Retirement vs MEB

Situation is this...I am 19 years 7.5 months currently, with an approved (ADSC waivered) retirement date of 1 Jan 2013. About a month after the approval came in, I was informed I would be undergoing an MEB (my second in three years). I have L4/L5 DDD with moderate stenosis and 2 bad disks in my neck. In Nov 2011, after a few years of epidural steriod injections, I had a spinal stimulator installed. My profile was updated after the surgery and the doc made it for a year, which triggered the MEB.

During the initial brief with the PEBLO, I was informed I could opt out of the MEB, since I have retirement orders in hand. However, it was recommended that I let it run though, as it may be more advantageous for me to get everything done with the VA prior to retirement. I was given a timeline that seemed to good to be true and showed this thing should wrap up before I'm scheduled to start terminal in mid-November.

I had my narrative appointment with my PCM in early June and was told at that time, I should hear back from AFPC on whether or not I require a full MEB by the end of the month. I took leave for the last week of June and the first week of July and, upon my return, was informed they were still awaiting the narrative. A week after that I was informed the narrative had been received and they had requested the commanders letter. Two weeks after that I was told the commander's letter had not yet been received. As of yesterday, they have the narrative and the commander's letter and the package had been through the HAWG and was being sent to AFPC. "I should hear something by the end of the week." Yeah, right...

Anyway, I was in seeing my doc about a lump on my lower back and she asked about the MEB. When I told her about the fiasco and that I was considering just opting out, she kinda chuckled and told me I can't do that, but that the rest of the process could possibly be finished within the next 100 days.

I have 104 days remaining until I start terminal. I already have plans in motion, with my wife and her daughter already settled into a house in PA (I'm in GA) and my kids moving up in October. I can't be sitting about waiting on "possibly".

I stopped by the PEBLO's office and asked about the cancellation possiblilty and was told I could cancel the MEB at any time, but if I wait until after my appointment with the VA rep, then I would be wating a lot of time and money, as the VA process would then have to be repeated after I retire.

My questions are:

Is it possible to cancel an MEB with an approved retirement?
If so, would it be best to squash it now, or should I let it ride out until some time in October and see what happens?
What consequences do I risk by putting a stop to the process, so I can retire as scheduled?
 
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You can request to cancel, Service Headquarters must approve. Going through the PEB (and VA) allows for an extra chunk at the VA apple. It provides you a proposed VA rating, with a potential reconsideration if needed, and then appeal once separated. VA pay should kick in soon after sending in DD-214. You would also know whether you'd plan to appeal your VA rating prior to separation since you'd have your proposed rating in hand. However, you can also start regular VA claims without going through PEB 6 months prior to retirement. With the current backlog, it might be more advantageous to let the PEB run it's course. It could change your retirement date or keep it the same.

Just my two cents.
 
I was at the same point you are. Ready to retire but was told my retirement was cancelled. Had to have the MEB done. While sitting around does suck and you can push the paperwork along to some extent it would be in your best interest if you need your VA check right away. Was told during Congressional briefing it is taking the VA up to 18 months to give out normal retirement ratings. If you have the MEB done and end up out/retired you can/will most likely have your VA check within 1 month of getting out. Good luck but the stress will drive you crazy.
 
Yeah, I would say stay in the process. You can cancel, but you will be at a huge disadvantage. Going through the PEB now puts you at the front of everyone else who is awaiting ratings and even care on the outside. Everyone knows dealing with the VA is almost like going to "war" for a whole year. If your peblo stays and yourself, STAY ON THE TOP OF THE PAPERWORK, everything will go smooth. My MEB took about a whole year to complete not including retirement transition, however you already already have a date so your may move a lot faster than mine. Just stick with it, it will pay off, but will make you very frustrated and annoyed.

