First of all, welcome to the board Brother.
Second, just so you know, you're in for some rough seas ahead so definitely secure for sea. The Coast Guard is the worse it seems at processing the PDES. Most other services are utilizing the IDES and we are still using the Legacy system. Biggest difference is that you will still have to apply for VA compensation once/if you are separated. The Coast Guard system seems to be some big secret where everyone knows someone who knows someone that went through it, but know one seems to know the truth.
That's the rough side of it. The good side, you've found an outstanding resource here in this forum. Read, read, and read some more. While much of it is different in the Coast Guard, it's more that we arrive at the same destination, we just take the scenic route.
I am currently going through the process. For me, the longest part seemed to be the MEB portion. That is the portion actually done by the CG Doctor. Mine took 4 months, but there were some valid, and some not so valid reasons for that. I am on Tricare Prime-Remote, so I don't get care at a Military Facility. Just getting my doctors notes and referrals all gathered together took forever. Then after I saw my initial NARSUM, which is the Narrative Summary that gets sent to the IPEB, I disagreed with it and didn't believe it covered all my conditions. The good part, the CG Dr. listened, read my civilian Dr notes and re-wrote it and did an excellent job. That isn't what I've heard from most people.
Earlier I used the term IPEB......the IPEB are the people in Washington DC at PSC that actually decide whether you are fit or unfit, and if unfit, at what percentage your disabilities are rated. I can't find the link right now, but Warrior644 has posted it several times to the VA ratings criteria.
In the very recent past, it was taking 1-2 years on average for the IPEB to adjudicate your record. That is not the case anymore. My packet was check-in about a week ago, and it stated that the wait for the IPEB to render a finding is less that 6 months. Now, if you know CG speak from the A school list, that could mean anything from a week to 6-7 months, but much better than it has been.
After the IPEB renders there findings, and either separates or retires you, you will have 90-120 days until it actually happens. It has to go through 3 different levels of review. Now that doesn't mean you are stuck at your unit for all that time. You still get to take terminal leave and if retiring, you may request another 20 days permissive TAD, so the clock starts ticking pretty quick at the point you get your findings.
Big thing, keep your command informed. I've found that alot of commands are very supportive in the beginning, but as time goes on, they have more critical things to do that worry about you.
I'm not an expert at this system, I'm just a BMC that's had a few of my subordinates go through this, so I've seen it from the command side, and know living it from this side. It's hard not knowing. I'm stuck in another state from my wife and I don't even go to the Station anymore. I literally go to therapy and doctor's appointments and that's it. It's hard for me to understand and keep myself in check, because I could be doing the same thing where my wife is, but those are the rules and I'm not about to throw it all away because I can't put up with some BS for a little bit of time in the grand scheme of things. Speaking of rules, I can't think of the number, but google USCG PDES Manual and read it. It's the COMDTINST that is pretty much going to rule the next 9-12 months of your life.
Any specific questions ask away. If they're personal, send me a PM. Good luck Shipmate
Tom