how much does an army meb lawyer cost

by Alanna Pacocha 5 min read

Free 30 minute consultation $3,500.00 flat-fee for a written petition with exhibits $6,000.00 flat-fee should your case require a hearing (all costs, including attorney travel fees, are included)

Medical Evaluation Board (MEB)
Representation before the MEB is $2500.00. Retroactive Military Medical Retirement Representation for Retroactive Military Medical Retirement is $8,500.00.

Full Answer

How long does it take to get MEB in the Army?

The Army reported in 2017 that the MEB process would take about 100 days. This is going to vary, of course, from person to person with outliers on both sides of that average time. The process consists of 3 main segments as you are what most people refer to as “Med Boarded.”

What is a MEB in the military?

The Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) is a process made to determine if a service member’s long-term medical condition allows them to continue to meet medical retention standards, in compliance with military service regulations. It usually consists of two medical doctors, sometimes three if there is a mental health provider or a dentist needed.

How many years of military service do our attorneys have?

Our attorneys and staff are experienced veterans with over one hundred years of combined military service, including veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

How many doctors are in a MEB?

It usually consists of two medical doctors, sometimes three if there is a mental health provider or a dentist needed. The main objective of the MEB is to determine what conditions are medically acceptable for VA benefits.

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Can you appeal an MEB?

If you believe an unfair or inaccurate decision was made regarding your medical condition or future in the military, you can appeal an MEB/PEB decision.

How long does it take to get med boarded out of the Army?

roughly about 100 daysHow Long Will the MEB Process Last? A Timeline. On average, the MEB process takes roughly about 100 days. However, this is not definitive, meaning that some cases may take longer, while others could be resolved more quickly.

Can I fight a med board?

If you disagree with just the disability rating(s) you were given, you can appeal to the Physical Disability Board of Review (discussed below). If you have been found fit to continue serving, you may or may not be given the opportunity to have new evidence reviewed.

How do you get med boarded out of the Army?

The MEB is the first step of the medical discharge process. A service member with a medical condition that makes them unfit for duty is referred to the Medical Evaluation Board. The Board reviews their conditions and makes recommendations to the Physical Evaluation Board on which qualify as unfitting.

Is a med board an honorable discharge?

A medical discharge is typically a general discharge under honorable conditions, but the severity and circumstances under which the medical condition began can impact the type of discharge you receive.

Can you get chaptered during MEB?

It is unlikely to be chaptered out for anything during the MEB but if its a serious offense they can. MEB's usually take priority over other chapters. Especially if the issue is combat related.

What triggers an MEB?

The MEB process begins when the service member's physician refers them to the IDES because of a medical condition that is not expected to improve enough for them to return to full duty within one year.

How do I get a 100% VA rating?

If veterans are trying to get a 100 percent VA disability rating, and they do not have a 100 percent rating for any one service-connected condition, the only way to get there is to reach a combined disability rating of 95 percent or higher according to VA math.

How much do you get if you are medically retired from the military?

DoD Disability for Medical Separations All medically separated service members receive a single lump-sum severance payment for their DoD Disability. This payment is equal to 2 months of basic pay for each year of military service he gave.

What benefits do you get when medically discharged?

Members who are found medically unfit from conditions incurred in the line of duty will receive medical discharge with a lump-sum severance payment if their disability rating is determined to be less than 30% and they have not served for 20 years.

Can you rejoin the military after being medically discharged?

You are normally only eligible for reenlistment if you have an honorable discharge. All other discharges than honorable tend to have legal or court martial offenses attached to them. contains the Separation Code, which tells the reason for discharge.

What happens if you get medically separated from the military?

You will receive VA benefits if you have a medical condition related to your service. This situation may include VA monthly compensation. Also, if there are more than 20 years of service, a service member could be medically retired regardless of the rating percentage.

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Woods & Woods never charges a fee unless we win your veteran’s disability benefits claim. If you lose your claim, you don’t owe us anything. There is never a charge for the application process. We’ll foot the bill for our doctors, case managers, and lawyers to work on your case for as long as it takes.

How Much Is Our Fee?

When Woods & Woods wins your veteran’s disability claim, our fee is 20% of your back pay. Woods and Woods Veterans Disability Benefits Lawyers will never touch your future benefits. VA law allows lawyers to take up to 30% of your back pay. We take less from you so you have more in your pocket.

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If you win your claim, you are responsible for your case expenses. These are for things like doctor’s reports, expert testimony, or vocational experts. If you lose your VA Disability Benefits claim, you don’t have to pay case expenses. Woods & Woods only incurs case expenses when we feel it is truly necessary to win your claim.

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At Woods & Woods, we don’t surprise veterans and their families with hidden fees. We never ask for money upfront. Woods & Woods will never charge for a phone call. We never bill by the hour. That’s why you have nothing to lose by calling 1-866-232-5777 to ask questions or get started with your VA disability claim or appeal.

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Not sure where to start applying for Veterans Disability Benefits? We can help. There is never a fee for helping a veteran or their family through the application process.

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Woods & Woods will never charge for a Veterans Disability Benefits legal consultation. Since 1985, our law firm has been helping injured and disabled people. We have worked with thousands of veterans and their families. For your free legal consultation, fill out the online form or call toll-free (866) 232-5777.

What is the MEB Process?

The Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) is a process made to determine if a service member’s long-term medical condition allows them to continue to meet medical retention standards, in compliance with military service regulations. It usually consists of two medical doctors, sometimes three if there is a mental health provider or a dentist needed.

What is Considered Medically Acceptable by the MEB?

Traditionally, the MEB decides that conditions that do not meet the Standards of Medical Fitness are medically unacceptable for service members. That means you can’t stay enlisted or re-enlist if you don’t pass your MEB. It’s unusual for the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB) to rule a condition unfit if it is medically acceptable.

