US Army DES Pilot at Fort Hood

Bobby Riggs

PEB Forum Regular Member
TDRL Orders in! US Army DES Pilot at Fort Hood: Updated 03/30/2011

I am in the new VA DES Pilot Program via CRDAMC at Fort Hood.

Here is my timeline as of today:

Date Commander Notified of MEB Action: 06/16/2010
Date of initial PEBLO Counseling: 06/28/2010
First Physical: 06/24/2010
Consultation Date/Type: 07/06/2010
Date of Physician's Notification of MEB Action: 07/13/2010
Initial Meeting with PEBLO: 07/21/2010
VA Psych Eval: 8/2/2010
VA Physical: 8/3/2010
Army Psych eval: 9/24/2010
NARSUM completed for review: 12/11/2010
MEB Fowarded and Recieved by BAMC: 12/15/2010
PEB Convened 12/28/2010
Preliminary PEB Results in from BAMC: 01/05/2011
VA Receives packet: 01/07/2011
VA Forwards Proposed rating to Rater for approval: 01/23/2011
VA Rater receives proposed rating: 01/25/2011
VA Rater approves rating and finding sent back to PEB: 02/01/2011
PEB Findings in: 03/11/2011
Appointment with PEBLO to discuss findings: 03/14/2011
Appointment with JAG for review of packet before final signature: 02/17/2011
Signed and approved findings: 02/24/2011
PEB Completed: 03/11/2011
Packet forwarded to HR PDA: 03/12/2011
Received Notification from TRANSPOC: 03/29/2011
Picked up retirement orders for a retirement date of 06/27/2011: 03/30/2011

Here are the AXIS Diagnosis from both my VA and Army exams with proposed ratings:

Army:
AXIS I: 309.81 PTSD, Chronic; 296.32 Major Depressive Disorder, recurrent Moderate; 300.00 Anxiety Disorder NOS 70% with 10A/C
AXIS II: No Diagnosis
AXIS III: Per Medicine
AXIS IV: Occupational: Severe
AXIS V: Global Assessment of Function 55

VA:
AXIS I: PTSD, Chronic, Severe; Major Depressive Disorder secondary to complicated bereavement; Anxiety attacks NOS with agoraphobia 70%
AXIS II: Obstructive Sleep Apnea : 50%
AXIS III: S/P right shoulder surgery; Bilateral hearing loss; Right knee condition with residual pain; tension headaches 10%
AXIS IV: Current psychological stressors: Job related performance problems; PTSD/depression/anxiety symptoms; marital/intimacy/parenting challenges; survivor guilt; poor support system; complicated bereavement
AXIS V: GAF Score 50.

Have a meeting on Monday with PEBLO to discuss findings. I was found unfit with a 10A/C for PTSD with Comorbid Major Depressive disorder and Anxiety disorder. I have been extended from 8 March to 8 June. He says there is a possibility that I may be extended again to ensure that all retirement briefings and Clearing is done properly.

Will update as things Happen.
 
US Army DES Pilot at Fort Hood: Updated 1/06/2011

Anyone have a number at VA or is their regular 1-800# a good number to check on status of my rating?
 
What did your VA Axis diagnosis look like. Can you detail out the results of the C & P VA exam? What was your GAF score? Did you expect an unfit determination? Thanks!
 
US Army DES Pilot at Fort Hood: Updated 1/06/2011

What percentage did they give you if you dont mind me asking?
 
US Army DES Pilot at Fort Hood: Updated 1/06/2011

What percentage did they give you if you dont mind me asking?

What did your VA Axis diagnosis look like. Can you detail out the results of the C & P VA exam? What was your GAF score? Did you expect an unfit determination? Thanks!

Thank you for your replies. Here are the AXIS Diagnosis from both my VA and Army exams:

Army:
AXIS I: 309.81 PTSD, Chronic; 296.32 Major Depressive Disorder, recurrent Moderate; 300.00 Anxiety Disorder NOS
AXIS II: No Diagnosis
AXIS III: Per Medicine
AXIS IV: Occupational: Severe
AXIS V: Global Assessment of Function 55

VA:
AXIS I: PTSD, Chronic, Severe; Major Depressive Disorder secondary to complicated bereavement; Anxiety attacks NOS with agoraphobia
AXIS II: Deferred
AXIS III: S/P right shoulder surgery; Bilateral hearing loss; Right knee condition with residual pain; tension headaches
AXIS IV: Current psychological stressors: Job related performance problems; PTSD/depression/anxiety symptoms; marital/intimacy/parenting challenges; survivor guilt; poor support system; complicated bereavement
AXIS V: GAF Score 50.

Basically after all of my exams MEB referred my case to PEB. PEB convened and found me unfit and forwarded their findings to VA for a disability rating and that is where I stand. I have been told once PEB receives my ratings from VA then Transition will cut my orders. I am just stuck in limbo.
 
US Army DES Pilot at Fort Hood: Updated 1/06/2011

What did the PEB find you unfit for. I go in 2 weeks to MEB. My peblo told me I will know if about 6 weeks what I am unfit for. The VA is taking about 6 months to send a rating.
 
US Army DES Pilot at Fort Hood: Updated 1/06/2011

I completed my last C&P exam on the 7th of November. My PEBLO told me that currently my da 13?? form is getting signatures then I am to review, sign and it will be sent to the PEB. Am I supposed to be examined again by the MEB prior to them sending my info to the PEB? Am I reviewing the NARSUM along with this form? Please advise!!
 
