Mike LoGrande, President of the DOD Disability Board of Review offered a startling overview of the Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) findings.
He revealed that 56 percent of the cases reviewed under the congressionally mandated program were recommended for an upgrade to disability retirement. Further, 85 percent of those cases involving medically separated veterans with a history of combat were upgraded.
There was some evidence that Physical Evaluation Boards (PEB), charged with assigning disability evaluations to service members awaiting medical separation, were using a modified set of rules and not the VA rating schedule, to suppress evaluations. Veterans who were medically discharged from September 11, 2001 through December 31, 2009, should consider applying for a review of their evaluation. Under PDRB rules, evaluations are either confirmed or increased, never reduced, so veterans have nothing to lose by seeking a review.
More information can be found at: http://www.health.mil/About_MHS/Organizations/MHS_Offices_and_Programs/pdbr.aspx
2 Comments
The suppression of ratings should be thoroughly investigated. If confirmed, those responsible should be removed and disciplined. Those whom they vicitimized should have their cases reviewed by unbiased boards, have their status upgraded as appropriate, and be awarded retroactive benefits they were improperly denied.
I have an appeal going through the PDBR right now. I was medically separated in 2005 after 12 and a half years on active duty in the Navy. I was given a 20% rating (30% is required to be medically retired)and given severance pay. I found out after getting out and getting disability from the VA that I have to pay the severance pay back to the government because they consider getting severance pay from the military and disability pay from the VA as “double dipping”. After doing some research, I found that, even though I suffer from degenerative disc disease in my back and degenerative joint disease in both knees, the “VA code” the military used for my PEB was for “lower back strain”.
Here’s the kicker. I submitted my package in March 2010. It was sent to the board in October 2010. It is currently in the initial review phase. I was told last week that it will be another year to 18 months AT LEAST until the board finishes with my appeal. So, I’m looking at a 3 year wait on an appeal that can be life-changing. If I’m medically retired, my family and me would have health coverage through TRICARE, we would have base privileges, among other benefits.
I’ve contacted both of my Senators to find out why the board is taking so long to make decisions that can change veterans’ lives.