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MedBoard/IDES (Integrated Disability Evaluation System)

The Process

From start to finish, the process can take around 100 days. But as with all things government, this can vary greatly and can drag out over a year.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

  • Remember, you're still subject to UCMJ during this process. As such, do NOT do something stupid that could jeopardize your benefits!

Medboard (MEB)

If your primary care physician believes your medical condition(s) will not improve sufficiently within a year, allowing you to return to full duty. They will refer you to the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB). A MEB is made up of group of medical authorities (two or more) at the military treatment facility where you're being treated.

This is typically when you'll be assigned your Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer (PEBLO). They coordinate EVERYTHING. They will be your go-to for most, if not all of your needs.

During this time you will be required to attend mandatory appointments. These appointments are either with contracted third-party companies or nearby VA treatment facilities.

These appointments can NOT be missed and your CoC is REQUIRED to give you time off for to attend them. If you have issues, talk to your PEBLO!

At these appointments, your conditions are examined to determine severity. During this time, your commander will be asked to write a "Commander's Letter". You will be given an opportunity to write a personal statement to the board as well. Your physician will prepare a narrative summary (NARSUM) to be included in the file describing severity of your medical conditions.

After these appointments the MEB will review the evidence to decide if you do NOT meet the standards of medical fitness for your branch of the military and CURRENT MOS. They will then forward you to a Physical Evaluation Board (PEB), if you do not meet standards.

Physical Evaluation Board (PEB)

The PEB determines if conditions are service connected as well as disability percentages. Which are determined according to the Veterans Affairs Schedule for Rating Disabilities (VASRD), and benefits are awarded.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • VA is NOT bound by determinations of the PEB! If the PEB states something was a pre-existing condition that had not been permanently Aggravated by service, the VA can still award service-connection!

  • DoD ONLY considers conditions that affects the SM's ability to deploy and do their MOS! Because of this, the DoD percentage is usually lower than that of the VA. Since the VA is allowed to consider many more conditions than DoD.

  • If the SM has served at least 8 years on Active Duty, DoD MUST service-connect ALL conditions that:

    • Existed prior to service but did NOT get worse; or are

    • Genetics based.

      • However, these considerations do NOT apply to the VA! Unless, the genetic condition develops after the time it would have been expected to develop. IE a genetic condition that usually develops in childhood, developed in the SM while they were in service.

Medical Retirement & Medical Separation

  • Those with a DoD rating of at least 30% will be medically retired.

  • Those with a DoD rating of lower than 30% will be medically separated.

NOTE:

  • If you have 20 or more years of service, a servicemember can be medically retired regardless of the rating percentage.

Medical Separation

While you will not receive a monthly check you will get a one time lump sum. This separation pay is calculated using your years of service and your base pay.

NOTE:

  • If you are medically separated, the VA may be required to recoup all your separation pay until you are able to receive your monthly VA disability compensation.

For more information click HERE.

Medical Retirement

Medical retirees are entitled to all benefits that other retirees are due.

This includes but is not limited to:

There are two forms of medical retirement:

  • Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL)

  • Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL)

If your disabilities are determined to be of a permanent nature and stable you will be added to the PDRL. Otherwise, you will be added to the TDRL.

Those who are on TDRL will have a MANDATORY DoD reexamination at least once every 18 months.

There are several outcomes that may come about as the result of these reexaminations:

  • If it is found that the Veteran's condition has improved enough to return to service. The Veteran may do so.

    • Additionally, it is possible that you may return to service at the next higher grade.

  • If it is found that the Veteran's condition has improved to such a degree that they rate lower than 30% DoD. The Veteran will be dropped from the TDRL and they will be medically separated!

    • UNLESS, the Veteran has at least 20 years of service. In such case, the Veteran will simply be retired.

  • If it is found that the Veteran's condition has become permanent nature and stable (and rate at least 30% DoD). The Veteran will be added to the PDRL.

  • If it is found that the Veteran's condition has yet to stabilize and they yet meet the requirements for the PDRL. The Veteran will remain on the TDRL.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • Veterans may NOT stay on the TDRL for over 3 years. At the third year the Veteran will automatically be dropped from the TDRL.

  • Failure to attend those reexaminations may result in your retirement pay being discontinued!

  • You will be paid mileage to attend these reexaminations.

Military Pension and VA Disability Pay

Unless you qualify for CRDP or CRSC you may NOT draw both pays at the same time (concurrent pay).

In such cases your pay will be offset.

Offset Examples:

  1. Military pension $3,000. VA disability $2,000. Since the military pension is higher than your VA disability pay. You would no get any of your VA disability pay. In effect, $2,000 of your military pension would NOT be subject to any taxes. While the remaining $1,000 will be subject to taxes.

  2. Military pension $1,500. VA disability $2,000. Since the VA disability is higher than the military pension. You would just get the VA disability pay.

Example Number Military Pension VA Disability Total Due
1. $3,000 $2,000 $2,000 Tax Free and $1,000 subject to taxes.
2. $1,500 $2,000 $2,000 Tax Free.

Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP)

If you have at least 20 years of AD service/20 good years AND you have a VA disability rating of at least 50% you can draw both your military retirement and and your VA disability.

