Adding Conditions after the Formal Board

Maxschnell

PEB Forum Regular Member
I just got the results of my informal board, permanent retirement at 30%. I have other conditions that didn't make it into my MEB that I would like to have included in my rating but not sure if I want to take my chances and lose the 30% (my condition is rated at either 10% and 30% - I thought I was going to be only 10% so I'm happy with the 30%). Should I take the 30% and appeal to the VA after I retire or should I try to have it all calculated before I retire? The way I understand the Formal Board, they'll reevaluate everything, possibly changing the entire findings.
 
Did the omitted conditions exist prior to the completion of your MEB form (listing all your conditions) or did they happen after? It's extremely important to ensure that all of your paperwork reflects the correct picture before signing. I went in today to review my NARSUM, and noticed errors/omissions on the NARSUM and the MEB form (omitted conditions). The PEBLO agreed and called my PCM....my PCM agreed and is revising my NARSUM and MEB form to reflect all conditions. Additionally, ensure that you really read your paperwork....I noticed that the usage of certain words can completely change the "message" of the documentation.
I also asked my PEBLO about the general "mood" of the boards now, and he said that they are becoming more stringent with MEB's and their goal is to return as many members back to duty as possible. To assist with this, as of June 1st, is that all MEB's go up as RILO's first now to determine if the member warrants a full MEB...he said that many are being returned to duty from this process.
In re to appealing and the possible outcome, that is a tough call. My PEBLO said that one of the guys here with 19.5 years in was awarded 60%, he appealed, and the FPEB knocked him down to discharge without severance or retirement because (after investigation) it was determined that his conditions were EPTS. He is appealing to SECAF now. So, it seems like a gamble, but who knows. If you feel like you should have only received 10% and you received 30%, it might be worth taking...it is a retirement...appealing and the board reverting back to 10% could mean thousands lost throughout your lifetime (direct and indirect compensation). Hope all works out well for you!
 
I have been diagnosed with Menieres Disease and I was waiting to see the specialist for this condition when my PCM filled out my MEB paperwork and I was wondering if this condition could be added to be an unfit illness. I have it on my va paperwork but I was wondering is there anyway to get it added to be unfit so it could be part of my AF DOD rating.
 
I have been diagnosed with Menieres Disease and I was waiting to see the specialist for this condition when my PCM filled out my MEB paperwork and I was wondering if this condition could be added to be an unfit illness. I have it on my va paperwork but I was wondering is there anyway to get it added to be unfit so it could be part of my AF DOD rating.

Yes. Don't sign your MEB form that lists your conditions that will be considered by the IPEB until all your documented conditions are listed. I had to do this today. I think the kicker is that it must have been present when your MEB was initiated....any new conditions can be added only by addendum.
 
I did already sign for all my conditions it is on the form that states all my medical conditions. I asked the va rep how do I get it listed under my unfitting conditions that my PCM stated. Does that make sense
 
Did you sign your NARSUM and MEB package to go up to the IPEB yet? If you only signed the condition listing with your VA rep, then you can still change the final product before it gets sent to the IPEB. Your PEBLO and doctor will be the people to contact to get it done. It may not be "normal practice", but it is achievable and worth your while to have all your conditions listed.;)
 
Did you sign your NARSUM and MEB package to go up to the IPEB yet? If you only signed the condition listing with your VA rep, then you can still change the final product before it gets sent to the IPEB. Your PEBLO and doctor will be the people to contact to get it done. It may not be "normal practice", but it is achievable and worth your while to have all your conditions listed.;)

All I have done so far is my PCM initiated my MEB. So after that I met with my PEBLO and he told me that my health information would be reviewed to see if I was fit or unfit for duty. About four weeks went by and he told me I was found unfit and I was going to a formal board. From there I went to his office and signed a form that had my three conditions my PCM put down for fitness for duty. (Migraines, Asthma, Chronic Pain). After that I went to the VA rep and I saw those three conditions and we went through all my medical records and put down every single medical condition and he told me that my packet would be sent for ratings after I see the VA doctors. In mid July I will see the VA docs. So I'm not sure which step I'm currently in or if I'm past the IPEB. Every time I ask a question the PEBLO a question I don't really trust his answer. I'm really thinking he screwed me because I asked him questions about this exact topic and he said you can add it later but he told me two different times that I can add it in.
 
