Author Archives: John Gately
VA Updates Musculoskeletal Ratings
On February 7, 2021, the VA updated the musculoskeletal rating criteria to include clear definitions for compartment syndrome and rhabdomyolysis, amongst other musculoskeletal conditions. To see how these rating changes may affect you, please click on the attached link to the electronic CFR: https://tinyurl.com/1m3tka0h
Amazing Army Discharge Review Board Class Action Settlement
As part of a class action settlement on December 28, 2020, the Army will begin an automatic review of Discharge Review Board decisions from April 17, 2011, to the date of the settlement that denied relief to thousands of veterans affected by military sexual trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other behavioral health conditions. In addition, […]
[New Version] Unique Army Board for Injured Soldiers Separated without Disability Pay
The Army Physical Disability Review Board is a unique board that exists to review the petitions of soldiers who were separated or retired for conditions constituting a physical disability for which they did not receive disability retired or severance pay. If you were separated or retired within the last 15 years due to medical reasons […]
When the Air Force IRILO Recommends a Full MEB
For Air Force members going through an MEB, the first step is always the Informal Review in Lieu Of (“IRILO”) review by AFPC. If this review recommends a full MEB, things just became real- you must now decide what your goals would be in the full MEB process and how realistic they may be. If […]
VA Resources to Help with COVID Impact on PTSD
It should come as no surprise to any of us that the current reliance on telehealth and the need for significant travel restrictions/safety precautions limiting access to PTSD providers and resources would adversely impact veterans with trauma-related stressor disorders. However, the VA does have two great mobile apps- PTSD Coach and COVID Coach- that could […]
Key Tips for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Cases
If you are being processed for an MEB/PEB for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (“CRPS”), there are some key tips that I would like to share with you. First, CRPS is typically rated by analogy to neuralgia of the affected nerve. Some pain specialists and neurologists tend to draft NarSums that only mention the nerve they […]
Update to Navy PEB Procedural Forms
A few weeks ago, the Navy PEB updated its procedural forms for formal PEB hearings, In order to ensure that you and your counsel have the latest procedural forms needed for your hearing, be sure to either visit the CORB website or download them from the attachment that I have provided below. 2018 New Acknowledgement […]
President-directed Navy IPEB Findings
If your Navy case is pending a formal hearing and has been well-developed by you and your counsel, then you should consider submitting your formal hearing brief and supporting exhibits to the President of the PEB and asking for a directed IPEB finding. This term is actually the functional equivalent of the formal reconsideration process […]
Major Changes to Navy TDRL Review Process
A few days ago, PERS-95- the entity that manages the TDRL process for the Navy- reached out to thousands of sailors on the TDRL by e-mail to describe how cases will be processed during the pandemic. First, members on the TDRL are expected to provide updated contact information as soon as possible to PERS-95 via […]