This process is automatic and the Veteran does NOT need to apply for it.

SPECIAL NOTE:

  • For those National Guard and Reservists with less than 20 years AD service (but at least 20 good years). Your CRDP will NOT kick in till you reach your retirement age.

Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC)

Is a tax free entitlement that is be paid each month in addition to any retiree pay.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • You may NOT get both CRDP and CRSC at the same time, so be mindful of picking the program that benefits you the most.

    • You CAN elect to change between the 2 programs if you realize the other is better or circumstances change so the other better.

  • You will NOT get your VA disability, retirement, with an additional CRSC pay! The amount of CRSC is directly related to the evaluation(s) assigned to combat-related disabilities, but cannot exceed the amount of withheld retired pay.

Eligibility

Meet one of the following criteria:

  • You had 20 or more years of service in the military, National Guard, or Reserve;

  • You retired for medical reasons with a disability rating of at least 30% (under Chapter 61);

  • You're covered under the Temporary Early Retirement Act (TERA);

  • You're on the Temporary Disability Retired List (TDRL); or

  • You're on the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL).

AND

You have service-connected disabilities that rate at least 10% and are a direct result of:

  • Armed conflict;

  • Hazardous duty;

  • An instrumentality of war; or

  • Simulated war.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • Unlike CRDP you MUST apply for CRSC by reaching out to your branch of service.

  • The amount of money you get varies by Veteran and is determined by DFAS.

For more information on how to apply click HERE or see the table below:

Branch Phone Number Website
Air Force/Space Force 800-525-0102 Apply
Army 866-281-3254 Apply
Coast Guard 800-772-8274 Apply
Navy/Marine Corps 877-366-2772 Apply

Additional Helpful Tidbits/What to Expect

  • Ensure that your on-base medical provider has ALL of your medical records! This is important because they won't necessarily have access to records from off-base facilities. As they're not usually sent to base medical to be scanned in to your military medical file.

  • Always be upfront and honest, especially about mental health conditions! By holding back not only do you risk getting less compensation than you deserve. You may also place your fellow servicemembers at risk. If you are unable to fully complete your duties and assignments.

  • When they ask, remember to describe your worst day so they understand how bad things can get. Please DO NOT try to hide medical conditions just to stay in the military!

  • This process is stressful! Never be afraid to reach out to mental health services. Even if just for a weekly appointment, to decompress.

  • If you have any questions about anything, your PEBLO will be your primary POC for everything during this process unless specified otherwise.

  • It would be smart to get a meeting with your commander and have a sit-down to fully explain behind closed doors how your disabilities truly affect you. This will help add to the commander's letter and paint a better picture for the PEB.

  • Those who want to participate in Veterans Readiness and Employment (VRE) can do so while going through the Medboard process.

  • Are you seriously injuries/ill or have a terminal illness?

    • You are entitled to priority processing of your VA disability claim. Click HERE for more information.

  • If you end up NOT being medically retired/separated. Whatever VA claim you had in development is administratively dropped. Yes, even if the VA had proposed ratings drawn up! Whenever you do separate, you will need to File a claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

    • You are entitled to a full and fair hearing.

    • You are allowed to request copies of the paperwork involved in your medboard process.

    • You are allowed to hire a lawyer, either on-base (JAG) or privately.

    • Remember, your CoC doesn't even need to be involved to INITIATE a board, it's your military medical provider that is the one to do so. The guideline for triggering a medboard is a condition that is not expected to resolve in one year allowing you to return to duty. The chain of command is only involved in the process as they're required to write a "Commander's statement" on your abilities to perform your duties.

    • The DoD provides you with a PEBLO after the MEB is complete and a PEB is started. They will coordinate everything for you and be your liaison for the PEB.

    • The only person that can answer that question is you. If you feel that you're being wronged and your PEBLO isn't being helpful, you're allowed to consult with a lawyer. There are timelines that must be met during this process so if you have further questions, ask your PEBLO.

    • DoD ONLY considers conditions that affects the SM's ability to deploy and do their MOS! Because of this, the DoD percentage is usually lower than that of the VA. Since the VA is allowed to consider many more conditions than the DoD.

    • You can appeal. When you sit down with your PEBLO, you'll be given a list of all of your disabilities you have claimed and their proposed rating. At this time your PEBLO will discuss your options if you want to appeal. Do know, this will extend the process further.

    • Generally speaking, if your DoD ratings is at least 30% combined AND you want to move on with your life; you should just walk away and not bother with an appeal.

    • If your VA ratings are your major issue then you CAN file an Appeal once you leave service.

    • In terms of benefits or entitlements that retirees are eligible for - no... for the most part.

    Those who are medically retired before serving 20 years do NOT qualify for CRDP (concurrent receipt of retirement and VA disability pay. If they have a VA rating of at least 50%).

    • LDES is Legacy Disability Evaluation System. In short, it is the express lane for getting out of the military. This speed is achieved by only determining your DoD ratings and NOT your VA ratings. Once you are separated you would have to file your VA claims by yourself or with the help of a VSO.

    • Contact DFAS at 1-800-321-1080.

    • You are entitled to the 100% rate, no matter how long you served.

Special Thanks To

References