I have seen several past posts about specific language to include on the election form for IDES vs. LDES. I'm on the cusp of entering the DES and have an existing VA rating (100% P&T). PEBLO thinks I should elect LDES for the sake of time. I've read some compelling posts on this forum to NOT elect LDES, however, some very specific language has to be included to go along with the IDES election. Can someone please respond with that specific language? Much appreciated.
Guard/Reserve entering DES with existing VA Rating
- Thread starter cullenrp
- Start date
-
- Tags
- ang lod national guard rating
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2020
- Messages
- 3,797
Select IDES. IN the remarks in the VA application for benefits state for DOD purposes only. Then only list the conditions you were referred for that will most likely be unfitting. Don't list everything concerning conditions.
The whole time thing is a joke. Maybe you save 1 or 2 weeks tops just to give up all the power and rights because you are scared about your VA rating changing.
If you choose LDES the military doesn't even have to abide by the VA's ratings. There aren't near as many protections and appeals. The funny thing is that TDRL is the old system. A lot more people get screwed when reevaluated when on TDRL and end up with a rating lower than what the VA rated that same condition.
I was in your shoes about 2 years ago in 2024.
Initially I chose LDES, it was approved but I backed out and went IDES after finding out they don't have to abide by what VA ratings are.
But yeah,
- Tell your Peblo " I"m only requesting rating for DOD purposes only"
- If you have a rating that was rated under 12 months, you can tell them to use the same DBQ
- You will have a general exam so don't worry if that comes up.
- Make sure to apply for Crsc when you're done, if approve you'll start getting paid immediately. I maxed mine out as a reservist.
Initially I chose LDES, it was approved but I backed out and went IDES after finding out they don't have to abide by what VA ratings are.
But yeah,
- Tell your Peblo " I"m only requesting rating for DOD purposes only"
- If you have a rating that was rated under 12 months, you can tell them to use the same DBQ
- You will have a general exam so don't worry if that comes up.
- Make sure to apply for Crsc when you're done, if approve you'll start getting paid immediately. I maxed mine out as a reservist.
@Provis and any others:
What if my C&P exams are over 1-year old?
I'm not particularly concerned with going all the way back through the C&P exams as I believe my ratings would qualify twice over for 100% disability. It's more just the pain of the exams I'd like to minimize, but I would go through it if the inconvenience of the IDES process was more beneficial than the potential risks of being screwed over in the LDES. For context: all of my 8 potentially unfitting conditions have combined ratings of well over 100% by the VASRD. What do you assess as the potential that I have to restart the entire VA rating process in the IDES? Thanks.
What if my C&P exams are over 1-year old?
I'm not particularly concerned with going all the way back through the C&P exams as I believe my ratings would qualify twice over for 100% disability. It's more just the pain of the exams I'd like to minimize, but I would go through it if the inconvenience of the IDES process was more beneficial than the potential risks of being screwed over in the LDES. For context: all of my 8 potentially unfitting conditions have combined ratings of well over 100% by the VASRD. What do you assess as the potential that I have to restart the entire VA rating process in the IDES? Thanks.
One more alibi: with the new scrutiny by VA disability examiners in our new day and age, do you still recommend IDES over LDES, especially if I'm looking at all new C&P exams?
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2020
- Messages
- 3,797
LDES has the most risk. LDES does not require your branch to follow the VA ratings guidelines. If they under rate you then its even worse as LDES doesn't have the same protections to include the amount and quality of appeals.
If you already have ratings for all of your VA ratings and want to go with IDES you don't need everything looked at again. You can choose IDES for DOD rating purposes only. That means the VA rates you again but only for the purpose of giving you a DOD% for unfitting conditions. That also means you don't need a ton of exams. You will only list the conditions that you believe are unfitting. So if referred for one condition unfitting if you believed that condition was the only one that is unfitting you would only list that one condition to be looked at. If referred for 1 condition but you believe 2 conditions should be unfitting then list those 2 conditions. The other thing people get wrong is thinking LDES is much quicker. Maybe its a week quicker in the process. The reason IDES can be longer is there are more parts you can appeal. You want that! It gives you more opportunities to get the issue right.
So I don't see any downsides of going IDES. Only upsides. Going IDES but putting in the remarks "rating only for DOD purposes" can't hurt you but only give you a better chance of getting it right. If your DOD% is lower than you thought it was going to be then you will be glad you chose IDES since you can request VARR among with other appeals earlier.
