What I heard from a VZW guy is that this is specifically an issue related to a tower software upgrade for newer towers AND later-model WM6.1 760's. In their mind it is easier to swap out the 760 than do anything to the towers.

I have an original 760 purchased on retail day 1 that was upgraded to WM6.1 and functions fine across the country. I have other hardware issues that have forced a replacement, but not the MEID thing.