My Timeline

Congrats on you guys getting ratings! Looking for some advice or insight.
My PEB was accepted on 24 October and ever since then I haven't heard anything from the VA or my PEBLO (shocker). Last week my claim on EBenefits changed to development letter sent as well as the date of completion changed from 2 Feb to 16 Sep (my original EAS date), as well as asking me to update my banking information. I updated my information and first called the VA today to get an update. Talked to a really rude woman (shocker) and told me they were still gathering evidence. Then I called the PEB and the guy told me it was at the QA phase and that my ratings would be back in 3 weeks. I'm just confused as to how it can be at the VA still but be almost done? Any insight would be great.

-Semper Fi
 
After the VA rates it, the PEB just needs to accept/apply that rating to the unfitting condition. That particular step for me (AF) took about a week. I think it will depend on how fast your PEB moves the ratings along. Also, my PEBLO team is super fast. They notified me the same day they would get stuff (the initial MEB start, the C&P exams, and the ratings) and would schedule an appointment to discuss or sign stuff the very next day if possible.
 
Congrats on you guys getting ratings! Looking for some advice or insight.
My PEB was accepted on 24 October and ever since then I haven't heard anything from the VA or my PEBLO (shocker). Last week my claim on EBenefits changed to development letter sent as well as the date of completion changed from 2 Feb to 16 Sep (my original EAS date), as well as asking me to update my banking information. I updated my information and first called the VA today to get an update. Talked to a really rude woman (shocker) and told me they were still gathering evidence. Then I called the PEB and the guy told me it was at the QA phase and that my ratings would be back in 3 weeks. I'm just confused as to how it can be at the VA still but be almost done? Any insight would be great.

-Semper Fi

Unfortunately your timeline isn't abnormal. What does your Ebenefits say under claims?
How it's "supposed" to happen is you'll get one claim labeled "compensation" which has all your rated conditions listed that you initially filled out with the VA. Then a second claim will open and say "IDES". That will be the one the VA sends back to the PEB. Does it always happen like that? No.

Also some people here have gotten letters from the VA and others have not. Another hit or miss item.

Keep in mind that the estimated completion date on claims in Ebenefits is based on the timeliness of the Regional office that your claim is and and not necessarily on your individual timeline.

In my experience if anyone ( PEBLO, VA, PEB admin) gives you a timeline you can double it to be more accurate. So them saying "three weeks" can easily be six. I hope that you hear something sooner. Please keep us updated and start your own thread if you'd like. The more people see the more answers and help you can get.
 
Unfortunately your timeline isn't abnormal. What does your Ebenefits say under claims?
How it's "supposed" to happen is you'll get one claim labeled "compensation" which has all your rated conditions listed that you initially filled out with the VA. Then a second claim will open and say "IDES". That will be the one the VA sends back to the PEB. Does it always happen like that? No.

Also some people here have gotten letters from the VA and others have not. Another hit or miss item.

Keep in mind that the estimated completion date on claims in Ebenefits is based on the timeliness of the Regional office that your claim is and and not necessarily on your individual timeline.

In my experience if anyone ( PEBLO, VA, PEB admin) gives you a timeline you can double it to be more accurate. So them saying "three weeks" can easily be six. I hope that you hear something sooner. Please keep us updated and start your own thread if you'd like. The more people see the more answers and help you can get.

Thank you for the reply and for the information!
Under claims it says submitted 07/27/2016 (Compensation) with all of my conditions, like you mentioned. That current status says: gathering of evidence. When I scroll down to "request 1" it says that my bank account information is needed (which I updated last week), and for request 2 it says due date not available, status: Initial Review Complete <VA Medical Facility>. Nothing is in my historical claims, either. Like I said in my previous post, I'm just confused as to how it can still be at the VA and them gathering evidence but according to the PEB it's in the QA phase and that I'll get my findings in 3 weeks. Also, no one has told me or will tell me whether I was found FIT or UNFIT. Judging by my timeline, is it safe to assume I was found UNFIT? Thank you again for any information.

-Semper Fi
 
Thank you for the reply and for the information!
Under claims it says submitted 07/27/2016 (Compensation) with all of my conditions, like you mentioned. That current status says: gathering of evidence. When I scroll down to "request 1" it says that my bank account information is needed (which I updated last week), and for request 2 it says due date not available, status: Initial Review Complete <VA Medical Facility>. Nothing is in my historical claims, either. Like I said in my previous post, I'm just confused as to how it can still be at the VA and them gathering evidence but according to the PEB it's in the QA phase and that I'll get my findings in 3 weeks. Also, no one has told me or will tell me whether I was found FIT or UNFIT. Judging by my timeline, is it safe to assume I was found UNFIT? Thank you again for any information.

