TBI MEB process

The other case has been opened for your final ratings. Once you medically retire, get your DD-214 and give it to the VA, that is where you will actually be rated at.
 
Finally my original case was closed yesterday with "Decision Notification Sent", I am guessing that means preliminary ratings completed? (DA199? hopefully) and another case was open with an estimated completion date in 2017 (not sure what to make of that yet)
Mine changed as well this past week to Decision Notification Sent, how long afterwards did you receive official word?
 
Mine changed as well this past week to Decision Notification Sent, how long afterwards did you receive official word?
I haven't heard back yet, only noticed that the case changed on Friday evening. I will post here as soon as I hear something from PEBLO. What day did yours change?
 
I haven't heard back yet, only noticed that the case changed on Friday evening. I will post here as soon as I hear something from PEBLO. What day did yours change?
Mine closed out 4/29 and I got proposed ratings today
 
Mine closed out 4/29 and I got proposed ratings today
Wow that was really quick! Congratulations! Mine closed out on the same date, but I am yet to hear something. I will try calling PEBLO today.
 
Tried to contact my PEBLO yesterday and he never returned two of my phone calls. Not sure if he is just avoiding or really busy. Should I try to contact him again? or give it a couple of days?
 
Finally got contacted by PEBLO that my ratings are in but in order to get my 199 PEB needs to send in Army's ratings. He said it might take additional 2-3 weeks. Almost there, I guess.
 
It's been almost a month since the VA ratings completed... nothing from the PEB findings yet.... wow this is so depressing guys. Today found out that another SM in my unit got ratings back and the SM's MEB started a month after mine. Not even sure what to think. Any ideas on how to speed up the PEB findings phase?
 
It's been almost a month since the VA ratings completed... nothing from the PEB findings yet.... wow this is so depressing guys. Today found out that another SM in my unit got ratings back and the SM's MEB started a month after mine. Not even sure what to think. Any ideas on how to speed up the PEB findings phase?
Everything that I have seen shows its about 30 days from the historical closeout. I'm sure it will come anytime now. It might also be that your case is more involved than theirs.
 
Finally received DA199 today. Proposed ratings of DOD/VA of 75/80 with TDRL. I have two conditions rated at 50% each and one of them is said to be permanent (headaches) and the other is not (adjustment disorder), not sure why TDRL and not PDRL. Also the VA rated an additional condition at 10% for neck injury related to the second TBI.
 
Finally received DA199 today. Proposed ratings of DOD/VA of 75/80 with TDRL. I have two conditions rated at 50% each and one of them is said to be permanent (headaches) and the other is not (adjustment disorder), not sure why TDRL and not PDRL. Also the VA rated an additional condition at 10% for neck injury related to the second TBI.
Hmm, it would seem that your Adjustment Disorder (AD) medical condition (e.g., PEB-referred "unfit for duty" condition) was determined to be "permanent and unstable" at this point as based upon all available medical evidence and/or medical documentation.

Hence, dependent upon how the DoVA D-RAS evaluated your AD PEB-referred "unfit for duty" condition, you should receive the specific mental disorder initial re-examination anywhere between six months to 18 months inclusive to the DoD military TDRL initial evaluation. Take care!

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

Best Wishes!
 
Just read through your whole thread @arubin1 looks like a decently timed board process. I was told about 4 months from claim date you'll have DA 199 in hand or signing out on terminal (or somewhere in-between)

How far out did you cast for clearing? Leave days? Did they give you a choice or chance to ask for a retirement date?
Since we're both at Bragg, we may have some congruences. My C&P's took a little longer to get going. NARSUM should be in the next day or so since she submitted up the DA 3947 on Wednesday. Crossing fingers for good results!
 
