Air Force – Overseas IDES MEB Timeline

1

123pats

Active Member
PEB Forum Veteran
Registered Member
Here is my current timeline. Hopefully the last few stages are completed sooner rather than later.

17 July 2024 - Code 37 applied, notified by PEBLO that they’re building an IRILO package for knee, fibromyalgia, and chronic autoimmune urticaria.
07 August 2024 - IRILO package uploaded into Tricare Online.
13 August 2024 - IRILO package submitted to AFPC.
16 August 2024 - AFPC suggested CONCARE for 3 months as my case couldn't be dispositioned.
19 August 2024 - Notified by PEBLO of AFPC disposition. Was told to make specialists appointments.
25 October 2024 – IRILO package sent back to AFPC.
28 October 2024 - AFPC directed full MEB.
29 October 2024 - PEBLO notification.
21 November 2024 – MSC meeting.
19 December 2024 – TBI & General C&P Exam.
20 December 2024 – Mental Health C&P Exam.
29 December 2024 – Hearing C&P Exam.
30 December 2024 – All DBQ’s besides those from General Exam loaded into Tricare Online.
14 January 2024 – Diagnostic X-rays completed for General C&P Exam.
22 January 2024 – All General Exam DBQ’s uploaded in Tricare Online.
23 January 2024 – Called VA, case is now in the “Decision Phase
Pending – Local MEB
Pending – 618 Signature
Pending – First myFSS email
Pending – Second myFSS email
Pending – Meeting with PEBLO
Pending – 1180 Signature
Pending – Orders / DOS
 
I called the VA today as well, and was told I am in the "Decision Phase" too. I am AD Army, overseas, and signed my NARSUM in mid-January for reference.
 
Unfortunately you have pretty much concluded the fastest portion of this whole process. Once it hits the PEB if you are directed full MEB it slows down *drastically*.
 
Here is my updated timeline. Just signed the 618, agreed with the NARSUM, and declined IMR. Told by my PEBLO that I should receive my ratings and unfit determination in 2-4 weeks, orders to follow after 2-3 weeks, and 15 days to out process based on current timelines.

17 July 2024 - Code 37 applied, notified by PEBLO that they’re building an IRILO package for knee, fibromyalgia, and chronic autoimmune urticaria.
07 August 2024 - IRILO package uploaded into Tricare Online.
13 August 2024 - IRILO package submitted to AFPC.
16 August 2024 - AFPC suggested CONCARE for 3 months as my case couldn't be dispositioned.
19 August 2024 - Notified by PEBLO of AFPC disposition. Was told to make specialists appointments.
25 October 2024 – IRILO package sent back to AFPC.
28 October 2024 - AFPC directed full MEB.
29 October 2024 - PEBLO notification.
21 November 2024 – MSC meeting.
19 December 2024 – TBI & General C&P Exam.
20 December 2024 – Mental Health C&P Exam.
29 December 2024 – Hearing C&P Exam.
30 December 2024 – All DBQ’s besides those from General Exam loaded into Tricare Online.
14 January 2025 – Diagnostic X-rays completed for General C&P Exam.
22 January 2025 – All General Exam DBQ’s uploaded in Tricare Online.
23 January 2025 – Called VA, case is now in the “Decision Phase
05 February 2025 – Local MEB
05 February 2025 – 618 Signature
06 February 2025 – First myFSS email
Pending – Second myFSS email
Pending – Meeting with PEBLO
Pending – 1180 Signature
Pending – Orders / DOS
 
S3Mi said:
I called the VA today as well, and was told I am in the "Decision Phase" too. I am AD Army, overseas, and signed my NARSUM in mid-January for reference.
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Hopefully it won't be too much longer for you to hear back. It looks like I'm just behind you since I just signed my NARSUM and other paperwork yesterday. From what I gathered, the unfit determination by the IPEB/FPEB comes first and then the ratings / case closed by VA.
 
bustedAF said:
Unfortunately you have pretty much concluded the fastest portion of this whole process. Once it hits the PEB if you are directed full MEB it slows down *drastically*.
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I'm still hopeful that everything is processed soon. AFPC has responded fairly fast to my case on the past 2 occasions (~3 days to hear back each time). My PEBLO told me that I'm looking at 2-4 weeks to receive back my unfit determination and my ratings, and another 2-3 weeks for my orders to be cut. This is of course if I agree with everything. However, I'm just glad to be in the "final stage" and will soon know what AFPC's final determination is.
 