-Semper Fi

It's very confusing when no one will give you straight answers. Unfortunately the PEBLO's act as if they can't tell you anything until the Board convenes.

The QA phase is honestly just a blanket term that they use for administrative purposes. If you were found fit your package would never go to the VA. You would probably be notified within a couple weeks that you were fit and then given the opportunity to request a formal board. Anyone found fit doesn't automatically rate a formal board, and their request is decided only by the president Of the board.

That being said yours seems to be "unfit" and awaiting the VA's ratings to get back to the PEB.

It's always good to update your direct deposit info on Ebenefits. You can change what accounts your disabilty payments go into as well as your GI Bill etc.

Hopefully you'll hear something soon! Most likely after the Holidays as alot of shops are operating with skeleton crews now.
 
It's very confusing when no one will give you straight answers. Unfortunately the PEBLO's act as if they can't tell you anything until the Board convenes.

The QA phase is honestly just a blanket term that they use for administrative purposes. If you were found fit your package would never go to the VA. You would probably be notified within a couple weeks that you were fit and then given the opportunity to request a formal board. Anyone found fit doesn't automatically rate a formal board, and their request is decided only by the president Of the board.

That being said yours seems to be "unfit" and awaiting the VA's ratings to get back to the PEB.

It's always good to update your direct deposit info on Ebenefits. You can change what accounts your disabilty payments go into as well as your GI Bill etc.

Hopefully you'll hear something soon! Most likely after the Holidays as alot of shops are operating with skeleton crews now.

Thank you for that information, it was really helpful. I just got off the phone with the VA and the gentleman said that according to him my claim was now "pending decision approval" and to ignore EBennies for the most part because like you said, some people's claims and accounts don't update like other's do. My account still says what I mentioned earlier but he swears that it's in the pending decision approval phase. I guess the VA sent it back to the PEB? I have no idea anymore haha. Thanks again for the help. I'll either start a thread or obviously reply if anyone has some insight.

-Semper Fi
 
Thank you for that information, it was really helpful. I just got off the phone with the VA and the gentleman said that according to him my claim was now "pending decision approval" and to ignore EBennies for the most part because like you said, some people's claims and accounts don't update like other's do. My account still says what I mentioned earlier but he swears that it's in the pending decision approval phase. I guess the VA sent it back to the PEB? I have no idea anymore haha. Thanks again for the help. I'll either start a thread or obviously reply if anyone has some insight.

-Semper Fi

Yea there is not rhyme or reason to how packages get completed. I never got a letter from the VA but some people have. I had two claims open and the IDES claim closed when they sent it back to the PEB, others haven't.

It's a very frustrating process to say the least. That's why this forum is so beneficial.

Keep us updated for sure!
 
Update:

So here is my newest and greatest. The PEB gave me severance and separation. Very shocking seeing how they rated PTSD at 50% but state it's not unfitting. This was strictly because it was added onto my Medboard as an addendum to my back issue and not specifically stated in my NARSUM in which the PEB did not ask for another NARSUM. So they went on with all the processes without doing questioning about it. I know I can fight it but I signed accepting the 0% severance, 90% VA. I'll explain in a minute. (Crazy spread right).

So my other claimed condition was my back. I told you guys earlier about my exam and how it was complete garbage because my back wasn't even examined even though I asked her to and told her it is an important claim since it is a Medboard condition. However I got service connection at 0% for it. This means that since this is my unfitting condition and that I am not getting "paid" from the VA for it I will collect my entire severance check without paying any back. (The gods shined down in this area amazingly)

Now here is how I came to my conclusion and decision even though I clearly could have fought for medical retirement. This is for those who may be in the same boat as I am now and trying to decide to go through with a formal board or not.

1. My conditions are permanent and I am not on TDRL or PDRL at any time. So I don't have to worry about re-evaluations still fighting for retirement with my mental health claim, I get a severance check in full with no paying back

2. I am 91% VA and still have medical documentation for sleep apnea which was diagnosed after my first QTC exams. I also have three other conditions that would be rated all combined giving me the extra 4% or more (VA math) to set me at 100% VA giving me the same benefits and more as a retiree.

