Seattle Regional VA Timelines:

[Warrior644]

I was found unfit for Psoriasis "controlled with Humira", is it possible to request a medical discharge before I recieve my VA ratings which according to everyones posts, appears to take forever. My situation is a little unique in that I am a National Guardsman but I am going through the active duty PEB process because this was diagnosed on my first deployment to Iraq...at the time my civilian doc prescribed humira, I didnt have a clue that the army would find me non deployable...especially after they deployed me just last year (3rd deployment) even after I disclosed that I was on Humira...they merely asked whether I could go off it for a year...which I did to my detriment. At any rate I just dont want to wait in purgatory if I dont have to.

Welcome to the PEB Forum!

To potentially obtain a wider audience for potential responses, I would suggest that you open a "new thread" in the appropriate forum with the aforementioned information (e.g., a cut and paste action) included.

But, in the interim, my initial question is WHY other than "just dont want to wait in purgatory if I dont have to?" That said, you are potentially eligible for military disability compensation benefits that were well-earned and well-deserved, and the military needs to provide those benefits free of charge with exceptions; in my opinion!

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!

 

[njwilli]

I will open a new thread after this post but I dont intend to lose my va benefits however, the army system is actually separate from the VA...it just looks like one system but both organizations actually operate separatly...that being said an army medical retirement really has no negative impact on a VA disability check. It looks as if you can get a medical retirement with an army rating, and go home and continue on with your life while you wait for the VA to cut you a check....I am just thinking outside the box because Purgatory really really sucks.

 

[PsychOfficer]

njwilli:
Unfortunately, in order to be medically discharged, you have to wait for the VA ratings, because that is what the PEB uses - actually has to use by law. They are no longer separate systems, unless you are a legacy, but I didn't think there were many of those left. There doesn't seem to be any way around the wait, although for some the wait is shorter, for others longer.

Best of luck...Bob

 

[Warrior644]

I will open a new thread after this post but I dont intend to lose my va benefits however, the army system is actually separate from the VA...it just looks like one system but both organizations actually operate separatly...that being said an army medical retirement really has no negative impact on a VA disability check. It looks as if you can get a medical retirement with an army rating, and go home and continue on with your life while you wait for the VA to cut you a check....I am just thinking outside the box because Purgatory really really sucks.

Good deal with understandable points; I can comprehend the potential anxiety and frustration with the DoD IDES waiting process!

To that extent, the DoD IDES MEB/PEB process actually gives a military service member the opportunity to receive DoD and DoVA proposed ratings within a significantly reduced amount of time than via the DoVA veteran-status process which can take numerous years for DoVA ratings alone.

That said, thinking outside the box is a good resourced process; but the presentation of well-informed knowledgeable facts in the determination of potential life-changing decisions can potentially prevent unfavorable ramifications; in my opinion.

Albeit at the end of the day, you know what's best for yourself and your current situation; others can only provide well-informed knowledge to potentially aide in your decision-making process. Take care, my friend.

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!

 

[njwilli]

well, I guess that answers it...lol.

 

[dwagneremt]

Well it looks like it'll be a few more months for me. Just got a call from the VA and I have an appointment next wednesday to have a range of motion done on my knee. I wonder if I can just stop claiming it and get my ratings already.

 

[Warrior644]

Well it looks like it'll be a few more months for me. Just got a call from the VA and I have an appointment next wednesday to have a range of motion done on my knee. I wonder if I can just stop claiming it and get my ratings already.

Well, it seems that the DoVA D-RAS is efficiently performing their duties as regulated!

To that extent, is your knee condition a PEB-referred unfitting condition? Or, a DoVA claimed condition?

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!

 

[dwagneremt]

Well, it seems that the DoVA D-RAS is efficiently performing their duties as regulated!

To that extent, is your knee condition a PEB-referred unfitting condition? Or, a DoVA claimed condition?

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!

It is a DoVA claimed condition. I just want it over though at this point. Waiting since Jan for ratings and now this. Just to have to go back and have a follow up exam 9 months after my initial exam for the VA is frustrating at best.

 

[BigDaddyD]

Thank you... Much frustration put to ease. I had 7 total conditions with one being found unfit.