Newest update: AFPC seems to be working fast during IPEB stage. My MEB case was submitted on 06 Feb, MyFSS email received on 07 Feb, and 11 Feb “Pending DRAS” according to my PEBLO.

On 20 February, I called the VA 1-800 number and asked a representative for some information on my case. The lady I spoke with asked if I received a benefits letters which was odd. She wouldn’t give me much information after that and told me that I needed to contact my PEBLO or MSC for more information, but I’ve seen others on here say that they ran into this.

I did take the advice I saw on a recent post here and scheduled a meeting through VERA. It seems like the VERA appointment can provide you with more information about your claim on the VA side of the house than the 1-800 customer service agents can. For example, they can tell you if your claim has been assigned to a rater, if a benefits letter has been created, or if it’s with the senior rater.

If you want to schedule a meeting with VERA, it can be accessed via this link: VA VERA .

17 July 2024 - Code 37 applied, notified by PEBLO that they’re building an IRILO package for knee, fibromyalgia, and chronic autoimmune urticaria.
07 August 2024 - IRILO package uploaded into Tricare Online.
13 August 2024 - IRILO package submitted to AFPC.
16 August 2024 - AFPC suggested CONCARE for 3 months as my case couldn't be dispositioned.
19 August 2024 - Notified by PEBLO of AFPC disposition. Was told to make specialists appointments.
25 October 2024 – IRILO package sent back to AFPC.
28 October 2024 - AFPC directed full MEB.
29 October 2024 - PEBLO notification.
21 November 2024 – MSC meeting.
19 December 2024 – TBI & General C&P Exam.
20 December 2024 – Mental Health C&P Exam.
29 December 2024 – Hearing C&P Exam.
30 December 2024 – All DBQ’s besides those from General Exam loaded into Tricare Online.
14 January 2025 – Diagnostic X-rays completed for General C&P Exam.
22 January 2025 – All General Exam DBQ’s uploaded in Tricare Online.
23 January 2025 – Called VA, case is now in the “Decision Phase
05 February 2025 – Local MEB
05 February 2025 – 618 Signature
06 February 2025 – First myFSS email
11 February 2025 - Pending DRAS
Pending – Second myFSS email
Pending – Meeting with PEBLO
Pending – 1180 Signature
Pending – Orders / DOS
 
17 July 2024 - Code 37 applied, notified by PEBLO that they’re building an IRILO package for knee, fibromyalgia, and chronic autoimmune urticaria.
07 August 2024 - IRILO package uploaded into Tricare Online.
13 August 2024 - IRILO package submitted to AFPC.
16 August 2024 - AFPC suggested CONCARE for 3 months as my case couldn't be dispositioned.
19 August 2024 - Notified by PEBLO of AFPC disposition. Was told to make specialists appointments.
25 October 2024 – IRILO package sent back to AFPC.
28 October 2024 - AFPC directed full MEB.
29 October 2024 - PEBLO notification.
21 November 2024 – MSC meeting.
19 December 2024 – TBI & General C&P Exam.
20 December 2024 – Mental Health C&P Exam.
29 December 2024 – Hearing C&P Exam.
30 December 2024 – All DBQ’s besides those from General Exam loaded into Tricare Online.
14 January 2025 – Diagnostic X-rays completed for General C&P Exam.
22 January 2025 – All General Exam DBQ’s uploaded in Tricare Online.
23 January 2025 – Called VA, case is now in the “Decision Phase
05 February 2025 – Local MEB
05 February 2025 – 618 Signature
06 February 2025 – First myFSS email
11 February 2025 - Pending DRAS
21 February 2025 - Claim is with the rater / ready for decision.
Pending – Second myFSS email
Pending – Meeting with PEBLO
Pending – 1180 Signature
Pending – Orders / DOS
 
Just had my second VERA phone call. I scheduled a phone call with the regional office that my claim was at and received more information than the first VERA phone call.

