MEB: Fit for Duty - P3 profile - No Weapons and Non-Deployable

[DaCookie]

I’m in the Army (AD) currently in the MEB phase of IDES. My only referred condition as of right now is PTSD w/ a P3 and limitations of No weapons/deployment. My commander’s statement is pointing on my PTSD symptoms affect my job performance and those limiting factor to recommend to not retain me. However, I don’t have any negative counseling, incidents or bad NCOERs.

With that said, is there still a possibility that I could be found fit for duty? ( I don’t want to be found fit) I apologize if this is a silly question but I have read from various posts that many Soldiers were found fit for duty that had a PTSD referred condition with the exception if they had domestic violence, incidents, disciplinary issues, etc…

As a background, I am a SFC with 13 yrs of service and numerous history of BH treatments and suicidal ideation for the past 4 years without any real progress of getting better.

Thank you for your time.

 

[Provis]

I’m in the Army (AD) currently in the MEB phase of IDES. My only referred condition as of right now is PTSD w/ a P3 and limitations of No weapons/deployment. My commander’s statement is pointing on my PTSD symptoms affect my job performance and those limiting factor to recommend to not retain me. However, I don’t have any negative counseling, incidents or bad NCOERs.

With that said, is there still a possibility that I could be found fit for duty? ( I don’t want to be found fit) I apologize if this is a silly question but I have read from various posts that many Soldiers were found fit for duty that had a PTSD referred condition with the exception if they had domestic violence, incidents, disciplinary issues, etc…

As a background, I am a SFC with 13 yrs of service and numerous history of BH treatments and suicidal ideation for the past 4 years without any real progress of getting better.

Thank you for your time.

The Army is very efficient regarding those that get put into IDES. If you are referred to IDES you will be found unfit. Its rare to be found fit. I would not worry about that outcome. Instead I would focus on getting the proper rating, making sure your DBQ is filled out properly and once you get out to ensure you continue to seek treatment. The reason I mention after you are medically retired is because almost everyone with PTSD will be put on TDRL and so its not a guarantee that you stay retired. So you want to keep going to the VA for counseling, keep taking medication and try to not have any big life changes such as college, job etc. until after you get your TDRL exam and are moved over from TDRL to PDRL.

 

[DaCookie]

The Army is very efficient regarding those that get put into IDES. If you are referred to IDES you will be found unfit. Its rare to be found it. I would not worry about that outcome. Instead I would focus on getting the proper rating, making sure your DBQ is filled out properly and once you get out to ensure you continue to seek treatment. The reason I mention after you are medically retired is because almost everyone with PTSD will be put on TDRL and so its not a guarantee that you stay retired. So you want to keep going to the VA for counseling, keep taking medication and try to not have any big life changes such as college, job etc. until after you get your TDRL exam and are moved over from TDRL to PDRL.

Wow. Thank you. This is such a sound advice and answered my follow-on questions as well. Thank you and I appreciate you.

 

[MSG_Raven2-3]

My NCOERS were ok and no disciplinary record…still unfit. What’s important for MEB/PEB is the medical appointment and continuing care hasn’t worked

 

[DaCookie]

My NCOERS were ok and no disciplinary record…still unfit. What’s important for MEB/PEB is the medical appointment and continuing care hasn’t worked

Thank you for sharing this. This really put things in perspective and will help in tempering my and other SMs expectations

 

[DaveK]

I’m in the Army (AD) currently in the MEB phase of IDES. My only referred condition as of right now is PTSD w/ a P3 and limitations of No weapons/deployment. My commander’s statement is pointing on my PTSD symptoms affect my job performance and those limiting factor to recommend to not retain me. However, I don’t have any negative counseling, incidents or bad NCOERs.

With that said, is there still a possibility that I could be found fit for duty? ( I don’t want to be found fit) I apologize if this is a silly question but I have read from various posts that many Soldiers were found fit for duty that had a PTSD referred condition with the exception if they had domestic violence, incidents, disciplinary issues, etc…

As a background, I am a SFC with 13 yrs of service and numerous history of BH treatments and suicidal ideation for the past 4 years without any real progress of getting better.

