MEB when retiring in 9 months

Warrior in Pink

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Good morning,

I was just notified that my PCM, who actually is no longer my PCM, put me in for a Pre-MEB, although I'm not sure what for. I've been diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, have ongoing back issues and also knee problems that will require a partial knee replacement in the near future.

In the interim, I have applied for retirement and been approved for a retirement date of 1 Jun 2017, which is when I'll have my 20yrs active duty.

I've filled out the Pre-MEB interview although I haven't forwarded it to the PEBLO yet. My Chief wants to discuss it with the commander and see if he will/can ask the dr to forgo the MEB and just let me ride out my time until my retirement.

My question is....if I do have to go through a MEB, how can this possibly impede my active duty retirement? I don't want to lose my retirement. I've heard my friends say they will offer me a severance package which does not suffice in my eyes. My husband retired last year with over 20 active duty and got 100% total and permanent VA rating. That's what I would rather shoot for or at least 50%. I'm afraid an MEB will negate my active duty retirement or extend my retirement date and make it more difficult to get the VA rating I want once I'm retired.

I'm not familiar with the MEB process and what it all can possibly affect.

Please help.
 
I am no expert but I will say that the entire MEB/PEB process is a long one. In some cases, 9 months may not be enough to complete the process. is there a way you can stall? lol I would do everything to stall
 
Dragging it out nine months is very easy. Mine took a year. You will get numerous chances to appeal. There is a narsum rebuttal, IMR, MEB appeal, formal PEB, VARR and physical
Disability agency appeal.
So that is 6 levels of appealing, each takes time. A short MEB can last 4-5 months! Every time they hand you a document to sign, you get ten days to sign and return, this is to ensure you have time to go over it with your Jag. Signing things on the tenth day can easily add 30-50 days! Then even if you are forced to medically retire, you'll get time to outprocess and take terminal leave, all
Of which gets you closer to 20.

Start dragging it out now and keep asking, does it really make sense to MEB you? Waste of doctors time and likely you'll hit 20 anyway. And with an approved retirement date, how can they argue?
 
Also things will slow to a standstill around the holidays. This will buy you two weeks alone as all the cases in the system get backed up.
 
I am no expert but I will say that the entire MEB/PEB process is a long one. In some cases, 9 months may not be enough to complete the process. is there a way you can stall? lol I would do everything to stall
That was my initial response..I'll just stall the process as long as possible so I retire before it's done but just talked to our med unit. He said because I'm in sanctuary (within 2 yrs of retiring) and will have my 20 by the time the process is done, I'll still get my active duty retirement or the choice to take the severance package or my retirement. Meeting with the commander tomorrow because the Commander's Impact Statement bears a lot of weight on whether or not the MEB goes forward although ultimately it's up to NGB.
 
Beware of sanctuary promises... The 18 year rule doesn't apply
To MEB cases. But if it helpS you that a clueless medical
Person believes that then more power to you!!
 
Good morning,

I was just notified that my PCM, who actually is no longer my PCM, put me in for a Pre-MEB, although I'm not sure what for. I've been diagnosed with mild sleep apnea, have ongoing back issues and also knee problems that will require a partial knee replacement in the near future.

In the interim, I have applied for retirement and been approved for a retirement date of 1 Jun 2017, which is when I'll have my 20yrs active duty.

I've filled out the Pre-MEB interview although I haven't forwarded it to the PEBLO yet. My Chief wants to discuss it with the commander and see if he will/can ask the dr to forgo the MEB and just let me ride out my time until my retirement.

My question is....if I do have to go through a MEB, how can this possibly impede my active duty retirement? I don't want to lose my retirement. I've heard my friends say they will offer me a severance package which does not suffice in my eyes. My husband retired last year with over 20 active duty and got 100% total and permanent VA rating. That's what I would rather shoot for or at least 50%. I'm afraid an MEB will negate my active duty retirement or extend my retirement date and make it more difficult to get the VA rating I want once I'm retired.

I'm not familiar with the MEB process and what it all can possibly affect.

Please help.

If you are AF and over 19 years active duty "Presumption of fitness applies" You go through the process but the can not separate you. You will be extended to exactly 20 years if found unfit and if the MEB takes longer you will be extended beyond your retirement date.
 
