AF: Anyone choose Legacy DES over IDES? Timeline?

Has anyone chosen Legacy DES over IDES? I understand it's better to do IDES so that the VA starts right after your orders end, but I would rather do Legacy DES and get out faster than waiting for IDES to process. Any idea of what timeline to expect after receiving full MEB decision from AFPC?

Packet has been with AFPC since 25 June

 

[Dazy_Hazelnuts_5894]

Long story short, I originally opted for LDES, but the decision was overturned by my base mental health. As I'm nearing the end of my med board, I'm honestly thankful that the system will handle both percentages for me. It's easy to get screwed in this process. Even though I thought I wanted the quick and easy way out, I've managed to come to terms with my timeline. If I would do it over again, I would pick IDES the first time around just due to the benefits.

 

[Provis]

Long story short, I originally opted for LDES, but the decision was overturned by my base mental health. As I'm nearing the end of my med board, I'm honestly thankful that the system will handle both percentages for me. It's easy to get screwed in this process. Even though I thought I wanted the quick and easy way out, I've managed to come to terms with my timeline. If I would do it over again, I would pick IDES the first time around just due to the benefits.

So glad you were forced into IDES. LDES is gone for a reason. It has a lot of checks and balances. It forced the PEB to use the VA's ratings when a condition is unfit. Back in the day when it was LDES. People would end up with a low DOD% and be medically separated and that same condition was rated higher by the VA for the SAME PERIOD OF TIME. IDES removes the bias in rating by removing the ratings from the military. There are a lot of appeals you can do in IDES.

I am not saying it won't ever happen but in the last few years I have yet to hear someone contemplate between LDES and IDES and chose IDES to later on regret it. Even when things do go well in IDES there are many chances to fix the issue. If those same things happened in LDES you would be screwed.

 

[Provis]

Has anyone chosen Legacy DES over IDES? I understand it's better to do IDES so that the VA starts right after your orders end, but I would rather do Legacy DES and get out faster than waiting for IDES to process. Any idea of what timeline to expect after receiving full MEB decision from AFPC?

Packet has been with AFPC since 25 June

Also, IDES means you will have your VA ratings all set by the time you get out. So you can get your compensation for disabilities within a month or 2 of getting out. That's much better than it taking 6 or more months with no pay after getting out and waiting for backpay.

 

[ANG member]

So glad you were forced into IDES. LDES is gone for a reason. It has a lot of checks and balances. It forced the PEB to use the VA's ratings when a condition is unfit. Back in the day when it was LDES. People would end up with a low DOD% and be medically separated and that same condition was rated higher by the VA for the SAME PERIOD OF TIME. IDES removes the bias in rating by removing the ratings from the military. There are a lot of appeals you can do in IDES.

I am not saying it won't ever happen but in the last few years I have yet to hear someone contemplate between LDES and IDES and chose IDES to later on regret it. Even when things do go well in IDES there are many chances to fix the issue. If those same things happened in LDES you would be screwed.

Just so that I understand correctly, are you saying that if I choose LDES and the DoD rating is a low rating, the VA then cannot change it to a higher rating through the LDES program? So, say the DoD gives me a 30% rating, could my rating be changed to a higher rating after going through the LDES system? Or would I then be stuck with whatever DoD rating I was initially given?

If the *only* disadvantage of LDES is just waiting for backpay, I have prepared for that. If the rating can't be changed to higher, then that's a whole different issue. It's my understanding that DoD ratings are always lower than VA anyway, so I was expecting a low rating, but I figured it could then change to a higher rating once I went through the VA.

 

[Provis]

LDES means the military can rate your condition whatever they want. They aren't tied to the VA's rating system. IDES has way more protections and forces the military to use the VA's rating for your condition if the iPEB or FPEB finds a condition unfit.

so LDES leaves the VA out of everything. Its a crappy deal. If you are worried about an existing VA rating changes just choose IDES and in the application state rating for DOD purposes only and list the referred condition only on the application.

 

[peterparkerrbu]

LDES means the military can rate your condition whatever they want. They aren't tied to the VA's rating system. IDES has way more protections and forces the military to use the VA's rating for your condition if the iPEB or FPEB finds a condition unfit.

so LDES leaves the VA out of everything. Its a crappy deal. If you are worried about an existing VA rating changes just choose IDES and in the application state rating for DOD purposes only and list the referred condition only on the application. melon sandbox

Your point about the system handling the percentages for you is a crucial one. It's a common fear to get "screwed" out of a fair rating, and the integrated process of IDES can provide a much-needed sense of security.

 

[magnus017]

Just so that I understand correctly, are you saying that if I choose LDES and the DoD rating is a low rating, the VA then cannot change it to a higher rating through the LDES program? So, say the DoD gives me a 30% rating, could my rating be changed to a higher rating after going through the LDES system? Or would I then be stuck with whatever DoD rating I was initially given?

If the *only* disadvantage of LDES is just waiting for backpay, I have prepared for that. If the rating can't be changed to higher, then that's a whole different issue. It's my understanding that DoD ratings are always lower than VA anyway, so I was expecting a low rating, but I figured it could then change to a higher rating once I went through the VA.

Alright so here's the thing. Say you get a referred condition for your back. Say your range of motion/symptoms/diagnosis come out to 40% according to the VA Examiner. By rule rule, under IDES, the DoD has to use that same rating, so youre pretty much guaranteed to be rated at the 40% for DoD. Which qualifies you to be medically retired. And, under IDES, if you disagree, want to try to add any conditions/second opinion/etc, there are mechanisms to do that.

In the exact same person/situation if the person chose LDES, the VA Examiner could rate your condition in a way that the VA would give you 40%, but for whatever reason (and the DoD is known in infamously to do this), the DoD looks at it and says "nope. 10%. Medical separation. All severance pay will be recouped with future VA disability payments. Case closed." You're done. You have no recourse. No appeal avenue. And you are screwed. Also, unlike VA ratings, once you're done with the DoD DES system (IDES or LDES), your DoD rating is basically set in stone. There is basically no way to ever get it changed/increased outside of very specific/one off circumstances.

Take everyone's advice on this forum to heart. IDES is the better way 99.9% of the time. The only way I could ever see LDES as the better option, is if you're already independently wealthy, already have good health insurance elsewhere, and just want out without any care for the results. Basically if you just wanna do a medboard to separate as quick as possible. For everyone that doesn't come from old money/has never worried about an expense in their life, IDES is the reccomendation hands down.