First time poster. I was placed on ARMY TDRL list 50% in 2009 for PTSD combat related. I was rated by VA for PTSD and other conditions equaling a 80% rating. Just had my TDRL eval today. What are the chances based off what u guys are hearing here, or have experienced that it comes back less than 30%? I have just under 9 years and left as a E5. I don't really want the retirement. I don't need the health insurance, i work as a x ray tech and can get it through my job. I do however want my severance. If I understand correctly, because its combat related i will still receive full VA benefits and just loose my CSRC. If thats wrong,and i have to pay back through a partial withhold from monthly VA check i still don't care. I want the severance for a down payment on a house. Sorry for the length i just want to avoid any "advice" about the advantages of retirement. I just want to know what the chances are i get this severance and not permanently retired. Thanks
PTSD TDRL EVAL
- Thread starter Djackson727
- Start date
Welcome to the PEB Forum!
Indeed, you know exactly what you want out of the DoD IDES MEB/PEB process; ok, good deal!
From an U.S. Army perspective, that's a very interesting question in my opinion. Via the PEB Forum, I have not read of a military service member receiving a DoVA rating of less than 30% from a PTSD medical condition while on TDRL.
To that extent, it's not to say that a military service member can't receive disability severance pay from a PTSD or any other behavioral health medical condition. That said, what are your thoughts about the outcome of the PTSD re-evaluation on 17 Sep 13?
Do you believe your PTSD symptomatology has decrease to the point of one of the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders as follows?:
1. "Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or; symptoms controlled by continuous medication......................................................................................................................................10%"
or
2. "A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social functioning or to require continuous medication......................................................................................................................................0%?"
Who actually performed the PTSD re-evaluation: the DoVA or DoD (Army) via Ivan Walks and Associates (IWA), an U.S. Government subcontractor's medical examination results?
Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."
Best Wishes!
Welcome to the PEB Forum!
Indeed, you know exactly what you want out of the DoD IDES MEB/PEB process; ok, good deal!
From an U.S. Army perspective, that's a very interesting question in my opinion. Via the PEB Forum, I have not read of a military service member receiving a DoVA rating of less than 30% from a PTSD medical condition while on TDRL.
To that extent, it's not to say that a military service member can't receive disability severance pay from a PTSD or any other behavioral health medical condition. That said, what are your thoughts about the outcome of the PTSD re-evaluation on 17 Sep 13?
Do you believe your PTSD symptomatology has decrease to the point of one of the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders as follows?:
1. "Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or; symptoms controlled by continuous medication......................................................................................................................................10%"
or
2. "A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social functioning or to require continuous medication......................................................................................................................................0%?"
Who actually performed the PTSD re-evaluation: the DoVA or DoD (Army) via Ivan Walks and Associates (IWA), an U.S. Government subcontractor's medical examination results?
Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."
Best Wishes!
Welcome to the PEB Forum!
Indeed, you know exactly what you want out of the DoD IDES MEB/PEB process; ok, good deal!
From an U.S. Army perspective, that's a very interesting question in my opinion. Via the PEB Forum, I have not read of a military service member receiving a DoVA rating of less than 30% from a PTSD medical condition while on TDRL.
To that extent, it's not to say that a military service member can't receive disability severance pay from a PTSD or any other behavioral health medical condition. That said, what are your thoughts about the outcome of the PTSD re-evaluation on 17 Sep 13?
Do you believe your PTSD symptomatology has decrease to the point of one of the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders as follows?:
1. "Occupational and social impairment due to mild or transient symptoms which decrease work efficiency and ability to perform occupational tasks only during periods of significant stress, or; symptoms controlled by continuous medication......................................................................................................................................10%"
or
2. "A mental condition has been formally diagnosed, but symptoms are not severe enough either to interfere with occupational and social functioning or to require continuous medication......................................................................................................................................0%?"
Who actually performed the PTSD re-evaluation: the DoVA or DoD (Army) via Ivan Walks and Associates (IWA), an U.S. Government subcontractor's medical examination results?
Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."
Best Wishes!
First off all thanks for the reply. Let me first tell you this. I atually went through the MEB process twice. After the first time i recieved 10 percent and was set to be dischsrged with a severence, that was march 2008. Shortly after that before i got out an incident happened and i was set to be chaptered out the Army. I appealed to the post commander and the chapter was overturned. At that point my MEB paper work had expired. I went BACK through the MEB process a second time and was placed on TDRL 50%. No new documents were submitted on my behalf at all. You cant make this stuff up i know lol. As for today, i was seen by a civilian Dr working on post. I dont know what to say about how it went. I presented my condition as it is, still very relevant but over a 5 year period of TDRL i have learned to just adapt to it and it has improved. That being said the vibe i got from Dr and Peblo is that its political at this point and they dont want the burdon of a bunch of PTSD TDRL vets in an uproar over being jerked out of retirement. So i dont know. Ive been all over the net looking for anybody in this situation. Ive read many a stories about being lowered and discharged with a severence but not for PTSD. I guess we will see. Thanks again for reply.
