I hope your journey has been helpful for you and your condition. I’m just now starting mine as I was diagnosed recently, but I just have a small question: If, for instance, I was diagnosed with MMD/BP2 and just had a recommendation for MEB sent up, and it comes back approved and I begin that process; all of that aside for a moment, because simultaneously i was ets’ing in ten months and started my tap process can I still get medically retired/ the benefits that come with it/ and if I do can I still do an internship so i am not just out in the world alone with no money to support me? Sorry for the long arduous and confusing sentence question thing. Please tell me to explain better if not sure. I would love to get help on these answers and stop feeling like my stomach is outside of itself.
I will preface my response with:
1. Continue to seek help and treatment, that’s your number one priority always.
2. From my experience, take control of your own process. If needed, hiring an attorney may help you clear your mind a bit; but I was able to achieve a level of tranquility from doing tons of research. There’s a lot of waiting and “behind the curtain” processing, so be prepared for that.
3. Another thing that helped me was consulting with a therapist that was also a veteran. They can help you navigate this process.
4. Finally, please verify all the information below. If needed I can drop some other resources.
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From what I understand, when you have both a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) recommendation and an approaching ETS date, the medical board process takes precedence and continues regardless of your original separation timeline. You’d be extended until the MEB was completed and then informed of any benefits.
When it comes to internship/job training; you may struggle to pursue the usual “SkillBridge” as they require a solid ETS date. However, there are many programs out there:
Hiring Our Heroes internships (6-12 weeks)
Wounded Warrior Internship Program for injured veterans
VR&E which can help you with school, job training and/or placement (this one is particularly useful during IDES as you can be automatically approved).
One thing I got from the experience so far is that there are people inside the system that do care. You won’t be “thrown out into the world alone.” If boarded out, you will have a monetary benefit and opportunities to better yourself.
Feel free to drop more specific questions if needed and I’ll be happy to help!
