Just like the Air Force and the Navy, your Army Physical Evaluation Board- also called the Army PEB- process begins with the members of the Informal Panel conducting a paper review of your MEB, your Commander’s Letter and any other documents accompanying your package

When you receive the findings of the Informal Panel- also known as the IPEB, you will make an election of rights as to whether you concur (agree) or non-concur (disagree) with the initial findings. If you disagree, then we will draft and submit a written rebuttal outlining what we are seeking and why the evidence supports our request. Some clients always ask me whether they need to appear in person for a formal hearing. The answer is yes, yes and yes again. Army hearing panel members at the Formal Panel- known as the FPEB, really do need to see you and hear from you as to how your injuries affect your ability to perform your duties.

Not to worry, before you appear before them, we will have fully developed every aspect of your testimony and the supporting evidence so that there will be no question that any panel members or I ask that you cannot answer in a clear, honest and convincing manner.

If we have to rebut the findings of a formal panel held at Walter Reed, Fort Lewis or Fort Sam Houston, any and all levels of appeal through the U.S. Army Physical Disability Agency and the Army Board of Corrections for Military Records- known as the ABCMR,- are covered as part of your fee agreement. No hidden costs, no surprises.

Some lawyers will bend your ear trying to convince you that they know how to handle Army PEB cases, but I think that you would rather hear from one of my clients:

“When Jack Gately won my case and I was placed on the TDRL, my parents never expected that he would stand by me and help me with VA, Tricare and TDRL issues for the next five years! Without Jack, I would never have received approval for my jaw replacement and more than $500,000 in costly reconstructive surgery. When it came time to finalize my case, he convinced the Formal Panel to double my initial disability rating! With Jack on my side, I knew that I was never alone and that there was always a light at the end of the tunnel. If you work with Jack Gately, you soon find that you do not simply have a lawyer, you have a friend for life." 1LT Megan Standish, USA (ret.), mp_chic31@yahoo.com