Just read through your whole thread @arubin1 looks like a decently timed board process. I was told about 4 months from claim date you'll have DA 199 in hand or signing out on terminal (or somewhere in-between)

How far out did you cast for clearing? Leave days? Did they give you a choice or chance to ask for a retirement date?
Since we're both at Bragg, we may have some congruences. My C&P's took a little longer to get going. NARSUM should be in the next day or so since she submitted up the DA 3947 on Wednesday. Crossing fingers for good results!
@MrPhotographer06,

I am actually trying to get my orders right now and start the clearing process. It moved pretty fast for me in the beginning and then during the VA/PEB phases it really sloooowed down. I think it's possible for your process to be done in 4 months to get your DA199. When I went to the transition services for medical retirees they already had my retirement date, but again they are flexible with moving it closer, depending on how many leave days you have.

Also to find fit/unfit took about 10 days if I remember correctly.
 
@MrPhotographer06,

I am actually trying to get my orders right now and start the clearing process. It moved pretty fast for me in the beginning and then during the VA/PEB phases it really sloooowed down. I think it's possible for your process to be done in 4 months to get your DA199. When I went to the transition services for medical retirees they already had my retirement date, but again they are flexible with moving it closer, depending on how many leave days you have.

Also to find fit/unfit took about 10 days if I remember correctly.
Nice!
I talked with the ombudsman today who said he'll help me track things. Still awaiting my stupid narsum to come through. DA3947 is apparently awaiting signatures. I feel like I'm being screwed in this whole thing, but whatever. The official date on file for my claim is 4/11 which is a month or so behind the real start date that it should've been. 60 days later, I'm still without narsum. Hopefully the rest will go ok. Ombudsman told me not to expect making this school year, so i'm sourcing options for work now. I hope i can still somewhat play with my retire date as suit. more than likely will need to move it up. Congrats on getting it done, and good luck in the civilian world!
 
Nice!
I talked with the ombudsman today who said he'll help me track things. Still awaiting my stupid narsum to come through. DA3947 is apparently awaiting signatures. I feel like I'm being screwed in this whole thing, but whatever. The official date on file for my claim is 4/11 which is a month or so behind the real start date that it should've been. 60 days later, I'm still without narsum. Hopefully the rest will go ok. Ombudsman told me not to expect making this school year, so i'm sourcing options for work now. I hope i can still somewhat play with my retire date as suit. more than likely will need to move it up. Congrats on getting it done, and good luck in the civilian world!

@MrPhotographer06,
Thanks man! I hope your stuff goes through quickly! Working with the ombudsman definitely helped out when I was waiting on ratings. If you get your ratings early though, but not enough time to go to school, I'd fight for a higher percentage, especially if your ratings come in low. Also, since you are planning on going to school, have you talked to Vocational Rehab about that?

Hopefully you get your NARSUM soon. Best of luck with everything!
 
@MrPhotographer06,
Thanks man! I hope your stuff goes through quickly! Working with the ombudsman definitely helped out when I was waiting on ratings. If you get your ratings early though, but not enough time to go to school, I'd fight for a higher percentage, especially if your ratings come in low. Also, since you are planning on going to school, have you talked to Vocational Rehab about that?

Hopefully you get your NARSUM soon. Best of luck with everything!
I spoke with the education guy that came to our peblo brief. I'm meeting with him soon to convert to post 9/11 and he said we'd talk more on vocational rehab. Since I'm using P9/11 he said it was basically an extension of that service but the DoD only will pay for 48 months of school regardless of how you dice it.
I'll exceed that and end up paying some out of pocket, but its all good.

I'm hoping to come in retired/70-80. which I think is very possible in my case. The ombudsman told me to give them another day or two and he'll bump it up for signatures but since we both felt I was squandered and takes prodding for any outcome, he'll ride it out with me. I told him I hoped for school in fall, and he said high doubts, but we'll see what happens. some cases come back quick.
 
I spoke with the education guy that came to our peblo brief. I'm meeting with him soon to convert to post 9/11 and he said we'd talk more on vocational rehab. Since I'm using P9/11 he said it was basically an extension of that service but the DoD only will pay for 48 months of school regardless of how you dice it.
I'll exceed that and end up paying some out of pocket, but its all good.

