Is it possible for someone in the Army reserves to be referred to an MEB/PEB and get a medical discharge?

Cindy Smith — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 20:34:00 -0400

Hi, my husband is currently serving in the Army reserves and also suffering from active duty PTSD for which he has been seeing a private therapist and psychiatrist for over 7 months now. He's not eligible for VA. He's on multiple prescription drugs. He has sent his doctor's note to his unit and they've sent him a profile packet which they want filled by his doctor but his doctor is not comfortable in completing that packet. What options do we have in this scenario? Can he be referred to MEB/PEB being in the reserves and get a medical discharge?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2021 4:48 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 16:48:13 -0400

How is he not eligible for the VA?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2021 6:41 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 18:41:46 -0400

I believe he needs to go to the VA. He has a DD-214 which shows he was on active duty. If he was in combat oh, he can go to a Veterans Administration forensic psychologist and figure out his level of trauma. I met a captain and that Wounded Warrior Battalion who was going to see a forensic psychologist due to his traumatic brain injury. My father was kicked out of the Army National Guard because he suffered asthma from going to the chemical warfare School. His Decades of asthma documentation and the Veterans Administration finally granted him 100% disability three years before he passed away. If he has a documentation, you should be able to convince Veterans Administration medical doctors that he needs to be treated and possibly medically boarded.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 20 at 2021 7:01 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 19:01:49 -0400

Shot answer is yes - reservist can be medically seperated. Unfortunately, the process is often long and complicated.
The commander may request a fit for duty evaluation, the provider doing his PHA can make a note that something is wrong/needs further evaluation, or the civilian provider can do the paperwork for the Army. Most of the time a medical review board is not triggered until there is a P3 or P4 on a military profile.
If he was on active duty and being treated for PTSD, he should be elligible for continued treatment through the VA. It is a process. https://www.va.gov/health-care/apply/application

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Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 20 at 2021 10:07 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 22:07:09 -0400

Cindy Smith If his injury/condition is Service connected, he is VA eligible. Recommend he go to DAV or another veteran service organization and file a VA claim while you wait on the unit in the process MAJ Private RallyPoint Member describes.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jun 21 at 2021 11:33 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 11:33:42 -0400

Yes it is possible. If your husband has PTSD from time on AD I would be curious as to why he is not eligible for VA care. It would qualify.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 21 at 2021 7:35 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 19:35:35 -0400

First I want to say I am not an expert, but I want to share what little I know. The army medical community has software and a program that tracks soldiers who go to medical facilities CONUS and OCONUS, and I believe they use it for deployments as well. They log who was seen and why. I am positive that Combat Service Hospitals (CHS) make inputs into the system. I really don't know anything about getting that kind of information for documentation. I am just throwing this out there.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jun 23 at 2021 12:00 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 12:00:28 -0400

yes BUT that requires a rating of 30% or higher by some governmental entity witch uses the same criteria as the Army and VA. I don't understand where his rating is coming from.
the decision rests with the Army (or other branch) Board for Correction of Military Record by submitting a DD149. It took me four years with a VA rating.