Should I accept an MEB or or pursue retirement?

2018-08-01T17:11:03-04:00

Need some help here. Been diagnosed with "chronic" disease and will be receiving a MEB soon. But the PEBLO said most likely I'll be offered only 20 percent and not combat related. Therefore I'll get a Severance. I'm at 18 years and 7 months of active service. My concern is if I try to retire and get approved I'll only have about 9 years 8 months as a Officer, therefore not eligible for the Officer retirement. I know there was a exception to Policy for officers with 8 years commissioned service to retire as an officer...but read it was expired since they stopped TERA can anyone help me?

Response by SSG Kris Walden made Aug 1 at 2018 5:29 PM

2018-08-01T17:29:04-04:00

Lets see i was MEB out of the Army not by choice anyhow i had 8 yrs few months in and only 1yr till my ETS and my PEBLO told me no retirement combat related 40% no severance pay which he was wrong in the end got 40k severance and 60% combat related injuries. So things may take a different route unexpectedly like mine. But go talk to someone at the Order of the Purple Heart. They seem to open your mind to all sides of pros and cons.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 1 at 2018 5:49 PM

2018-08-01T17:49:15-04:00

I would request an ETP to serve the 4 months to hit 10 AFCS

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Aug 1 at 2018 5:51 PM

2018-08-01T17:51:18-04:00

You are entitled to whatever rank it says on your DD-214 upon separation, and that goes for everybody, whether you retired or not and whether you separated as General of the Armies of the United States or as a buck Private. Of course there are the 'special' cases.

Response by SPC James Neidig made Aug 1 at 2018 6:07 PM

2018-08-01T18:07:20-04:00

Take the retirement then go straight to the VA and file a claim

Response by SGM Herman Whitley made Aug 1 at 2018 6:47 PM

2018-08-01T18:47:45-04:00

I’d use every delay I could and appeal to work towards retirement. I think if retired you draw pay at your highest rate. Also the Army and VA use different disability ratings. Throw every ailment you have and left the VA evaluate them.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Aug 1 at 2018 7:46 PM

2018-08-01T19:46:34-04:00

Work your way towards retirement then follows suite with VA claim on your last 1.5 years.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Aug 1 at 2018 7:48 PM

2018-08-01T19:48:16-04:00

Regardless of your rank you fall on the old retirement system so you’ll get 50% of your last 3 years which is irrelevant of what rank you might retire.

Response by TSgt David Holman made Aug 1 at 2018 8:36 PM

2018-08-01T20:36:05-04:00

Medical Boards are a tricky situation, but separating you isn't the only possibility. I don't know what your chronic illness is, but in many cases it will come down to "can the member continue to perform their duties with minimal accommodations". For example, a person with Obstructive Sleep Apnea that requires CPAP is going to get boarded. The board will review the case, evaluate what accommodations would be required and will it limit the member's ability to perform their duty. They will also receive feedback from your chain of command on whether or not they feel you are worth those accommodations. That will lead them to the decision to either return to full duty, return with limitations, or seperate. In my case, sleep apnea, I was returned to duty with limitations (must deploy to hardened area with steady power, only on SGH approval). Even if it comes back with separation, that isn't the end all. You can still appeal, which will take time as well.

Most people at 18 years (unless they are complete wastes) are given the opportunity to continue until retirement. I would talk with your PEBLO and chain of command, but if you are given the option to get to retirement, it would definitely beat a medical separation.

Response by CW4 Angel C. made Aug 1 at 2018 9:00 PM

2018-08-01T21:00:13-04:00

Edited: BLUF we can guide you in the general direction but your best bet is getting knee deep into the different regulations (Medical, Personnel, etc...). Your rater nor anyone in your COC really know a whole lot about the MEB/IDES or Retirement 'cause they haven't got those t-shirts. Good luck!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2018 9:10 PM

2018-08-01T21:10:06-04:00

Sir, the issue for me would be the 20%. As you said, you would get a severance instead of retirement. However, ratings above 30% would put you at medical retirement. This would be calculated based on your total years of service. I would fight to stay in and be able to retire. Next course of action would be to try and get medical retirement by sitting with a DAV advocate to talk about disability ratings. You will have to do some research but I believe medical retirement is 2.5% x years of service x high three base pay. I also believe that they use your commissioned pay in the calculation but definitely talk to your legal to find out for sure. Retirement as an E5 is likely better than the severance long term.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Aug 1 at 2018 11:10 PM