It looks like my assigned MSC never uploaded my 21-526EZ so the rater could only review my claim, not come up with the proposed rating. The VERA rep was very helpful though and uploaded the document to my file, as well as notified the rater that the document had been uploaded. I was told to expect action in the next 7-10 days.

If I learned anything from this process, it is to not rely on others to do their job correctly. Following up often and asking questions has helped me fix multiple errors with my claim and helped my IDES case progress forward.
 
Following your timelines, also overseas AF here. Looks like I'm about 3 weeks behind you!
 
If this isn't ok to ask please let me know. I was recommended for IRILO due to chronic autoimmune urticaria. On Humira. Its a bad case. What was your rating for that condition? I want to see my likelihood of retirement/sep.
 
GreenPepper said:
If this isn't ok to ask please let me know. I was recommended for IRILO due to chronic autoimmune urticaria. On Humira. Its a bad case. What was your rating for that condition? I want to see my likelihood of retirement/sep.
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Hey there, I haven’t received my rating yet unfortunately. I should be receiving it soon. Although, based on the CFR 38 criteria and my DBQ, I should be receiving 60%.

There is a very good chance of retirement / separation with Chronic Autoimmune Urticaria. As I understand, it’s a boardable condition in the MSD.

With you taking Humira, you could qualifying for the 60% rating. However, I recommend that you check out the CFR 38 Part 4 Rating criteria on Chronic Autoimmune Urticaria and see how it matches up with the Skin Conditions DBQ.
 
17 July 2024 - Code 37 applied, notified by PEBLO that they’re building an IRILO package for knee, fibromyalgia, and chronic autoimmune urticaria.
07 August 2024 - IRILO package uploaded into Tricare Online.
13 August 2024 - IRILO package submitted to AFPC.
16 August 2024 - AFPC suggested CONCARE for 3 months as my case couldn't be dispositioned.
19 August 2024 - Notified by PEBLO of AFPC disposition. Was told to make specialists appointments.
25 October 2024 – IRILO package sent back to AFPC.
28 October 2024 - AFPC directed full MEB.
29 October 2024 - PEBLO notification.
21 November 2024 – MSC meeting.
19 December 2024 – TBI & General C&P Exam.
20 December 2024 – Mental Health C&P Exam.
29 December 2024 – Hearing C&P Exam.
30 December 2024 – All DBQ’s besides those from General Exam loaded into Tricare Online.
14 January 2025 – Diagnostic X-rays completed for General C&P Exam.
22 January 2025 – All General Exam DBQ’s uploaded in Tricare Online.
23 January 2025 – Called VA, case is now in the “Decision Phase
05 February 2025 – Local MEB
05 February 2025 – 618 Signature
06 February 2025 – First myFSS email
11 February 2025 - Pending DRAS
21 February 2025 - Claim is with the rater / ready for decision.
04 March 2025 - VERA Phone call; Rater reviewed claim but my initial claim form (21-526EZ) wasn't uploaded to my file by my MSC. Submitted it to the VERA agent and was told that the rater was notified.
10 March 2025 - Case closed on VA website. Nothing showing on the app.
Pending – Second myFSS email
Pending – Meeting with PEBLO
Pending – 1180 Signature
Pending – Orders / DOS
 
Had my VERA phone call and confirmed that my benefits letter was sent back to the PEB and that my BEL was mailed out to me. On the same phone call they told me that they couldn't share the ratings with me since I haven't received my BEL yet, but I was able to find out that I've been proposed at 100% by calling the national phone number. Hoping to hear back from my PEBLO by the end of the week and finally sign the 1180.
 
Don't mind me - Just posting to blow off some steam / frustration.

I just talked with my PEBLO today. Despite my case being finalized and closed with the VA since 10 March, my case is still being shown as "Pending DRAS". I was also told that there are cases ahead of mine that have been in this phase for 3 months now. Seems like AFPC is taking longer than expected to review my case and come up with the proposed distribution.

