TDRL MEB re-eval

T

tarheelboy

PEB Forum Regular Member
I have some concern with my re-eval for TDRL. When I went through my initial MEB my Army and VA ratings were seperate. Now 2.5 years later the physicals are combined. I have the packet in hand to concur or not concur. They did get a copy of my physical from Tuskegee, AL. So I am wondering when it goes to PEB could they potentially lower or raise my disability rating.

Also, everything in my packet looks great except for the radiological findings. I have been diagnosed with and MEB'ed for Ankylosing Spondylitis. In the radiology reports they found no ankylosin of any part of my spine. They found other things that were a concern to me. My initial x-rays showed the same no ankylosin present. I wonder what weight the evaluators at the PEB put on the radiology findings?

I was initially rated 30% and placed on TDRL. I have had an increase in flare ups and decrease in my ROM. 10% AS, 10% for Cervical Disc Disease, 10% for Accessory Nerve injury. Cervical Disc Disease has progressed and worsened, the spinal accessory never injury has stabilized.

VA rated me 70%, 20% AS, 20% Cervical Disc Disease, 10% for nerve injury, plus other ratings for other things that were not rated by the army.


Sorry for the long post and appreciate any input

Ashley
 
Your AS should get no less than 20% with a diagnosis and an exacerbation. It must be rated per VASRD DC 5002 which considers both the active disease process and the chronic residual. Many PEB’s don’t understand how to rate this condition.

The Army has a specific policy that came out in 2009 on the proper way to rate AS. Please send me a PM and I will get it to you. I bet your original AS rated was under DC 5240 and did not consider the 5002 rating criteria.

What is your lumbar ROM? You need to have your SI joints imaged by MRI as well as other affected joints. Any major joint with ROM issues due to AS would garner a minimum 10% rating.

Ensure your TDRL MEB includes all medical conditions with full clinical data to include the minimum data in the applicable VA AMIE worksheets. See DoDI 1332.38 for requirements for MEBs and additional requirements for TDRL exams. Make sure your TDRL exam is compliant with these requirements.

See the 14 October 2008 DoD DTM on the VA AMIE worksheet data requirement as well as the ability to request an impartial medical review. Request an Impartial Medical Review and specifically list out your concerns that you want the review to cover.

Mike
 
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