2018-08-01T23:10:40-04:00

From one who went through this at 18.5yrs in.....RETIRE!!! If for nothing else but personal pride, RETIRE. I know there was no way I could’ve stayed in, and I at the time was a hindrance to the team, but if I was just a bit better in conditioning, I would’ve fought for those last 18mos. Still got the ID card...:but it still stings to this day.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 2 at 2018 5:25 AM

2018-08-02T05:25:49-04:00

Work toward retirement if you can get it. Once you know you are eligeable find a valid reason why you need to remain that additional two months for full benefit. Since you have an illness, it may be service connected and you may have additional benefits with the VA. You do not have to wait until retirement to begin the VA process. You can do them simultaneously. Thank you for your service.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2018 7:40 AM

2018-08-02T07:40:29-04:00

Have you spoke with your Soldier's MEB Counsel?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2018 9:39 AM

2018-08-02T09:39:02-04:00

If you have crossed the 18 year point I believe you can lock in your retirement. I believe the benefits or retirement far outweigh the MEB discharge. Push, delay, fight.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Aug 2 at 2018 10:32 AM

2018-08-02T10:32:10-04:00

If you are at your 20 or over do the retirement because you will fail for a claim and maybe get some kind of % and plus your retirement. If not your are only getting one when you MEB.

I know take from me. I retired with PTSD and they gave me 90% plus my retirement.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2018 10:44 AM

2018-08-02T10:44:12-04:00

Are you familiar with COAD (Continuation on Active Duty)? I helped a few of my NCOs with this when I was a 1SG. All of them were granted COAD to meet their retirement. from the link below

Continuation on Active Duty / Continuation on Active Reserve (COAD / COAR)

COAD/COAR
Wounded, ill and injured Soldiers often think their military career is over. This is not the case for many of our Soldiers. If you have been found unfit for duty by the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB), but are interested in continuing your service in the Army, you may be eligible to apply for Continuation on Active Duty (COAD)/Continuation on Active Reserve (COAR).
All Soldiers found to be unfit for duty may apply for COAD/COAR; however, preferred criteria include:
Served 15-20 years of service for COAD or 15-20 qualifying years of service for non-regular retirement for COAR
Is qualified in a critical skill or shortage Military Occupational Specialty (MOS)
Has a disability as a result of combat or terrorism

To be considered for COAD/COAR, Soldiers must be able to work in a military environment without adversely affecting their health or requiring extensive medical care. They will be periodically reevaluated to determine if further duty is harmful to their health or detrimental to their interests or the Army's. Soldiers who later incur a service obligation remain liable to complete that obligation up to the expiration of the COAD/COAR agreement. If a Soldier's disability increases to the point that he/she is no longer able to perform his/her duty with reasonable accommodations, you can apply to be released from the remainder of the obligation.

How to Apply

Soldiers interested in applying for COAD/COAR should notify their Triad of Care and Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer (PEBLO). If you are in the U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2), you should work closely with your AW2 Advocate, who can help facilitate the COAD/COAR process.

COAD/COAR Resources:

The following Army regulations govern the COAD/COAR process:
AR 635-40, Physical Evaluation for Retention, Retirement, or Separation 
AR 614-200, Enlisted Assignments and Utilization Management 
AR 600-9, The Army Body Composition Program 

http://wct.army.mil/modules/soldier/s6-coadCOAR.html

Continuation on Active Duty / Continuation on Active Reserve (COAD/COAR)

The mission of the Warrior Transition Command (WTC) is to develop, coordinate and integrate the Army's Warrior Care and Transition Program (WCTP) for wounded, ill and injured Soldiers, Veterans and their Families or Caregivers to promote success in the force or civilian life.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Aug 2 at 2018 12:07 PM

2018-08-02T12:07:43-04:00

So a normal retirement at 20 years would base your retirement off your high 3 years, mostly Captain's pay at that point I assume.

As for the MEB, that doesn't mean you will need to be pushed out, but it can also be appealed. The process for me (and my injury was obvious and severe) took nearly two years to complete and I got medical retirement. Going through the MEB process, you should still be able to get to your retirement point and you can also request COAD for that last little bit.