Wow! Indeed; you have been around the world once then back again within the DoD IDES process!
To that extent, I appreciate the detailed explanation referencing your current DoD IDES case file; it gave me a better comprehension.
Hmm, it seems that the USAPDA PEB will determine the disability rating for all Soldiers being removed from the TDRL since IDES procedures are not currently used for rating of TDRL cases.
Well, the DoD (Army) has a trended history of under rating/low balling TDRL PTSD disability ratings; therefore, it seems that your opportunity to receive an under-valued disability rating is as likely as not to occur in my opinion.
That said, I am definitely interesting in the overall PEB finding of your particular case; please provide an update if you prefer; thanks! Oh, by the way, you are welcome!
Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."
Best Wishes!
I can tell you why you went from 10% to 50% between the two MEBs/PEBs. For years, the military was violating the law by not rating unfitting conditions per the VASRD. In the 2008 NDAA (signed into law on January 28th 2008), Congress passed a provision that restated the requirement to rate unfitting conditions per the VASRD. One such VASRD provision (4.129) state that when PTSD is severe enough to make an individual unfit for active service, it is to be rated at no less than 50% with reevaluation within 6 months. After this law was passed, both the Army and the Navy ( in March 2008, ironically) had the balls to put out policy stating that while they were require by law to rate per the VASRD, they still would not apply the VASRD 4.129 50% PTSD rating requirement. I raised holy hell about this with Congress, DoD the Services and the press. Later in 2008, DoD mandate 4.129 be followed by PEBs and that they assigned a 50% rating for unfitting PTSD. Google Sabo v. US which was class action suit that also addressed this issue.
I have seen PTSD be rated less than 30% on TDRL review, often in error. BTW: If your PTSD incurred in a combat zone, and I am guessing it did if you are getting CRSC for it, your severance would not be recovered by your VA. This was another provision in the 2008 NDAA.
I know you don't want to hear advice on the benefits of the disability retirement but here is some nonetheless. If your rationale for wanting severance is a down payment for a house, there are better ways to skin this cat. As a veteran, you can get a VA home loan which does not require a down payment. VA loans usually require a funding fee that can sometimes make them less attractive than a conventional loan. However, if you are rated at 10% or more by the VA, the funding fee is waived. You can't beat this deal with a stick. Even if you had the down payment available, I would recommend you get the VA down payment free loan and invest your down payment dollars for the future. You may need it for an unforeseen emergency and/or you can invest it for future needs. You mortgage interest rate will be around 4% and tax deductible. You can certainly make more than that overtime investing the money. It is strategies like this that can build wealth and future financial security.
Also, if it is a down payment you desire, why not get a loan for it and pay the loan back with your CRSC dollars? When your done paying back the loan you will then have CRSC dollars for the rest of your life. That being said, if I were your I would be getting a VA loan and avoiding the whole down payment problem altogether.
As for your health insurance, don't bet that you will always have it. The Health Care Reform Act has introduced uncertainty and if you read the press, you will see that many companies are eliminating or reducing their heath care benefits. You could be one layoff away from a medical insurance disaster. While you may be covered by the VA due to your VA rating, you may have family health insurance issues in the future. A couple of years back, I assisted an Army PFC in getting a medical retirement for sleep apnea. Many were telling him not to worry about the military retirement as it was going to be offset by his VA. Do not undersell the value of the TRICARE benefit. He was offered a job that stated they would give him $5 more an hour if he did not take the company health insurance which he did not need because he got TRICARE as a disability retiree. Just on a 40 hour week, this meant an additional $10,000 a year in his pocket, more if he works overtime.
Mike
I have seen PTSD be rated less than 30% on TDRL review, often in error. BTW: If your PTSD incurred in a combat zone, and I am guessing it did if you are getting CRSC for it, your severance would not be recovered by your VA. This was another provision in the 2008 NDAA.
I know you don't want to hear advice on the benefits of the disability retirement but here is some nonetheless. If your rationale for wanting severance is a down payment for a house, there are better ways to skin this cat. As a veteran, you can get a VA home loan which does not require a down payment. VA loans usually require a funding fee that can sometimes make them less attractive than a conventional loan. However, if you are rated at 10% or more by the VA, the funding fee is waived. You can't beat this deal with a stick. Even if you had the down payment available, I would recommend you get the VA down payment free loan and invest your down payment dollars for the future. You may need it for an unforeseen emergency and/or you can invest it for future needs. You mortgage interest rate will be around 4% and tax deductible. You can certainly make more than that overtime investing the money. It is strategies like this that can build wealth and future financial security.
