Posted on Dec 13, 2015
PO2 Katie Benson
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I find myself in the position of facing a medical board can anyone give me any insight or advice? Should I hire a lawyer does anyone has any contacts regarding lawyers that handle this type of thing?
Any input would be respectful he welcomed!
Posted in these groups: 9f660f5a AdminA0d8a2d3 Medical Board7e96d5b8 Coasties
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Responses: 15
MAJ Special Forces Officer
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Get all of your medical documents together and start looking through everything for your claims. They will provide a medical laywer if you need to appeal once you get your 199 (Details your unfitting conditions) and NARSUM (Narrative Summary). I would recommend that you tell the VA everything that is going on with you to include the who skeletal system, mental health conditions while aggravate or incurred in the line of duty or service. Don't be afraid to reach out and ask questions, I was perplexed at first and just received a 80% VA and 70% Army disability rating and placed on the temporary Disabled retirement list.

I would also ensure that you reach out to Veteran organizations to include VFW as they can help with claims and give you a good understanding of what the Armed Services will try to weasel ratings down to and will be your advocates.
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PO2 Katie Benson
PO2 Katie Benson
9 y
80%, if you don't mind me asking does that mean you get 80% of your salary? I mostly worried about finances!
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LTC Substitute Teacher
LTC (Join to see)
9 y
PO2 Katie Benson - There are specific table sf rates for VA compensation; its not tied to military pay, and is less, but the good news its not taxable. I dont remember the exac. 80% pays $1525/month, 90% is 1714; big jump between 90 and 100%; it pay 2858! If you want to stay in you should try, but if you can't then apply for VA compensation. Also retention standards are usually less stringent than accession standard depending on the conditiion, and some conditions are waiverable; which leaves some wiggle room where they can look at things like your job specialty and performance record. If you commanding officer likes you; that can help in those waiverable situations. If not its tougher. Consult with an independent lawyer (some give free initial consultation) and an independent dr who works or did work for the military. Consider IG/or and JAG if it comes out the regs says you're qualified or waiverable. In the meantime, communicate to your CO, medical board people or anybody else involved with a confident, positive attitude that shows you are motivated!
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CAPT Kevin B.
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Take a look at your rating, manning levels, promotion rates, etc. and get an idea if the CG is "fat" or "slim". That will tend to tell you if there is a possible tilt in any direction. Medical boards can be neutral, looking for ways to toss, or looking for ways to retain. More localized bias can come into it too. Unfortunately I've seen more cases of impurity vs. purity in my time. Suggest you hold off on legal until you have something to show them. Your local legal aide is limited as they're oriented to serve the Service, not necessarily the service member. The information already posted will help you sense what way things are going. BTW, it's hard to fight medical diagnosis if it is a disqualifying condition. If it does, see if there's a service connection tie. Then get it documented with a line of duty determination. I won't guess anything here, but also make sure it's "medical" and not "admin by medical proxy" going on. That can be a different can of worms.
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MAJ Ken Landgren
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I was in the Army and agreed my career should be terminated.
1. Doc gave me a permanent profile
2. I was assigned a PEBLO (Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officer) who was the one belly button. He works with the VA and Army to get you your percentages which you can appeal.
3. The VA gave me the official physical on base.
4. The VA took over after I retired from the Army.
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PO2 Katie Benson
PO2 Katie Benson
9 y
OK thank you for your information I appreciate it. I'm fighting cancer :p

Very respectfully Petty Officer Benson
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MAJ Ken Landgren
MAJ Ken Landgren
9 y
PO2 Katie Benson - I wish upon you courage and success. You can always contact me should you so desire. Pick the brains of your PEBLO as he is the connective tissue with other organizations. You will have a VA rep and I suggest picking the reps brain.
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