Response by SPC Matthew Clark made Aug 2 at 2018 8:54 PM

2018-08-02T20:54:30-04:00

Your ombudsman on post will be some of the greatest guys to talk to concerning a lot of things, and they're impartial since they don't report to the military.
Peblos also are not the greatest at making these guesses (the civilian legal people that they send you too are pretty decent however). And that's just what it is, a guess.
You can look up the VA disability ratings tables and try and figure your own educated guess out as well. This can be beneficial for things that have ranges that determine severity.
Look into CRDP as well.

Response by SSG Kenny Gomillion made Aug 2 at 2018 10:39 PM

2018-08-02T22:39:13-04:00

Honestly I believe every individual has a different situation. I can only state my experience. I was medically retired through MEB at 12 years due to an injury in country. I was striving for a retirement however didn't realize it would come sooner than later. My MEB found my injury as permenant and retired me. With that being said, DOD retirement vs VA disability since they won't pay both it pays you the highest of the 2.
I had a conversation with a brother Veteran that I served with that retired at 20 and he informed me of the pros and cons of his retirement. I compared his to mine and found that in some ways I came out ahead.
Again this is only my experience not everyone's.
If you have enough active duty time in and depending on your medical situation you could possibly retire through your MEB.
In summary, due to injury and MEB I had to retire early. Emotionally, I hated it because I wasn't ready for my career to be over yet. On the other hand there something to be said at retiring before 30 years of age.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 3 at 2018 12:00 PM

2018-08-03T12:00:19-04:00

Have you checked with the VA? Ultimately they are the percentage people, also they are the final word in whether it combat -related. Good Luck

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Aug 9 at 2018 12:17 PM

2018-08-09T12:17:45-04:00

after the MEB you can apply to stay in until your 20 year mark.

Response by SFC Carlos Cruz made Aug 12 at 2018 7:35 PM

2018-08-12T19:35:32-04:00

CPT Sean Begaye, take this advice from someone who in 2015 accepted his MEB. I had a bad jump therefore to make this short it was better to take a MEB then retired because you will get both, your VA & retirement at the same time. If you only retired you have a big problem with VA therefore take MEB, trust me it

Response by MCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2018 10:25 PM

2018-08-13T22:25:17-04:00

Stay the course until the 20 year mark. You can probably drop your retirement letter now if you want to begin to cut the ties. The military will reconsider spending anything more on you (I.e. training, promotion, relocation, etc.) after that letter is dropped. Those that I know that got the serverence under TERA or other RIF programs regret not staying in until their retirement year for the most part.

Do the math. If you’re around 40 years old or so and you live another 30+ years, what is your retirement worth at 50% of your highest 36 month (average)? It’s close, if not over $1,000,000 over the course of the rest of your life, depending your highest pay average. Are you making that in your serverence package? (If you’re divorced and you have to share your retirement with your ex-spouse then that changes things.) Never count on the VA disability to get you through. It’s a bigger battle than you think to get compensation that way. Go to a TAPS class to get the BLUF (bottom line up front). Contact a VSO (veteran service officer) like Disabled American Veterans or American Legion to name a few, and bring a copy of your medical records. You’ll want to utilize their knowledge and leverage when filing your disability claim anyway versus with the VA directly.

Only 17% of the military make it to their retirement year. You’ll want to be in that retirement population, without any regrets. Thank you for your service. Cheers!

Response by PO1 Roger Clites made Aug 13 at 2018 10:36 PM

2018-08-13T22:36:22-04:00

Get your retirement papers submitted, you have passed the 18 year mark and by thentimenyou hit 20 you will have your 10 in to retire as an officer. Again to reiterate, apply for VA disability about 1 year before retiring and claim wvwrything you can. Your chronic disease being found while on active duty is service connected. A VA disability rating of,40 percent or higher you will recieve military retirement check and a VA disability check.

Response by SPC Chris Ison made Aug 18 at 2018 8:21 PM

2018-08-18T20:21:40-04:00

I am not sure about what is going on, I was under the understanding retirement now is a "high three" you get the to retire at whatever your highest three years of pay was.