Thank you for your time.

Same boat... Army 20+ yrs (AD/NG) of only positive ncoers/oers. No negative counseling.

It's all based on how it interferes with the job (not necessarily from negative counseling), treatment records, and service connection. Just follow Provis and others here guidance. It will all work out. I'm nearing the end now. They all helped greatly.

 

[tezton]

Same boat... Army 20+ yrs (AD/NG) of only positive ncoers/oers. No negative counseling.

It's all based on how it interferes with the job (not necessarily from negative counseling), treatment records, and service connection. Just follow Provis and others here guidance. It will all work out. I'm nearing the end now. They all helped greatly.

Did you see/write your Commander’s statement? I’m curious as to how that’s written for someone who is considered a ‘good’ performer (while supporting intent to be found unfit).

 

[DaveK]

I'm an unusual case in that I have not had a commander in many years. I am old and so most everyone that has known me is long since retired. My records are basically serving that purpose. My cmd statement is actually just a couple of sentences from someone of my same rank.

But as far as I can tell in 99% of the other cases, the cmd statement is very important in bringing clarity to the peb board. So, yes I would put the effort into ensuring it looks correct and favorable to your desired outcome. I would approach the conversation just like that of speaking to a rater for an ncoer/oer.

 

[hussainf]

I'm serving is AF and have been diagnosed with severe service connected PTSD; met IRILO; my MTF record has all the details of the severity and inability to perform my military duty and unfit for duty; however, they IRILO recommended RTD with ACL C3. I was looking for full MEB and am deeply disappointed. Please advise.

 

[Vet-Ted]

I'm serving is AF and have been diagnosed with severe service connected PTSD; met IRILO; my MTF record has all the details of the severity and inability to perform my military duty and unfit for duty; however, they IRILO recommended RTD with ACL C3. I was looking for full MEB and am deeply disappointed. Please advise.

Did you CIS reflect a do not retain rec? So it sounds like AFPC RTD’d you given the ALC C3 code. By chance, did your PEBLO give you any explanation as to why?

 

[hussainf]

Did you CIS reflect a do not retain rec?

Yes, CIS reflects do not retain rec and categorically recommends MEB. However, AFPC RTD'd me with ALC C3. It's extremely disappointing outcome; CIS and NARSUM strongly recommended MEB stating that SM is unfit for duty and a high risk to harm himself and folks around him. PEBLO closed the case very quickly without any further guidance and reiterated the statement.

 

[Vet-Ted]

Yes, CIS reflects do not retain rec and categorically recommends MEB. However, AFPC RTD'd me with ALC C3. It's extremely disappointing outcome; CIS and NARSUM strongly recommended MEB stating that SM is unfit for duty and a high risk to harm himself and folks around him. PEBLO closed the case very quickly without any further guidance and reiterated the statement.

Was this recent? I’m shocked that AFPC would RTD despite NARSUM and CIS favoring “do not retain” status. Was your NARSUM written by a Psychiatrist?

 

[hussainf]

Was this recent? I’m shocked that AFPC would RTD despite NARSUM and CIS favoring “do not retain” status. Was your NARSUM written by a Psychiatrist?

It happened yesterday. I’m equally shocked and disappointed. Yes, NARSUM written by the MTF Psychiatrist.

 

[Vet-Ted]

It happened yesterday. I’m equally shocked and disappointed. Yes, NARSUM written by the MTF Psychiatrist.

I’m sorry to hear of your RTD decision, despite the SME and CC statements. Have you looked at the MSD to see if there may have been any factors for the RTD decision (i.e MH treatment < 12 mos, etc.)?

I myself am awaiting AFPC’s decision regarding PTSD from combat engagement a few years back. I’ve been seeing MH for roughly 4yrs now. Both Psych NARSUM and CIS support unfitting/do not retain status. I’ve felt my life really tank this year, despite taking a few opportunities that in the past I would enjoy, feeling more and more empty in life as I try to “fake it” with work.

