MEB or Just Retire?

B

bh531

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
First time poster here and I have to say that this is the best source of information on this process that I can find online. I have read so many posts on here and it’s always amazing to see how helpful people are when questions are asked.

I am at a decision point on which direction I should pursue and the people in my command are highly unhelpful. My question: Based on the below info, is the admin nightmare of an MEB worth it if I am currently at 20 years and able to just retire?


Current Army National Guard E8 with 10 years prior active duty

TIS: 20 years (with 20 year letter)

Retirement points: 5400

VA Rating: 100% P&T decision in 2022

I believe that IF I were evaluated, I would be found unfit.


I understand that if I just retire, I won’t pull retirement until I turn 60 and then CRDP. But with an MEB, my VA rating will pretty much cancel out any payment from DoD aside from any potential CRSC. It is my understanding that the main benefit from being found unfit, at a minimum of 30% from DoD, is only Tricare. However, I have CHAMPVA with my current VA rating; I don’t know the quality of that coverage, but assume it is similar to Tricare. Lastly, for what's it worth, if I decide to go MEB route, I will undoubtedly hire an attorney at the beginning of the process.

So, should I just retire on my own and move on, or pursue a medical eval and go through the process? Thank you so much for the insight.
 
I would pursue to medically retire, to not just get Tricare, but CRSC and depending on your percentage, your high 3 may be high enough to get some residual pay with CRSC. If you just retire now, I think CRSC will not apply to you, until your on retirement pay status, which is 60 in your case. Hope this helps.
 
You’ll also be looking at a tax free pension if it’s combat related when you’re able to collect it.
 
Jesusej19 said:
I would pursue to medically retire, to not just get Tricare, but CRSC and depending on your percentage, your high 3 may be high enough to get some residual pay with CRSC. If you just retire now, I think CRSC will not apply to you, until your on retirement pay status, which is 60 in your case. Hope this helps.
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Thank you for the additional info. I believe you are correct about not being eligible for CRSC until 60.
 
bh531 said:
First time poster here and I have to say that this is the best source of information on this process that I can find online. I have read so many posts on here and it’s always amazing to see how helpful people are when questions are asked.

I am at a decision point on which direction I should pursue and the people in my command are highly unhelpful. My question: Based on the below info, is the admin nightmare of an MEB worth it if I am currently at 20 years and able to just retire?


Current Army National Guard E8 with 10 years prior active duty

TIS: 20 years (with 20 year letter)

Retirement points: 5400

VA Rating: 100% P&T decision in 2022

I believe that IF I were evaluated, I would be found unfit.


I understand that if I just retire, I won’t pull retirement until I turn 60 and then CRDP. But with an MEB, my VA rating will pretty much cancel out any payment from DoD aside from any potential CRSC. It is my understanding that the main benefit from being found unfit, at a minimum of 30% from DoD, is only Tricare. However, I have CHAMPVA with my current VA rating; I don’t know the quality of that coverage, but assume it is similar to Tricare. Lastly, for what's it worth, if I decide to go MEB route, I will undoubtedly hire an attorney at the beginning of the process.

So, should I just retire on my own and move on, or pursue a medical eval and go through the process? Thank you so much for the insight.
Click to expand...
Do yo u have a LOD? If not, then the MEB would be non duty related and not help you in any way. If that's the case I would just apply for retirement. You will have VA compensation and CHAMPVA in the meantime. Then when you apply and receive your non regular retirement you can get CRDP.
 
Provis said:
Do yo u have a LOD? If not, then the MEB would be non duty related and not help you in any way. If that's the case I would just apply for retirement. You will have VA compensation and CHAMPVA in the meantime. Then when you apply and receive your non regular retirement you can get CRDP.
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Thank you, sir. Yes, I do have an LOD, but still undetermined on whether I'd like to endure the process. Being able to walk away now vs going through the process, which could take quite a bit of time is what I am trying to decide on. Making sure I understand the benefits of both options. Thanks again.
 
bh531 said:
Thank you, sir. Yes, I do have an LOD, but still undetermined on whether I'd like to endure the process. Being able to walk away now vs going through the process, which could take quite a bit of time is what I am trying to decide on. Making sure I understand the benefits of both options. Thanks again.
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To be honest, the answer is clear. This decision will depend on your age. Remember, you will get CRSC and CRDP when you retire anyway. CRDP is automatic, CRSC you have to apply for it, if you have any combat related injuries, and it's better because it's tax free and wife can't get a dime of it if you end up getting divorce.
Now as far as the age goes.
Let's say you was 40 years old, then you have to wait 20 years to start applying for CRSC= I would go through the MEB process
Let's say as an E-8, you're 52-57 years old= I'd probably can wait out these 3 years instead of going through the MEB process
Age 45-50= though call, but probably go through the process
One last thing you have to know also, When you're choosing to do the Medical retirement, you'll have to choose rather to do LDES or IDES
one supposedly can get you through in 6-8 months = LDES
the other can take 8-24 months = IDES
(IDES takes so long because the VA get involve to re-rate all your conditions again, even if you just got done// LDES does not get the VA involve and just let the military rate you and you're done)
Like yourself i'm 100%VA P&T, I just hit my 20 year Army Reserve (6 active, 2 deployments), waiting on my 20 year letter now, I already to my Commanders, give me LDES ang get me out, I don't need nothing from the VA

hope this helps
 
Hello @teey and @bh531

Perhaps this was covered above…

1. One can receive approved CRSC at 10% or more with less than than 20 years (CH61). If eligible for reserve retirement, they can still apply for that retirement as they near the age requirement . CRDP could be a factor then.

