USAR 17 years w/ 9-10 being AFS. Going through behavioral health now…

Thanks in advanced for any insight. I’ve never been through anything like this.
I am Army Reserve with 17 (good) years in June. About 9 years of that is AFS (active federal service) from deployments and missions, currently I am AGR.
I already have a VA rating of 70%
Currently in behavioral health with “adjustment disorder” “depressed mood” so far unless they add or change the diagnosis.
I have been going through issues since my 2nd deployment in 2016 and I do bring that up a lot.
My complaints are: nightmares, flashbacks, memory problems (especially with traumatic events), focus and concentration, feelings of shame and guilt, suicidal ideation, extreme violent urges to triggers, flat/ depressed mood, hyper vigilance, irritability, avoidance, isolation, and some more I probably missed.

So I guess my main question is. I think I want to try for a Med Board after this, but have no idea what to expect on the other side.
Is severance offered to USAR the same as RA?
Should I need this to be “chronic” to be unfitting?
Any advice on how a good way to navigate this would be greatly appreciated! If I missed anything I am apologize.

 

[Provis]

Thanks in advanced for any insight. I’ve never been through anything like this.
I am Army Reserve with 17 (good) years in June. About 9 years of that is AFS (active federal service) from deployments and missions, currently I am AGR.
I already have a VA rating of 70%
Currently in behavioral health with “adjustment disorder” “depressed mood” so far unless they add or change the diagnosis.
I have been going through issues since my 2nd deployment in 2016 and I do bring that up a lot.
My complaints are: nightmares, flashbacks, memory problems (especially with traumatic events), focus and concentration, feelings of shame and guilt, suicidal ideation, extreme violent urges to triggers, flat/ depressed mood, hyper vigilance, irritability, avoidance, isolation, and some more I probably missed.

So I guess my main question is. I think I want to try for a Med Board after this, but have no idea what to expect on the other side.
Is severance offered to USAR the same as RA?
Should I need this to be “chronic” to be unfitting?
Any advice on how a good way to navigate this would be greatly appreciated! If I missed anything I am apologize.

You don't get to choose whether or not to MEB. Your medical/unit are the ones that initiate it. Is it possible to get to 20 good years?

If they do refer you to a MEB the 3 outcomes are: (1) found fit for duty, (1) found unfit 20% or less rating, or medically retired due to rating for unfit condition (s) totalling 30% or higher.

#1 means you stay in.

#2 means kicked out. No severance or tricare. The reason is that you have at least 15 good years so they would put you in the retired reserves. Severance isn't an option because accepting severance requires you to give up your earned Reserve Retirement.

#3. Medically retired. Get tricare right away. Any money received by VA disability would offset your your chapter 61 medical retirement.

My wife medically retired and she was AGR with 20 good years and 17 year AFS. She was ADOS and AGR almost the entire time. You don't get put in a MEB without first seeking treatment, and typically you are on a profile that keeps you from doing your job. The process starts with a fit for duty exam. For AGR they send you to the nearest AD base. The exam is typically directed by the higher ups in medical and they tell our commander to write up a fit for duty memo.

I would focus on treatment and trying to get better. Keep your unit informed and if there are things you can't do due to a health condition to include mental health you will need to work with your unit to fill out a profile packet. Your private doc can fill it out if they feel comfortable but ultimately the Reserve Docs choose what you get on profile for.

 

[Serafin44]

You don't get to choose whether or not to MEB. Your medical/unit are the ones that initiate it. Is it possible to get to 20 good years?

If they do refer you to a MEB the 3 outcomes are: (1) found fit for duty, (1) found unfit 20% or less rating, or medically retired due to rating for unfit condition (s) totalling 30% or higher.

#1 means you stay in.

#2 means kicked out. No severance or tricare. The reason is that you have at least 15 good years so they would put you in the retired reserves. Severance isn't an option because accepting severance requires you to give up your earned Reserve Retirement.

#3. Medically retired. Get tricare right away. Any money received by VA disability would offset your your chapter 61 medical retirement.

My wife medically retired and she was AGR with 20 good years and 17 year AFS. She was ADOS and AGR almost the entire time. You don't get put in a MEB without first seeking treatment, and typically you are on a profile that keeps you from doing your job. The process starts with a fit for duty exam. For AGR they send you to the nearest AD base. The exam is typically directed by the higher ups in medical and they tell our commander to write up a fit for duty memo.

I would focus on treatment and trying to get better. Keep your unit informed and if there are things you can't do due to a health condition to include mental health you will need to work with your unit to fill out a profile packet. Your private doc can fill it out if they feel comfortable but ultimately the Reserve Docs choose what you get on profile for.

I really appreciate the response!!
So if I am under standing correctly, there is no option for severance pay at all in any condition for me?
I am currently in treatment for behavioral health.
Keeping tricare isn’t a huge deal for me since the wife is also a federal employee. I am still weighing options as to whether I want to risk any more of my mental fortitude with the Army.

 

[Provis]

I really appreciate the response!!
So if I am under standing correctly, there is no option for severance pay at all in any condition for me?
I am currently in treatment for behavioral health.
Keeping tricare isn’t a huge deal for me since the wife is also a federal employee. I am still weighing options as to whether I want to risk any more of my mental fortitude with the Army.

Severance would be recouped meaning it would just be a loan if it would be possible. You would then receive less VA compensation so severance isn't a great deal. I mean it's possible to accept severance but if they find you unfit for mental health you will be rated 30% or higher meaning medical retirement. There is no situation in your circumstances that severance makes sense. Severance isn't given to Soldiers who have earned any form of retirement.

If found unfit for any condition whether duty related or not a Soldier in the Reserves/Guard that has 15 good years but less 20 year is issued a 15 year letter and moved into the Retired Reserves. You stay in gray area retirement until eligible to apply for your Reserve/Guard retirement at age 60 or slightly less if reduced due to qualified deployments.

 

[Serafin44]

Severance would be recouped meaning it would just be a loan if it would be possible. You would then receive less VA compensation so severance isn't a great deal. I mean it's possible to accept severance but if they find you unfit for mental health you will be rated 30% or higher meaning medical retirement. There is no situation in your circumstances that severance makes sense. Severance isn't given to Soldiers who have earned any form of retirement.

If found unfit for any condition whether duty related or not a Soldier in the Reserves/Guard that has 15 good years but less 20 year is issued a 15 year letter and moved into the Retired Reserves. You stay in gray area retirement until eligible to apply for your Reserve/Guard retirement at age 60 or slightly less if reduced due to qualified deployments.

Makes much more sense, I really appreciate the response there!