The point I am trying to make is that the PEB assigns a disability rating for unfitting conditions when you do LDES, not when you do IDES.
under LDES the PEB will evaluate your unfitting conditions using the VASRD and then assign a rating. Under IDES the VA, also using the VASRD, will evaluate all conditions and assign ratings.
This is because your VA claim is part of the IDES process and gives "
the ability for the Service member to file a claim with the VA for service-connected injuries above and beyond the initial referred conditions that drove the referral into the DES process."
Since the VA is rating your referred conditions the PEB will use the VA ratings of your unfitting conditions when assigning a DoD disability rating.
From DoDM-1332.18-Volume-2 - Disability Evaluation System (DES) Manual: Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES):
"c. For all unfit findings from the IPEB, the PEB administrator forwards to the D-RAS within 3 days via secure electronic measures or overnight mail:"
&
"1. GENERAL. The IPEB and FPEB determine a Service member's fitness in accordance with Appendix 2 to Enclosure 3 of Reference (b), but do not assign disability ratings to conditions."
from <
IDES-Toolkit>
PEB Phase
Informal Physical Evaluation Board
The PEB
Informal Physical Evaluation Board (IPEB) reviews all the evidence contained in the IDES case file, to include the Service Member's entire medical record to make a fitness determination and record their finding on the following:
- Determine if the medical condition(s) was incurred in the line of duty
- Determine if Service Member is Fit or Unfit for continued service
- Recommend return to duty if found Fit; or if found Unfit
- Identify the specific military unfitting medical condition(s)
- Recommend separation from active duty with final disposition based on the degree of disability (percentage awarded by VA) for the military unfitting medical conditions
- Determine if the military unfitting conditions were incurred as the result of a combat related event, and/or in a combat zone
- Forward the case to the VA Disability Rating Activity Site (D-RAS) to determine degree of disability for each condition claimed
Veterans Administration Disability Rating Activity Site
The VA Disability Rating Activity Site (D-RAS) thoroughly evaluates the Service Member's referred and claimed conditions to produce a rating letter that explains the disability rating applied. Each condition is rated from zero to 100% and results are submitted to IPEB. The IPEB and D-RAS findings are merged and submitted to the PEBLO for delivery to the WII Service Member.
"
LDES: The LDES process is the same as IDES with the exception of the VA claim process, associated Compensation and Pension exams, and VA disability ratings step. In the LDES the MEB and PEB is executed the same but without additional VA involvement.
In this process the PEB provides the disability ratings for the unfitting conditions. If Service members wish to file a claim with the VA, it is done outside of the LDES process."
from DoDM-1332.18-Volume-1 - Disability Evaluation System (DES) Manual: General Information and Legacy Disability Evaluation System (LDES) Time Standards: "(1) The PEB will use the VASRD to establish the Service member's proposed disability rating under the LDES process."
(This is a link to the SECNAV PEB information page, not sure why the hyperlink is coming up as "request rejected")