FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
The Medical Evaluation Board process has been renamed as the Integrated Disability Evaluation System, and revised to combine combines the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs disability claim processes.
Prior to this revision, when Soldiers became ill or injured, they would go through the MEB process to determine if they are fit to serve and later file a claim with Veterans Affairs. Now, they are able to file their claim with the VA while being evaluated by the Army.
Another change to the former process was the addition of the Medical Evaluation Board Counsel. Soldiers in the MEB process now have access to an attorney to assist them in understanding the MEB process, and their basic rights as they go through it. In the past, Soldiers only had access to counsel when, or if, they elected a formal appearance before the Physical Evaluation Board, which is where the fit or unfit determination is made.
Nicholas Maurer, the MEB Attorney, and Patrice Jones, MEB Para-legal, assist service members in understanding the Narrative Summary, in addition to the ratings they receive from the Army and VA. Maurer also offers guidance as to how to gather appropriate medical evidence that may not ordinarily be considered in a case.
The MEBC office here at Fort Eustis provides support to Fort Lee, JEBLC-FS (Ft Story), all outlying Army units in the Hampton Roads area, and the Reservist and National Guardsmen assigned to Virginia's Community-Based Warrior Transition Unit. The CBWTU functions as a WTU for Soldiers who receive medical care in their hometown.
The MEBC is co-located with the Physical Evaluation Board Liaison Officers in building 579 on Jefferson Avenue. They can be reached via telephone at (757) 314-7740 or (757) 314-7729.