Best advice either way, stay in retire, and get rated through the VA, so you get both your retirement and your VA payment, you are too close to not retire no matter what retirement you get.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Aug 19 at 2018 8:02 PM

2018-08-19T20:02:42-04:00

Whenever I see posts like this I think back to the post Vietnam RIFs that hit fliers hard. In my squadron we had a Captain who received his RIF notification right about the time I was preparing to transition to a new aircraft. Never knew what happened to him until I diverted into a base while flying my new aircraft. While bringing our classified materials to the Command Post for overnight storage there was this former Captain, now a TSgt working in the Command Post. Turned out that when he received his RIF notification he had 17.5 years of service. He chose to take the reduction in rank and serve the 2.5 years he needed to retire. He would retire as a Captain since he had served over 4 years at that rank and did all the math on what the RIF offered vs staying on to retire and chose to stay on. Retirement offers so much more in the long run over whatever options are offered that at 18.5 years I'd have to say hang on and retire.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Aug 20 at 2018 8:10 AM

2018-08-20T08:10:21-04:00

Retire. Check the rules on rank at retirement. Used to be if you wear it for 3 years you could retire at that rank. Also, the benefits of TRICARE for Life alone are worth retiring at any rank.

Response by CDR Vic Monzon made Aug 21 at 2018 3:17 PM

2018-08-21T15:17:21-04:00

What is the difference between an Officer and Enlisted retirement? I thought it is strictly a function of base pay for the rank at retirement multiplied by a factor representing number of years of active duty. In my case O5 with 24 yrs service (18yrs commissioned).

Response by CH (CPT) Will Strong made Aug 25 at 2018 10:38 AM

2018-08-25T10:38:49-04:00

You should be sanctuary and you be able to retired as an officer. I too was enlisted for 12 years and I had almost 19 years of service when I got medically retired. I retired as a CPT.

Response by SSG Ronald Colwell made Aug 25 at 2018 7:02 PM

2018-08-25T19:02:09-04:00

If I’m not mistaken, once you reach 18 yos, they have to keep you to 20. MEB is the way to go. You will not only get an army disability rating but will also spend your time going to appointments for the va this is the joint ides evaluation system. Upon completion you would more than likely have over 20, and you will have your va ratings done. Instead of starting from scratch with the va. I was medically retired. My dod/va process took almost 2.5 years. I was just trying to retire at 20 and submitted a packet at 19. The retirement physical is what got me. Not fit to retire. Anyway I ended up with 22.5 yrs 100% from army and Va. good luck

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2018 10:26 PM

2018-08-26T22:26:40-04:00

Past 18.5 there is usually a presumption of fitness for duty to allow individuals to stay until 20. However, with the “new” enforcement of the deployable or out policy, that may have changed. Also, as mentioned above, there should be an MEB Counsel that can help you though the legal side of this. For AF, it’s at AFPC, our central personnel center. There are multiple places in the MEB process where you can appeal. Use every single one & you can drag the process out to at least get you to 19 & allow you to submit for retirement. Also, you can still appeal your disability rating to the VA after you retire. Most people see an increase. Tinnitus & sleep apnea are common findings with a decent percentage attached. Good luck!

Response by CSM Clifford Fargason made Aug 29 at 2018 8:26 PM

2018-08-29T20:26:49-04:00

I wish I had seen this earlier. While Rally Point can generate some interesting conversation, please talk with the personnel section (if it's not too late) to find out exactly what your options are.

This next point is one that anyone who is separating from the service, either by retirement or end of service commitment should heed. You will at some point be required to fill out VA paperwork documenting any medical issues that are a result of your service. DO NOT FILL THIS OUT BY YOURSELF! The caps are intentional, I would have used supersized double bold-face caps but I don't know how to do that. There are several Veteran Service Organizations like VFW, American Legion, DAV, etc. When I first retired I was sent to a DAV rep at Ft Knox who helped me immensely because I had no idea of things that might be considered a service connected institution. When I was released from a recall to active duty, I went to a DAV rep in Atlanta. He was worthless, lesson is if the first person you go to is less than optimum, search out someone else.

Response by SP5 Rich Levesque made Aug 31 at 2018 12:11 PM

2018-08-31T12:11:55-04:00

Shit. With that much time in, forget the MEB. Go for the retirement, hands down. There's a lot of benefits you will miss out on if you take the board. Fight it. The CSM is exactly right. When you fill out the VA paperwork, have a Service Officer from one of the service organizations do it all for you. There is usually one or more on post.

