Hello all, new here! I apologize in advance for the long post.
A little back story: I have been in the Army for a little over 2 years. A couple months into my first year in I was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, had the tumor surgically removed, and completed 3 months of radiation and 6 months of chemo. Fast forward to this year: I had been on the same profile for my shoulder (effects of radiation caused severe mobility and strength limitations), thus an MEB was initiated because I could not do most things on the profile sheet. I also have several side effects of the chemo independent of the radiation issues. I was found unfit for my status post-cancer and for the shoulder limitations. I was not aware that I would have to claim each side effect independently. In fact, the VA liaison did not do a good job of explaining to me what I was allowed to claim in general (I ended up claiming knee pain, dry eye syndrome, my surgical scar, and anxiety).
C & P Exams: The most important exam that was supposed to measure range of motion and other side effect issues I was having was terrible. The nurse practitioner actually physically examined me for about 10 mins, the rest of the time he spent typing. No range of motion tests were completed, yet somehow he was able to answer ROM questions on the exam, as well as fraudulently answer other questions he did not address in the exam. All in all there were about 17 pages of errors. I also had a BH exam because I have had anxiety and signs of depression since the completion of treatment, though it was not originally considered for the PEB.
Ratings: I received my ratings back Friday. 70% from the VA, 10% for my unfitting conditions, which they lumped into one. I received 50% for anxiety/depression. Now, my PEBLO suggested I try adding BH as an unfitting condition, which would allow me to medically retire (all I want is the health insurance, as it can be difficult to get private insurance with a cancer history), though I do not know if the PEB will agree.
Advice needed: Should I request the additional condition be considered unfitting? Does anyone know how long it generally takes the PEB to decide if another unfitting condition is warranted? Should I request a reconsideration of ratings? Or should I wait to appeal once I am out since the exam was so error-ridden? I would also like to claim new conditions to the VA for the other side effects I did not know I could originally claim, and I have no idea how to do that. This whole process, in addition to fighting cancer, has completely taxed me emotionally, mentally, and physically. My husband will be PCSing in one month, and will be deploying next March/April. I want so badly, and mentally need, to move with him and be done with this whole process. I am just afraid that if I ask for a reconsideration, it will take about 5 months, and by the time I am ready to move he will be deploying. I can't mentally handle that thought, so I don't know what would be the best route for me, and my PEBLO can't really answer my questions regarding what would be beneficial.
Any advice would be appreciated, and thanks so much if you have read this far!
A little back story: I have been in the Army for a little over 2 years. A couple months into my first year in I was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, had the tumor surgically removed, and completed 3 months of radiation and 6 months of chemo. Fast forward to this year: I had been on the same profile for my shoulder (effects of radiation caused severe mobility and strength limitations), thus an MEB was initiated because I could not do most things on the profile sheet. I also have several side effects of the chemo independent of the radiation issues. I was found unfit for my status post-cancer and for the shoulder limitations. I was not aware that I would have to claim each side effect independently. In fact, the VA liaison did not do a good job of explaining to me what I was allowed to claim in general (I ended up claiming knee pain, dry eye syndrome, my surgical scar, and anxiety).
C & P Exams: The most important exam that was supposed to measure range of motion and other side effect issues I was having was terrible. The nurse practitioner actually physically examined me for about 10 mins, the rest of the time he spent typing. No range of motion tests were completed, yet somehow he was able to answer ROM questions on the exam, as well as fraudulently answer other questions he did not address in the exam. All in all there were about 17 pages of errors. I also had a BH exam because I have had anxiety and signs of depression since the completion of treatment, though it was not originally considered for the PEB.
Ratings: I received my ratings back Friday. 70% from the VA, 10% for my unfitting conditions, which they lumped into one. I received 50% for anxiety/depression. Now, my PEBLO suggested I try adding BH as an unfitting condition, which would allow me to medically retire (all I want is the health insurance, as it can be difficult to get private insurance with a cancer history), though I do not know if the PEB will agree.
Advice needed: Should I request the additional condition be considered unfitting? Does anyone know how long it generally takes the PEB to decide if another unfitting condition is warranted? Should I request a reconsideration of ratings? Or should I wait to appeal once I am out since the exam was so error-ridden? I would also like to claim new conditions to the VA for the other side effects I did not know I could originally claim, and I have no idea how to do that. This whole process, in addition to fighting cancer, has completely taxed me emotionally, mentally, and physically. My husband will be PCSing in one month, and will be deploying next March/April. I want so badly, and mentally need, to move with him and be done with this whole process. I am just afraid that if I ask for a reconsideration, it will take about 5 months, and by the time I am ready to move he will be deploying. I can't mentally handle that thought, so I don't know what would be the best route for me, and my PEBLO can't really answer my questions regarding what would be beneficial.
Any advice would be appreciated, and thanks so much if you have read this far!
