Posted on Feb 23, 2019
Alice San
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My husband is soon starting the process for medical retirement. He will probably receive a QMP notice for separation this summer. I know that from the date of the notice he will have seven months before he gets out, but what happens if all the step for obtaining medical retirement are not completed by then?
Posted in these groups: 768bc53d QMPA0d8a2d3 Medical Board
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SFC Retention Operations Nco
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If your husband is in the middle of a medical evaluation board, the MEB will determine whether he's fit for duty, separate him with a severance if below 30% disabled or retire if 30% or above. The QMP board will take place normally and if your husband is denied retention, his QMP separation will be put on hold while the MEB process continues. If he's found fit for duty, the QMP process continues. Otherwise he's separated under the MEB.
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SGT Ralph McClain
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That would fall back on the VA or veterans administration can have that done.
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SPC Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
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Until the MEB is complete you can not be sure he will be medically retired— he may not rate high enough on the “Army side of the house”— and may only be found unfit for duty. That would mean medical separation, not a medical retirement. To be medically retired, you must be rated 30% or higher on the army side— this is not the same as a total rating on the “VA side of the house.” Your husband’s exit date would be extended for as long as it takes to complete the medical evaluations needed to present your case to the “Army’s side of the house.” It can be confusing, especially if you don’t have an experienced/involved PEBLO rep guiding you through the process.
I know a lot of soldiers who got screwed over for simply not being well informed. Hopefully you are, but if not...
1. Don’t be confused. Medical Retirement and Medical Seperation are not the same thing. They are not to be used interchangeably.
2. To be Medically Retired will require you rating a 30% of greater in UNDEPLOYABLE injuries— injuries that prevent you from being deployed.
Easiest example: You lost a limb in combat— that would make you undeployable— The army will rate that on their side along with the VA.
Sleep Apnea— Does NOT (necessarily) effect a soldier’s deployability— a A-PAP/C-PAP can be issued to “correct” the condition. So, yes, the soldier may need medical supplies to control the condition, but it’s controllable and not necessarily the Army’s fault the soldier has the condition, so the Army won’t give that condition a rating... but the VA will.
3. The burden of proof is on the SM. You may think it’s all cut-n-dry, but it usually isn’t. Please pay attention to the TWO ratings that will always be presented. A 15% in the Army side and a 100% on the VA side is still only a Medical Seperation. You must have 30% or higher on the Army side for Medical Retirement.
4. If you’re unhappy with your presented rating(s) you must appeal it— it would BEHOOVE you to go to JAG for council at this point. Usually in this stage of the game (because MEBs are lengthy) a SM is just “ready to get out” and this will be for you to consider— you may have to stay “in” beyond your exit date— and I suggest you do if you don’t believe you were rated appropriately. Once you are out, you’re out. You can have additional VA claimed considered for rating once your out, but eligibility for Medical Retirement proven prior to exiting.
5. I also feel I must mention (because I’ve seen the stress MEBs put on the SM and the chain of command) if the process is causing tension/harassment to overtake the situation you need to ask the PEBLO handling your MEB to direct you to the appointed Ombudsman for mediation.

And, just because the “funny math” can sometimes be hard to understand.
One 50% rating and One 50% rating do NOT equal 100%
The first rating is 50% disabled from the 100% able you were when you entered the military. That leaves you with 50% “able bodied”
So take that 50% able body of yours, thanks away that other 50% rating from that.... that leaves you with 25% “able bodied”... etc... etc...

Also, you’re conditions for Seperation are rated by severity, so please don’t assume just because someone “knows someone” who just a certain rating, that doesn’t mean you will get that same rating.

Hope that helps
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Alice San
Alice San
5 y
Thank you for the long explanatory, it did help! I am aware that the MED board and medical retirement are not a joke. But I do believe that my husband is eligible. I checked and rechecked the rating criteria, which are pretty strict, but I think he should get at least 30 percent. he's got two compressed vertebra that limit back motion and cause him neuralgia, neck muscle spasm, patellar tendon injury, hearing problems, and flat foot with bunion. We are now awaiting for his back surgery. I do believe there are good premises for retirement. He s on a profile for months, and obviously no PTs. These are the results of deployments and many years as a jumpmaster. However, even if he would receive medical separation, would he have to recoup the re-enlistment bonus?
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SPC Healthcare Specialist (Combat Medic)
SPC (Join to see)
5 y
Definitely sounds like Retirement is justified. I just like to make sure all the info is out there.
Unfortunately, I don’t have that answer for you. I would imagine your answer can be found in the contract he signed with the Retaining Sgt. There should be conditions specified upon signing. I would be proactive and speak to legal if the terms are too vague. I would recommend doing this sooner than later. A better understanding of the terms and conditions means you can better prepare for the outcome— maybe the MEB finding must entail specific details in the reports to be eligible to keep the bonus and you will want to be sure it’s stated correctly in the reports before you sign at the end of the MEB process, or maybe you just have to try and stay in just past a certain date to fulfill the conditions, and your exit date will (hopefully) after that date is reached— things you may want to consider now and not after.

I wish you and your husband the best
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SGT John Fielden
SGT John Fielden
>1 y
My MEB/PEB took three years five months. VA applied for 02Mar2011,
awarded Aug2014.
I didnt receive ANY ARMY TIME FOR THAT TIME, NADA FUCKIN NADA, And the reserve pays I had to payback, because SSI and VA retro'd me back to 13Mar2011, while CRSC only paid back to the AWARD DATE losing almost $43k in pays waiting for the process.
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SGT John Fielden
SGT John Fielden
>1 y
Alice San
Get your husband a SLEEP SURVEY for apnea. They award 50% for that.
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