3. If my unfitting conditions was 10% or 20% I would have fought it because I will not pay back tens of thousands of severance check dollars back to the gov for 30-40 years. (They take 10% or 20% out of each VA payment if you are severance with those percentages because the gov will not pay you "twice")

4. I start my Masters in business school and need to be out ASAP

5. I don't want to be in this process any more.

Those are my 5 reasons why I settled with severance. My fight is not up with the VA, just with the DoD. PEBLO said it hurt seeing me sign but she sees a lot of people do it and understands because they can't sit around any more. Oh well, I picked my battle this time.

Also, up to the very end, I still had to call the PEB and find out my findings were at the PEBLO for a week and had not received a call. So I called and had to go in myself to sign my findings. I can officially say I was my own PEBLO my whole time in IDES, except for having to go to sign findings.

The wait for the EAS begins. Findings signed on DEC 19
 
Update:

So here is my newest and greatest. The PEB gave me severance and separation. Very shocking seeing how they rated PTSD at 50% but state it's not unfitting. This was strictly because it was added onto my Medboard as an addendum to my back issue and not specifically stated in my NARSUM in which the PEB did not ask for another NARSUM. So they went on with all the processes without doing questioning about it. I know I can fight it but I signed accepting the 0% severance, 90% VA. I'll explain in a minute. (Crazy spread right).

So my other claimed condition was my back. I told you guys earlier about my exam and how it was complete garbage because my back wasn't even examined even though I asked her to and told her it is an important claim since it is a Medboard condition. However I got service connection at 0% for it. This means that since this is my unfitting condition and that I am not getting "paid" from the VA for it I will collect my entire severance check without paying any back. (The gods shined down in this area amazingly)

Now here is how I came to my conclusion and decision even though I clearly could have fought for medical retirement. This is for those who may be in the same boat as I am now and trying to decide to go through with a formal board or not.

1. My conditions are permanent and I am not on TDRL or PDRL at any time. So I don't have to worry about re-evaluations still fighting for retirement with my mental health claim, I get a severance check in full with no paying back

2. I am 91% VA and still have medical documentation for sleep apnea which was diagnosed after my first QTC exams. I also have three other conditions that would be rated all combined giving me the extra 4% or more (VA math) to set me at 100% VA giving me the same benefits and more as a retiree.

3. If my unfitting conditions was 10% or 20% I would have fought it because I will not pay back tens of thousands of severance check dollars back to the gov for 30-40 years. (They take 10% or 20% out of each VA payment if you are severance with those percentages because the gov will not pay you "twice")

4. I start my Masters in business school and need to be out ASAP

5. I don't want to be in this process any more.

Those are my 5 reasons why I settled with severance. My fight is not up with the VA, just with the DoD. PEBLO said it hurt seeing me sign but she sees a lot of people do it and understands because they can't sit around any more. Oh well, I picked my battle this time.

Also, up to the very end, I still had to call the PEB and find out my findings were at the PEBLO for a week and had not received a call. So I called and had to go in myself to sign my findings. I can officially say I was my own PEBLO my whole time in IDES, except for having to go to sign findings.

The wait for the EAS begins. Findings signed on DEC 19

Bro I did the same thing. Got 0% DOD and 80% VA. Well once I finally got them. Just wanted to Be done and be on with my life. Getting a lump sum of cash that I don't have to repay back is just a bonus.


Glad your findings came back at least! Get a lawyer and up your VA to 100% and you'll be perfect man!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
 
Bro I did the same thing. Got 0% DOD and 80% VA. Well once I finally got them. Just wanted to Be done and be on with my life. Getting a lump sum of cash that I don't have to repay back is just a bonus.


Glad your findings came back at least! Get a lawyer and up your VA to 100% and you'll be perfect man!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays Han.I just couldn't do it anymore haha. And I had a pretty positive option going with the severance. Every step in this process managed to take just about 45 days, so we will see what my EAS is. MMSR4 said I will most likely get Jan 30, if not my Capt and Col already verbally approved the change if I have to change it with MMSR4. With that, as soon as Jan hits, the next day I'll be out whenever it posts with the leave and PTAD I have. Already scheduled the moving truck and move out date with flexibility to push it if needed to, of course hahaha.
 