My PEBLO is convinced that I’ll get a full-MEB based on the trauma and narrative provided. But after reading your post, it definitely has me less optimistic now.

 

[chaplaincharlie]

I’m in the Army (AD) currently in the MEB phase of IDES. My only referred condition as of right now is PTSD w/ a P3 and limitations of No weapons/deployment. My commander’s statement is pointing on my PTSD symptoms affect my job performance and those limiting factor to recommend to not retain me. However, I don’t have any negative counseling, incidents or bad NCOERs.

With that said, is there still a possibility that I could be found fit for duty? ( I don’t want to be found fit) I apologize if this is a silly question but I have read from various posts that many Soldiers were found fit for duty that had a PTSD referred condition with the exception if they had domestic violence, incidents, disciplinary issues, etc…

As a background, I am a SFC with 13 yrs of service and numerous history of BH treatments and suicidal ideation for the past 4 years without any real progress of getting better.

Thank you for your time.

PTSD comes in various levels of impairment. Mild PTSD is usually found fitting. Moderate to severe PTSD is usually found unfitting.

 

[DaCookie]

First, thank you everyone here for the feedback and advice. I received my NARSUM three weeks ago and my PTSD was deemed NOT meeting retention standards. Currently, I am awaiting ratings from the VA and I know that under PEB, that means I will be found unfit.

 

[DaveK]

First, thank you everyone here for the feedback and advice. I received my NARSUM three weeks ago and my PTSD was deemed NOT meeting retention standards. Currently, I am awaiting ratings from the VA and I know that under PEB, that means I will be found unfit.

What box was checked on your MEB findings for PTSD? - if you want to share. That can be predictive of what your PEB % will likely be. Your lawyer should have alerted you to this.

 

[DaCookie]

It was “ OCCUPATIONAL AND SOCIAL IMPAIRMENT WITH DEFICIENCIES IN MOST AREAS, SUCH AS WORK, SCHOOL, FAMILY RELATIONS, JUDGMENT, THINKING AND/OR MOOD”

He didn’t specify the projected rating. I just decided that I will wait and see since I have no control over it at this point

 

[DaveK]

It was “ OCCUPATIONAL AND SOCIAL IMPAIRMENT WITH DEFICIENCIES IN MOST AREAS, SUCH AS WORK, SCHOOL, FAMILY RELATIONS, JUDGMENT, THINKING AND/OR MOOD”

He didn’t specify the projected rating. I just decided that I will wait and see since I have no control over it at this point

That's likely a 70% rating. Remember that 75% is the maximum for DoD ratings due to law. The key for most is to be over the 30% minimum to gain dod chapter 61 retirement for lifetime access to Tricare.

However, that was the time you had control over agreeing with the findings or challenging the medical findings which will dictate your rating fyi. The opportunity to make certain types of challenges via agreeing/disagreement will be different moving forward. Consider studying up on those ahead time.

 

[DaCookie]

That's likely a 70% rating. Remember that 75% is the maximum for DoD ratings due to law. The key for most is to be over the 30% minimum to gain dod chapter 61 retirement for lifetime access to Tricare.

However, that was the time you had control over agreeing with the findings or challenging the medical findings which will dictate your rating fyi. The opportunity to make certain types of challenges via agreeing/disagreement will be different moving forward. Consider studying up on those ahead time.

Thank you for the advice. Since it has been a couple of weeks now, I do wish that I was more assertive on correcting my NARSUM. I didn’t realize that one of my claimed conditions (not referred) which had positive findings in the DBQ during the C&P is not even on my NARSUM. I definitely should have looked closely and took more time to review it. I was just too content that they added more unfitting conditions. Looking back, I should have used an IMR…

I guess my next step is to wait the proposed ratings and submit a VARR accordingly.

I am looking at your history and wasn’t able to find your info about your PEB. How long did your PEB portion take? I know on your prior message you said you are close to the end.