Also, if it is a down payment you desire, why not get a loan for it and pay the loan back with your CRSC dollars? When your done paying back the loan you will then have CRSC dollars for the rest of your life. That being said, if I were your I would be getting a VA loan and avoiding the whole down payment problem altogether.
As for your health insurance, don't bet that you will always have it. The Health Care Reform Act has introduced uncertainty and if you read the press, you will see that many companies are eliminating or reducing their heath care benefits. You could be one layoff away from a medical insurance disaster. While you may be covered by the VA due to your VA rating, you may have family health insurance issues in the future. A couple of years back, I assisted an Army PFC in getting a medical retirement for sleep apnea. Many were telling him not to worry about the military retirement as it was going to be offset by his VA. Do not undersell the value of the TRICARE benefit. He was offered a job that stated they would give him $5 more an hour if he did not take the company health insurance which he did not need because he got TRICARE as a disability retiree. Just on a 40 hour week, this meant an additional $10,000 a year in his pocket, more if he works overtime.
Mike
The statements about insurance were true and I can vouch for that. I had an increased salary range well above my hired range when I told them I had my own insurance. I had the benefit of saving myself the 100$ insurance payments PLUS they gave me $65 a week higher then they wanted to offer me.
Are you wanting to be determined 'fit for duty'?
UPDATE;
Well a few weeks after this post they came back and permanently retired me at 50%. I appealed it to get the severence pay. I was scheduled for a formal hearing on Dec 23. Once i talked to a peb legal rep he forwarded my info and request to the board members. He came back and said they would do it with statements from co workers friends etc that i show no signs of being socially inept. Monday morning of the board he called me and said they will give me the 10 percent if i wanted it no need for board. So thats what happened. Thanks again for the replys, any ideas on how long it takes to recieve severence pay?
Happy New Year!!!
Well a few weeks after this post they came back and permanently retired me at 50%. I appealed it to get the severence pay. I was scheduled for a formal hearing on Dec 23. Once i talked to a peb legal rep he forwarded my info and request to the board members. He came back and said they would do it with statements from co workers friends etc that i show no signs of being socially inept. Monday morning of the board he called me and said they will give me the 10 percent if i wanted it no need for board. So thats what happened. Thanks again for the replys, any ideas on how long it takes to recieve severence pay?
Happy New Year!!!
Wow! Indeed; you have been around the world once then back again within the DoD IDES process!
To that extent, I appreciate the detailed explanation referencing your current DoD IDES case file; it gave me a better comprehension.
Hmm, it seems that the USAPDA PEB will determine the disability rating for all Soldiers being removed from the TDRL since IDES procedures are not currently used for rating of TDRL cases.
Well, the DoD (Army) has a trended history of under rating/low balling TDRL PTSD disability ratings; therefore, it seems that your opportunity to receive an under-valued disability rating is as likely as not to occur in my opinion.
That said, I am definitely interesting in the overall PEB finding of your particular case; please provide an update if you prefer; thanks! Oh, by the way, you are welcome!
Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."
Best Wishes!
_______________________________***
*** Happy New Year! ******_________________________________Indeed, you received exactly what you wanted albeit unknown on timeframe for receipt; good deal!
That said, appreciate the update and enjoy your forthcoming military disability severance pay for sure!
Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."
Best Wishes!
Hi very interested in retaining information about coming off of TDRL for PTSD and being found "fit for duty".
Hello, I haven't been on here in a while and I apologize for that, My first re eval for TDRL is the 16th of July 2014 in El Paso, I was med boarded because of my knee and PTSD. I was told by the PEBLOs there that they are not even going to re-evaluate my knee because I had a total knee replacement, they are only going to re-eval the PTSD. My question is, I have been taking all the meds. they have been giving me and going to all the appointments they have been sendeing me to, but the appointments to my shrink have been getting farther and farther apart, is it possible they will say my PTSD has stabilized, and find me fit for duty?
Jozzz123,
First, I recommend that you start your own, new thread. That should give you a better chance at getting more replies.
Second, do you want to be found fit for duty? The reason I ask is even if your PTSD is found to be stabilized, that would not necessarily mean that you would be found fit to return to duty. In my opinion, if your PTSD was severe enough to warrant TDRL then if it is stabilized, you are more likely to be permanently retired. Again, this is just my opinion. After my TDRL (AF), my PTSD was found to be "stable" and I was permanently retired. Of course, I had other issues as well.
I hope your exams go well and you receive the outcome you desire. Good luck!