Response by SSG Mike Zientek made Sep 2 at 2018 6:41 PM

2018-09-02T18:41:47-04:00

Use every possible delay and appeal to get your 20.
In my case the VA and Army rulings were the same, might be different for you.
You can always apply for CRSC after this has run its course, if you have deployment(s).
Your definition of "combat" may differ from the Army determination of combat.
This difference may benefit you, depending on your circumstances.
Good luck. Stall as long as possible.

Response by Maj Eric Gumz made Sep 6 at 2018 4:16 PM

2018-09-06T16:16:00-04:00

Retirement is clearly the best option. If you take MEB findings you cannot receive concurrent receipt (CRDP) meaning you cannot get both your VA AND a DoD retirement. You will get only your VA and your medical insurance. If you have combat related injuries rated by the VA or MEB you can however apply for CRSC (combat related special compensation) which will give you a slight increase to your monthly income and is also tax free. Push to your 20 or your income will be cut in half. I just went through the MEB myself after 12 years of service and multiple combat tours I now rate the same as the PFC who gets his VA disability. Retire if you can make it!!!

Response by SGT Jon Creager made Sep 11 at 2018 8:07 AM

2018-09-11T08:07:30-04:00

Fight the medical. As you do the final physical list every problem you ever had, head to toe,finger tip to finger tip. Get every medical record copied. This is what the VA is goign to treat, many times the VA will refuse to treat certain problem without documentation. This is also what they end up compensating you for. Before you leave the military have you first VA appointment set up as it will take a couple months. You take a copy of you ETS physical with you to your compensation physical. This will not be the time to play tough guy and the pain no gain. Its time to admit things hurt.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 15 at 2018 11:08 PM

2018-09-15T23:08:43-04:00

Appealing will buy you some time. If you are in good with your case manager or peblo ask them to to buy you some time. Good luck and fight as hard as you can.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2018 12:47 AM

2018-09-30T00:47:43-04:00

Dude..once u hit 18...it takes SECARMY approval to seperate you..and they know it. Go to JAG ASAP!!!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2018 1:58 AM

2018-10-04T01:58:11-04:00

Retire!!!!!!!!!!! If you retire you get 50% forever and if VA is 50% or more you can get concurrent receipt.
If you MEB you might get a check but you won't be able to collect VA. MEB will give you a disability check. VA is a disability check. You can't collect 2 disability checks.
If you MEB you don't get the same benefits as retiring.

Response by 1SG Jeffrey Mullett made Oct 11 at 2018 2:59 PM

2018-10-11T14:59:11-04:00

If you have the chance to establish your medical status before you go to the VA, you should. You will need to have your medical status established at the time of your retirement, because your disability percentage will determine your tax exemption, you should make sure that is done while you are on active duty.
Since you are so close to retirement, I would go ahead and do that. But, don't stop your medical evaluation, unless you are very close to being chaptered. Either way, you will be able to receive compensation for your active and/or Reserve service.

Response by SPC Bryan Richardson made Oct 22 at 2018 11:32 AM

2018-10-22T11:32:03-04:00

I'd go for retirement. If I could have done it all over I would of if I had a choice. Look at the VA Pay scale for disability percentages this will help you decide. I am 70% right now which I only make about $1566 with two dependents. 100% percent Disability is only about $2900 a month without dependents.
This can help you calculator your VA disability https://www.hillandponton.com/va-disability-calculator/

2018 VA Disability Calculator - Hill & Ponton, P.A.

Do you have questions about how the VA determined your combined rating? Use our 2018 VA Disability Calculator to calculate your monthly compensation rate.

Response by SPC Bryan Richardson made Oct 22 at 2018 11:48 AM

2018-10-22T11:48:52-04:00

You can look up your conditions here to see what you are entitiled to.
http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/

Military Disability | VA Disability | Info for Disabled American Veterans

Disabled American Veterans: this is the one-stop shop for all your Military Disability and VA Disability needs.

Response by MSG Reid Zohfeld made Nov 3 at 2018 1:23 PM

2018-11-03T13:23:34-04:00

I think you should find out more I should not say this but Because you are and officer and should know the in and outs of these issues But I believe they still have to let you get your twenty years since you have over 18 years now But do what you have to do

Response by SSG Ronald Colwell made Nov 3 at 2018 2:45 PM

2018-11-03T14:45:02-04:00

Once you hit 18, they can’t just put you out, they have to allow you to go to 20. Look it up

Response by CPL Ken Zaske made Nov 3 at 2018 2:55 PM

2018-11-03T14:55:40-04:00

Sir, do anything and everything you can to get that retirement. Just my two cents, but your entire future is at stake.

