My Air Force Timeline (Shoulder and PTSD)

afangel2005

PEB Forum Regular Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Registered Member
Hello Everyone,

First, thank you for the great information and advice that you all have posted to this site. It's such a wonderful resource, and a place to come to to realize you aren't the only one going thru this process and experiencing the frustration and unknowns.

I've been in for almost 14 years. I have been dealing with shoulder pain since 2011. Took the AF about 4 years to finally do an MRI w/Contrast that showed major tears in my shoulder. Had surgery, but continued to have chronic pain and limited ROM and weakness. I've had issues with consistent medical care due to multiple PCS'/Deployments, as I'm sure most have. I'm unable to wear gear/carry heavy items, and am experiencing pain everyday. I also experienced a traumatic event last year, and I'm now being treated for PTSD, which is preventing me from being able to be armed/complete weapons qualification, thus resulting in me being non-deployable.

It's amazing to me how I've been off and on profiles with varying exemptions since 2011, and have never been sent thru this process before. It's just since I got to the base I'm at now in Aug 2018, and I went to my PCM to basically demand to be MEB'd, that I got this process started. I am in a civilian heavy, deployment heavy careerfield, and I just can't sit back and watch others take up the slack since I am unable to deploy.

Here's my timeline so far:
1 Oct - Met with PCM to request MEB
16 Oct - Initial Appt w/ PEBLO
16 Nov - CC's Letter sent to PEBLO (My CC sat down and discussed with me on my intent and input. Once he submitted, I followed up with PEBLO f/ status update several weeks later. She informed me that CC was supposed to send letter to me for signature first, then back to her. Of course she never responded to CC to let him know that. And her email that she sent to him initially for letter didn't indicate that at all)
11 Dec - I signed CC Letter and sent to PEBLO
19 Dec - Completed NARSUM
3 Jan - Sent Follow-up Request to PEBLO. She stated that she had requested a profile update on 2 Jan, and once it was updated, I would meet IRILO.
10 Jan - AF469 updated for MEB/Code 37
11 Jan - IRILO Case submitted, PEBLO states FL4 should be received in 5-7 days. (I followed up w/ PEBLO on 14 Jan and she then updated me of this information)

Best of luck to everyone on here.
 
So new update, PTSD was changed to general mental health issues and removed from unfit determination. Have 7 total claims, only 1 for unfit determination consideration.

Updated Timeline:
1 Oct - Met with PCM to request MEB
16 Oct - Initial Appt w/ PEBLO
16 Nov - CC's Letter sent to PEBLO (My CC sat down and discussed with me on my intent and input. Once he submitted, I followed up with PEBLO f/ status update several weeks later. She informed me that CC was supposed to send letter to me for signature first, then back to her. Of course she never responded to CC to let him know that. And her email that she sent to him initially for letter didn't indicate that at all)
11 Dec - I signed CC Letter and sent to PEBLO
19 Dec - Completed NARSUM
3 Jan - Sent Follow-up Request to PEBLO. She stated that she had requested a profile update on 2 Jan, and once it was updated, I would meet IRILO.
10 Jan - AF469 updated for MEB/Code 37
11 Jan - IRILO Case submitted, PEBLO states FL4 should be received in 5-7 days. (I followed up w/ PEBLO on 14 Jan and she then updated me of this information)
24 Jan - PEBLO notified me FL4 received, directing full MEB
25 Jan - PEBLO notified me that she was entering me in the VA system and the MSC should contact me within 2 days
29 Jan - Met with VA MSC for Claim Development
4 Feb - Received call from QTC to collect medical history, notified of 12 Feb C&P Exam. Followed-up with PEBLO/MSC as to dates for other 2 exams I needed, found out from MSC that all 3 exams were scheduled for same day at same location, 12 Feb. (General Dr, Audiologist, and Psychologist)
 
So just venting my frustration...had all my C&P exams booked for today, thru QTC. Showed up, had audiology, just had a couple questions and a couple different hearing tests. Was then informed their Psychologist had an emergency and they had to reschedule me for that appointment, can't get me in till next Thursday, and that'll be with a different doctor at a different facility, still QTC. Was so looking forward to getting this process moving!
 
I know the feeling of frustration. Been waiting for ratings almost 45 days now.
 
Wanted to post an updated timeline:

