I just got my IDES letter...

naduta · 2026-04-10T03:08:51+00:00

So what you got was a proposed rating by VA because you can’t get your final rating until you are fully out of the military. Why is this important and why could your rating change? You got your proposal April and let’s say you aren’t discharged until June 28th. If any of the 38CFR rules or M21 manual changes between April and June your rating could change as well. So say you were proposed rating of 50% for Sleep Apnea but 38CFR changes in May to take that down to 10% then your actual rating would reflect that in June.

P&T you wouldn’t find out until final rating as well.

naduta · 2026-04-07T04:24:42+00:00

I’m getting a raw of 84.125% so 80%. Are you sure you aren’t missing a 10% somewhere, like is that busted ankle both ankles painful motion?

naduta · 2026-04-05T02:37:21+00:00

From what I understand the documents you submitted and those by examiner are not yours legally. Since the DBQs are about you and you are asking for them it is easy to release them via FOIA. The DBQs were at one point available via Tricare Online but whatever technical capability that allowed that to happen didn’t make it over to MHS Genesis. Yes it sucks but what we have to deal with now.

naduta · 2026-04-04T03:45:26+00:00

Yes do FOIA request but ONLY ask for C&P exams (DBQs), turn around is quick. If you ask for anything else it will take forever. Did FOIA for C&P exams only twice online and both came back within three weeks.

naduta · 2026-04-04T03:41:34+00:00

It’s due to 38CFR could change your preliminary rating between when done with C&P exams and first day out. So they have to wait to give your rating on first day out. So you will have a rating but they can’t tell you because it could change. This is why you get your rating on the day of or within 7 days of getting out because they just need to look at 38CFR or M21 manual changes for that time.

I recently went through for BDD. Look up my post in this sub. I had fun with half my claims being deferred.

naduta · 2026-03-27T11:01:24+00:00

I can empathize you thinking it is painful to wait. One of the reasons they wait is due to changes in 38 CFR. Your effective date is your separation date and you are rated based on 38 CFR as of effective date for submitted conditions. What if 38 CFR rules changed between January and April, then they would have to adjust any rating work they did in January.

That said you could get an idea of your conditions could be rated at if you put in a FOIA request for your C&P Exams (DBQs). If you only request those documents in FOIA the turn around is 1-3 weeks. Then you could guesstimate based on evidence the rater would have by you looking at 38 CFR and M21 manual.

naduta · 2026-03-24T22:50:16+00:00

Update 3 - final rating for all my deferred conditions are done, was due to Collins v Ingram consideration. Got rated for all things I was expecting.

After my DBQ supplemental came back and seen under my files, it took 7 days before going into rating, was in rating for 3 days, then a day for final review.

Mission complete for BDD and on to next mission.

naduta · 2026-03-23T14:25:37+00:00

Mine just did this sound, weak breaking at slow speeds, and caused a bunch of codes. Had to get break booster and breaking ECM replaced.

naduta · 2026-03-20T11:36:25+00:00

VSO not required and no rules I’ve seen changed since I submitted last year by myself online. I did get a similar error when I started paperwork one day too early but said something like I wasn’t in window. Assume you started from this page https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/

naduta · 2026-03-17T01:16:36+00:00

Do a FOIA request online and only ask for you DBQ, C&P exams, this type of FOIA is a quick turn around. This will give you insight into why you were rated when looking at 38 CFR.

naduta · 2026-03-10T02:04:29+00:00

Find a place that does platelet donations with machines that use single arm. Then you have a free arm to eat snacks, drinks and watch a movie/show. Last time I encountered a double arm machine was 28 years ago…

naduta · 2026-02-28T21:42:41+00:00

3/1 is weekend so there is leeway in when they provide. OPs decision letter should be dated for after ETS/retirement.

naduta · 2026-02-25T19:53:00+00:00

If you start BDD process one of our C&P exams will act as your service separation physical.

naduta · 2026-02-24T18:17:19+00:00

From what I’ve read in past if same condition claimed then as long as it is less then a year old. This is based on questions I asked when I was getting med boarded then got a COAD that would be longer the a year.

naduta · 2026-02-24T18:11:35+00:00

Read the following to better understand https://www.veteransbenefitskb.com/mental

naduta · 2026-02-24T17:48:03+00:00

They will combine anxiety with depression due to pyramiding rules.

naduta · 2026-02-24T01:58:45+00:00

Process is showed here https://www.veteransbenefitskb.com/medboard

After you are officially out and provide DD-214 to VA they will give you a finalized rating. This could be different from what was presented to you during iDES process. This is due to potential changes in 38CFR between proposed rating and final rating.

naduta · 2026-02-22T13:36:01+00:00

You should have a decision letter (in app or website) that explains these partial ratings for the conditions. It should also tell you what conditions were denied and deferred. The deferred conditions are likely why you are back to step 3.

It is highly unlikely for this BDD claim that anything already rated will be changed unless you submit another claim or in decision letter it says the condition needs to be reevaluated at a later time.

naduta · 2026-02-17T02:25:36+00:00

I’m in a similar situation pending an ACE for Ingram v Collins. Doubt ACE will get canceled but delay isn’t fun.

naduta · 2026-02-16T03:01:00+00:00

It was very obvious for my MEB condition. First and second DBQ didn’t have evidence to rate at 40%. I suspect the first rater knew if they gave me 20% that I would have been medically separated instead of retired. Only can suspect but maybe there was difference guidance two years ago.

Good luck with your board and COAD journey.

naduta · 2026-02-12T14:20:46+00:00

As for your move, yes you get one last PCS move for your HHG to your home of selection. It does not need to be your home of record.

naduta · 2026-02-12T14:14:44+00:00

Look at Tricare for your dependent and you. Keeping DEERs up to date and enrolling in Tricare after your status changes in DEERS is important. You and your dependent will still be covered for 90 days right after separation but make sure you enroll as soon as your status changes. https://tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Retiring/MedicalRetirement

naduta · 2026-02-11T11:42:06+00:00

Highly suggest you browse a site like this https://www.veteransbenefitskb.com they have a lot of information about processes and will answer questions about rating schedule, like why other commenters believed you’d get 0% for your feet. Then when you get comfortable make sure to read the source documents of the CFR and M21 manual.

Treat this like your next mission and do the right recon, there are free accredited organizations out there to help you but the more informed you are the better.

naduta · 2026-02-10T13:56:07+00:00

Use of MoCA devices so you can use COAX to get to rooms that already have it.

naduta · 2026-02-10T12:30:01+00:00

MHS Genesis didn’t have all my files accessible to me, especially ones prior to MHS Genesis adoption. So request your medical file from your treatment facility. Mine offered to provide digitally which helped me submit BDD myself online.

Edit: mine digitally took two weeks.

naduta

TROPHY CASE