I'm extremely frustrated with this whole IDES process. Some people receive their second myFSS email 2 days after their claims are closed while others take 2-3+ weeks. I don't know how this can be possible. Up until now, AFPC has processed my case fairly quick.

At this point, I'm ready to just sign my ratings and prepare for separation. I was hoping for it to be for sometime in April, but depending on how long AFPC takes, it seems like I might be looking at May or even later which blows. Can't plan with my family on when I'm going to arrive back home and I can't begin the job hunt or school hunt yet because of the lack of a clear timeline, until my orders dropped.
 
123pats said:
Don't mind me - Just posting to blow off some steam / frustration.

I just talked with my PEBLO today. Despite my case being finalized and closed with the VA since 10 March, my case is still being shown as "Pending DRAS". I was also told that there are cases ahead of mine that have been in this phase for 3 months now. Seems like AFPC is taking longer than expected to review my case and come up with the proposed distribution.

I'm extremely frustrated with this whole IDES process. Some people receive their second myFSS email 2 days after their claims are closed while others take 2-3+ weeks. I don't know how this can be possible. Up until now, AFPC has processed my case fairly quick.

At this point, I'm ready to just sign my ratings and prepare for separation. I was hoping for it to be for sometime in April, but depending on how long AFPC takes, it seems like I might be looking at May or even later which blows. Can't plan with my family on when I'm going to arrive back home and I can't begin the job hunt or school hunt yet because of the lack of a clear timeline, until my orders dropped.
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I know how you feel. I was waiting close to 4 weeks for AFPC to come down with the DOD ratings, while watching everyone else get theirs within a few days. Apparently whoever had my case at AFPC had "problems printing my forms" so it sat for a while. That's what afpc told my peblo. I take that with grain of salt though. I hope you find out soon.
 
milkteaz said:
I know how you feel. I was waiting close to 4 weeks for AFPC to come down with the DOD ratings, while watching everyone else get theirs within a few days. Apparently whoever had my case at AFPC had "problems printing my forms" so it sat for a while. That's what afpc told my peblo. I take that with grain of salt though. I hope you find out soon.
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That's insane! Did your PEBLO ever give you any information during those 4 weeks of you waiting? I have a feeling that mine won't reach out to AFPC because he basically told me "AFPC will provide an update when they get to your case". Besides that bit, he's been good at giving me updates.

I still don't know how others can have their claim closed for weeks or a month and still get passed by someone who received their ratings a few days after the claim closed. It makes me think that AFPC's processing of all these cases is screwed up.

And thank you, I'm hoping that it comes within the next week or two.
 
123pats said:
That's insane! Did your PEBLO ever give you any information during those 4 weeks of you waiting? I have a feeling that mine won't reach out to AFPC because he basically told me "AFPC will provide an update when they get to your case". Besides that bit, he's been good at giving me updates.

I still don't know how others can have their claim closed for weeks or a month and still get passed by someone who received their ratings a few days after the claim closed. It makes me think that AFPC's processing of all these cases is screwed up.

And thank you, I'm hoping that it comes within the next week or two.
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No not really. I would ask my peblo every week for an update and there really wasn't anything he could tell me other than "we are waiting for afpc".

I don't understand how it works either, you'd think they would work in the other they receive the case but some cases are more cut and dry than others I suppose.

I'm waiting for my orders now. It's been a week. Though on this forum some are really lucky and get their orders within a few days. It sucks lol
 
milkteaz said:
No not really. I would ask my peblo every week for an update and there really wasn't anything he could tell me other than "we are waiting for afpc".

I don't understand how it works either, you'd think they would work in the other they receive the case but some cases are more cut and dry than others I suppose.

I'm waiting for my orders now. It's been a week. Though on this forum some are really lucky and get their orders within a few days. It sucks lol
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I swear I hate the lack of information given throughout this process haha.

My understanding is that once the ratings come back, they just apply the VA ratings to your unfitting conditions. Then they decide if you get DWSP or if you’re medically retired and send the disposition down to your PEBLO. It was relayed to me that the whole point of the IPEB was to finish this process up sooner.

This entire process sucks lol. I hope you get your orders soon though!
 
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