Damn man, your MEB flew compared to mine and a lot of others. I got to the WTB in Feb 2011 the MEB actualy didn't start until my scumbag PCM dropped my pink slip sometime in June 3022. Anyway it was a bad goat roap.

Ebenefits currently says "Requested separation documents" I'm not real sure what that means but I have an idea.

All-in-all the communication betwwen the VA, case managers and ulimately the soldier sucks. People finding out things online with no explanation.

 

[Warrior644]

It is a DoVA claimed condition. I just want it over though at this point. Waiting since Jan for ratings and now this. Just to have to go back and have a follow up exam 9 months after my initial exam for the VA is frustrating at best.

Wow, no doubt indeed!

Well, hopefully all other ratings have already been thoroughly reviewed and assigned a proposed disability evaluation percentage.

To that extent and once the ROM measurements are received on this particular DoVA claimed condition, the DoVA D-RAS can swiftly evaluate then submit your IDES case file back to the PEB with all proposed ratings. Then, the PEB shall adjudicate to produce the IPEB findings inclusive of DoD proposed rating with a disability retirement list determination and DoVA proposed ratings.

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!

 

[Combat Eng]

Well the estimated claim completion date thats on my ebenefits will expire next week, lets see if it will be accurate or ill be past due!!

sitting at day 122 for final ratings

 

[medicalmystery]

Well the estimated claim completion date thats on my ebenefits will expire next week, lets see if it will be accurate or ill be past due!!

sitting at day 122 for final ratings

Mine is due for completion tomorrow-I will let you know what it says on Tuesday the 20th. From what I heard, the cutoff date to be paid for the following month is the 20th. We shall see! Also, Combat Eng, if you have dependents did you confirm they had your dependents on your claim? When I called on Friday I was told by the VA rep that a message was being sent because they didn't have a dependency claim yet. I asked did I need to send my form again with my dependents and she said no, it's there, just hadn't be reviewed. Hmmmm-I wonder what that means because in my proposed ratings they had dependents on there so I don't know what the omission is now.

 

[ebrown]

Well I have been waiting for ratings from Seattle, WA since 21 Feb 2013. The VA system up until Saturday showed no activity except that it had been assigned to a rater of 4 March 2013. After numerous attempts to try to find out more from my peblo and MSC I finally called and convinced the IDES/MEB supervisor to look into it.
On 12 August 2013, she CC me in a email to a VA representation asking them to check on a case. Then that individual said she was going to send a email to DRAS for a follow in which she CC me also in that email.
On Thursday, I called my MSC to see if she saw any updates and of course she didn't see anything change.
On this Saturday 17 August I went on ebenefits and it was still in Review of Evidence but it said "Change of Status" and then is also said "We need more information and if it is needed from you then we will send you a letter". I checked the appointment calendar and under it had a request date: 17 August 2013 5:13pm and then the Status said "NEW".
I feel like I am finally having some kind of movement on my case but Im afraid that it could cause my case to get put aside again if I have to go for more exams.
Does anyone know what that status could possible mean?

 

[broken trooper]

Well since signing my 199 on the 25th of July, things have been hectic... But at least after all the aggreivation I pick up my post clearing papers on Monday!! Whow would've known that getting a Leave form signed in conjunction with PTDY was such a pain

 

[Combat Eng]

Mine is due for completion tomorrow-I will let you know what it says on Tuesday the 20th. From what I heard, the cutoff date to be paid for the following month is the 20th. We shall see! Also, Combat Eng, if you have dependents did you confirm they had your dependents on your claim? When I called on Friday I was told by the VA rep that a message was being sent because they didn't have a dependency claim yet. I asked did I need to send my form again with my dependents and she said no, it's there, just hadn't be reviewed. Hmmmm-I wonder what that means because in my proposed ratings they had dependents on there so I don't know what the omission is now.