Response by LT Don Mead made Nov 3 at 2018 5:30 PM

2018-11-03T17:30:55-04:00

MEB is a crap shoot, you could end up with a medical separation. If you can make it to 20 you are guaranteed retirement plus you still get your VA ratings.

Response by SFC Carlos Cruz made Nov 4 at 2018 8:52 AM

2018-11-04T08:52:03-05:00

CPT Sean that MEB, Evaluation will determine based on your medical records. It benefits you because you will receive both, VA & retirement.
They did my at Fort Bragg & I got both, if you just retired you will only receive one retirement & will have to fight VA for your next three yrs. Sir take that MEB is your best choice, I did & love it. Airborne

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Nov 8 at 2018 11:47 AM

2018-11-08T11:47:10-05:00

If it is at all possible suck it up and get the retirement. You can always dicker with the VA later. The retirement will give you steady cash flow. Not a lot, but it is there every month.
Documentation is key when dealing with the VA. get a copy of all of your medical records.
Good luck

Response by SFC John Fourquet made Nov 13 at 2018 12:50 PM

2018-11-13T12:50:28-05:00

You need to retire. You get more money and you keep your Tricare medical insurance. Disability severance pay for non combat disabilities is taxable and must be paid back if you apply for and receive VA disability compensation. You need to review AR 40-501 and make sure it is being correctly applied in your situation. Also you need to review the regulations regarding retirement, especially medial retirement for someone with over 20 years of service. You need to get help with this. The DAV, VFW and American Legion may be able to help you. Do not depend on the PEBLO. Most PEBLO's mean well but do not know enough to actually help you. They do not know how to apply the VA rating schedule. The MEB will prepare a narrative summary. The MEB summary is forwarded to the the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) for a decision. Make sure to read the MEB summary very carefully make sure it is an accurate assessment of your disability and to compare the limitations describe to the physical standards of you grade and MOS/branch before it is sent to the PEB. Demand they make corrections for anything that is not correct on the MEB summary. You will receive an initial decision from the PEB. You can accept it or request a hearing before the PEB. You need to ask for a hearing before the PEB if you do not agree with their decision. You need to prepare for this hearing and have someone there to represent you. This must be someone expert VA and military disability evaluations. You need to argue that your disability does not prevent you from performing the duties of your grade and MOS/branch. Letters from your chain of command will be very helpful for this. These letters should state that you continued service is not harmful to your health or prejudice the interest of the Army. Appeal all PEB decision you disagree with until you exhaust all appeal rights.

Finally you need to start document all medical problems you have. The VA will pay disability compensation for many problems such as arthritis, painful joints, sleep apnea and mental health problems. If you retire and get a VA rating of 50% or higher there is no offset of retire pay. If the VA rating is 40% or less there is an off set of retire pay. Simply put, a 50 percent rating means you get full VA compensation and full retired pay without any deductions.

Response by PO2 Paul Dempsey made Dec 8 at 2018 9:32 AM

2018-12-08T09:32:04-05:00

Medical retirement you can exchange privileges. Money however is tax free with disability pay from VA. 100 percent rating with VA comes with free dental unlike retirement. Also most states give 100 percent service connected vets a pass on having to pay property taxes on your home. That said weigh out what retirement benefits you can use depending on where you plan to live post military and review the benefits you would receive from the VA. I chose personally the VA due to tax free money and other benefits. I'm 60% service connected. Just remember with the VA you might need to fight for what you deserve/earned. Their are many services available to help you there like the DAV, American legion and purple heart recipients.

Response by SGT Albert Bowman made Dec 10 at 2018 9:06 AM

2018-12-10T09:06:42-05:00

My MEB lasted 2.5 years. This was in the pre-WTU days, so I still had to deal with my unit's daily dose of Bravo-Sierra as well as take care of my medical needs. It was the docs who kept finding stuff wrong with me prolonging my MEB-time, not me "malingering", but I digress. At the end (early-2002), my Severance Pay was calculated as follows: [2.5 x (monthly base pay) x # of years Active Duty (NTE 12 years)]. That's a one-time payment. The VA provides me a monthly disability payment with a certain percentage held back for the Treasury offset...about 15% off the top...to recoup the severance amount.