I'm hoping to come in retired/70-80. which I think is very possible in my case. The ombudsman told me to give them another day or two and he'll bump it up for signatures but since we both felt I was squandered and takes prodding for any outcome, he'll ride it out with me. I told him I hoped for school in fall, and he said high doubts, but we'll see what happens. some cases come back quick.

I am not sure if you are aware of this, you can use VR&E while you are undergoing a medical evaluation board. VR&E will pick up the tuition, books and fees, however you will not be eligible for BAH until you have a DD-214.

You command is encouraged to allow you to attend school as your place of duty, this is an integral part of your comprehensive transition plan, keep in mind that you should create an education plan that will allow you to be both successful in completing your MEB (attending all of you medical appointments/briefings) and school.

The sooner you apply for VR&E the better, the ruling is that you must be eligible to receive VA benefits and have an employment handicap. Both of those conditions are typically met by being in the MEB.

VR&E will pay up to 45 months in typical circumstances (only your days of attendance are subtracted, not breaks in classes/semesters) if you have at least one day of post 9/11 GI Bill eligibility, you can get the P9/11 BAH stipend payed to you (if you are attending at least one class on ground). If you course is exclusively online your stipend is $783.00 per month.

This page explains the process on how to apply: http://www.benefits.va.gov/VOCREHAB/edu_voc_counseling.asp
 
I am not sure if you are aware of this, you can use VR&E while you are undergoing a medical evaluation board. VR&E will pick up the tuition, books and fees, however you will not be eligible for BAH until you have a DD-214.

You command is encouraged to allow you to attend school as your place of duty, this is an integral part of your comprehensive transition plan, keep in mind that you should create an education plan that will allow you to be both successful in completing your MEB (attending all of you medical appointments/briefings) and school.

The sooner you apply for VR&E the better, the ruling is that you must be eligible to receive VA benefits and have an employment handicap. Both of those conditions are typically met by being in the MEB.

VR&E will pay up to 45 months in typical circumstances (only your days of attendance are subtracted, not breaks in classes/semesters) if you have at least one day of post 9/11 GI Bill eligibility, you can get the P9/11 BAH stipend payed to you (if you are attending at least one class on ground). If you course is exclusively online your stipend is $783.00 per month.

This page explains the process on how to apply: http://www.benefits.va.gov/VOCREHAB/edu_voc_counseling.asp
Seeing as how i'm attempting to attend school in Denver, I'm not sure how that will work geographically but maybe i'll get into online classes or something for the first 8 week semester.
I work a "civilian-esque" job in the Army. I'm a pharmacy technician. I'm basically a civilian with digital clothing. I work rotating shifts, and do next to zero Army stuff. I understand in other unit settings how the unit may allow SM's to take off for school in lieu of duty, but I HIGHLY doubt that it will be an approved thing for me. BUT, I will speak with the counselor who works closely with my unit since they partially fall under my brigade umbrella on how he feels of it.

I would love to take out on work early and be able to focus completely on school. I'm still going to work civilian side but thats less than the Army's bother in this case.

But, just so i'm completely informed... VR&E works exactly as P9/11?
 
No, the only real similarity between P9/11 and VR&E is that you can (if eligible) receive the P9/11 GI Bill BAH as your stipend while attending training through VR&E. The time you us VR&E will not be subtracted from your P9/11 benefits if you want to transfer a portion to a family member (you must keep a month for yourself for the VR&E).

VR&E will set you up with a rehabilitation counselor who will set you up with an educational plan that leads to employment, you can also get a bonus from the VA if you complete the educational plan and get hired.

Another positive benefit of VR&E is that you can get a schedule A letter from your counselor and non-competitive appointment into a government job if you qualify.
 
I was told that regardless, the military only gave you 48 months of education benefits. I'm attending a university for a year to finish prerequisites and then into pharmacy school for 4 years. I guess I'll wait to speak with the counselor on how things work out and which route is best to use.
 
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