Happy Holidays Han.I just couldn't do it anymore haha. And I had a pretty positive option going with the severance. Every step in this process managed to take just about 45 days, so we will see what my EAS is. MMSR4 said I will most likely get Jan 30, if not my Capt and Col already verbally approved the change if I have to change it with MMSR4. With that, as soon as Jan hits, the next day I'll be out whenever it posts with the leave and PTAD I have. Already scheduled the moving truck and move out date with flexibility to push it if needed to, of course hahaha.

I copy that Cobra. There is a trade off with keeping your sanity and prolonging the inevitable.

I needed my freedom. I was never anticipating any sort of retirement anyway.

Hope your EAS gets set quickly and the next Chapter of your life starts!
 
Called PEB they said they have my index number, I got it from them and called MMSR4 to give it to them. They said they need to receive it from the PEB (like I could possibly make this number up haha), but apparantely they receive peb index numbers on tuesdays and Thursday's so maybe my EAS will post some time this week.

Also, right now they set EASs for +30 days and +Amt of days of leave you have on the books. So if my EAS posted on 3 JAN they would set my EAS for 29 Feb (two days before the first of each month for retirees and separations. I have 10 days of leave on the books. So mine will be the end of Feb. I already talked to my OIC, first sergeant, Company commander, SgtMjr and Colonel and they approve me changing this to the end of Jan. What MMSR4 needs is your Bn CO and Bn SgtMjr CC'd on an email with who what when where why you are requesting a closer EAS and supposedly they will approve. So once my EAS posts I'll be out the next day or two all goes well.
 
Called PEB they said they have my index number, I got it from them and called MMSR4 to give it to them. They said they need to receive it from the PEB (like I could possibly make this number up haha), but apparantely they receive peb index numbers on tuesdays and Thursday's so maybe my EAS will post some time this week.

Also, right now they set EASs for +30 days and +Amt of days of leave you have on the books. So if my EAS posted on 3 JAN they would set my EAS for 29 Feb (two days before the first of each month for retirees and separations. I have 10 days of leave on the books. So mine will be the end of Feb. I already talked to my OIC, first sergeant, Company commander, SgtMjr and Colonel and they approve me changing this to the end of Jan. What MMSR4 needs is your Bn CO and Bn SgtMjr CC'd on an email with who what when where why you are requesting a closer EAS and supposedly they will approve. So once my EAS posts I'll be out the next day or two all goes well.
Do you know if the process you described here is the same for the navy? I signed on the 15th and still do not have a new EAS :-(
 
Called PEB they said they have my index number, I got it from them and called MMSR4 to give it to them. They said they need to receive it from the PEB (like I could possibly make this number up haha), but apparantely they receive peb index numbers on tuesdays and Thursday's so maybe my EAS will post some time this week.

Also, right now they set EASs for +30 days and +Amt of days of leave you have on the books. So if my EAS posted on 3 JAN they would set my EAS for 29 Feb (two days before the first of each month for retirees and separations. I have 10 days of leave on the books. So mine will be the end of Feb. I already talked to my OIC, first sergeant, Company commander, SgtMjr and Colonel and they approve me changing this to the end of Jan. What MMSR4 needs is your Bn CO and Bn SgtMjr CC'd on an email with who what when where why you are requesting a closer EAS and supposedly they will approve. So once my EAS posts I'll be out the next day or two all goes well.

Correction, EAS of 27 Feb, I was looking at the year 2016.

And @Pac942 I believe (not 100%) that we utilize the same PEB and IDES process so I want to say yes
 
Called PEB they said they have my index number, I got it from them and called MMSR4 to give it to them. They said they need to receive it from the PEB (like I could possibly make this number up haha), but apparantely they receive peb index numbers on tuesdays and Thursday's so maybe my EAS will post some time this week.

Also, right now they set EASs for +30 days and +Amt of days of leave you have on the books. So if my EAS posted on 3 JAN they would set my EAS for 29 Feb (two days before the first of each month for retirees and separations. I have 10 days of leave on the books. So mine will be the end of Feb. I already talked to my OIC, first sergeant, Company commander, SgtMjr and Colonel and they approve me changing this to the end of Jan. What MMSR4 needs is your Bn CO and Bn SgtMjr CC'd on an email with who what when where why you are requesting a closer EAS and supposedly they will approve. So once my EAS posts I'll be out the next day or two all goes well.

Good stuff Cobra. I'm waiting on an eas update. I have 45 days of leave on the books and hoping I get an eas for the end of March. Here's to hoping. Good luck everyone!
 
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