The 3-Step MEB Process Takes About 100 days

The Army reported in 2017 that the MEB process would take about 100 days. This is going to vary, of course, from person to person with outliers on both sides of that average time. The process consists of 3 main segments as you are what most people refer to as “Med Boarded.”

What to Know After the MEB Process Begins

If your condition worsens after you have begun the MEB process, you will need to provide additional documentation to your PEBLO proving it worsened. This also applies if further medical evidence, like lab results, becomes available after the process begins.

How to Appeal a PEB Decision

If you disagree with the PEB decision, you can appeal to the Formal Physical Evaluation Board (FPEB). The FPEB will review all the evidence and the PEB’s original decision. If the FPEB disagrees with the original decision, it has the right to adjust that decision at any time in the process.

How MEB Records Can Help with VA Claims

MEB records can greatly increase the chances of getting VA disability. A condition ruled medically unacceptable for service by the MEB will most likely support winning VA disability compensation. Even though we cannot help you appeal a PEB decision, we can help you file an initial VA disability claim during your time in the IDES.

Serving The Legal Needs Of Veterans And Their Families Nationwide

Those with legal needs from across the country can call on Citizen Soldier Law for advice, assistance, or a referral for a lawyer they can trust. Our attorneys and staff are experienced veterans with over one hundred years of combined military service, including veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

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Citizen Soldier Law is veteran owned and operated. We’ve been deployed, and we have personally gone through many of the issues you are now facing. That’s why we focus our practice on Servicemembers, veterans and Reserve Component brethren to strive to help them across the spectrum of their legal needs.

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Beyond military law, we’re here for veterans and others presented with legal challenges in many other aspects of life. Military or civilian, we can help you in a number of areas. We help people hurt in a car accident or slip and fall recover compensation for their personal injury caused by a negligent party.

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We know your legal needs don’t follow the calendar, and neither do we. Call anytime, and we’ll make ourselves available to you. We handle criminal defense cases throughout New Jersey, and other aspects of our practice are national in scope, including all military and disability matters.

What is the purpose of MEB?

The MEB's purpose is to review all of the service member's evidence to determine which of their medical conditions make them unfit for duty. If there is not enough evidence to decide, it is the MEB's job to request more. Once they have finished their review, the MEB submits a report to the PEB with their recommendations.

What is MEB in medical?

What is the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB)? The MEB is the first step of the medical discharge process. A service member with a medical condition that makes them unfit for duty is referred to the Medical Evaluation Board. The Board reviews their conditions and makes recommendations to the Physical Evaluation Board on which qualify as unfitting.

What is the medical evaluation board?

The Medical Evaluation Board. When a service member has a medical condition that may make them Unfit for Duty, they are referred to the Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) and enters the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES). The Medical Evaluation Board is Step 4 of the IDES. Each military installation with a medical facility has its own ...

How many doctors are on a medical evaluation board?

There is no fixed number of people who can sit on a Medical Evaluation Board, but Medical Evaluation Boards normally consist of 2 physicians. A third specialist physician is required for psychiatric and dental conditions. When a service member is referred to the Medical Evaluation Board, they submit evidence of their conditions, ...

Is it unusual for a PEB to rule a medically unacceptable condition to be fitting?

While it is very unusual for the PEB to rule a medically acceptable condition to be unfitting, it is not at all unusual for the PEB to rule a medically unacceptable condition to be fitting. The MEB looks only at the Standards of Medical Fitness that are in place. The PEB, however, looks at exactly how the condition actually affects ...

What is a DRB in the military?

You can apply to the Discharge Review Board (DRB) of your branch of the service for a discharge upgrade or a change in the discharge reason (that is, character of service). Each service branch has its own DRB, which is tasked with evaluating discharge upgrade requests.

What is the burden of a veteran to prove that an upgrade is warranted?

When requesting an upgrade, the burden is on the discharged veteran to prove that an upgrade is warranted. To get your discharge upgraded or your character of service changed , you will need to demonstrate that your discharge was either “improper” or “inequitable.”.

What is an honorable discharge?

An Honorable Discharge is the highest-level of discharge that a service member can obtain. It reflects a service member who has served with distinction. Those who receive an Honorable Discharge will receive all rights and benefits afforded to veterans. General, Under Honorable Conditions.

How long does it take to get a discharge upgrade?

The discharge upgrade process is not quick. In fact, most discharge cases take between several months to 24 months to complete. Unfortunately, even if you hire a discharge upgrade lawyer, your case will still take this long to process. This is because all boards currently have significant backlogs.

What does it mean to be discharged with a general under honorable conditions?

A person discharged with a General, Under Honorable Conditions discharge will be seen by employers as having potential problems with discipline and conduct. Thus, most employers would look upon an individual with a General discharge less than favorably.

How long does it take to get veterans records?

Obtaining the records may take weeks, or even months in some cases. In practice, often a second request for records may be necessary if the service fails to provide complete records.

Can you upgrade to a general?

Even in those scenarios where it is only possible to upgrade you to a General (as opposed to an Honorable), however, it is important to keep in mind that there are many benefits that you can obtain with a General that you cannot otherwise receive with an OTH, as can be seen on the Benefits at Separation Chart.

How many years of active duty do you have to be in the military to receive severance pay?

Military members who are involuntarily separated from the military may be entitled to involuntary separation pay (severance pay). To be eligible, a military member must have six or more years of active duty, and less than 20 years.

Can you get full pay in the military?

A member may receive full or half pay depending upon the circumstances: Full Pay - To qualify for full pay, the member must be involuntarily separated, be fully qualified for retention and the service must be characterized as "Honorable.".

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