First TDRL Exam

TacoBeast

TacoBeast

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Hello all!
I am heading to the Naval Hospital Bremerton for my 1st TDRL reexam. I was placed on TDRL from the Navy in 2018 for lower back. DOD 40%. I received a email late Friday for my authorized travel from DTS but I am unable to log in because I do not have a cac card. but I believe I still have to do a voucher for travel. I would love any advice for going to my first tdrl appointments. They have me seeing a general doctor early in the morning then a orthopedic specialist at 1230. They rated my back saying it may be permanent but it was unstable when I was released. I was told the word unstable was a poor choice of words they use but it means that my condition could get worse. My back issue does not and will not ever get better after 25 PTs no change. My VA doctors stated there is no other treatment we can do really for your condition because I have exhausted everything in the military that did not help. My condition varies on what I am doing.
I would love some advice from you all who has been through tdrl and ether been moved to pdrl after first appointment. Thank you all!
 
navycop said:
Hello all!
I am heading to the Naval Hospital Bremerton for my 1st TDRL reexam. I was placed on TDRL from the Navy in 2018 for lower back. DOD 40%. I received a email late Friday for my authorized travel from DTS but I am unable to log in because I do not have a cac card. but I believe I still have to do a voucher for travel. I would love any advice for going to my first tdrl appointments. They have me seeing a general doctor early in the morning then a orthopedic specialist at 1230. They rated my back saying it may be permanent but it was unstable when I was released. I was told the word unstable was a poor choice of words they use but it means that my condition could get worse. My back issue does not and will not ever get better after 25 PTs no change. My VA doctors stated there is no other treatment we can do really for your condition because I have exhausted everything in the military that did not help. My condition varies on what I am doing.
I would love some advice from you all who has been through tdrl and ether been moved to pdrl after first appointment. Thank you all!
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Sorry to hear about your back pain. But don't worry about DTS. I just did my re-exam a few months back. When you go to your appointment, you should communicate either with a PEBLO or the PEB office at the hospital. They will send verification that you attended your appointment to Millington. PERS will email you paperwork to fill out (standard paper travel claim) and they will input and submit your voucher directly. However, you should realistically have hard copy orders prior to your trip. As such, when is your appointment supposed to be?

As far as advice goes, just be honest about your condition. You said you've seen 25 PTs. Is this since your separation or combined? And is this documented through your medical records since you have separated (either through VA or TRICARE)?
 
My appointment is tomorrow. I believe I was sent orders but they are different looking then standard orders. I will just bring the whole paperwork that i was sent from the hospital. This was during my medical board process. When I got out the VA did more xrays and MRIs on everything. I also had surgery on my should which is part of the va disability but not part of my dod percentage. My va doc said there really isn't much else to do with my condition just keeping getting acupuncture etc as necessary and doing at home care. The military ran out of options before I got out. I still have numbness and tingling into my legs depending on how I am sitting and what I am doing. Just sucked I could not find more treatment plans to help it out besides what I am already doing. I think its just something I will always deal with due to military life. Thank you thought for your help. How was your appointment? are you still waiting to hear back?
 
navycop said:
My appointment is tomorrow. I believe I was sent orders but they are different looking then standard orders. I will just bring the whole paperwork that i was sent from the hospital. This was during my medical board process. When I got out the VA did more xrays and MRIs on everything. I also had surgery on my should which is part of the va disability but not part of my dod percentage. My va doc said there really isn't much else to do with my condition just keeping getting acupuncture etc as necessary and doing at home care. The military ran out of options before I got out. I still have numbness and tingling into my legs depending on how I am sitting and what I am doing. Just sucked I could not find more treatment plans to help it out besides what I am already doing. I think its just something I will always deal with due to military life. Thank you thought for your help. How was your appointment? are you still waiting to hear back?
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I had to go to an Army base (closest MTF) for my re-exam. Let's say due to communication issues from the MTF, I just got paid a few weeks ago and not all of my medical records made it to DC (only the doctor's evaluation). So the Navy thought I just got out and did nothing. The board came back with a reduction to 10% and separation. I submitted my request for reconsideration (and a formal board if denied) last week with my 450 page VA medical records included. Hoping to hear some good news soon. But it looks like you're going to a Navy MTF, so you'll most definitely have a smoother ride than me. But expect a couple of months to hear back. When I spoke to DC (and Millington), they said if you don't hear anything, that means they're keeping you on TDRL. If they will move you to PDRL, you'll get something certified through USPS.

But back to you. Were the orders you got, like, one page? With a second page (maybe) that just has random explanations? DTS orders are a lot different than standard PCS orders. And with your appointment, I would just tell them what you said abut the tingling and numbness. Bring up what your doctor said, too, and the failed PT attempts. I think your goal would to show that it is still debilitating and has become permanent. Explain how it affects your day-to-day life. If that makes sense?

Good luck, and let us know how you think it goes.
 
What have you been doing since you got out? Do you have a full time job? TDRL exams are more a total person exam to see if you are just doing better in general or not just stating you are not typically won't be enough.
 
My appointment went well. The peblo said normally the navy likes to actually use the three years but I have heard so many answers. The Lcdr said he will put in the notes my condition is stable for rating purposes and I am unfit for duty. I have been in school full time under the voc rehab and focusing on regaining strength etc from shoulder surgery I haven't had time to do anything else. With my back, the va doc told me wasn't much else to so just keep tabs on it. Get acupuncture etc as needed chiropractic services. I'm also in a internship that keeps me busy within the parole field. The peblo did say I will get certified envelope in the mail in 4 weeks from the peb board not sure what that is supposed to be though. But overall it was a decent exam.
 
navycop said:
My appointment went well. The peblo said normally the navy likes to actually use the three years but I have heard so many answers. The Lcdr said he will put in the notes my condition is stable for rating purposes and I am unfit for duty. I have been in school full time under the voc rehab and focusing on regaining strength etc from shoulder surgery I haven't had time to do anything else. With my back, the va doc told me wasn't much else to so just keep tabs on it. Get acupuncture etc as needed chiropractic services. I'm also in a internship that keeps me busy within the parole field. The peblo did say I will get certified envelope in the mail in 4 weeks from the peb board not sure what that is supposed to be though. But overall it was a decent exam.
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The certified mail the PEBLO spoke of is the results from the board. The thing about it, though, is the mail goes from the PEB to the Pentagon before it gets mailed. So it could sit there a while. Mine sat in the Pentagon for about 2 weeks before it was actually mailed. But that could have been a fluke and just bad timing.

That's good you think it went well. Due to you going to school, they could lower your percentage a bit. Not sure how they will look at it, though, with you going through voc rehab. It just depends, and it's honestly hard to tell what they will weigh and what they won't. You may get the doctor's notes to review before it gets sent off and you may not. If you do, I would recommend reading it a few times and discussing with with a Navy JAG (usually at the hospital, but you can usually call them) to make sure it all sounds good.
 
They will be getting my va exams that were done such as the xrays etc. But yea I will wait and see what happens. I just emailed the peblo asking for a copy of the docs notes.
 
navycop said:
They will be getting my va exams that were done such as the xrays etc. But yea I will wait and see what happens. I just emailed the peblo asking for a copy of the docs notes.
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It might take the docs a few days to write up their reports, but I hope you’re able to view them before they go off to the board. Getting a second pair of eyes from legal counsel is something I wish I had done with my report. And that’s good they’re getting your xrays and such from the VA. All that medical evidence should help.
 
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