I felt the need to create this post. It has been very difficult for me to come to terms with the fact that I am being forced into the MEB process. However, I felt it was important to provide some new information related to the Army's New Profile system and the recent downsizing that will take place. This will be a very difficult time for me and my family, but I will do everything to give you as much insight as possible as to how this process is going. It is not like the old, slow MEB where you had a year to 15 months to adjust. With the new draw down, the overall IDES process is no longer than 290 days with an appeal. This will be a living document. If you find this helpful to you in any way, please comment so that I know. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Again, this is my personal experience. Your's may be different.
BACKGROUND:
I am a 41 year old Sergeant in the U.S. Army with only 5 years of service with one deployment to Afghanistan and one overseas tour to Korea. I tore my right rotator cuff after we redeployed back to Fort Hood. My doctors decided to go with a "Conservative" approach to my care so I was given steroid injections a T3 (Temporary) Profile and told to take it easy. Fast forward...received orders to Korea. When I got there, the first thing out of my new doctor's mouth was "How the hell did they let you PCS with a T3?" He updated my profile with gym PT and physical therapy. In Korea, physical therapy consists of heat, ice, TENS, or in my case Battlefield acupuncture (hurt like hell). Halfway through my tour, I was diagnosed with TBI from being knocked unconscious with a softball and Stage one breast cancer. This put off my shoulder surgery and meant that I was on temporary profile for the entire year.
Fast forward....I get to Fort Gordon in March 2016. By June 2016 the new profiling system had been implemented. I had now been on profile for 700 days! Every soldier with who had (1) been on T3 or T4 profile for more than a year or (2) had a P3 or P4 profile was now being recommended for a medical evaluation.
Ye vs. THREE
Medical Evaluation Board (MEB)
The MEB is an informal board comprised of at least two physicians who evaluate the Soldier’s medical history, condition, and extent of injury or illness, and recommends whether or not the Soldier’s medical condition will impede his/her ability to continue serving in full duty capacity in his/her office, grade or rank. The MEB does not drive any personnel actions; however, the findings of the MEB are referred to the PEB, which reviews all MEB documentation to formally determine if the Soldier is fit for continued military service and eligible for disability compensation. The MEB process is usually complete within 90-100 days of initial packet submission and evaluation outcome; however, each case is unique and may take more or less time to complete.
**The informal PEB reviews the MEB evidence of record to determine a Soldier’s ability to perform military duties. The formal PEB is a formal hearing that can be requested if a Soldier does not concur with the informal PEB’s findings. For additional information on formal PEB procedures, visit the U.S. Army Human Resources Command Physical Disability Agency.
Physical Evaluation Board (PEB)
If the MEB finds the Soldier unfit to return to duty in his/her MOS, the Soldier is referred to the PEB. The informal PEB evaluates the Soldier’s medical information, MOS, and other factors to determine the Soldier’s:
- Fitness to continue military service
- Eligibility for disability compensation
- Disability codes and percentage rating (ranging from zero to 100 percent)
- Case disposition
- Whether or not the injury or illness is combat-related
MEAT & POTATOES
Ok so here's what you need to know NOW!
1. Don't panic!
Just because you have been recommended for a MEB does not mean that you are getting kicked out of the Army. It is just an evaluation. I'm not going to lie, I did a lot of crying when I found out. But the more information I received, the better I felt.
2. Request a copy of ALL of your medical records! TIME NOW!
Go to Out Patient Records and request a copy of your medical records. You are entitled to one FREE copy of your records for life, so make copies, scan them, give copies to people you trust; do whatever you need to do to make sure that you will always have access to them and they are protected. You will also be able to get any updates to your records for free as well.
3. Take notes. Write down all of your injuries, illnesses, and surgeries that you have ever had since joining the Army. This doesn't mean make up shit! When most people get in front of the board, they brain dump because they are nervous and forget half of what they want to say. You should get your medical records in about 2 weeks. STUDY THEM. Look up anything that you were diagnosed with and see which disability category it fits. You can find the disability percentage schedule by clicking here.
4. Start keeping a journal.
Take note of all phone calls, appointments and meetings that you have regarding your MEB.
