Posted on Nov 20, 2020
When do I get evaluated for disability, after I’m out or while still in? What impact will UCMJ and my discharge have on my benefits?
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I have been in for 3+ years, active, have 7 months left of my 4 year contract. I have been diagnosed with bilateral plantar fasciitis and sesamoiditis, and this is severely impacting how I perform, especially with an MOS like mine. I’ve had these conditions for almost 2 years now with no improvement. I’ve done all I can except pain relieving shots they give you and surgery. Podiatry has recommended MEB and my PCM has brought up Chapter 5-17, the only differences between the two is that I’d get out faster with the chapter rather than sticking around past my ETS date 6 months after, and possibility of losing my benefits— but, since I have 3+ years in service, I know I have qualified for full GI bill benefits (which is my main concern) as I do not want to lose my benefits, seeing as I’d have done my time for nothing. Also, I will be filing for disability compensation, but have of no knowledge, and for some reason trying to contact the VA is impossible sometimes because of “higher than usual call times” and no responses back and my unit retention NCO isn’t around for me to collect more information/advice on what I should do. Again, I cannot fulfill any duties with the amount of pain I’m in every single day from morning to night.. I was given a very restrictive profile from my PCM and he mentioned in his next upcoming meeting I don’t remember whether he said in the next week or two but somewhere along that timeframe that I will be like brought up or something like that and that is where they will foresee what I will need to do (MEB or chapter). Ive read around Reddit and a couple posts on here and on the internet with people who have similar or alike conditions and have received anywhere from 20%-50% for bilateral, 10% each foot from what I’ve read, but for me to get these ratings do I do it through the VA after I’m out or can I get evaluated whilst currently still in? Will I be honorably discharged, even if I’ve had two company grade Article 15s? If I am either generally or honorably discharged, is there a certain percentage of benefits that I am still entitled to or will I still have full benefits? And lastly, is it better to just finish my contract and suck it up and suffer the extreme pain throughout my entire foot?
Posted in these groups: 
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Posted 4 y ago
Responses: 10
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Your PCM can't chapter you. AR 635-200 separations are commander initiated, not PCM initiated. Your PCM or podiatrist can give you a permanent profile that will initiate your MEB. You absolutely do not, under any circumstances, go down the 5-17 route if you have legitimate medical issues. Undergoing an MEB will give you your VA rating prior to separation and is worth tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars and benefits over the course of your future life, dollars and benefits you will not be eligible to receive under a 5-17. You would still be eligible for your GI Bill, but a MEB brings significantly more benefits to help you rehabilitate and assist you in the future. Also, your command doesn't really have the time to separate you under 5-17 this close to ETS. They could if they were really motivated to, but Commanders are usually more preoccupied with getting rid of actual dirt bags to worry about hurrying a chapter 5-17
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SFC Casey O'Mally
Just to add on to what SFC (Join to see) said, the MEB process is exactly that... A process. Sometimes it takes longer than we would like, but every step is important. A lot of those "time-wasting" steps are there specifically to take care of you. And they include making sure you get everything you are entitled to AND making sure you understand what benefits you are entitled to.
Men's are a pain in the tuchus. For you AND the Command. But they are set up the way they are set up for a reason. Grin and bear it, you will be FAR better off in the long run.
Men's are a pain in the tuchus. For you AND the Command. But they are set up the way they are set up for a reason. Grin and bear it, you will be FAR better off in the long run.
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1. If the Dr gives you a permanent profile- that can start a MEB. Do not take any kind of chapter. 2. a MEB gives you much more too play with for resources and benefits. 3. 3. YIf the Co Art15 are not recent , the only pain it can cause with the MEB is if they take a stripe- because disability payments are made on the % rated of your pay. Lower pay= less money.
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SGT John Prolo
That's the first I have heard of that your compensation % rating is based off your pay. VA Compensation has absolutely nothing to do with your pay rate. I have been receiving VA Compensation for 22 years, and it's never been a factor.
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SGM Bill Frazer
Hate to bust your bubble- but unless its 100% disability and or unemployable IT is based on your pay/rank. I've been drawing since 1995, and when I add my 20=retirement and my VA disability rating pay, it comes almost exactly what I would be making if still on duty. But I guess you know better, there SGT.
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confused. you say you've "done everything you can" except shots for the pain and surgery. if surgery is an option and will fix the problem, why haven't you tried it?
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