You should still be ok. After you see the VA docs in July for your C&P exams, the VA doc will complete his/her narrative and send it to your PEBLO/PCM. Your doc will then complete his/her NARSUM, and then the whole package goes back to your local MEB (DAWG). This is where you need to intervene and ensure that your MEB form lists all your conditions that affect your job and are "boardable" before it goes back to the DAWG. Do not sign anything else unless your conditions are accurately listed on the MEB paperwork...if any conditions are omitted, request that they be added to the NARSUM and the MEB form. This might mean that your PCM will have to rewrite them, but this is about you- not them. If you get any push back, you have the right to request an independent medical review (IMR) where an impartial doc will review your records and your MEB paperwork to ensure that everything makes sense. You are also within bounds if you need to seek legal assistance to review everything before you sign it. Hopefully, your PEBLO/PCM will agree that they need to add the Menieres without giving you any flack about it.
All this is pre-IPEB stuff. That's why you want to make sure that everything is correct now (while everything is still local) and before your package leaves your PEBLO to go up to the IPEB.
 
All conditions can be added but remember only conditions that does not meet retention will get rated by IPEB. Ask yourself this, if that condition is the only thing that you present to the board. Do you think that in your present grade and duties that the board will find you unfit?

That was one of the question asked me by my PEB JAG before I had my FPEB.
 
You should still be ok. After you see the VA docs in July for your C&P exams, the VA doc will complete his/her narrative and send it to your PEBLO/PCM. Your doc will then complete his/her NARSUM, and then the whole package goes back to your local MEB (DAWG). This is where you need to intervene and ensure that your MEB form lists all your conditions that affect your job and are "boardable" before it goes back to the DAWG. Do not sign anything else unless your conditions are accurately listed on the MEB paperwork...if any conditions are omitted, request that they be added to the NARSUM and the MEB form. This might mean that your PCM will have to rewrite them, but this is about you- not them. If you get any push back, you have the right to request an independent medical review (IMR) where an impartial doc will review your records and your MEB paperwork to ensure that everything makes sense. You are also within bounds if you need to seek legal assistance to review everything before you sign it. Hopefully, your PEBLO/PCM will agree that they need to add the Menieres without giving you any flack about it.
All this is pre-IPEB stuff. That's why you want to make sure that everything is correct now (while everything is still local) and before your package leaves your PEBLO to go up to the IPEB.

This would have been nice to know a few months ago :/
 
I also asked my PEBLO about the general "mood" of the boards now, and he said that they are becoming more stringent with MEB's and their goal is to return as many members back to duty as possible.

I would take that statement with a grain of salt because that is the exact opposite of what they are actually doing. They're looking to downsize the military, not maintain current numbers and MEB's and disciplinary issues are the first to go. At any rate, I am very skeptical about that statement.
 
I have added conditions during the process but they were all added prior to and/or in response to my NARSUM.
 
I would take that statement with a grain of salt because that is the exact opposite of what they are actually doing. They're looking to downsize the military, not maintain current numbers and MEB's and disciplinary issues are the first to go. At any rate, I am very skeptical about that statement.

Good point, but I take everything in life with a grain of salt...nothing is certain except death and taxes;) I would think that, in any situation (not just downsizing or force shaping), medicals and disciplinary issues are the first to be cut (only makes sense). I don't think that anybody, even the boards themselves, know what the exact end goal/state will be.

I have added conditions during the process but they were all added prior to and/or in response to my NARSUM.

All this is pre-IPEB stuff. That's why you want to make sure that everything is correct now (while everything is still local) and before your package leaves your PEBLO to go up to the IPEB.
 
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