2. CRSC is not always “better.” I have received either CRDP or CRSC since circa 2008. CRDP restores the longevity portion of retired pay. CRSC replaces only waived retired pay considered Combat Related. It is quite possible that the CRSC is less than the CRDP. CRDP is never less than CRSC.

Ron

edited to add:
Disability retirees—If one has residual retired pay remaining after the VA offset, that amount will reduce the CRDP or CRSC
The combination of residual retired pay and CRDP (or CRSC) cannot exceed the dollar amount of the longevity portion of retired pay.
 
Last edited:
RonG said:
Hello @teey and @bh531

Perhaps this was covered above…

1. One can receive approved CRSC at 10% or more with less than than 20 years (CH61). If eligible for reserve retirement, they can still apply for that retirement as they near the age requirement . CRDP could be a factor then.

2. CRSC is not always “better.” I have received either CRDP or CRSC since circa 2008. CRDP restores the longevity portion of retired pay. CRSC replaces only waived retired pay considered Combat Related. It is quite possible that the CRSC is less than the CRDP. CRDP is never less than CRSC.

Ron

edited to add:
Disability retirees—If one has residual retired pay remaining after the VA offset, that amount will reduce the CRDP or CRSC
The combination of residual retired pay and CRDP (or CRSC) cannot exceed the dollar amount of the longevity portion of retired pay.
Click to expand...

yeah, I see what you saying. But to bring the point home. In the military reserve, an individual cannot request CRSC unless they're are 60 years old or have been medically discharge under Ch. 61.
Now this waived retired pay is confusing. Do you have some real numbers? so i can see what you mean
 
teey said:
yeah, I see what you saying. But to bring the point home. In the military reserve, an individual cannot request CRSC unless they're are 60 years old or have been medically discharge under Ch. 61.
Now this waived retired pay is confusing. Do you have some real numbers? so i can see what you mean
Click to expand...
Re: real numbers

There are hundreds of computations on this web site that show the effect of the VA offset/waiver/reduction. See the SEARCH button of your screen (on this site).

DFAS explanation: Defense Finance and Accounting Service > RetiredMilitary > disability > VA Waiver and Retired Pay--CRDP--CRSC <—-LINK
 
Hello @teey

It appears you will receive reserve retirement pay upon reaching the age requirement.

If your VA compensation is 50% or more, you can receive CRDP which allows for concurrent receipt of retired pay (longevity portion) and VA compensation. It will be shown on page two of your DFAS RAS.

Without CRDP, your retired pay will be reduced by the amount of VA comp without restoration. CRSC is not discussed here.

I had a regular retirement in 1991 before the advent of CRDP. The impact of VA offset then:

Retired pay = 2000
VA comp = 500
result = DFAS paid 1500 and the VA paid 500 for a total of 2000.

Same figures with CRDP and VA with 50% rating.
Retired pay = 2000
VA comp = 500
result = DFAS paid 2000 (500 of which is CRDP) and the VA paid 500 for a total of 2500.

Ron
 
RonG said:
Hello @teey

It appears you will receive reserve retirement pay upon reaching the age requirement.

If your VA compensation is 50% or more, you can receive CRDP which allows for concurrent receipt of retired pay (longevity portion) and VA compensation. It will be shown on page two of your DFAS RAS.

Without CRDP, your retired pay will be reduced by the amount of VA comp without restoration. CRSC is not discussed here.

I had a regular retirement in 1991 before the advent of CRDP. The impact of VA offset then:

Retired pay = 2000
VA comp = 500
result = DFAS paid 1500 and the VA paid 500 for a total of 2000.

Same figures with CRDP and VA with 50% rating.
Retired pay = 2000
VA comp = 500
result = DFAS paid 2000 (500 of which is CRDP) and the VA paid 500 for a total of 2500.

Ron
Click to expand...

Thanks Ron,
I like real number's like you just gave, because it makes things clear. I noticed you had a link in the bottom of your pages. I followed it and saw this [BELOW]. It definitely makes sense now. The only thing is I'm over 20 years of Army service and like them I have 100% VA. I think I would probably get something for CRSC which would be great. I'm in the Army Reserve now, I'm starting to get so much aches I'm thinking about doing a MEB board before I get out. I was thinking about just drop everything and walk but I think a MED board might be worth it.

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Here is an example of a complete reply to request for CRSC information. This involved a Chapter 61 retiree with less than 20 years active duty.


REPLY

--The high 3 ($3872) Note: The gross retired pay from the DFAS RAS could have been provided; it is preferred because it includes COLA increases.
--I was approved for 50% DOD in my medical retirements.
-- I have 18 years and 4 months and 15 days of active duty
--I receive 100% VA with is $3799.00 with include SMC-K with is $108.57 I have a wife and 5 kids that are under 18 years.
--Approved 60% CRSC-- wife and 5 kids that are under 18 years.
--I don’t qualify for any other retirement and I did not transition to the Blended Retirement System.


COMPUTATION

A. 3872 x 50% = 1936 DoD retirement (close to the 1923 you cited)
B. 18.333 yrs AD x 2.5% = 45.83% multiplier for longevity
C. 3872 x 45.83% = 1774.54 longevity portion of retirement
D. 1936 DoD retirement reduced by 3799.00 VA comp = zero retired pay remaining
E. 60% CRSC (spouse and 5c under 18) = $1,290.86 + (4 x 50) = $1490.86

Your CRSC approved by service is 1490.86 which is less than the longevity ceiling of 1774.54. CRSC payable for one month = $1490.86
 
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