Going through the medboard how do I get a good rating on both sides?

2022-04-12T06:56:11-04:00

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Apr 12 at 2022 9:16 AM

2022-04-12T09:16:55-04:00

There isn't much action on your part. Nothing that you do. When you get processed for a Med Board you will highlight the injury/illness that resulted you being on the board and you will also list any others you have dealt with since being in. You will get appointments with the VA and the evaluations will be compiled when your findings are made available at the end. Once your results come in you will sit down with the PEBLO and you will review your DOD findings which will dictate separation, retirement etc. and you will review your overall findings which will be your overall VA percentage.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 12 at 2022 10:53 AM

2022-04-12T10:53:17-04:00

First, let me absolutely clear: be honest. Don't claim that stuff that isn't wrong is broken. Don't claim that something that is only a little broken is a lot broken. And if it was broke when you came in, don't try to claim that the Army broke it.

That being said....

Be VERY thorough. Go from head to toe and list EVERYTHING that is wrong with you, no matter how minor. If it was broke when you came in, and the Army made it WORSE, then claim that, too.

When you go for your evals, they will probably do range of motion tests for your joint injuries. They SHOULD be evaluating both PAIN-FREE range of motion and actual range of motion. Do not be a tough guy and say you have no pain. DON'T CHEAT. But when you reach the point of pain, STOP. Let the doc know that this is where you have pain, but you CAN keep going. Then complete your range of motion when instructed.

For the psych stuff (if you have psych stuff) they will ask you about effects on daily living. Again, do not be a tough guy. If you find it exceptionally difficult to go out to eat because you have a problem with crowds, say that. If that is causing a strain on your marriage, because your spouse wants you to take them out on dates, say so. Again, DON'T LIE. But be honest about how these things affect you.

That is how you get the best HONEST rating.

Oh, one last thing, start making a list now. When you are listing your problems, you do not want to just wing it. Have a list already prepared. You will have to transcribe it, sure. But start your list now so that those infrequent problems (like migraines or heartburn) can be written down when they happen and you don't forget about them. Pay attention to how often it happens, the severity, and the impact.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2022 4:30 PM

2022-04-12T16:30:20-04:00

You be really, really broken from an injury incurred in service.

If you are a PV2, unless you have sustained some type of major injury like a parachute failure on a jump, a Stryker rolled over your leg, you fell off a HEMTT and broke a bone that never healed correctly, or some gruesome combative injury, you are probably not going to rate a very high permanent disabled rating. Anything EBH or chronic like back/knee/shoulder pain or EBH will be ruled as pre-existing and if you receive a rating for it, it will be a temporary rating.

The DOD isn't a lifelong welfare program, you will unfortunately need to be seriously injured or serve longer before you receive any significant payout for the rest of your life.

Response by SSgt Mathew Cummings made Apr 12 at 2022 5:02 PM

2022-04-12T17:02:43-04:00

Coming from a both sides of the line, detailed is precisely correct. To add to it, you better take notes. If you have something wrong constantly, you better have a diary of events. If what you are claiming now doesn't match your BDD claim you are going to have very little to work with. Any money you get now, you will have to pay back before you get VBA compensation. Remember this isn't checkers, it's chess.