Struggling to Get a Proper IMR Review in My IDES Case — PEBLO & DES Attorney Pushing Me to Submit a Rebuttal Instead

[MOWJI]

I’m currently dealing with a frustrating issue in my IDES (Integrated Disability Evaluation System) case and could really use some insight or advice.

Here’s the background:
I submitted my Informal Medical Review (IMR) package on July 14, 2025.
The IMR report was generated on July 17, but it stated that medical documentation was not available at the time of review.

After reviewing the IMR on July 18, I found key medical documents I submitted were missing from IMR. The report stated that medical documentation was not available for review at the time of writing. So I contacted the PEBLO who admitted it was her mistake, she forgot to submit my full package for review. She recommended I submit a rebuttal, to document that the IMR was completed incorrectly.

I have made it clear that I must receive a correct IMR done first so my rebuttal can be meaningful and not just covering for clerical errors.

As of now, I’m stuck in a cycle where I am being forced to make procedural decisions based on incomplete and unavailable documentation.

My question is:
Is there a formal way to request a second, proper IMR review? Should I be writing directly to the Conveying Authority or another official? How can I ensure my medical record is sent with my package for an accurate review?

Has anyone else experienced similar delays or resistance to correcting errors in their IMR? Any suggestions on how to push back or escalate would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Eustache Dauger]

MOWJI, hang in there, the IDES game is about who can stay standing the longest. IMR will ensure that the procedure and the conditions listed in your NARSUM are properly listed according to the available information. In my case, I disagree with my initial NARSUM, got an IMR which fully sided with the NARSUM provider, then the IMR approving authority disagreed with the IMR provider and requested my PEBLO to correct wrong diagnosis and to add 4 more conditions. Once I got that, I coordinated with my legal counsel (SMEBC) and my PEBLO to submit a rebuttal where I reinstated three conditions that I believe made me unfit. At the end, of the three conditions got one condition failing med standards that will give me the chance to fight in the PEB phase. There is a lot of good intel in this forum. Educate yourself and learn how to play the game. Best of luck.

 

[Provis]

I’m currently dealing with a frustrating issue in my IDES (Integrated Disability Evaluation System) case and could really use some insight or advice.

Here’s the background:
I submitted my Informal Medical Review (IMR) package on July 14, 2025.
The IMR report was generated on July 17, but it stated that medical documentation was not available at the time of review.

After reviewing the IMR on July 18, I found key medical documents I submitted were missing from IMR. The report stated that medical documentation was not available for review at the time of writing. So I contacted the PEBLO who admitted it was her mistake, she forgot to submit my full package for review. She recommended I submit a rebuttal, to document that the IMR was completed incorrectly.

I have made it clear that I must receive a correct IMR done first so my rebuttal can be meaningful and not just covering for clerical errors.

As of now, I’m stuck in a cycle where I am being forced to make procedural decisions based on incomplete and unavailable documentation.

My question is:
Is there a formal way to request a second, proper IMR review? Should I be writing directly to the Conveying Authority or another official? How can I ensure my medical record is sent with my package for an accurate review?

Has anyone else experienced similar delays or resistance to correcting errors in their IMR? Any suggestions on how to push back or escalate would be greatly appreciated.

The chances are no just a rebuttal stating PEBLO error and that full medical files where not reviewed and to attached the addition documents to the rebuttal. Ask JAG though. JAG is your resource for questions like this. Or hire a private attorney. Your representation can have a large impact on the end results. The IMR itself isn't binding. Its the information that the iPEB will use to make a determination and the FPEB will see that information too if you have to appeal the iPEB's findings later in the process.

 

[Giecoonline]

I’m currently dealing with a frustrating issue in my IDES (Integrated Disability Evaluation System) case and could really use some insight or advice.

Here’s the background:
I submitted my Informal Medical Review (IMR) package on July 14, 2025.
The IMR report was generated on July 17, but it stated that medical documentation was not available at the time of review.

After reviewing the IMR on July 18, I found key medical documents I submitted were missing from IMR. The report stated that medical documentation was not available for review at the time of writing. So I contacted the PEBLO who admitted it was her mistake, she forgot to submit my full package for review. She recommended I submit a rebuttal, to document that the IMR was completed incorrectly.

I have made it clear that I must receive a correct IMR done first so my rebuttal can be meaningful and not just covering for clerical errors.

As of now, I’m stuck in a cycle where I am being forced to make procedural decisions based on incomplete and unavailable documentation.

My question is:
Is there a formal way to request a second, proper IMR review? Should I be writing directly to the Conveying Authority or another official? How can I ensure my medical record is sent with my package for an accurate review?

Has anyone else experienced similar delays or resistance to correcting errors in their IMR? Any suggestions on how to push back or escalate would be greatly appreciated.

Did you ever get to include the additional information?

 

[MOWJI]

MOWJI, hang in there, the IDES game is about who can stay standing the longest. IMR will ensure that the procedure and the conditions listed in your NARSUM are properly listed according to the available information. In my case, I disagree with my initial NARSUM, got an IMR which fully sided with the NARSUM provider, then the IMR approving authority disagreed with the IMR provider and requested my PEBLO to correct wrong diagnosis and to add 4 more conditions. Once I got that, I coordinated with my legal counsel (SMEBC) and my PEBLO to submit a rebuttal where I reinstated three conditions that I believe made me unfit. At the end, of the three conditions got one condition failing med standards that will give me the chance to fight in the PEB phase. There is a lot of good intel in this forum. Educate yourself and learn how to play the game. Best of luck.

Thanks for responding… glad to hear the system worked for you as it’s designed. I actually received my MEB Appeal Response today. It was very unexpected…

• The response states that my psychiatric conditions were diagnosed after the NARSUM. This is factually incorrect… the diagnosed dates are over 2-3 years ago.
• The response claims both IMRs had adequate review of my records even though IMR #2 specifically states they could not make a determination without access to my behavioral health records. (Records were not provided again)
• One condition was disregarded and deferred entirely to the VA for rating.
• None of the 3 conditions that should be added were acknowledged as for retention-determining/unfitting, despite the black and white factual documentation showing they’re causing failure to meet retention. And now misinformation is added about diagnosis dates. It seems that the more I try, the worse it gets. I really don’t know what to do.

 

[Provis]

Thanks for responding… glad to hear the system worked for you as it’s designed. I actually received my MEB Appeal Response today. It was very unexpected…

• The response states that my psychiatric conditions were diagnosed after the NARSUM. This is factually incorrect… the diagnosed dates are over 2-3 years ago.
• The response claims both IMRs had adequate review of my records even though IMR #2 specifically states they could not make a determination without access to my behavioral health records. (Records were not provided again)
• One condition was disregarded and deferred entirely to the VA for rating.
• None of the 3 conditions that should be added were acknowledged as for retention-determining/unfitting, despite the black and white factual documentation showing they’re causing failure to meet retention. And now misinformation is added about diagnosis dates. It seems that the more I try, the worse it gets. I really don’t know what to do.

Hire a dedicated attorney. JAG is spread thin. Dedicated representation will spend much more time and effort on your case than the free legal provided by JAG. I will send you some references. Private attorneys are expensive but you get what you pay for whether its the criminal justice system, IDES or any other process that involves legal representation.