5. Don't do this alone.
If you are trying to fight the MEB to continue service (those with 15 years or more may want to hit that 20 year mark) start with your Commander. Let them know that you want to be retained and request that they write a Letter to Continue Service on your behalf. Also, email all of your doctors and request a Plan of Action. This is a statement that lets the MEB or PEB what your plan is to recover from your injury to become deployable. Re-classing is also an option, but usually reserved for those that have 15 years or more in service.
However, if you already have a good understanding about your injury and the possibility of you becoming fit for duty is low, then you need to start talking to EVERYONE. By everyone, I mean, that old DoD Civilian that is medically retired and knows about the MEB process and what benefits you are entitled to. You will be assigned a PEBLO (Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer) who will have a Contact Representative who will be the person who will schedule your appointments and put you in contact with your PEBLO when they can't be reached. They will also be able to help, but it may be a week before you meet them and by then you have probably worried yourself to death!
THE MEB PROCESS
TIMELINE
I have just started my process. Here is my timeline so far and they are already 3 days ahead of their projected time frame. Like I said, your's may be different.
1 June 2016-ARMY WIDE PROFILE SYSTEM CHANGED
7 June 2016- T3 profile changed to P3 in MEDPROS due to new profiling system effective 1 June 2016.
8 June 2016- Received phone call from Profile Manager that based on the number of days I had been on temporary profile, the Commander for Soldier Care at Eisenhower has recommended that I have a Medical evaluation. The MEB process begins when the service member’s physician refers him to the IDES because of a medical condition that is not expected to improve enough for him to return to full duty within one year.
9 June 2016- Ms. Walker from Eisenhower Medical Evaluations called to say that she had started my packet and would be requesting a copy of my medical records.
16 June 2016- Finally approved for shoulder surgery. Assigned a PEBLO, Ms. Grant
17 June 2016- (11:09 am) Called and left message for PEBLO to contact me (I had been calling her Ms. Brant, which might explain why I never heard from her)
17 June 2016- (2:04 pm) Called PEBLO. Left message.
20 June 2016- Surgery scheduled for 20 July 2016. (10:31 am) Called PEBLO; left another message.
21 June 2016- Requested copy of all of my medical records
22 June 2016- Received call from Contact Representative, Ms. Leggett (very nice lady) who scheduled for me to meet my PEBLO (finally) on the 23rd and to attend a VA Brief on the 28th. She also sent me an email with some forms that I would need to bring with me.
23 June 2016- My husband and I went to meet with my PEBLO. She had been on leave so she hadn't gotten any of my messages. Her main focus is getting me through this process. She advised that I reschedule my surgery but my Physical Therapists said absolutely not! I will end up waiting another year and having it done by the VA!After the referral is submitted, the service member is assigned a PEBLO who helps counsel and guide him throughout the IDES process. It is the PEBLO’s job to ensure that the MEB Process proceeds smoothly.
27 June 2016- Appointment with VA Rep- Ms. Garlick to start In-service VA Claim. She recorded any medical issues that I wanted to have reviewed or rated with the VA. She also records all marriages, dependents and legal issues you may have.Once the service member meets with his PEBLO, his case file is forwarded to the VA Military Services Coordinator (MSC). The MSC helps file the VA Disability Claim and schedule the C&P Exam(s).
28 June 2016- My husband and I attended the IDES Briefing (held each Tuesday from 0900 to 1130 on Fort Gordon) where you will get a brief from a PEBLO, VA Medical Appointments Rep, Vocational Rehab Rep and a MEB Attorney. I would highly recommend that you and your spouse (if you have one) attend this briefing. It was extremely helpful.
1 July 2016- QTC called to schedule all of my MEB VA appointments.
6 July 2016- Picked up my medical records (they were actually ready on the 23rd but I had been busy). Received FedEx packet from QTC with all of my VA appointment documents. You should receive a packet for each medical issue that will be evaluated. I immediately began combing through my medical records to match them with each evaluation appointment.
C&P EXAMINATIONS
23 June 2016- My husband and I went to meet with my PEBLO. She had been on leave so she hadn't gotten any of my messages. Her main focus is getting me through this process. She advised that I reschedule my surgery but my Physical Therapists said absolutely not! I will end up waiting another year and having it done by the VA!After the referral is submitted, the service member is assigned a PEBLO who helps counsel and guide him throughout the IDES process. It is the PEBLO’s job to ensure that the MEB Process proceeds smoothly.
