What I wish I’d known

U

Usndocgreen

Well-Known Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Registered Member
Hello everyone!!
With my FPEB 2 weeks away I am now ready to focus on it and make sure I am ready. I do have Mr Perry representing me so I am sure we’ll discuss all this but I was hoping some of you would be willing to share things you wish you knew before you went through your FPEB. Any takers on this topic??

Marshall
 
Usndocgreen said:
Hello everyone!!
With my FPEB 2 weeks away I am now ready to focus on it and make sure I am ready. I do have Mr Perry representing me so I am sure we’ll discuss all this but I was hoping some of you would be willing to share things you wish you knew before you went through your FPEB. Any takers on this topic??

Marshall
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You are in good hands with Allstate...err...Jason Perry.

Good luck...

Ron
 
A FPEB is similar to a legal hearing; it takes a strategy to get your desired outcome. I'm sure you and JP will conference before the FPEB. Whatever you agree on, stay focused on that course of action. When clients end up doing their own thing, they have wasted their attorney fee.
 
Well everyone Jason Perry did an awesome job and through his hard work and by Gods Grace I was found unfit yesterday!!! I was wondering if anyone would share post fpeb advice for navigating as smoothe and fast of a retirement as possible?? I know I have to wait on the VA and DES system to finalize my rating but other than that any tips??
 
Usndocgreen said:
Well everyone Jason Perry did an awesome job and through his hard work and by Gods Grace I was found unfit yesterday!!! I was wondering if anyone would share post fpeb advice for navigating as smoothe and fast of a retirement as possible?? I know I have to wait on the VA and DES system to finalize my rating but other than that any tips??
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Just curious if you would be willing to chat a little more on how it went? we seem to have a very similar career / timeline and circumstances surrounding our case.
Appreciate it!
 
armyaviator said:
So what is it that you wish you'd known?
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Ha good question now that I’ve been through it! I think getting representation early is super helpful. The attorneys at the board are helpful but you don’t get access to them until right before your fpeb. The medical officer asks the large majority of the questions for me and they can be probing. Stay calm and patient. At one point I thought I was misunderstood so I spoke up and asked if I could clarify. They allowed me and it was helpful. I recommend reviewing your ipeb score care to see why they did whatever they did that made you request the fpeb. In your case file look at the sheet explaining why they granted the fpeb. They will ask you about their sake concerns. On my telephonic board I had a mic headset and my board lasted almost 2 hours with the recess so I am glad I had that!
 
Usndocgreen said:
Ha good question now that I’ve been through it! I think getting representation early is super helpful. The attorneys at the board are helpful but you don’t get access to them until right before your fpeb. The medical officer asks the large majority of the questions for me and they can be probing. Stay calm and patient. At one point I thought I was misunderstood so I spoke up and asked if I could clarify. They allowed me and it was helpful. I recommend reviewing your ipeb score care to see why they did whatever they did that made you request the fpeb. In your case file look at the sheet explaining why they granted the fpeb. They will ask you about their sake concerns. On my telephonic board I had a mic headset and my board lasted almost 2 hours with the recess so I am glad I had that!
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Glad you chose to get representation early. One of of my concerns with military provided counsel is they are to late to the fight. During the entire MEB/PEB process, except the FPEB the member really has not advocate and given the potential life time consequences, that appears unfair.
 
chaplaincharlie said:
Glad you chose to get representation early. One of of my concerns with military provided counsel is they are to late to the fight. During the entire MEB/PEB process, except the FPEB the member really has not advocate and given the potential life time consequences, that appears unfair.
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Probably a dumb question(s), but do legal counsels and VSOs do the same thing and provide the same services? Is there a preference of one over the other? Does one get better results over the other?
 
armyaviator said:
Probably a dumb question(s), but do legal counsels and VSOs do the same thing and provide the same services? Is there a preference of one over the other? Does one get better results over the other?
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the assigned legal counsel will do the same function but you do not get to engage with them until a day or two before your formal board. The counsel provided prior to that is at your local command and while depending on the person they are spread fairly thin. There are some free legal counsels available they have to accept your case out of all those applying. Of all the VSO’s only few actually assign you counsel if selected from what I have been told.
 
armyaviator said:
Probably a dumb question(s), but do legal counsels and VSOs do the same thing and provide the same services? Is there a preference of one over the other? Does one get better results over the other?
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No. A VSO is usually not an attorney.
 
Okay. Makes sense. Should you leverage both services or would that be redundant? Which would you prefer?
 
While I mentioned I used Mr Perry with great success I do understand that comes at a cost. In view of the rest of my life it was so totally worth it!! With regards to free legal resources I did find this link which listed several. I know nothing about nor or endorsing any of them.

Legal Assistance - Veterans Families United

Looking for legal assistance resources for veterans? Our guide offers connection to expert advice, tips, and tools to help you navigate the legal system. Get the support you need to protect your rights and benefits.
veteransfamiliesunited.org veteransfamiliesunited.org
 
Thanks! That was helpful! There's just so many options. When I Google something and I get inundated with ads for legal services I get suspicious is all. I just don't want to be taken for a ride as I see there are so many people (ie you) that have so much information. Want to make sure my ducks are in a row.
 
armyaviator said:
Okay. Makes sense. Should you leverage both services or would that be redundant? Which would you prefer?
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If my claim is an initial VA claim, I would go with a VSO. If it is an appeal perhaps the VSO again, but if complicated an attorney. Definitely an attorney if dealing with a FPEB.
 
Usndocgreen said:
While I mentioned I used Mr Perry with great success I do understand that comes at a cost. In view of the rest of my life it was so totally worth it!! With regards to free legal resources I did find this link which listed several. I know nothing about nor or endorsing any of them.

Legal Assistance - Veterans Families United

Looking for legal assistance resources for veterans? Our guide offers connection to expert advice, tips, and tools to help you navigate the legal system. Get the support you need to protect your rights and benefits.
veteransfamiliesunited.org veteransfamiliesunited.org
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In many cases an attorney is a wise investment. Hopefully all attorneys would tell you up front if you have any reasonable chance of success, so you don't invest fees with no hope of return. Jason Perry restricts his law practice to cases like yours and I know your outcome was phenomenal given how the PEB views medics.
 
chaplaincharlie said:
If my claim is an initial VA claim, I would go with a VSO. If it is an appeal perhaps the VSO again, but if complicated an attorney. Definitely an attorney if dealing with a FPEB.
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Thanks! That's what I was going for, kind of "best practices" when employing assistance. I'm still active and getting treatment, I just see the writing on the wall and learning as much as I can.
 
If your case is straight forward, I would just let the system work. If there are extenuation circumstances, I'd hire an attorney. VSO is not an option for IDES, although you could consult with one. In the IDES process you get a VA rep to help you file your claim. My rep was great. If there was a minor bump, you can use the serve provided attorney, to go to the FPEB. My only concern with service provided attorneys is that some services don't provide any legal guidance until after the IPEB has made a decision.
 
chaplaincharlie said:
Glad you chose to get representation early. One of of my concerns with military provided counsel is they are to late to the fight. During the entire MEB/PEB process, except the FPEB the member really has not advocate and given the potential life time consequences, that appears unfair.
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Mike,
Based on your comments, I gather that outside (non-mil appointed) representation is necessary before the time fuse is lit. Would you know of any attorneys that specialize in this arena?
Best,
Mitch
 
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