IDES Navy - How frequently should I call in?

S

SanDiego2009

Active Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Registered Member
Good evening PEB Forum,

I am a US Sailor going through the IDES process, in the beginning I started off pretty good but after I completed my C&P exams, things started to slow down rapidly, I haven't even received a NARSUM yet and its been more than a month since my exams were completed and uploaded to TRICARE Online. I do not know how frequently I should call my PEBLO asking for updates regarding my case. I think a good rule of thumb is to call in once a month or so. Is this is a good frequency?

My timeline for reference:
July 7th, 2023 Referred to MEB
July 11th, 2023 Met PEBLO
July 28th, 2023 IDES Brief
August 6th, 2023 Legal Brief
August 22nd, 2023 MSC Meeting to setup appts
August 29th to Sep 6th, 2023 C&P Exams Completed
Sep 11th, 2023 Exams uploaded to TRICARE Online
Kinda dead after this point haha
 
I’d check LIMDU smart (https://edq.med.navy.mil/), only works on Navy computers at work. You can see exactly where it is held up.

I’m at the same exact point as you and check daily. Right now my NMA from my CO is uploaded and my DBQs from my C&P exams are awaiting the MEBAAs signature for the ‘C&P reconciliation’ and one more of my referred conditions also needs the MEBAA review.
 
Active Duty Navy, just started the medboard process (PTSD, I am trying to get my lower back issues added when I talk to the IDES attorney.)
I have only gotten to the point where I've sat down with the PEBLO intake person, I am now waiting to go the legal brief. I will then have them review my NMA and give it to my CO for his signature. I keep hearing that this process is going to take at least a year. Was anyone able to add what they wanted on the NMA and just have the CO sign it or does the attorney take care of that? I am just curious.
 
M$_RaiC3n3 said:
Active Duty Navy, just started the medboard process (PTSD, I am trying to get my lower back issues added when I talk to the IDES attorney.)
I have only gotten to the point where I've sat down with the PEBLO intake person, I am now waiting to go the legal brief. I will then have them review my NMA and give it to my CO for his signature. I keep hearing that this process is going to take at least a year. Was anyone able to add what they wanted on the NMA and just have the CO sign it or does the attorney take care of that? I am just curious.
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My command initially submitted the NMA directly, but filled the form out incorrectly. That was noticed by my legal counsel after the NARSUM phase, when we went into the Servicemember Certification. I sat down with my legal at that point and he and I hashed out a good verbiage that I sent to my CO for rubber stamp. The final product had an extra 2 sentences that my Skipper added, but otherwise was exactly what we had written.

To answer the OP's question, take an active role in your case. While in the MEB phase, keep an eye on LIMDU Smart as someone else mentioned. You can have a pretty solid understanding of what exactly you are waiting for from there at that point. However, once that is complete and/if you are sent to PEB, your visibility all but disappears. I made an attempt to reach my PEBLO at the 1 month mark from there, and kept it up until finally making contact. My PEBLO actually caught COVID though so he had been out of the office for much of the time I've been waiting.
Really, whatever makes you most comfortable. I told myself that unless something changes, and I hear from the PEBLO, I'd establish contact at least once a month to ensure I was still being tracked. Remember, the PEBLOs are facing a ton of folks that they are tracking through most likely.
 
M$_RaiC3n3 said:
Active Duty Navy, just started the medboard process (PTSD, I am trying to get my lower back issues added when I talk to the IDES attorney.)
I have only gotten to the point where I've sat down with the PEBLO intake person, I am now waiting to go the legal brief. I will then have them review my NMA and give it to my CO for his signature. I keep hearing that this process is going to take at least a year. Was anyone able to add what they wanted on the NMA and just have the CO sign it or does the attorney take care of that? I am just curious.
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we are both on the same time frame I am assuming! I was referred for a MEB 31OCT23 for psoriasis/ biological medication use.
Have completed 1 C&P Exam so far, have two more scheduled next week. Will keep an update on everything.
 
Hey @SanDiego2009, I am cruising some of my old commented threads and was curious how things are going for you? Have you felt like you have been able to stay informed along the way after asking this question?
 
Jjw11255 said:
Hey @SanDiego2009, I am cruising some of my old commented threads and was curious how things are going for you? Have you felt like you have been able to stay informed along the way after asking this question?
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Good morning, thanks for the buddy check. My MEB was completed and signed off by the convening authority on Dec 12th and was accepted to go to the PEB. I also recently got a call from a VA rater asking for clarification on somethings.
All I know is that my case is at the PEB phase at the moment. I felt like I've gotten good guidance thus far.
 
This is moderately out of context, but is the NARSUM done at the end of your VA C&P Exams?
And then within the MEB stage with the NMA, C&P exams, and also NARSUM what takes it 20 days to get to the point of moving to the PEB?
I'm waiting to meet with my lawyer on Janaury 9'th right now for election of DES process.
IDES is what it will be for sure for me.
Is the referall to the MEB the same as the NARSUM?
Because my referall seemed to be written in a very displeasing favor of me for my mental health condition.
 
