Air Force Office of Disability Counsel

Air Force Office of Disability Counsel Toll Free: 1-855-MEB-JAGS (632-5247)

The Office of Disability Counsel delivers prompt, professional, independent legal counsel to fit, ready warriors determined to return to the mission and to ill, injured, and wounded Airmen and Guardians facing medical separation from military service.

Happy holidays from the Office of Disability Counsel!
12/16/2024

Happy holidays from the Office of Disability Counsel!

The Office of Disability Counsel cares about the local community and the planet too! Great turnout for the Adopt a Spot ...
11/14/2024

The Office of Disability Counsel cares about the local community and the planet too! Great turnout for the Adopt a Spot Cleanup.

Maj Johns and Ms. Papion showing up to support the Air Force Wounded Warrior breakfast
11/14/2024

Maj Johns and Ms. Papion showing up to support the Air Force Wounded Warrior breakfast

Honoring our veterans is at the heart of what we do at the Office of Disability Counsel. We are committed to advocating ...
11/11/2024

Honoring our veterans is at the heart of what we do at the Office of Disability Counsel. We are committed to advocating for your rights, ensuring you receive the support, benefits, and resources you deserve. From active-duty service to the civilian transition, we recognize the challenges you face and are here to stand by you every step of the way.

To all our clients who have dedicated themselves in service to our nation, thank you. We are proud to work on your behalf and remain dedicated to supporting your needs. Today, and every day, we honor your courage, resilience, and sacrifice! 🇺🇸

Welcome home to an incredible ODC attorney! After six months of an overseas deployment, Capt Murdock is finally back, an...
10/15/2024

Welcome home to an incredible ODC attorney! After six months of an overseas deployment, Capt Murdock is finally back, and the reunion was truly heartwarming. Leadership, coworkers, family, and friends gathered at the airport with smiles and hugs to welcome her home. We are deeply grateful for her service and sacrifice! 🇺🇸

The ODC would like to congratulate our team members on their recent selections/promotions: Major Mishima-Baker, Major Se...
08/30/2024

The ODC would like to congratulate our team members on their recent selections/promotions: Major Mishima-Baker, Major Select Morton, TSgt Morales, TSgt Boles-Carter, and SSgt Select Tabita! We would also like to extend special recognition to our boss, Lt Col Epstein, on his promotion to Colonel.

Sir, your guidance and support continue to shape us, and we are immensely proud to serve under your leadership. We look forward to the future successes of both you and our newly selected/promoted team members!

After two unforgettable years at the ODC, including a deployment to Qatar, our dearest Maj Delice has PCSed to pursue a ...
08/15/2024

After two unforgettable years at the ODC, including a deployment to Qatar, our dearest Maj Delice has PCSed to pursue a Masters of Law in Labor Law—an achievement that reflects her dedication and hard work.

Your leadership and unwavering commitment to both the ODC and your clients have inspired us all. You've set a standard of excellence that will be remembered for years to come. You will be deeply missed, and we wish you nothing but the very best as you embark on this exciting new chapter of your life. Thank you for everything!

The Question and Answer series is back, and we want to hear from you!If you have any questions you'd like addressed—whet...
08/09/2024

The Question and Answer series is back, and we want to hear from you!

If you have any questions you'd like addressed—whether about your benefits, DoD or VA ratings, or other concerns—please let us know. We may feature your question in our next post.

One question we receive very frequently is:

Question: I've been placed on the Temporary Disability Retirement List (TDRL) due to a mental disorder, but I want to be permanently retired. Is this allowed?

Answer: It depends. In most cases involving a mental disorder, you MUST be placed on the TDRL. By law, if you opted for the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) and the VA applied § 4.129 for Mental Disorders, TDRL placement is mandatory. The Air Force Informal Physical Evaluation Board may also apply this statute if the VA does not.

Legal Basis: 38 CFR § 4.129 mandates that when a mental disorder from a traumatic service event results in discharge, a minimum 50% evaluation is assigned, with a mandatory re-evaluation within six months.

Note: If you have 20 or more years of service, you may choose retirement based on your length of service instead of the TDRL.

If you have any questions about your placement on the TDRL, please contact the ODC at 210-565-0739 or [email protected].

We said goodbye today to one of our beloved paralegals who will soon be making his way to a new duty station. His depart...
07/27/2024

We said goodbye today to one of our beloved paralegals who will soon be making his way to a new duty station. His departure leaves a significant void in our team.

Thank you, TSgt OG, for dedicating the past three years to the ODC and its clients. Your presence has made a profound impact on all of us, both professionally and personally. While our loss is great, your new office is gaining a remarkable asset. Best wishes on your new journey! You will be deeply missed.

Today, we celebrated one of the newest members of our ODC family as she eagerly awaits the arrival of her baby boy! Wish...
07/26/2024

Today, we celebrated one of the newest members of our ODC family as she eagerly awaits the arrival of her baby boy! Wishing her and her family a smooth and blessed transition as they grow from a family of three to a family of four. 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒

Happy Fourth of July from the Office of Disability Counsel! 🇺🇸Enjoy a day of celebration, freedom, and fun with your lov...
07/04/2024

Happy Fourth of July from the Office of Disability Counsel! 🇺🇸

Enjoy a day of celebration, freedom, and fun with your loved ones. Stay safe and have a joyful holiday filled with fireworks! 🎆 🎇

Q: What steps can I take if I believe the military isn't considering one of my conditions for a MedBoard early in the pr...
06/07/2024

Q: What steps can I take if I believe the military isn't considering one of my conditions for a MedBoard early in the process?

A: Not all medical conditions automatically result in a member being deemed unfit for duty. The determination of whether a condition is considered "unfitting" is made by Medical Standards (AFPC/DPMNR).

A condition is considered unfitting if it:

(1) Prevents you from reasonably performing the duties of your office, grade, rank, or rating;
(2) Represents an obvious medical risk to your health or other members; or
(3) Imposes unreasonable requirements on the military to maintain or protect you.

If you believe a condition you are experiencing should be deemed unfit, you can take several actions following your MEB findings:

(1) Request an Impartial Medical Review (IMR): This involves an impartial healthcare professional, independent of the MEB, to review the MEB findings and recommendations. After the IMR, you still have the option to submit a Rebuttal Letter to the MEB, requesting reconsideration of other conditions.
(2) Submit a Rebuttal to your Medical Evaluation Board Report (AF Form 618): This allows you to request reconsideration of the condition.
(3) If these steps don't yield the desired outcome, you can pursue adding the condition through the Formal Physical Evaluation Board (FPEB).

Please contact the ODC at 210-565-0739 or [email protected] before taking any of these actions, as each option carries its own set of advantages and drawbacks.

Address

555 E Street West, Building 663
Randolph Afb, TX
78150

Telephone

+18556325247

Website

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