I am past 20yrs TIS, I planned on retiring next year, but doctors brought up MEB due to ongoing health issues. Which is better to pursue?why?

The thing about MEB after retirement is that you're going to receive your VA disability rating as part of the retirement process. MEB just separates you extremely fast. When you are already approved for retirement, there's no need to process you for a medical retirement, and you're not eligible to be separated medically with separation pay, because you're retirement eligible. All a MEB would do is determine your disability rating. If your doctor is recommending MEB, what would happen is that your retirement separation date would be controlled by the IDES process, as opposed to the date you requested in your retirement request. With the latest changes in the IDES process, you could expect your separation date to be about 90 days after your records are submitted.

MSG (Join to see) Retirement pay is taxable income. Getting an MEB would medically retire you, and would allow for a VA rating. Getting a VA rating would allow for compensation; however, it would reduce your retirement by the amount. You can waive the VA comp and get the rating, so you can be seen at VA clinics in your area. However, all of this is up to you. With the retirement, you would still have access to services on post, and are eligible for TriCare for Life.

I was up for a MEB at 22 yrs of service. I had been considering retirement and had a job offer so I put in my papers before the board met. I then went to VA for evaluation and got a 60% disability rating. I now receive full retirement pay and VA disability. The VA disability is non-taxable. Any offsets were done away with when they changed the law many years ago. I now go to the VA if I need something in relation to my rating and my civilian doctor for everything else. This is working for me.