Onemosphere said:
This is moderately out of context, but is the NARSUM done at the end of your VA C&P Exams?
And then within the MEB stage with the NMA, C&P exams, and also NARSUM what takes it 20 days to get to the point of moving to the PEB?
I'm waiting to meet with my lawyer on Janaury 9'th right now for election of DES process.
IDES is what it will be for sure for me.
Is the referall to the MEB the same as the NARSUM?
Because my referall seemed to be written in a very displeasing favor of me for my mental health condition.
Click to expand...
Hey!
BLUF: Yes, you should have a NARSUM as part of your referral to the MEB, however, it is not finalized yet, and won't be until after the C&P Exams.

A few things. It sounds like you are right at the beginning of the MEB phase. Depending on what service you are in, your process can be different. When you finish your C&P Exams, there will be some time and then you will have your final NARSUM(s). At the conclusion of gathering all of that, you will then have a Determ of whether you move to a PEB or not.

A piece of advice for you from the start, there are timelines that are posted as the standard for length of time for each stage. Your steps will have to be in those timelines, however, do not expect the service to follow that timeline, as these forums are full of folks that can attest to the inability of the service to do so. Make sure that you are in communication with your PEBLO as you are moving through the process. My experience has told me that there is a ton more visibility of the process in the MEB than the PEB.

My understanding from seeing more wise folks than I on here, the PEB tends to look at the NARSUM and the NMA quite a bit when it comes to fit/unfit determinations. If you are hoping to get a fit finding, speak with your legal, and ensure that they know that. They will be able to help mold the NMA and a statement from you to the board. Every case is unique, so they should be your number 1 point of contact through the process.
 
Onemosphere said:
This is moderately out of context, but is the NARSUM done at the end of your VA C&P Exams?
And then within the MEB stage with the NMA, C&P exams, and also NARSUM what takes it 20 days to get to the point of moving to the PEB?
I'm waiting to meet with my lawyer on Janaury 9'th right now for election of DES process.
IDES is what it will be for sure for me.
Is the referall to the MEB the same as the NARSUM?
Because my referall seemed to be written in a very displeasing favor of me for my mental health condition.
Click to expand...
NARSUM is usually done after the C&P exams are done. It can take 20+ days because a convening authority has to sign it.
 
Jjw11255 said:
Hey!
BLUF: Yes, you should have a NARSUM as part of your referral to the MEB, however, it is not finalized yet, and won't be until after the C&P Exams.

A few things. It sounds like you are right at the beginning of the MEB phase. Depending on what service you are in, your process can be different. When you finish your C&P Exams, there will be some time and then you will have your final NARSUM(s). At the conclusion of gathering all of that, you will then have a Determ of whether you move to a PEB or not.

A piece of advice for you from the start, there are timelines that are posted as the standard for length of time for each stage. Your steps will have to be in those timelines, however, do not expect the service to follow that timeline, as these forums are full of folks that can attest to the inability of the service to do so. Make sure that you are in communication with your PEBLO as you are moving through the process. My experience has told me that there is a ton more visibility of the process in the MEB than the PEB.

My understanding from seeing more wise folks than I on here, the PEB tends to look at the NARSUM and the NMA quite a bit when it comes to fit/unfit determinations. If you are hoping to get a fit finding, speak with your legal, and ensure that they know that. They will be able to help mold the NMA and a statement from you to the board. Every case is unique, so they should be your number 1 point of contact through the process.
Click to expand...
I am for sure not trying to be found fit.
The write up just seemed rather savage for it.
I was diagnosed with PTSD / MDD but the narsum said that (it was written by a navy psych, and my PTSD/MDD were written by a civilian) she said that I have Adjustment disorder chronic, with depression & anxiety.
But also in the write up (not diagnosed) it spoke of possible personality disorder.
It really bummed me out & doesn’t seem accurate but we’ll see how that comes out.
So simply she changed my PTSD & MDD into adjustment disorder chronic with anxiety & depression.
While also putting in the narsum “possible personality disorder” but not a diagnoses of it.
Have you seen things like this happen before?
Thanks in advance & I appreciate the help & im navy out of San Diego.
 
Onemosphere said:
I am for sure not trying to be found fit.
The write up just seemed rather savage for it.
I was diagnosed with PTSD / MDD but the narsum said that (it was written by a navy psych, and my PTSD/MDD were written by a civilian) she said that I have Adjustment disorder chronic, with depression & anxiety.
But also in the write up (not diagnosed) it spoke of possible personality disorder.
It really bummed me out & doesn’t seem accurate but we’ll see how that comes out.
So simply she changed my PTSD & MDD into adjustment disorder chronic with anxiety & depression.
While also putting in the narsum “possible personality disorder” but not a diagnoses of it.
Have you seen things like this happen before?
Thanks in advance & I appreciate the help & im navy out of San Diego.
Click to expand...
Since you are Navy, while you are in the MEB, just keep an eye on Limdusmart, it will let you know where in the process you are.

As far as the referral NARSUM is concerned, keep in mind that that is not the final version of it. Verbiage can possibly be changed after the C&P Exam reports are received. Just be sure that when you complete the paperwork for your VA claim with the MSC, that you list everything that you can when it comes to issues to claim. If you only have 1 referred condition (Mental health is all bundled into 1 rating), you need to keep in mind of the rating schedule, and what it will take for you to legitimately reach the 30% marker for medical retirement.
 
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