Hey all! So couple weeks ago I was informed I would be going through full MEB and had my briefing with my PEBLO. She informed me I should be expecting a call from a MSC within 2 weeks. I went TDY for 2 weeks and still have not received a call from the MSC. Is it out if the norm that I have not received a call yet? How long should I wait before reaching out to the PEBLO?
Timeline question
- Thread starter Jaywats
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Just let your PEBLO know that you haven't heard from MSC yet.
Thanks for the advice. Contacted them and they said I was just assigned an MSC and now the wait continues.
Hey all thanks for the earlier advice.
Things have been moving along finally. (My first assigned MSC took the fork in the road.) Yesterday I had my physical C&P exam and I had a few questions. I'm unsure of how it went, during the questions of each injury I felt like I articulated each one well. However, during the ROM test she did not say to stop when it hurts but I tried to keep that in mind. After she evaluated my right knee which was extremely painful on my hip (and I showed that in my facial expression and audible sounds) she said if something is going to hurt then she won't do it. So for my left hip (which i had surgery on and is what started my MEB) I told her it was going to be extremely painful and she skipped it. Everything else she said she was going to have my do each 3 times but some she only had me do once or twice and said stop, which I'm hoping because she saw the pain on my face. So my question is:
If I don't do a ROM for a specific injury or I don't do the repetitive test does that benefit me?
Also, can anyone explain to me how the ROM testing factors in when it comes to the rating?
Sorry I know this a lot. Thanks in advance!
Things have been moving along finally. (My first assigned MSC took the fork in the road.) Yesterday I had my physical C&P exam and I had a few questions. I'm unsure of how it went, during the questions of each injury I felt like I articulated each one well. However, during the ROM test she did not say to stop when it hurts but I tried to keep that in mind. After she evaluated my right knee which was extremely painful on my hip (and I showed that in my facial expression and audible sounds) she said if something is going to hurt then she won't do it. So for my left hip (which i had surgery on and is what started my MEB) I told her it was going to be extremely painful and she skipped it. Everything else she said she was going to have my do each 3 times but some she only had me do once or twice and said stop, which I'm hoping because she saw the pain on my face. So my question is:
If I don't do a ROM for a specific injury or I don't do the repetitive test does that benefit me?
Also, can anyone explain to me how the ROM testing factors in when it comes to the rating?
Sorry I know this a lot. Thanks in advance!
1. It all depends on how your examiner writes it up. If she skipped it because of the pain, then she might have put it down as extremely limited which would be good, but you'll have to wait for the DBQ to be uploaded to see.
2. The veterans benefits subreddit has a pretty decent searchable VA ratings schedule here that breaks down how it is rated: https://www.veteransbenefitskb.com/master
Thanks for the reply! Approximately how long will I be waiting for the DBQ? Give or take of course.
Depends on the number of conditions and your examiner. My audiology and psych were submitted same-day or next-day. I had 13 claims on my general and it is still being processed 2.5 weeks later (but QTC says that it should be sent in very soon). I've seen timelines with anywhere from a few days to a month though.
Hey all! I got my DBQs back today and I have been looking them over. So looking at a lot of the ROM test that she wrote I refused to perform a ROM which is not true and she claimed I do not have flare-ups but I know I told her I am in constant pain everyday. Does anyone know how this will look at potentially affect things going forward?
At this point I am going to ask to do my SHA again but it seems like she pencil whipped it or just straight up lied. Any advice would be helpful.
At this point I am going to ask to do my SHA again but it seems like she pencil whipped it or just straight up lied. Any advice would be helpful.
There are a few avenues it could go. You will need to wait for the ratings to come back from the VA first. Once they come back and if they are not what you were expecting based on the 38 CFR you can file a VARR for any condition that was MEB referred. All your other claims you can appeal or do supplemental claims against once you are fully separated. It’s one of the unfortunate sides of a physical exam and the provider not listening as well as they maybe should have. I had the same issue with a mental health exam and this was what both my MSC, the VA, and Peblo said were options.
Quick update! I had my 618 revised to add an additional unfitting condition, which the doctor approved. Finally, I had my package sent up to the PEB. It looks like I am on my final leg. Does anyone know the current ETA for them to come back with the ratings? There is a rumor they have been back within 6-8 weeks.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
From my understanding, the ratings will probably be about 2ish months right now from the time the MSC submitted them to the VA rating queue.
How long did it take to get another unfitting condition added for you? And did they have to generate a new NARSUM for it?
I submitted the rebuttal last week but still haven't heard anything. I'm starting to get pretty upset at all the unnecessary delays I've had to deal with...
My rebuttal took about 2 weeks from the time I sent the rebuttal to when I signed the new 618. My PCM had to revise my NARSUM and add the new unfitting condition. From understanding the uninterested Dr. reviewed my file, concurred, and then asked the AMRO board if they agreed. He then wrote an MFR, signed the 618, requested my PCM revise the NARSUM, and then sent it back to my PEBLO for me to sign.
If it’s any indication of how things are going time wise, my PEB was voted unfit and sent to the VA March 11th for ratings and I’m still waiting.
Damn. Please let us know when you get the results, hopefully it will give us a round about time frame. I got the notification from MyFSS this morning stating they received my package, so begins the wait.
Additional questions for anyone. What is the likelihood of being returned to duty after submission to the IPEB/DES? Cause everyone I have spoken to from PEBLO, MSC, ODC, all said it is slim to none for being returned. However, every diagram or information I've read say it is a possibility. Just seems to good to be true. I don't want to count my chickens before they hatch.
The board usually concurs with the MEB unless there is some overwhelming information that was overlooked. It is possible, as you have stated, but in most instances, once it goes to the PEB, an unfitting decision is more than likely. However, if by the slim chance you are found fit, there is always the FPEB option to appeal the decision. Good luck with your process. I hope it works out how you want it to.
Perfect. Thank you for the reassurance, I think everything will work out.
Hey All,
So I got my proposed ratings back. Came back pretty damn quick. My DoD rating is 50% and my VA ratings 90% (93% total). However, I still haven't had my sleep study done because they are scheduled 2 months out.
Here is my question, should I fight the VA now to try and get 100% or should I retire first and then claim sleep apnea after I am out?
I contacted ODC today and waiting for them to get back to me in order to review my package. But since yall have been helpful throughout this process figured I'd ask.
Thanks in advance.
So I got my proposed ratings back. Came back pretty damn quick. My DoD rating is 50% and my VA ratings 90% (93% total). However, I still haven't had my sleep study done because they are scheduled 2 months out.
Here is my question, should I fight the VA now to try and get 100% or should I retire first and then claim sleep apnea after I am out?
I contacted ODC today and waiting for them to get back to me in order to review my package. But since yall have been helpful throughout this process figured I'd ask.
Thanks in advance.
If any of your denied claims are part of an unfitting condition on the PEB then you can do a VARR. If they are not then you will have to wait till you are retired to file either a supplemental or appeal or higher level review. The sleep study if it’s not part of the PEB won’t affect the DOD retirement percentage.