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2022
- Messages
- 102
I've talked about this extensively before. Went through as a reservist. here is a link you should check out. read part 2 and part 3 on the link: Army Reserves / Title 32
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2026
- Messages
- 1
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2026
- Messages
- 4
New member here....I just recently went into the MEB process and had a phone call with my PEBLO and MSC. I am currently T32 Fed Tech and M-Day Army National Guard (24 good years) with only 3,000 points. I am still confused on the DoD Rating, VA rating, CRDP, Medical Retirement, Medical Separation, FERS Retirement etc. I am currently receiving 80% VA. I was found to 'Fall Below Retention Standards" based off the State Medical Review Board and I just received a 'Non-Retain' Memorandum from my Commander.
I also spoke to my HRO on the FedTech side and she said that If I get non-retained due to medical, I'll qualify for the Federal Disability Retirement Pension (60% first year/40% thereafter).
My question is, if the MEB determines that my DoD rating is falls below 30%, with 24 good years and only 3,000 retirement points, will I most likley be 'medically seperated' or can I still be 'medically retired' since I have my 20 Year Letter?
Also from my understanding, unless I get over a 30% DoD Rating, I am unable to apply for the CRDP correct?
I also spoke to my HRO on the FedTech side and she said that If I get non-retained due to medical, I'll qualify for the Federal Disability Retirement Pension (60% first year/40% thereafter).
My question is, if the MEB determines that my DoD rating is falls below 30%, with 24 good years and only 3,000 retirement points, will I most likley be 'medically seperated' or can I still be 'medically retired' since I have my 20 Year Letter?
Also from my understanding, unless I get over a 30% DoD Rating, I am unable to apply for the CRDP correct?
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2020
- Messages
- 3,797
Try to get 30% DOD. If not you can't do chapter 61 retirement. Regardless of if found unfit you would qualify for FERS disability since found unfit. Get a FERS disability attorney who can help you on that side. If below 30% DOD then you would be forced into gray area retirement with waiting for pay status as a guardsman. That because you can't accept severance and still get guard retirmeent. So if below 30% DOD you get FERS disablity and then medically discharged into gray are retirment awaiting pay. You would get VA pay and FERS disabilty and then a guard pension once you apply for it at age 60. Apply 6 months before reaching retirement age. I always want to sprinkle in this advice. I would hire a dedicate private IDES attorney. The difference between that option and 30% DOD or higher is huge since you get Tricare right away if medically retired instead of being put in gray are retirement in the Guard. I will send you some references. I would hire one right from the beginning of IDES.
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2020
- Messages
- 3,797
Forgot to answer one question. You get CRDP once you reach the age for Guard retirement so at 60 or slightly less if reduced to qualified deployments. You definitely want 30% DOD or higher!!!
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2026
- Messages
- 4
Thank you for that information. Since my referred conditions add up to only 30% of my total VA rating, I can see the Army rating coming in lower than that however, I have heard that in most cases if you are already rated 30% for Cervical/Spine/DDD you will likley be rated the same on the DoD side. I guess I'm just planning for a lesser rating and not be dissapointed. I'll defintley be reaching out to a private IDES Attorney. Thank you!
Do you know anything about the Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) pay for those over 20 years? I was told to apply for it whether over 30% DoD Rating or not. It helps bridge the gap between your VA and Guard Retirement right away until you reach full retirement age where you would then qualify for the CDRP.
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2026
- Messages
- 4
Do you know anything about the Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) pay for those over 20 years? I was told to apply for it whether over 30% DoD Rating or not. It helps bridge the gap between your VA and Guard Retirement right away until you reach full retirement age where you would then qualify for the CDRP
- Joined
- Feb 2, 2020
- Messages
- 3,797
CRSC only helps when retired so if you aren't medically retired then you can't get CRSC. CRSC was created to help recoup money lost due to the VA offset for medical chapter 61 retirees. When you reach 20 years and apply for Guard retirement you can apply for CRSC but that typically won't help. You see at that time you would get all of your earned pension and all of your VA which was formerly called CRDP which stands for concurrent receipt of disability pay. The one caveat is that you need a total VA disability % of 50% or higher for CRDP though thats a very low bar and most don't have a problem getting that % or higher. You can only get one so if you get CRDP you are already maxed out with compensation so CRSC is no help. The only time that people have regular retirement or reached guard/reserve retirements is for things like divorce. CRSC isn't divisible in a divorce. Or if you can get your CRSC % the same as your VA total % then maybe you come ahead because you get same amount as CRDP but more of your income is tax exempt with CRSC. So basically CRSC is where its at for chapter 61 medical retirees to be made whole. The other circumstances are edge cases.