Posted on Jul 13, 2015
Can I add a new medical condition during the MEB/PEB process?
56.7K
51
52
5
5
0
So I am dead in the middle of my MEB/PEB and have noticed that since I am 3 hrs away from JBLM. I have done all of my appts via the phone minus the actual doctor appts with QTC
Now here is the question:
I had received my NARSUM and reveiwed it with the attorney and my peblo and everything seemed normal I ever spoke with my VA SVC officer and all was well now comes the fun part
I had been told to get a sleep study lo and behold I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea; the VA at first was very concerned it wasn't on the form to document all the claims ( because I had never had a sleep study or diagnosis before ) now that I have the machine they say they are going to add it to my claim ( hopefully by the end of the process) is it normal for them to be so hesitant to add stuff before the case even goes to the rating stage ?
Now here is the fun part after my case was revewied and looked at my the IMR and the attorney my packet with everything was sent to the PEB and as soon as that happened BAM three more appts for my referred condition. Everyone has told me that this is not very common but it does happen.
The estimated reticent date was December not it states unknown
Does any of this make sense to anyone or is there anything that I need to clarify?
Now here is the question:
I had received my NARSUM and reveiwed it with the attorney and my peblo and everything seemed normal I ever spoke with my VA SVC officer and all was well now comes the fun part
I had been told to get a sleep study lo and behold I was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea; the VA at first was very concerned it wasn't on the form to document all the claims ( because I had never had a sleep study or diagnosis before ) now that I have the machine they say they are going to add it to my claim ( hopefully by the end of the process) is it normal for them to be so hesitant to add stuff before the case even goes to the rating stage ?
Now here is the fun part after my case was revewied and looked at my the IMR and the attorney my packet with everything was sent to the PEB and as soon as that happened BAM three more appts for my referred condition. Everyone has told me that this is not very common but it does happen.
The estimated reticent date was December not it states unknown
Does any of this make sense to anyone or is there anything that I need to clarify?
Medical Board
Warrior in Transition
AGR
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 36
0
0
0
Need advice please. MEB doctor called me to go over results. He says return to duty since all of my civilian records for my issues are missing. I turned them in and now he says he HAS to complete report with the above finding. What are my recourses? I had hip replacement and two surgeries on knee, with civilian doctor saying one more, but started MEB following hip surgery. I am AD but not near AD post.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Well for anyone that responded my patience has paid off
I will be retired this year and have gotten everything complete
I want to thank everyone who gave me advice
Note: additional appts do not restart your claim, just slows it down. Getting everything in before the ratings were published got all of my conditions rated.
2. Don't be scared to ask questions. Trust but verify.
3. Be in contact with your PEBLO and your VA MSC at all times. If you work with them they will work with you
I will be retired this year and have gotten everything complete
I want to thank everyone who gave me advice
Note: additional appts do not restart your claim, just slows it down. Getting everything in before the ratings were published got all of my conditions rated.
2. Don't be scared to ask questions. Trust but verify.
3. Be in contact with your PEBLO and your VA MSC at all times. If you work with them they will work with you
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
if you add something while you are in the middle of this you will go back to square one and start the process all over. I would say it is better to wait until they completed all of this procees
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
If it is not added during your MEB/PEB process you have up to a year to make additional LOD claims assuming you have the proper documentation. If you are unsure about anything talk with your DAV liaison or PEBLO and they should be able to answer any questions you have
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
First thing's first. Make sure that ALL of your conditions are documented in your NARSUM. It will add some time to your MEB, but I promise you it's worth it. Once you are out, you will have a VERY hard time getting anything added. Paperwork in the non-enlisted VA system is extremely backed up (took just over a year to add my daughter to my benefits). Next, your PEBLO is there for you. They will try to tell you to do this or that to get you out of their system sooner. Don't let them. Sleep apnea will only go onto your VA disability benefits (unless it's more severe than your MEB condition since the army only rates you on your service-restricting condition) so make sure you get that fully documented BEFORE you get out. While you are still in the service, they can expedite your paperwork and get back to you sooner.
I agree with SPC Taylor here. Get in contact with your local DAV. They will be of great help. Also, if you have a local WWP rep, they can help. If you were in the south I would offer to help you through the process.
Good luck Sergeant.
I agree with SPC Taylor here. Get in contact with your local DAV. They will be of great help. Also, if you have a local WWP rep, they can help. If you were in the south I would offer to help you through the process.
Good luck Sergeant.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Hello everyone
As of today all 24 conditions have been reviewed and my final for sleep apnea is Thursday !!!! I have yet to receive my ratings so from my PEBLO to my VAMSC rep they have all been very helpful
I have found being a bulldog in this has been beneficial
Looks like retirement is around November to December time frame
Thanks for all the great advice
I'll keep posting on the thread as it goes to share my experiences !!
As of today all 24 conditions have been reviewed and my final for sleep apnea is Thursday !!!! I have yet to receive my ratings so from my PEBLO to my VAMSC rep they have all been very helpful
I have found being a bulldog in this has been beneficial
Looks like retirement is around November to December time frame
Thanks for all the great advice
I'll keep posting on the thread as it goes to share my experiences !!
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
U could always tell them to hold off on it...u can still receive treatment but it doesn't have to be on your narsum...when u final out and done. File that claim..I'm sure u know u have a year to file after u are out...I did similar and now because I waited..it helped me get a 100percent...it's a long process but in my case waiting to file new claim made it lot easier..
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
SFC Daniel Faires you could and should have all health conditions checked out during the MEB/PEB Evaluations. It will help the VA when processing your claim for service connected / Line of Duty Investigations. The military and the VA rates issues differently. Getting it checkedout, diagnosed and noted in your MEB/PEB packet while on AD will help streamline your process through the VA. MEB/PEB Line of Duty investigation will already be done. The VA is overwhelmed make it easier on them and yourself with a fully developed claim. The MEB/PEB packed turned in complete will help. I heard things have been improved since I went through the process. Don't forget to get everythi in triplicate.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Same thing happened to me but with my eyes, for some reason im going blind and i also had a sleep study which came back positive. Long story short they still finished my MEB and i appealed it and they still pushed me out to the the VA so i had file new claims but after a year or so it was added just takes time.
(0)
(0)
0
0
0
Here is the not so funny part about a VA claim. If you file a claim and then while that claim is still going through, then you file anew claim (or add soemthing to it); your original claim starts over to be even with the new one you have filed. At least that is the process after you get out. I would imagine since you are still active duty, the VA concern is stopping the original claim and expediting the sleep apnia portion until it catches up to the original claim. That would be my guess, as when I got out I was told to file all of the other stuff after I get out, so that it would now slow down the process of me getting on on a medical. It only took 2 1/2 years for my oringal claim to be processed by the army.
(0)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google