A 20% PEB rating is not enough to get Medical Retirement (30%+), so unless you can retire, you'll get a Severance check. You can always take it up with the PDRB later to try to get that percentage bumped up, but no promises. In my case, the PDRB bumped me up from a PEB rating of 0% to 10% which had zero affect on the amount that I had already received.

If you do get to retire and then the VA awards you a rating, either your monthly Retirement check or the VA Disability check will be partially reduced due to "double-dipping" laws.

In the end, you have to look out for you and yours.

Response by COL Jeff Keane made Dec 13 at 2018 4:02 PM

2018-12-13T16:02:37-05:00

Tell them you want to stay. They'll say you can't. Then take it to the physical disability retirement board. Accept NOTHING less than 30%. Yon can appeal several times. Don't forget to have them assign a lawyer to you Get a DA Cilian lawyer if available. Let them know you plan to fight to the bitter end. DON'T GIVE UP! Be polite but forcefully. Be prepared for drawn out process. Took me two and a half years. Good luck. Be not afraid. The Army taught you how the fight and win. Now go do it! UBJ

Response by LTC Stewart Stephenson made Dec 17 at 2018 9:45 PM

2018-12-17T21:45:01-05:00

Lots of considerations. If it's not too late, PM me & let's talk. Heck, even if you're committed one way or the other, there are still things you can do to prepare.

Response by CH (MAJ) Tom Conner made Dec 19 at 2018 10:12 PM

2018-12-19T22:12:41-05:00

Don't accept everything you are told by the PEBLO as 100% accurate. I was med boarded in 2014. The PEBLO told me I was looking at somewhere around 40%. The VA rated me at 100%. You have to decide what you can and cannot do. I was at a point where I thought about eating a bullet the pain was so severe. I knew I could not continue serving--even though I had 19 years. You know your body, how you feel, and what you need. Even though I had a dead-man-walking profile, having to go in and sit at a desk was more than I could handle.

Response by SGT Jim Ramge, MBA made Dec 22 at 2018 3:15 PM

2018-12-22T15:15:53-05:00

In my experience as a fellow medical retiree, it is often on your PCM to do his/her best to maintain a hold on you and not releasing you back to the hounds. If they have not released their findings, you cannot go to the board without the full review of the Doctor’s signature. Believe it or not, I helped push a dear friends for close to 30 months. During this time he had a surgery and had multiple trips to the PT warriors to get him back to a specific point, of which the Doctor can release you to the MEB and ultimately the PEB. If you can have an operation that you know will take some time to recuperate, then go that route and don’t wait to have the VA start it’s process. Doctors have or at least “had” a lot to do with this process in years past.
My opinion, make good with your PCM. It slows the process down quite a bit! They can cancel appointments just as easily as you, pushing you back in those specialty clinics quite a while!
Just saying, having been through it, the big Army is done, now it’s time to beat them at their own game! They wrote the rules, you are playing by them and having some fun doing it! Your Commander if s/he likes you, can sit on the paperwork or it mistakenly gets lost in the S1 before making it to his/her desk. Problem is that most Commanders want to offload the dead weight as quickly as possible because it might be keeping them in the Red!
Thankfully, working in the S3 shop I was introduced to the game before it started on me - so having the advantage, I played to win, and did!
It’s you against an entire system that has nothing it wants to do with you anymore.
That said, you have to fight for every bit of benefits you deserve, because they’ve done the Pontius Pilate to you and frankly, no one cares because it’s not them, for if it were, they’d be helping you... All the best if you are still fighting or to those about or currently going thru!

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 7 at 2020 7:01 AM

2020-10-07T07:01:14-04:00

I faced a similar problem (having over 8 but less than 10 years of Commissioned Service). If you retire in your enlisted pay grade, once you reach the 25 year mark in the retired reserve (active duty time plus years in retired reserve) your rank will be advanced back to your officer grade and you’ll get your officer retired pay on that date. Try contacting your branches personnel retirement center for information. That 25 year date they calculate specific to you will be placed on your retirement order and also goes to DFAS.

Response by COL David Turk made Apr 30 at 2021 10:43 AM

2021-04-30T10:43:56-04:00

Just curious, in my travels through the SW US, the name “Begaye” was very common in the Navajo Nation. Are you a Native American?
At any rate, I hope you stuck it out to get your full retirement. And, as others have said, applied for a VA disability upon retirement out processing.