How to proceed with PDBR Process

[gsxrmike]

I did some searching on this, but figured I'd start my own thread that's specific to my case. Apologize in advance for not looking up all of this info.

I was medically discharged from the Navy on July 1st, 2006 for Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease with a 10% rating. I had 5 years Active as an E-5. I was given disability severance pay, which I've been paying off each month since Jan 2007. I applied for VA benefits on July 2nd, 2006 and received a 20% rating from the VA in December 2006 for Degenerative Disc Disease and Sciatica as well as 0% for a neck injury from a car accident I was in while in uniform during working hours. I was re-evaluated last year and my Degenerative Disc Disease was upped to 20%, so I'm now at 30% total disability.

I just found out about the PDBR process (wish I would have found out a long time ago) and have a few questions:

1) Do I just fill out forms DD 294 and VA 3288 or is there anything else I need to send?
2) Are there any examples of what I should include in the forms? My question mainly revolves around questions #3 (ISSUES WHY THE RATING FOR THE CONDITION(S) WHICH RENDERED THE MEMBER UNFIT SHOULD BE CHANGED) and question #4 (IN SUPPORT OF THIS APPLICATION, THE FOLLOWING ATTACHED DOCUMENTS ARE SUBMITTED AS EVIDENCE) from the DD 294.
3) What is the likelihood that I'll be medically retired for these?

Thanks in advance!

 

[ceilingfan]

Bump

 

[gambit64]

Gsxrmike,

I served as a medical services officer in the Army and also went through this process. Here is what I can share. The PDBR will obtain all your available records from the Navy and the VA. If you have any records that the service and/or VA would not have, then you can submit them as part of your packet. The board will consider only those conditions that rendered you unfit for duty. If the VA assessed other conditions, they may not be considered if those conditions were not part of your original medical evaluation board that rendered you unfit for duty. The PDBR compares the Navy's assessment of that condition to the rating awarded by the VA. Although I cannot give you any indication as to the likely outcome of the board. What I have seen is that if the condition is rated over 30% by the VA, it is a positive sign that it may be likely that the PDBR may recommend the service also reflect that rating. Every case is unique and different. Also, the PDBR posts completed cases on a website here: http://boards.law.af.mil/AF_PDBR.htm. I found this most helpful in reviewing what the PDBR did in cases similar to mine. Hope this helps.

 

[Warrior644]

Welcome to the PEB Forum!

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Best Wishes!