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?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 11:29:20 -0400

I have 15 days to decide what to do. To my understanding, once your retirement is submitted/approved, a MEB cannot be initiated. I have read a couple articles about people at 18/19 years facing this dilemma, but my situation is different. TIA

Response by SGT Javier Silva made Jul 15 at 2019 11:36 AM

SGT Javier Silva — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 11:36:01 -0400

MSG Private RallyPoint Member 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.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2019 12:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 12:14:45 -0400

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.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 15 at 2019 2:20 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 15 Jul 2019 14:20:12 -0400

I was went through a MEB at 19 years of service. I was allowed to retire with 20 years and still get a stipend with the VA.

Response by GySgt Kenneth Pepper made Jul 16 at 2019 4:56 PM

GySgt Kenneth Pepper — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 16:56:55 -0400

I was in a similar situation and chose not to go MEB. I stuck it out and retired and now receive concurrent VA disability (over 60%). I have Tricare Prime and can use the VA if I choose for the service connected issues, but I seldom do. I think I made the right choice.
Get a DAV rep to evaluate your situation. Mine had everything lined out so the VA only took less than a month to get my payments started.
Good luck.

Response by LTC Robert Theriot made Jul 16 at 2019 7:02 PM

LTC Robert Theriot — Tue, 16 Jul 2019 19:02:35 -0400

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.