My proposed ratings didn't show dependents but I completed the dependency claim form and gave all the proper documents to my MSC during my exit exam, and it all shows up upnder "what we have recieved" on ebenefits

 

[Dwatson]

Well I have been waiting for ratings from Seattle, WA since 21 Feb 2013. The VA system up until Saturday showed no activity except that it had been assigned to a rater of 4 March 2013. After numerous attempts to try to find out more from my peblo and MSC I finally called and convinced the IDES/MEB supervisor to look into it.
On 12 August 2013, she CC me in a email to a VA representation asking them to check on a case. Then that individual said she was going to send a email to DRAS for a follow in which she CC me also in that email.
On Thursday, I called my MSC to see if she saw any updates and of course she didn't see anything change.
On this Saturday 17 August I went on ebenefits and it was still in Review of Evidence but it said "Change of Status" and then is also said "We need more information and if it is needed from you then we will send you a letter". I checked the appointment calendar and under it had a request date: 17 August 2013 5:13pm and then the Status said "NEW".
I feel like I am finally having some kind of movement on my case but Im afraid that it could cause my case to get put aside again if I have to go for more exams.
Does anyone know what that status could possible mean?

Not sure if this helps, but my case went through Seattle and just moved in the last month or so. My eBenefits did some crazy things just before I received my VA letter (which came before any DOD PEB info from my PEBLO - may be because I'm guard/reserves)

Timeline: (14 1/2 yrs total = 8.2 active + 6 guard)
FEB 2010 - Injured on active duty w/LODs
OCT 2010 - Sent back to mday/drill status - couldn't take fitness test (mthly drills w/in profile)
OCT 2011 - Fit-for-duty exam & recommended for MEB
NOV 2011 - Filed VA Claim
AUG 2012 - Transferred to guard med hold unit (no drills - only dr appts)
JAN 2013 - C&P exams
FEB 2013 - MEB
MAR 2013 - Signed NARSUM
APR 12, 2013 - PEB unfit memo sent for VA ratings (5 x medically unacceptable conditions)
JUL 1, 2013 - eBenefits claims changed to "Closed" - three claims were showing - 2011 (my original claim), 2012 (that I didn't file), and 2013 IDES (PEB/MEB process)
JUL 12, 2013 - eBenefits changed to "Complete" for the original Nov 2011 claim; said a decision was made and a letter mailed
JUL 14, 2013 - I emailed PEBLO
JUL 16, 2013 - PEBLO checked system and said 199 being prepared; when I begged for preliminary ratings, shared I was rated 50% DOD & 80% VA but wouldn't be final until 199 complete
JUL 17, 2013 - Received VA packet in the mail and backpay check from Nov 2011 (my original VA claim file date); VA was missing my dependents so had to complete additional forms and should receive additional backpay from them
AUG 1, 2013 - Received mthly VA check
AUG 7, 2013 - Received DA 199 = 50% DOD PDRL & 80% VA
AUG 8, 2013 - Signed DA 199 = 50% DOD PDRL & 80% VA (PEBLOS said est. 30 days for memo & retirement brief)

 

[Combat Eng]

Just notice that VA IDES claim initially started aug 16 last year but of course they didn't begin rating till they received my unfit

 

[medicalmystery]

Just notice that VA IDES claim initially started aug 16 last year but of course they didn't begin rating till they received my unfit

Can you tell me how to navigate to "what we have received"? Also, this message is showing up now:
We Apologize That Your Claim Is Past Due
We recognize that your claim has exceeded the estimated completion date and remain committed to completing our review as quickly and accurately as possible.

Thank you for your patience.
My IDES claim was initiated May 3, 2012.

 

[Combat Eng]

On my ebenefits what we have received shows up under the status of my claim

Well on my IDES claim it does, but under the new claim they opened to finalize me ratings it doesnt show

 

[ebrown]

Well my PEBLO told me that the additional review status is because they have finally started working on my case on Saturday but I didn't have an eye exam for one of my conditions so the rater was asking for a exam.
I chose to not have the condition rated/deferred because I am more the sure I not going to be compensated for it. My PEBLO also said if it wasn't for that I would have possibly seen ratings this week. How long is it going to take them to document that condition on my case. My MSC sent it as I was sitting in her office to defer the condition. Any knowledge on this? I hope my case wasn't thrown back in the waiting pile because of this.