Like OU said, if you have an approved retirement date then you meet the Presumption of Fitness Rule and will be allowed to retire. There could be some benefits to going thru the board and being medically retired vs a normal retirement. You have already earned your 50% TIS retirement so you can't get less than that and you could actually end up with more depending on you condition. If you complete a MEB board you will actually know your VA rating before you walk out the door from the military.
 
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A lot to unpack here....some of the comments are dead on, some are only conditionally (depending on the facts) accurate.

He said because I'm in sanctuary (within 2 yrs of retiring) and will have my 20 by the time the process is done, I'll still get my active duty retirement or the choice to take the severance package or my retirement.

No....this is not guaranteed.

But, if you can stretch things out (which seems plausible) to hitting 20 years of service, then, yes, you will have a retirement "locked in."
Beware of sanctuary promises... The 18 year rule doesn't apply
To MEB cases.
^^^ This!!
MEB/PEB processing can overcome any "sanctuary protection" you may have.

If you are AF and over 19 years active duty "Presumption of fitness applies" You go through the process but the can not separate you.
The presumption of fitness rule would only apply if you have a mandatory separation/retirement date or are already approved for retirement. Seems you have this. But...and, significantly, the presumption can be overcome.

The above is not a guarantee that you are "safe."

You will be extended to exactly 20 years if found unfit and if the MEB takes longer you will be extended beyond your retirement date.
No, this is not right. I am not sure the basis for the above, but, if you are referred into the IDES and your ETS (or retirement if you have one pre-approved) is coming up, you will be extended to complete IDES processing. Again, break 20 years, you will have at least the LOS retirement locked in.

Like OU said, if you have an approved retirement date then you meet the Presumption of Fitness Rule and will be allowed to retire.

Only half right...the presumption can be overcome. But, normally, you would be found fit via Presumption of Fitness Rule, also known as PFIT, (unless there is some clear indication that you cannot perform your duties and the presumption is overcome). This is rare.

There could be some benefits to going thru the board and being medically retired vs a normal retirement. You have already earned your 50% TIS retirement so you can't get less than that and you could actually end up with more depending on you condition. If you complete a MEB board you will actually know your VA rating before you walk out the door from the military.
The above is correct, except, in the rare instances where the PFIT rule is overcome.

I would take as much time as possible at each step of the process to maximize your baseline acceptable outcome.

Best of luck!!
 
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Hi warrior,

I'm working on a timeline similar to yours. I hit 20 years the first week of June also. I'm not retirement eligible because I just PCS'd to Hawaii, so I have a service commitment of 3 years. I'm also worried about hitting my 20 year mark. My PCM has been telling me to schedule an appt with him so he can get the paperwork and NarSum started, but I've been conveniently busy for the past month. Hope everything works out for you.
 
LEM, if you are Navy, have you been on LIMDU yet? If not, you could ask you PCM to give you at lease one LIMDU period in so you can make it to 20. After that, let him start the PEB process. You could try to drag it by asking for a referral to a civilian doctor to get a second opinion if you think that will help your case. It all depends on what your desires and goals are with a board. Bottom line, get to 20 any way you can because it opens a lot more doors.
 
LEM, if you are Navy, have you been on LIMDU yet? If not, you could ask you PCM to give you at lease one LIMDU period in so you can make it to 20. After that, let him start the PEB process. You could try to drag it by asking for a referral to a civilian doctor to get a second opinion if you think that will help your case. It all depends on what your desires and goals are with a board. Bottom line, get to 20 any way you can because it opens a lot more doors.
I'm Air Force. As others have recommended, I plan to take the full time allowed during each step and submit a rebuttal for everything. My goal is CRDP
 
Hello. I'm a Reserve officer, MRD 31 May 18, (AGE-60) will have 19 years and 2 months toward non-regular retirement. Likely will receive P3 profile this weekend from the Reserve Medical Command/Nurse Case Manager. (1st request was a misfire-MD did not check [ ] limitations box). Pending new request includes specialist (podiatrist) opine that my condition is one of failure of treatment, etc, severe limitations. No doubt I'll pave P3 in the L of PULHES.

I asked the Reserve Medical Case manager for the MRD extension checklist (for PDES processing). Nurse Case Manager stated "my unit will provide it." Since I'm very close to being MRD'ed, who does the MRD extension for PDES processing? Thanks in advance. :D
 
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