Hey all. Active duty MSgt, very close to 21 yrs in...REDUX election.
Nov 2010: Lost Amn while deployed (not combat related, but very...messy)
Feb 2011: Hurt back, not combat related. Redeployed later that month
2011 - present: Diagnosed with PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety, Migraines, Sleep Apnea, episodic insomnia. Been on meds for all (and APAP for apnea) ever since.
Aug 2013: First MEB, RTD with C2 code (only looked at back and apnea)
Nov 2014: Fusion L5-S1
Sept 2016: Pain Exercise Therapy "camp" (two weeks, PTDY)
Jan 2018: Anxiety, Migraines, Insomnia, and back pain slowly get worse and worse. Start missing work or leaving early.
May 2018: Removed from position and reassigned elsewhere in the unit due to lack of performance (no disciplinary actions)
June 2018: Notified by a PEBLO that the DAWG determined my "CHRONIC LOWER BACK PAIN WITH RADICULOPATHY" may preclude me from performing my AFSC duties...
June 2018: Commander's Letter sent to PEBLO, he recommended unfit
June 2018: Spinal Cord Stimulator trial - worked wonders for back pain
July 2018: Implant of spinal cord stimulator - still works wonders. Went from a daily avg of 7/10 to 2/10 at worst.
Sept 2018: PCM appt to discuss NARSUM
This is where I am currently at.
So all of this is for my back issues, none for the mental health. I realize that the VA will handle that. I'm just having trouble with the maths right now (because it's all stressing me out and I like to plan for the worst, hope for the best).
Since I am REDUX, a normal retirement for me right now would be 43.5%. I estimate my High-3 average to be $4555. Now I believe I read on DFAS that if I am medically retired, I am calculated under High-3, not REDUX (though the 1% COLA reduction stays). So I would get 52.5% of $4555 = $2390 for YOS.
If I get DoD 0-50%, YOS would be the most beneficial ($2390) no matter what (though it still has to be 30% or more DoD to be considered a medical retirement, right?). If I get more than 50% DoD, then the disability rating would simply be more beneficial, correct? So if DoD gives me 60%, then I would want to take the $2730. Is there ANY reason why I wouldn't want to?
Then on the VA side, assuming I automatically get 50% for the apnea...I am going to just guess I can get up to 80% VA = $1770. Now with Concurrent Receipt (nothing is going to fall under CRSC) and me being over 20 yrs, is it a simple add DoD (or YOS) to my VA rating and get my monthly total? Is there an offset (that doesn't cancel itself out) that I am missing?
Any advice/answers would be greatly appreciated.
Nov 2010: Lost Amn while deployed (not combat related, but very...messy)
Feb 2011: Hurt back, not combat related. Redeployed later that month
2011 - present: Diagnosed with PTSD, Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety, Migraines, Sleep Apnea, episodic insomnia. Been on meds for all (and APAP for apnea) ever since.
Aug 2013: First MEB, RTD with C2 code (only looked at back and apnea)
Nov 2014: Fusion L5-S1
Sept 2016: Pain Exercise Therapy "camp" (two weeks, PTDY)
Jan 2018: Anxiety, Migraines, Insomnia, and back pain slowly get worse and worse. Start missing work or leaving early.
May 2018: Removed from position and reassigned elsewhere in the unit due to lack of performance (no disciplinary actions)
June 2018: Notified by a PEBLO that the DAWG determined my "CHRONIC LOWER BACK PAIN WITH RADICULOPATHY" may preclude me from performing my AFSC duties...
June 2018: Commander's Letter sent to PEBLO, he recommended unfit
June 2018: Spinal Cord Stimulator trial - worked wonders for back pain
July 2018: Implant of spinal cord stimulator - still works wonders. Went from a daily avg of 7/10 to 2/10 at worst.
Sept 2018: PCM appt to discuss NARSUM
This is where I am currently at.
So all of this is for my back issues, none for the mental health. I realize that the VA will handle that. I'm just having trouble with the maths right now (because it's all stressing me out and I like to plan for the worst, hope for the best).
Since I am REDUX, a normal retirement for me right now would be 43.5%. I estimate my High-3 average to be $4555. Now I believe I read on DFAS that if I am medically retired, I am calculated under High-3, not REDUX (though the 1% COLA reduction stays). So I would get 52.5% of $4555 = $2390 for YOS.
If I get DoD 0-50%, YOS would be the most beneficial ($2390) no matter what (though it still has to be 30% or more DoD to be considered a medical retirement, right?). If I get more than 50% DoD, then the disability rating would simply be more beneficial, correct? So if DoD gives me 60%, then I would want to take the $2730. Is there ANY reason why I wouldn't want to?
Then on the VA side, assuming I automatically get 50% for the apnea...I am going to just guess I can get up to 80% VA = $1770. Now with Concurrent Receipt (nothing is going to fall under CRSC) and me being over 20 yrs, is it a simple add DoD (or YOS) to my VA rating and get my monthly total? Is there an offset (that doesn't cancel itself out) that I am missing?
Any advice/answers would be greatly appreciated.