1 Oct - Met with PCM to request MEB
16 Oct - Initial Appt w/ PEBLO
16 Nov - CC's Letter sent to PEBLO (My CC sat down and discussed with me on my intent and input. Once he submitted, I followed up with PEBLO f/ status update several weeks later. She informed me that CC was supposed to send letter to me for signature first, then back to her. Of course she never responded to CC to let him know that. And her email that she sent to him initially for letter didn't indicate that at all)
11 Dec - I signed CC Letter and sent to PEBLO
19 Dec - Completed NARSUM
3 Jan - Sent Follow-up Request to PEBLO. She stated that she had requested a profile update on 2 Jan, and once it was updated, I would meet IRILO.
10 Jan - AF469 updated for MEB/Code 37
11 Jan - IRILO Case submitted, PEBLO states FL4 should be received in 5-7 days. (I followed up w/ PEBLO on 14 Jan and she then updated me of this information)
24 Jan - PEBLO notified me FL4 received, directing full MEB
25 Jan - PEBLO notified me that she was entering me in the VA system and the MSC should contact me within 2 days
29 Jan - Met with VA MSC for Claim Development
4 Feb - Received call from QTC to collect medical history, notified of 12 Feb C&P Exam. Followed-up with PEBLO/MSC as to dates for other 2 exams I needed, found out from MSC that all 3 exams were scheduled for same day at same location, 12 Feb. (General Dr, Audiologist, and Psychologist)
12 Feb - 2 of 3 Appts, one rescheduled due to Dr emergency
21 Feb - Last C&P Appt
26 Feb - Called QTC, they told me waiting on psych notes, should have today, should be sent to VA this week
7 Mar - Called QTC again, waiting on psych notes, were following-up.
11 Mar - Called QTC, Transferred to Case Closure - Going thru quality assurance review
19 Mar - Called QTC; Waiting on signature from Dr.
22 Mar - Called QTC, Delivered 3/21st to VA
26 Mar - PEBLO contacted me, she received C&P Exams 3/21. MEBs held weekly on Thursday at my location, so my package would meet MEB on 3/28.
28 Mar - Signed NARSUM; PEBLO sent package to IPEB (Waiting AFPC confirmation)
 
How did you get a C&P exam for audiology? I never got one of those, but needed one for tinnitus which I hear is hard to prove you do, or don't have it? I have it, but it's not docuumented anywhere, but gradual hearing loss change was noted in my yearly audio exams.
 
How did you get a C&P exam for audiology? I never got one of those, but needed one for tinnitus which I hear is hard to prove you do, or don't have it? I have it, but it's not docuumented anywhere, but gradual hearing loss change was noted in my yearly audio exams.
I actually have hearing loss/a prosthetic stapes bone in my ear, so a little more complicated. During my general exam, the provider asked about tinnitus as well. It's my understanding that's it's really easy to get rated for tinnitus, albeit max of 10% except for combat vets, because they can't really test you for it.

Did you list it as a claim? If not, you may need to do a new claim/add it. The DBQ for Ear Conditions states if member has hearing loss or tinnitus, the VA Regional Office will schedule a hearing loss or tinnitus exam.
 
I have recently opened up a NEW claim for my Tinnitus, which is sitting at the VA in the general researching more info box. But, concern is I have nothing in my records that says I have tinnitus. But I have it. :-(
 
That was quick. hope you get what you want.

mine was submitted to the IPEB 15 March. hope to here something soon myself.
 
@afangel2005, did you get any notifications from MyPers regarding your form 356 or any updates on how long they expect to take?
 
S
@afangel2005, did you get any notifications from MyPers regarding your form 356 or any updates on how long they expect to take?
So I just got the myPers 356 notification an hour ago! Now I'm very impatiently waiting for the PEBLO to contact me. Already tried calling their office but no answer of course.
 
S
So I just got the myPers 356 notification an hour ago! Now I'm very impatiently waiting for the PEBLO to contact me. Already tried calling their office but no answer of course.
That's awesome! I haven't gotten a Mypers notification yet so I am assuming mine is still being worked on. Hope your PEBLO gets in contact soon, I bet the wait is driving you crazy just as much as it is for me lol.
 
I am in complete and utter shock....30% DOD Permanent/90% VA. AND the VA said they found something in my review that I didn't claim that they suggest I file a claim for, so I'll work that process with my VA MSC, who is supposed to call me in the next few days.

I did not think I'd get anywhere near those percentages. Feeling really blessed!
 
I am in complete and utter shock....30% DOD Permanent/90% VA. AND the VA said they found something in my review that I didn't claim that they suggest I file a claim for, so I'll work that process with my VA MSC, who is supposed to call me in the next few days.

I did not think I'd get anywhere near those percentages. Feeling really blessed!
So happy for you to receive better results than expected! Hope you get orders quickly now lol.
 
I actually have hearing loss/a prosthetic stapes bone in my ear, so a little more complicated. During my general exam, the provider asked about tinnitus as well. It's my understanding that's it's really easy to get rated for tinnitus, albeit max of 10% except for combat vets, because they can't really test you for it.

Did you list it as a claim? If not, you may need to do a new claim/add it. The DBQ for Ear Conditions states if member has hearing loss or tinnitus, the VA Regional Office will schedule a hearing loss or tinnitus exam.
Hope you get the ratings you deserve, your process moved rather smooth in comparison to others I have seen including mine still waiting on ratings. But if you don't mind me asking how many total claims did you have for the VA
 
Hope you get the ratings you deserve, your process moved rather smooth in comparison to others I have seen including mine still waiting on ratings. But if you don't mind me asking how many total claims did you have for the VA
Thank you!

I had 8 claims total, but they only rated 6 of them.
 
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