Hello all,
I’ve been getting an abundance of useful information from this website so I feel obligated to report my progress, issues, and lessons learned as I navigate thru this process. I have 17.5 years active and 20 years total . I am an AGR reserve officer with time in both the Army(16yrs) and Marine Corps (4yrs). I am being boarded for psoriasis that requires constant use of autoimmune medication. Below is my current timeline breakdown for reference (as things progress I will update this thread):
20 Sep 2017: Notified of potential medical board
5 Nov2017: Notified of requirement for Medical Board
7 Nov 17: Met with PEBLO: A very Rushed experience, listen carefully and take notes. if possible, as for a copy of your medical record at this time.
8 Nov 17: Briefing from transition office, legal, PEBLO, VA and others
15 Nov 17: Started my VA appointments: This is a QUICK process, be prepared to be rushed through and heard like cattle. Ensure the physician pays special attention to your unfitting condition, or conditions previously not reported. My appointments were done in two days (one day for an eye appointment)
14 Dec 17: NARSUM interview: This was done over the phone and was a 30 min discussion about my issues. This portion is a deal breaker. If you want to get separated and retained, this interview is key. Remember the NARSUM is given to the MEB as one of the primary supporting documents.
19 Dec 17: NARSUM completed, MEB findings completed.
26 Dec 17: I submitted a request for an IMR. I believe my PTSD is also an unfitting condition or at least secondary to worsening of my primary condition.
29 Dec 17: IPR Interview: Telephonic interview with Fort Gordon (remember I am AGR reserve). Not an interview for you to plea your case, more of a discussion about how the IMR works. ****NOTE**** The IMR will review your records and then recommend to the MEB about things that may have been overlooked. The IMR cannot state something without referencing a document. So If you have a condition, but no document to back it up, the IMR may be pointless for you. The IMR will send back an letter referencing the documents and paragraph which may or may not support your IMR request.
---------my current stopping point------
Lessons Learned (as an AGR):
I’ve been getting an abundance of useful information from this website so I feel obligated to report my progress, issues, and lessons learned as I navigate thru this process. I have 17.5 years active and 20 years total . I am an AGR reserve officer with time in both the Army(16yrs) and Marine Corps (4yrs). I am being boarded for psoriasis that requires constant use of autoimmune medication. Below is my current timeline breakdown for reference (as things progress I will update this thread):
20 Sep 2017: Notified of potential medical board
5 Nov2017: Notified of requirement for Medical Board
7 Nov 17: Met with PEBLO: A very Rushed experience, listen carefully and take notes. if possible, as for a copy of your medical record at this time.
8 Nov 17: Briefing from transition office, legal, PEBLO, VA and others
15 Nov 17: Started my VA appointments: This is a QUICK process, be prepared to be rushed through and heard like cattle. Ensure the physician pays special attention to your unfitting condition, or conditions previously not reported. My appointments were done in two days (one day for an eye appointment)
14 Dec 17: NARSUM interview: This was done over the phone and was a 30 min discussion about my issues. This portion is a deal breaker. If you want to get separated and retained, this interview is key. Remember the NARSUM is given to the MEB as one of the primary supporting documents.
19 Dec 17: NARSUM completed, MEB findings completed.
26 Dec 17: I submitted a request for an IMR. I believe my PTSD is also an unfitting condition or at least secondary to worsening of my primary condition.
29 Dec 17: IPR Interview: Telephonic interview with Fort Gordon (remember I am AGR reserve). Not an interview for you to plea your case, more of a discussion about how the IMR works. ****NOTE**** The IMR will review your records and then recommend to the MEB about things that may have been overlooked. The IMR cannot state something without referencing a document. So If you have a condition, but no document to back it up, the IMR may be pointless for you. The IMR will send back an letter referencing the documents and paragraph which may or may not support your IMR request.
---------my current stopping point------
Lessons Learned (as an AGR):
- Once you are notified of your Medical Board, go to you local Military Treatment Facilities (MTF) and request a copy of your entire digital ALTA, and HAIMS(???) record. Once you get this verify that all your civilian information is uploaded in to HAIMS. If not, give the MTF copies so they can scan them. I am learning that this is VERY important and unadvertised.
- Travel is reimbursed for trips to MTF and required appointments. Ensure you DTS for each trip.
- Pre-type your Commanders statements if they allow you to. Commanders like to be given something to work with, instead of starting from nothing.
- Keep your family involved. As an AGR you may not want to wait for an orders date before you make moving arrangements. I am working this right now with my family.