New Choice- IDES v. Legacy?

​As of March 2017, it appears that the various DOD services are offering their members the choice of participating in the IDES or legacy PEB systems.  For active duty service members, the IDES process combining VA and DOD ratings is usually the best option. While the legacy system is quicker, the disability percentages assigned by DOD adjudicators are much less predictable than those assigned by the VA Rating Activities.  For reservists of Guardsmen with existing VA ratings that they do not wish to have reopened and that are also the focus of their current medical boards, the legacy system may be the way to go.  However, this decision should not be made lightly and every member should consult with either an MEB counsel or a civilian counsel with ample experience in this area.