Personal Experience
 
If the service connect condition is combat related and you go through the board process some of your retirement would be tax free. 18 months is an expected date before you will recieve any rating or money from the VA if you take that route. You can always let it ride till retirement date, then not extend if they request you too
 
I went through IDES program at 22 years in. The plus was I stayed in with a paycheck coming in until the process was complete and I was given both my Military findings and VA findings prior to getting out. This allows me to get paid disability 30-60 days after final out. This worked for me as I already knew I would be getting 100% and would never be able to work again. I ended up having to extend six months until everything was accomplished. The draw back of cancelling is that you will have to wit a LONG time to get the VA disability when you get out but if you already have a job set up and family moved it might be in your best interest to cancel them. If you are doing MEB/IDES they will not let you out until complete.
 
anchorage70 said:
I went through IDES program at 22 years in. The plus was I stayed in with a paycheck coming in until the process was complete and I was given both my Military findings and VA findings prior to getting out. This allows me to get paid disability 30-60 days after final out. This worked for me as I already knew I would be getting 100% and would never be able to work again. I ended up having to extend six months until everything was accomplished. The draw back of cancelling is that you will have to wit a LONG time to get the VA disability when you get out but if you already have a job set up and family moved it might be in your best interest to cancel them. If you are doing MEB/IDES they will not let you out until complete.
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My battle buddy did not go through an IDES process, and even though medical problems were evident, retired out at 22 years - regular post 20-year retirement discharge.

I stayed on track with my IDES process and went through it. Yep, it was time consuming.

It took my battle buddy almost 17 months post-discharge to get VA ratings, so no VA was paid for all that time. PLUS, VA did NOT accurately rate one injury and VA compensation is still WAY less then it ought to be, and Battle Buddy is still having to mess with the VA on the initial claim.

Meanwhile, I went through and completed my IDES. VA did a much better job at assessing injuries and giving ratings at correct percentages.
I discharged on military PDRL and VA ratings were already done prior to discharge. Within 3 1/2 months I received my full VA compensation.

You are much better off to ride through the IDES process. If any of your injuries recieve a "combat/combat-related" designation, that part of your military retirement is also federally TAX-FREE.

I have the immediate post-discharge reassurance of having a more accurate and stable income. My Battle Buddy had to limp along for almost 1 1/2 years - and it's still not right and fully paid like it could have been.

My experience from seeing both sides is to finish the IDES process as the outcome - albeit a TEMPORARY delay - will generally be a better one.

V/r,
nwlivewire
 
Th
nwlivewire said:
My battle buddy did not go through an IDES process, and even though medical problems were evident, retired out at 22 years - regular post 20-year retirement discharge.

I stayed on track with my IDES process and went through it. Yep, it was time consuming.

It took my battle buddy almost 17 months post-discharge to get VA ratings, so no VA was paid for all that time. PLUS, VA did NOT accurately rate one injury and VA compensation is still WAY less then it ought to be, and Battle Buddy is still having to mess with the VA on the initial claim.

Meanwhile, I went through and completed my IDES. VA did a much better job at assessing injuries and giving ratings at correct percentages.
I discharged on military PDRL and VA ratings were already done prior to discharge. Within 3 1/2 months I received my full VA compensation.

You are much better off to ride through the IDES process. If any of your injuries recieve a "combat/combat-related" designation, that part of your military retirement is also federally TAX-FREE.

I have the immediate post-discharge reassurance of having a more accurate and stable income. My Battle Buddy had to limp along for almost 1 1/2 years - and it's still not right and fully paid like it could have been.

My experience from seeing both sides is to finish the IDES process as the outcome - albeit a TEMPORARY delay - will generally be a better one.

V/r,
nwlivewire
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That's exactly how I feel about it. If you can do it IDES is the best way to go.
 
From everything that I've read and heard, the IDES system is the way to go. I was under the "Legacy System" and we are on "Ignore" by the VA it seems. Again my concerns are that since you have an approved retirement date, you will be placed under the presumption of fitness and left to retire. I have heard of people having their retirement dates yanked and forced to go through the MEB process but unsure if that is true.
 
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