tinnitus Need Direction And Advice

[fiasco007]

(T, if this is in the wrong forum, please feel free to move it. I wasnt sure where to post this)

OK, new to the forum but have been reading for a long time, only posted a few times. you can Really can get lost in this place and spend hours reading everyones info.

anyway;

To keep it short. I have 17 years 10 months active duty ( I normally tell people 18 years to keep it simple). Last week the Docs said they are putting me in for a MED board, and will send it off in a few weeks. I have had back issues for many years, and this time last year had surgery on my L5-S1 disc but it is still giving me problems.

I also have sleep apnea, bad shoulder, bad knee, gerd, Carpal tunnel, tinnitus, but I am getting boarded because of my back.

My questions are;

What are my chances of getting a full retirment at 18, instead of waiting for 20?

If I do get retired early, is there any major difference between 18 years and 20?

If I do get retired, can I recieve my retirement check, and VA dissability at the same time?

Basically, if you guys were in my shoes, would you push to retire early, or try to stay until 20?

I had planned on staying 20 minimum, but if it is possible now to get the same benefits that I will get at 20 years, then why not just go for it and stop playing this game? Know what I mean? Thanks in advance guys.

Edited September 18, 2011 by fiasco007

[chr49]

Bump

[fiasco007]

Bump

Ha ha. Thanks for the bump. I'm still new to the board and have lost a few posts on here in the past.

[Tbird]

I don't really have an answer however, I think you may want to check out this forum they deal with PEB's while still on active duty and they may have more answers on the active duty side than we do.

(T, if this is in the wrong forum, please feel free to move it. I wasnt sure where to post this)

OK, new to the forum but have been reading for a long time, only posted a few times. you can Really can get lost in this place and spend hours reading everyones info.

anyway;

To keep it short. I have 17 years 10 months active duty ( I normally tell people 18 years to keep it simple). Last week the Docs said they are putting me in for a MED board, and will send it off in a few weeks. I have had back issues for many years, and this time last year had surgery on my L5-S1 disc but it is still giving me problems.

I also have sleep apnea, bad shoulder, bad knee, gerd, Carpal tunnel, tinnitus, but I am getting boarded because of my back.

My questions are;

What are my chances of getting a full retirment at 18, instead of waiting for 20?

If I do get retired early, is there any major difference between 18 years and 20?

If I do get retired, can I recieve my retirement check, and VA dissability at the same time?

Basically, if you guys were in my shoes, would you push to retire early, or try to stay until 20?

I had planned on staying 20 minimum, but if it is possible now to get the same benefits that I will get at 20 years, then why not just go for it and stop playing this game? Know what I mean? Thanks in advance guys.

[fiasco007]

I don't really have an answer however, I think you may want to check out this forum they deal with PEB's while still on active duty and they may have more answers on the active duty side than we do.

Thanks, I've been searching this site, and the MEB site that is linked and have yet to find an answer, as well as other web sites. As soon as I think I have found the correct answer, I find something that contradicts it.

From what I understand. The answer is yes, if you are %50 or more. Most sites will say you need 2o years active, but then will Have an asterixs saying something like, "TDRL can also be eligible" and thats pretty much it. When I find something I will post it.

Unless someone here beats me to it.

[Philip Rogers]

I would get an atty, specializing in military law and I wouldn't use any atty working for the military, as it could cost you thousands & thousands, of dollars, down the road. They usually low-ball active duty personnel. Many times they offer a buy out that will eventually be recovered by VA before you ever get any money from the VA. Even if an atty costs you "up front" it is important to have someone looking out for you. How do you know they are lying: Their lips are moving!!! jmo

pr

[justrluk]

My experience was: MEB - spring 2004, Decision (separation) in July 2004. There's a year in your favor just waiting for the results of the board. Then, if you contest the informal PEB, more waiting = time. By the time the paperwork was done, It was another 3 - 5 months. By the time I was at the end of the trail, I was offered either retirement with deferred pay (just shy of the 20) or separation with severance. With your time in, I could see any option happening: TDRL, Med retirement or retention depending on the board results. If med retirement, my pay was calculated based on a percentage of my high-three. As your percentage increases, your pay increases up to the 50% point at which it should equal whatever you would receive in retirement.

You can receive concurrently, and if your disabilities were incurred while in combat, you can receive both VA and DoD pay with out the off-set to either of your choice. The reason you've found so many different responses is because each case is unique and each service handles them slightly differently. Bottom line: if you are MEB'd, get assistance. If you are returned TDRL or profiled for CONUS only, you can most likely get your 20 if you can still perform the duties of your assignment. If you are determined unfit for continued service, with assistance, fight for the highest percentage you can get, and use your appeals to get there. If nothing else, the appeal process will add to your years in service. Just my opinion. Decide what you want, then find the regs/paths to get it.