US Army DES Pilot at Fort Hood: Updated 1/06/2011

What percentage did they give you from the DOD, for the conditions that you listed. +-
 
US Army DES Pilot at Fort Hood: Updated 1/06/2011

What did the PEB find you unfit for. I go in 2 weeks to MEB. My peblo told me I will know if about 6 weeks what I am unfit for. The VA is taking about 6 months to send a rating.

What percentage did they give you from the DOD, for the conditions that you listed. +-

PEB only found me unfit for the PTSD. I did talk to my VA MSC and he said that the VA received my packet as of 6 Jan. He also advised me that by the guidelines in the law governing all of this that the VA has 15 days from receipt to publish their findings and send them back to PEB. My PEBLO informed me that the Army will only find me unfit for the condition that referred me to the MEB. They find one fit = RTD, if unfit will mirror the VA's disability rating for the unfitting condition and that will determine a) separation with severence or b) if greater than 30% for unfitting condition then TDRL. My PEBLO did tell me give the VA 1-3 weeks. So I'm going to burn 23 days of leave to put my final ETS/Retirment balance at 60 days. So that I can finally wait it out with out all of the craziness that is everyday Army life. My replacement is in place and I am training him up for the next 2 weeks. So we will see and I will continue to update as things move along. Repeat, DA or DoD hasn't given me any kind of rating. They are basing their ratings off of what the VA determines or at least that is what i am being told as of right now.
 
US Army DES Pilot at Fort Hood: Updated 1/06/2011

PTSD unfitness= minimum 50% temporary rating. They can rate it at stable at the same level or higher, though (which would result in PDRL...this is uncommon these days).
 
US Army DES Pilot at Fort Hood: Updated 1/06/2011

I did talk to my VA MSC and he said that the VA received my packet as of 6 Jan. He also advised me that by the guidelines in the law governing all of this that the VA has 15 days from receipt to publish their findings and send them back to PEB.

I just hit day 15 (day 10 work days) and no response from VA a little frustrated I don't care my % I am just ready to be done and start my new job. Anyone know if this is a hard timeline for VA Rating Active Duty Army (OIF) combat related ratings?
 
US Army DES Pilot at Fort Hood: Updated 1/06/2011

There is no enforcement mechanism for the timelines (even though, if they blow processing times in 50% of cases, they are supposed to seat additional MEBs/PEB's.....I have my doubts about that rule being applied, too).

Hope all goes your way.
 
US Army DES Pilot at Fort Hood: Updated 1/06/2011

I just hit day 15 (day 10 work days) and no response from VA a little frustrated I don't care my % I am just ready to be done and start my new job. Anyone know if this is a hard timeline for VA Rating Active Duty Army (OIF) combat related ratings?

lawdawg,

My package from the PEB was sent to the VA on 17 October and I have yet to get a rating back. That being said, the VA ebenefits website shows that they did not process it into their system until 3 December, which would still be WAY over the 10 working days.... I wouldn't get your hopes up for a real fast turn around. I have already had to give up two job opportunities. Good Luck!
 
US Army DES Pilot at Fort Hood: Updated 1/06/2011

Glad I found this website, thanks Jason.

Although, this info I keep reading regards to slow turnaround after PEB is depressing (where did I place that bottle of Wellbutrin?). Hope not a pipe dream but relying on 'fit for duty' decision from PEB. I should know by end of the month.

BTW, my PCP decided against renewing my T3 script. He told me to stop using my L arm. Yea right, like that would look good for a possible 'fit for duty'... NOT! I've learned what I can & cannot do with L arm in my work setting (STICU). Luckily, I'm R hand dominate.
 
US Army DES Pilot at Fort Hood: Updated 1/06/2011

I just hit day 15 (day 10 work days) and no response from VA a little frustrated I don't care my % I am just ready to be done and start my new job. Anyone know if this is a hard timeline for VA Rating Active Duty Army (OIF) combat related ratings?

I'm AD- OIF combat related also. I am at two and a half months since my packet arrived at the VA for my ratings (sent to the VA on 18 Nov) I called them last week and the VA told me that they were ready to make a decision and I should be hearing soon. I don't know how valid that statement is. I'm getting tired of waiting.
 
US Army DES Pilot at Fort Hood: Updated 1/06/2011

I don't know why the VA takes less time for some and more for others. Part of it might be the complexity of the conditions, evidence, and complexity.
I posted two weeks ago wondering when it would happen for a decision and once it is made everything happens very quickly. Now I am waiting for orders from Transproc the PDA is sending up my packet tomorrow. I am being PDRL at 80% (75% is all they give).
 
US Army DES Pilot at Fort Hood: Updated 1/06/2011

Not to bust anyones bubble because they are sick of waiting etc but it does you know good to keep calling the VA and the Peblo because you want it to go quicker.

This is how it works in the army. Once your PEB sends your packet to the VA, the VA will rate within 30-45 days. It then goes up for approval which THEY EVEN TELL YOU takes anywhere from 45 days to 6 months.

Words to note: Just got word last week that the VA is so backlogged they are sending packets to different locations because they NEED HELP. Thing that sucks about this is if you had ratings done (and you called the VA and they said it was done and awaiting approval) that is highly likely that the VA sent it to another location and you will then have to wait even longer because now you are behind another crap load of people.

If your new to this and going through it, do not try to apply for a job until you sign for your ratings. Then you know your timeframe.

Yes it sucks, but wars suck and lots of soldiers are coming home broken moreso than even yourself. Sit back, relax and enjoy what you can because I know quite a few people who are waiting on ratings etc including myself.

The law about the VA has such and such a time to get it done? I call bullcrap, because the VA is currently on a 6 month backlog. Might be less now because they are forwarding packets to get help but I wouldnt count on it.

Good Luck.
 
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