I have hit a difficult point, needing guidance on how to fight the retaliatory actions against me.
I am an AF Reservist, prior AD. I was injured on 2nd deployment, removed from Title 10, denied MEDCON, used my own health insurance until third deployment. Aggravated injuries.
Back Story: Dec 2012, My first Narrative Summary. Soon after, I found this forum, and "knowledge is power".
It took the medical unit 7 years to complete a LOD. During that time, my first Congressional response was from the medical unit lying in writing. When I submitted proof which included that my medical records were doctored among other things, the unit response was a 180, "assuring all would be accomplished" (which took another 3 years). So many meetings. I documented in-person discussions in an email following each meeting "to ensure I understood". Three years later, I received my first LOD (year 7). Not all LODs were ever completed.
I medically deteriorated, filed my VA claims, appeals, etc. with Veteran-father's assistance. I hired an attorney. I continued Congressional complaints during moves, in three different districts. I self-referred to the AF Wounded Warrior program. My Recovery Care Coordinator moved my case from my home base to an Active Duty base. Home base was March ARB, CA -- the "Black Hole" of the AF Reserves. A base with a full-time staff and only excuses for their epic failures.
I learned that the MEB cases, including mine, were being cancelled and restarted in the system over and over so that they would never be reported as Red to higher echelon. In Jan 2019 or 2020, March ARB mass recalled all members "pending MEBs", that were waiting years and never happened. Didn't hear about that one on the news. I was not recalled since I no longer belonged to them, but some former unit members were. The service members were told to report to the clinic. No assistance was given-- instead, service members were offered to "sign a paper" so they could just separate without the MEB and "best of luck".
My VA experiences were not without problems. I called the WH hotline many times with varying follow ups. My VA-Authorized care is still un-reimbursed. I was forced to pay when they hit my credit report. Phone calls alone felt like a full-time job at times. I went to a joint base asking for help-- they tried to assist but eventually could not. I tried back a year or so later-- their new policy was to assist only units from their approved list.
When Lackland AFB received my case in 2019, I was assigned a PEBLO (fed worker, former military) for the first time. My case was stalled so many times. The civilian medical records I sent in "went missing", etc.. After completing and re-completing all military and VA evaluations, I was "just waiting for dates to be corrected" in 2021.
Current: March 2022, I received a phone call telling me that my MEB in its 10th year was going to start over again, to repeat all of my military and VA evaluations again, including mental health (personal he!! to relive again and again). A second PEBLO was assigned to assist in my case. I fell off my unit's books and belonged to no one. I met the new PEBLO supervisor in person along with my PEBLO of 3 or 4 years, who did not even remember my name. He said he was going to request my updated medical records. I provided the information he requested. Several months later, I learned that never happened. My case sat for months. I reported that to the supervisor. As soon as I reported it, the PEBLOs superseded their supervisor to find an officer to report me as "Non-Compliant", (to summarize) for not giving them the updated medical records they never requested. The medical records I maintained for ten years. At first, they demanded I fix their mistake and coerce civilian doctors to produce records within 48 hours. Then it changed to them informing me they will only be using a copy of one particular surgery in yet another Narrative Summary (no, this does not make any sense), and will not be documenting "the full clinical information of all medical conditions" as required by DoDI 1332.38. I have communicated this to both my Recovery Care Coordinator and the PEBLO supervisor. They have allegedly "informed their leadership". Silence. Unfortunately, despite my unrelenting communication to demonstrate their retaliatory ultimatums, their options are: that I either submit to an erroneous Narrative Summary, or wake up in MEB Oblivion, with my case kicked out of Lackland, and belong to no one.
The obvious point-- had they not dropped my case when it was complete, ready for the next step, this never would have happened.
Other than my various state Representatives, the DoD IG, Secretary of the AF -- what am I missing to do next? I have submitted a pile of letters with enclosed evidence in the last 7 days.
Any guidance?
I am an AF Reservist, prior AD. I was injured on 2nd deployment, removed from Title 10, denied MEDCON, used my own health insurance until third deployment. Aggravated injuries.
Back Story: Dec 2012, My first Narrative Summary. Soon after, I found this forum, and "knowledge is power".
It took the medical unit 7 years to complete a LOD. During that time, my first Congressional response was from the medical unit lying in writing. When I submitted proof which included that my medical records were doctored among other things, the unit response was a 180, "assuring all would be accomplished" (which took another 3 years). So many meetings. I documented in-person discussions in an email following each meeting "to ensure I understood". Three years later, I received my first LOD (year 7). Not all LODs were ever completed.
I medically deteriorated, filed my VA claims, appeals, etc. with Veteran-father's assistance. I hired an attorney. I continued Congressional complaints during moves, in three different districts. I self-referred to the AF Wounded Warrior program. My Recovery Care Coordinator moved my case from my home base to an Active Duty base. Home base was March ARB, CA -- the "Black Hole" of the AF Reserves. A base with a full-time staff and only excuses for their epic failures.
I learned that the MEB cases, including mine, were being cancelled and restarted in the system over and over so that they would never be reported as Red to higher echelon. In Jan 2019 or 2020, March ARB mass recalled all members "pending MEBs", that were waiting years and never happened. Didn't hear about that one on the news. I was not recalled since I no longer belonged to them, but some former unit members were. The service members were told to report to the clinic. No assistance was given-- instead, service members were offered to "sign a paper" so they could just separate without the MEB and "best of luck".
My VA experiences were not without problems. I called the WH hotline many times with varying follow ups. My VA-Authorized care is still un-reimbursed. I was forced to pay when they hit my credit report. Phone calls alone felt like a full-time job at times. I went to a joint base asking for help-- they tried to assist but eventually could not. I tried back a year or so later-- their new policy was to assist only units from their approved list.
When Lackland AFB received my case in 2019, I was assigned a PEBLO (fed worker, former military) for the first time. My case was stalled so many times. The civilian medical records I sent in "went missing", etc.. After completing and re-completing all military and VA evaluations, I was "just waiting for dates to be corrected" in 2021.
Current: March 2022, I received a phone call telling me that my MEB in its 10th year was going to start over again, to repeat all of my military and VA evaluations again, including mental health (personal he!! to relive again and again). A second PEBLO was assigned to assist in my case. I fell off my unit's books and belonged to no one. I met the new PEBLO supervisor in person along with my PEBLO of 3 or 4 years, who did not even remember my name. He said he was going to request my updated medical records. I provided the information he requested. Several months later, I learned that never happened. My case sat for months. I reported that to the supervisor. As soon as I reported it, the PEBLOs superseded their supervisor to find an officer to report me as "Non-Compliant", (to summarize) for not giving them the updated medical records they never requested. The medical records I maintained for ten years. At first, they demanded I fix their mistake and coerce civilian doctors to produce records within 48 hours. Then it changed to them informing me they will only be using a copy of one particular surgery in yet another Narrative Summary (no, this does not make any sense), and will not be documenting "the full clinical information of all medical conditions" as required by DoDI 1332.38. I have communicated this to both my Recovery Care Coordinator and the PEBLO supervisor. They have allegedly "informed their leadership". Silence. Unfortunately, despite my unrelenting communication to demonstrate their retaliatory ultimatums, their options are: that I either submit to an erroneous Narrative Summary, or wake up in MEB Oblivion, with my case kicked out of Lackland, and belong to no one.
The obvious point-- had they not dropped my case when it was complete, ready for the next step, this never would have happened.
Other than my various state Representatives, the DoD IG, Secretary of the AF -- what am I missing to do next? I have submitted a pile of letters with enclosed evidence in the last 7 days.
Any guidance?