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Why You Must Update your PEB Case File on a Regular Basis
Many of you are laboring under the mistaken belief that your PEBLO or your servicing clinic administrator will constantly update your case file as your IDES or legacy case is being processed for adjudication. Nothing could be further from the truth, especially if you see civilian specialty providers whose records are not readily available on […]
When to Hire Outside Counsel
For civilian counsel to truly make a difference in your IDES or legacy PEB case, it is critical to hire them as soon as possible after your medical board is initiated. Why? Because it is essential to begin as soon as possible to develop and implement a game plan to achieve your goals. This means […]
Why You Should Have Your Own Providers Complete VA DBQ Forms Prior to a TDRL Exam
If you have been placed on the TDRL at the end of your PEB case, then it is imperative that you keep up with your medical care until you have achieved a satisfactory result upon review. For psychiatric conditions, this means attending therapy at least twice per month and medication management on at least a […]
Why Nonmedical Evidence is Vital to Winning Your Case
Most people underestimate the importance of nonmedical evidence in building a winning case at formal hearings. In my last ten formal hearings in 2017, nonmedical evidence corroborating the work/duty limitations from which my clients suffered made the difference in winning every case. You see, it is not enough to simply illustrate your symptoms through your […]
DA-7652: Why This Form is the Key to Winning Your Army IDES Case
Time and time again, I come across prospective Army clients who are dissatisfied with their IPEB findings and wonder why various conditions were not found separately unfitting. They often comment that the drafters of their MEB Narrative Summary found the conditions to be service-disqualifying, but the IPEB did not. Invariably, it is because the soldiers […]
Preparing for PTSD Review Exams while on the TDRL
If you have been placed on the TDRL for PTSD, you may expect to be subject to a review exam within the first six months after your retirement. To remain on the TDRL or be permanently retired, it is imperative that you can demonstrate that you are being seen on a regular basis by a […]
Idiopathic Hypersomnia- the Poor Man’s Narcolepsy
If you have been diagnosed with idiopathic hypersomnia, you may expect to be found Fit in the PEB process unless you can demonstrate how often during the work day you experience sleepiness or staring off into space that can be rated by analogy to narcolepsy. You see, there is no VA rating code for idiopathic […]
Why You Should Scan Your Medical Record into an Adobe Acrobat PDF Format
Whether you are being processed through an IDES or legacy-base system, there are several reasons why I highly recommend obtaining a complete copy of your medical records and scanning them into an Adobe Acrobat PDF format. First, it provides you a copy to upload to a Google Drive or Dropbox to share with counsel reviewing […]
Key Tip for PHS Officers
If you are a PHS officer who is being referred for a fit for duty evaluation by the Medical Affairs Branch (“MAB”), it would be wise to have each of your medical care providers complete VA DBQ forms for each of the conditions at issue in your case. This will provide MAB personnel with critical […]
Don’t Decline Range of Motion Testing if You Are in Pain
Why you should never refuse range of motion testing for orthopedic injuries- many persons wonder why their back, neck and orthopedic injuries are rated rather low initially by the VA Rating Activity. The answer is often a poorly performed Range of Motion assessment or declining such a test due to pain. If you are given […]
