiscal year for DOD.
 
wilsonle61 said:
Thanks for that timely and detailed reply. I will try to work it into my best guess time line. All I can say is that as of right now, from the board receiving your packet to you receiving notification, you are at the minimum side of my guesstimate time line. In other words the best guess average processing time from the board getting a complete packet (all medical records etc.) to a serviceman getting notice is about 60 - 120 days. Based on published PDBR instructions / PDBR goals / PDBR time lines / and a few actual cases.

In my case they got my complete packet on 9 July 09. This Tuesday will be 105 days. (I figure you where right around 60 days, and would have been 50 days except for your address correction) But I figure my wait time is within my original guesstimate. I honestly thought there would be a whole bunch coming out in October since that is the start of the new fiscal year for DOD.
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Also remember, is you have a pending comp and pen claim as I do, the claim has to be complete with your most updated record before getting sent to the PDBR board. Basically, if you want to go thru the PDBR first then do not start a claim... Such a pain been waiting since January and the PDBR still doesnt have my file from the regional office.....
 
Guntruckhammer,

I just got a voicemail when I called but this the number I found. Also if you go to this site Contact Us you can submit an email question which they say will be answered within 5 business days.

Claims & Correction of Records

Customer Service: 317-510-6167
Mailing Address:
DFAS-IN
8899 E. 56th St.
Dept. 3300 ATTN: COR/Claims
Indianapolis, IN 46249-3300
FAX: 317-275-0279
DSN: 699-6167
​
guntruckhammer said:
Hey berdby,

Have you tried contacting DFAS yet?

Hammer
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berdby said:
Also if you go to this site Contact Us you can submit an email question which they say will be answered within 5 business days.
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I would NOT recommend using the web page email form. My record was corrected by the BCNR earlier this year and when I had a question for DFAS I used the web page you mentioned and never received a response in over 30 days. In fact, when I called 1-800-321-1080 (generic DFAS customer service) to see what was taking them so long to respond, the man I spoke with told me he did not even know it was possible to submit questions via the DFAS web page. In order to get my question answered, I had to write a letter to DFAS on paper and send it to the P.O. box address listed in London KY. Luckily they answered my question relatively quickly (it probably took about a week) and sent the answer to my email address that I had provided in the letter I mailed them.

Based on my experience, I would highly recommend either calling or writing (on paper) to DFAS instead of using their web page. By calling or writing I think you will have better documentation should you need to later prove that you contacted DFAS for whatever reason.
 
Does anybody know if they are reviewing veterans complete service medical record, va medical records and medical board?

I wouldn't think they could get a whole picture by just looking at the MEB narsum and some abstracts from a 2 inch thick medical record.

Is everybody else frustrated? My stuff has been at the board since July 7th. This is crazy slow, just like the original MEB.
 
Seminole,

My application was there on January 16th and my package was at the board in May...remember all good things come to those who wait.

Obie
 
Maybe in the future the DOD will put out a web based program where somebody can check their application by punching in their SSN via the keyboard. The whole problem is not knowing where a person might stand in the process, it is eerily reminiscent of my medical board, i never knew anything, this lasted for 9 months. I received a call one day and that is all i heard. With all the troops coming back home within 2 years, this board is going to get very busy and might become like the VA when it adjudicates claims, it could take a couple of years. At least I got my Post 9/11 G.I. Bill and am using it to finish off my bachelors! :cool:
 
When I applied I filled out the dd form 294 and submitted all of the award letters I had received from the VA. You want to give them as much info as possible. Any diagnosis, any awards, any psych evals etc. The best thing you can do for yourself is give the PDBR all of the info you have. After multiple years in service I have learned that you have to help yourself. Get in control and keep tabs on every thing you have going and make copies of everything. It took me two years to get my student loans repaid and that was all on me because as a reservist no one had a clue.
 
Seminole,

I understand your concern...just wanted to remind you that this board will only look at service members who received a MEB rating of 20% or less from 9/11/01 to 12/31/09, so those who receive a rating after the end of this year are SOL in terms of this board. This board is only a temporary thing, until the DOD and VA quote "get their rating schedules in line with one another." end quote (I don't think will ever happen because the missions of each service and the VA are on two totally different spectrums!)

Waiting 280 days and counting for my results...Docket #00005 holds no weight in terms of a timely decision.

Obie
 
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