Hello there.
My story. I’m 22 years ARNG with an Afghanistan deployment in 2010. I started the IDES process October of 2020. I’ve been in the VA system since 2012 for PTSD. I was 30% and then they upped me to 70% in 2015. When I started the IDES process in 2020, I waived the VA part of it (hopefully to help speed things up) and did not file anymore claims because I was just happy getting 70%. Then fast forward to September 2021, and I get a letter from the VA stating “for DOD IDES purposes only, your VA rating is 100%.” I called my legal team and they said this is essentially a “pretend rating.” If I had filed with the VA for another claim (they have me documented as PTSD with MDD) for a third condition I have (which is documented by VA doctors, but never claimed), that I would have gotten 100% VA. In late October I got my PEB DOD rating and that was 100% for PTSD and MDD at the informal level, obviously no need to appeal. Signed my 199 and 5893.
*i just filed the VA claim on the 3rd condition to get the other 30% I was never expecting in the first place. VA states all they have to do is a document review with no appointments needed. So I presume I’ll be up to 100% in the next month or two.
Now I am waiting on the PEB decision to finalize, get to my RSO, and out process. Anyone know how long the last stretch last from 199 signing to discharge and then to the first check from DFAS. I was really patient during the whole process but now my civilian job as a nurse is being threatened by vaccine mandates (I’m a crazy non-vaxer) and I could really use the money while I look for other work. Also, if anyone could do the math for me…just so I know what to expect:
1. Have had 70% for a while from VA, expected to go to 100% in next few months
2. 100% DOD rating
3. 21 good years ARNG
4. Afghanistan deployment Feb 2010-December 2010
5. 2900 pts for NG retirement
6. Highest grade held - O-4 from 2013-2017
Below is a portion of an email from my PEBLO:
You WILL be eligible for CRDP when you reach the age you would have retired from the reserve since you have a 20 year letter. Since you will received 75% for disability that “should” trump your length of service computation since you only have about 2900 points and that would be divided by 360 so (from what I remember) you should receive the 75% computation for your retired pay. Also since it was determined to be combat related it “should” be tax free also. In addition there is a new “V” code the PEB started using a year or so ago they call it V5. If you look at section VI on your 199 the part I highlighted states the disability incurred in line of duty in a combat zone this use to JUST apply to soldiers receiving severance pay this is an additional V4 code for those types of dispositions and meant there would NOT be an offset due to the VA compensation. I have asked the PEB/PDA a number of times if this would also apply to soldiers or retired (NO VA OFFSET) of course I have yet to receive an answer. So you might get lucky and not have an offset(IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT WHEN YOU RETIRE WOULD APPRECIATE AN EMAIL IF THIS IS TRUE) otherwise you would/should apply for CRSC and possibly get aN additional tax free check (this is bases on LOS computation).
Anyway, thanks everyone on this forum. Retiring this way can be a lonely process but it’s nice to know others out there are going through the same thing.
My story. I’m 22 years ARNG with an Afghanistan deployment in 2010. I started the IDES process October of 2020. I’ve been in the VA system since 2012 for PTSD. I was 30% and then they upped me to 70% in 2015. When I started the IDES process in 2020, I waived the VA part of it (hopefully to help speed things up) and did not file anymore claims because I was just happy getting 70%. Then fast forward to September 2021, and I get a letter from the VA stating “for DOD IDES purposes only, your VA rating is 100%.” I called my legal team and they said this is essentially a “pretend rating.” If I had filed with the VA for another claim (they have me documented as PTSD with MDD) for a third condition I have (which is documented by VA doctors, but never claimed), that I would have gotten 100% VA. In late October I got my PEB DOD rating and that was 100% for PTSD and MDD at the informal level, obviously no need to appeal. Signed my 199 and 5893.
*i just filed the VA claim on the 3rd condition to get the other 30% I was never expecting in the first place. VA states all they have to do is a document review with no appointments needed. So I presume I’ll be up to 100% in the next month or two.
Now I am waiting on the PEB decision to finalize, get to my RSO, and out process. Anyone know how long the last stretch last from 199 signing to discharge and then to the first check from DFAS. I was really patient during the whole process but now my civilian job as a nurse is being threatened by vaccine mandates (I’m a crazy non-vaxer) and I could really use the money while I look for other work. Also, if anyone could do the math for me…just so I know what to expect:
1. Have had 70% for a while from VA, expected to go to 100% in next few months
2. 100% DOD rating
3. 21 good years ARNG
4. Afghanistan deployment Feb 2010-December 2010
5. 2900 pts for NG retirement
6. Highest grade held - O-4 from 2013-2017
Below is a portion of an email from my PEBLO:
You WILL be eligible for CRDP when you reach the age you would have retired from the reserve since you have a 20 year letter. Since you will received 75% for disability that “should” trump your length of service computation since you only have about 2900 points and that would be divided by 360 so (from what I remember) you should receive the 75% computation for your retired pay. Also since it was determined to be combat related it “should” be tax free also. In addition there is a new “V” code the PEB started using a year or so ago they call it V5. If you look at section VI on your 199 the part I highlighted states the disability incurred in line of duty in a combat zone this use to JUST apply to soldiers receiving severance pay this is an additional V4 code for those types of dispositions and meant there would NOT be an offset due to the VA compensation. I have asked the PEB/PDA a number of times if this would also apply to soldiers or retired (NO VA OFFSET) of course I have yet to receive an answer. So you might get lucky and not have an offset(IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT WHEN YOU RETIRE WOULD APPRECIATE AN EMAIL IF THIS IS TRUE) otherwise you would/should apply for CRSC and possibly get aN additional tax free check (this is bases on LOS computation).
Anyway, thanks everyone on this forum. Retiring this way can be a lonely process but it’s nice to know others out there are going through the same thing.