27 June 2016- Appointment with VA Rep- Ms. Garlick to start In-service VA Claim. She recorded any medical issues that I wanted to have reviewed or rated with the VA. She also records all marriages, dependents and legal issues you may have.Once the service member meets with his PEBLO, his case file is forwarded to the VA Military Services Coordinator (MSC). The MSC helps file the VA Disability Claim and schedule the C&P Exam(s).
28 June 2016- My husband and I attended the IDES Briefing (held each Tuesday from 0900 to 1130 on Fort Gordon) where you will get a brief from a PEBLO, VA Medical Appointments Rep, Vocational Rehab Rep and a MEB Attorney. I would highly recommend that you and your spouse (if you have one) attend this briefing. It was extremely helpful.
1 July 2016- QTC called to schedule all of my MEB VA appointments.
6 July 2016- Picked up my medical records (they were actually ready on the 23rd but I had been busy). Received FedEx packet from QTC with all of my VA appointment documents. You should receive a packet for each medical issue that will be evaluated. I immediately began combing through my medical records to match them with each evaluation appointment.
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| QTC C&P Exam Appointment Notification |
I had my first C&P exam at the QTC facility on 7 July 2016. I was being evaluated for my TBI and PTSD. I was beyond nervous. I had read all of the horror stories of doctors who left out symptoms and did not have the supporting medical records so I made sure that I had my copy in hand. Without going into too much detail, I will tell you that this doctor was extremely patient and thorough. He would ask me questions, I would answer them and he would confirm my answers. He performed tests and allowed me to give the details that I wanted him to know. I didn't need to go to extreme measures to convince him what was wrong with me. I am hoping that my next appointments are this thorough.
Once the C&P Exams are complete, the results are sent back to the PEBLO, and the service member’s physician submits a medical report (called a “Narrative Summary” or “NARSUM”) to the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB). The purpose of the NARSUM is to simply describe the history and severity of the service member’s medical conditions and their impact on his ability to perform his job duties. The physician also offers an opinion on whether the conditions are Service-Connected and EPTS.
In addition to the NARSUM, a statement is also submitted by the service member’s commander that notes how his medical conditions interfere with his ability to do his job. The service member can also submit a personal statement concerning his conditions, if he’d like.
The MEB Process continues with the MEB reviewing these reports and any other relevant medical and administrative records. After their review, the MEB determines the medical acceptability of each of the service member’s conditions. The MEB then compiles a report, called the Medical Evaluation Board Proceedings, and submits it to the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB).
1. Be prepared! Actually read your medical records and look for the diagnosis.
2. Know what the VA doctor knows. Go over the VA Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQ) for each of your issues. I even printed out a copy just to make sure that the doctor did not skip anything.
3. Be honest! These are professionals who have gone to school for a very long time. But don't sugar coat it. If on your worst day, you couldn't walk or go outside because your migraines were too intense, then tell them that. It's that simple.
Once the C&P Exams are complete, the results are sent back to the PEBLO, and the service member’s physician submits a medical report (called a “Narrative Summary” or “NARSUM”) to the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB). The purpose of the NARSUM is to simply describe the history and severity of the service member’s medical conditions and their impact on his ability to perform his job duties. The physician also offers an opinion on whether the conditions are Service-Connected and EPTS.
In addition to the NARSUM, a statement is also submitted by the service member’s commander that notes how his medical conditions interfere with his ability to do his job. The service member can also submit a personal statement concerning his conditions, if he’d like.
The MEB Process continues with the MEB reviewing these reports and any other relevant medical and administrative records. After their review, the MEB determines the medical acceptability of each of the service member’s conditions. The MEB then compiles a report, called the Medical Evaluation Board Proceedings, and submits it to the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB).
1. Be prepared! Actually read your medical records and look for the diagnosis.
2. Know what the VA doctor knows. Go over the VA Disability Benefits Questionnaires (DBQ) for each of your issues. I even printed out a copy just to make sure that the doctor did not skip anything.
3. Be honest! These are professionals who have gone to school for a very long time. But don't sugar coat it. If on your worst day, you couldn't walk or go outside because your migraines were too intense, then tell them that. It's that simple.
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