IMA Reservist (19 yrs, 1 mo AD, 20+yrs Res "good years") MEB questions

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barnstormer

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Good Day All!

I have combed thru some of these forums and find myself still a bit confused about what is about to occur and what the best course of action may be. I have been notified that the AD medical unit I am working MPA under is placing me up for MEB which most are thinking will result in med separation/retirement. As an IMA (AF Reservist), I get active duty time while operating under MPA orders (my current orders will end in a couple weeks) and I do not believe I will be granted anymore MPA orders while this MEB process is active. My original plan was to garner enough orders to complete an AD retirement (i.e. about 11 more months worth), but that is appearing to be getting more difficult now.

Active Duty time: 19 years, almost 1 mos (6943 points)
Reserve Time: 20+ good years (received 20 year letter last Dec)

My big questions are:
1) If the MEB moves as expected to the PEB, etc, will it generally result in a medical retirement with the above times or separation?
2) If it is a medical retirement, do I get paid the difference of DOD retirement and VA compensation (until ~60)? Or do I get the higher of the two, monthly? I just started working with the VSO to submit my initial claim (have not yet done it).
3) Would it be easier/better (higher pay...) to retire from the Reserves before the MEB completes? Will this result in VA compensation until 60 and then VA + DOD Retirement after I hit my 20 good years/age 60 threshold?
4) Is TERA is no longer an option for Air Force now?

Any guidance and clarification is greatly appreciated!
 
barnstormer said:
Good Day All!

I have combed thru some of these forums and find myself still a bit confused about what is about to occur and what the best course of action may be. I have been notified that the AD medical unit I am working MPA under is placing me up for MEB which most are thinking will result in med separation/retirement. As an IMA (AF Reservist), I get active duty time while operating under MPA orders (my current orders will end in a couple weeks) and I do not believe I will be granted anymore MPA orders while this MEB process is active. My original plan was to garner enough orders to complete an AD retirement (i.e. about 11 more months worth), but that is appearing to be getting more difficult now.

Active Duty time: 19 years, almost 1 mos (6943 points)
Reserve Time: 20+ good years (received 20 year letter last Dec)

My big questions are:
1) If the MEB moves as expected to the PEB, etc, will it generally result in a medical retirement with the above times or separation?
2) If it is a medical retirement, do I get paid the difference of DOD retirement and VA compensation (until ~60)? Or do I get the higher of the two, monthly? I just started working with the VSO to submit my initial claim (have not yet done it).
3) Would it be easier/better (higher pay...) to retire from the Reserves before the MEB completes? Will this result in VA compensation until 60 and then VA + DOD Retirement after I hit my 20 good years/age 60 threshold?
4) Is TERA is no longer an option for Air Force now?

Any guidance and clarification is greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
Good afternoon!
There are a couple things going on with this. Under DOD instruction, they cannot terminate your orders if you are pending an MEB. They must offer you the option of staying on orders throughout the MEB if you so choose.

1. Medical retirement / Separation will depend on your "unfitting condition(s)" disabling percentage that will come from the IPEB. Since you have 20 years of good service, you will have a couple options. If your unfitting condition is 30% or more disabling, you will be brought to active duty for retirement. Best case scenario for most people. If your unfitting condition is less than 30% you will have two options. Take the separation money and run, or elect your reserve retirement and wait until you are eligible for that.
****NOTE**** your unfitting condition is what referred you to the MEB. You will claim all sorts of stuff with the VA that the military doesn't care about at all. They are only concerned with what made you unfit for service.

2. You have to have 20 years of active military service AND 50% or greater disabilities to qualify for CDRP in which you would get your VA and military retirement together.

3. The best solution for any guardsman that has a disabling condition from service is to medically retire. It is the best healthcare and financial option for 99% of people.

4. Not sure about TERA

Honestly, you should look into the DOD instruction on sanctuary status. You have over 19 years of active military service. I am pretty sure they have to keep you on orders so you can retire.
 
Sanctuary unfortunately does not apply to MEB cases. I would ask a legal counsel for advice. Jason Perry the founder of this site is an excellent MEB attorney.

your best bet is getting that final 11 months!!!! All of the other scenarios might pay something, but 20 year active duty retirement is the big winning ticket!!

TERA is no longer being done.
 
Do you have 6943 AD points or is that the total number of points you have toward retirement including your IDT?
 
Sanctuary would at least force the Air Force to keep you on MPA orders, which would allow you to finish your MEB on active duty orders.
 
I don’t want to confuse you more or give you wrong information. Please verify with your HR department. Attached is what I found thru Google when I typed in Air Force MPA orders. I don’t know if this Air Force regulation applies to you. I think it would but I don’t know the exact type of orders your on. This regulation does talk about MPA soldiers going on MEDCON to finish MEB and it also talks about 18 year sanctuary.

I would suggest you have a talk with your Human Resource Delartment and get the exact regulations and policy documents concerning MPA orders.

I would also work very quickly to determine if you can be extended on MPA orders due to MEB. I say that because at least in the Army, it is very technical....meaning the DODI and Army regulations state that “once the soldier has entered the IDES, then the soldier can be extended on orders...in your situation, just because your AD medical unit says they are putting you in the MEB, doesn’t mean you are in the MEB. I would hate for you to come off MPA orders then the unit puts you officially into the MEB.
 

Attachments

I found the following info in the AFI listed below. I didn’t read the whole thing to make sure its in the right context or to get a complete understanding of all of it but it does list several references that would help you do a little research??

AFI 36-3212 says:

4.6. Duty and Pay Status:
4.6.1. An ARC member who incurs or aggravates an injury, illness or disease while performing duty in an authorized military status may be continued on orders solely for processing under this instruction. (Refer to AFI 36-2910, for medical continuation orders and AFI 41-210 for placing ARC members on medical hold).
4.6.1.1. The member is eligible to receive medical care and evaluation.
4.6.1.2. Service members with disabilities incurred or aggravated in the line of duty may be entitled to pay and allowances. (37 U.S.C. § 204[g] and [h]). (Refer to AFI 36-2910 for process to request extension of pay and allowances).
4.6.2. Type of Order. The type of order the service member is on when injury or illness occurred should be the same type of order the member remains on until returned to duty or separated.
 
Thanks everyone! Your insight is appreciated. I know I still have more research to do--this is a new development and it appears that I am at the beginning of a journey...
 
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