Va Disability Forum

[Da-Chief]

Created for folks involved with this Archaic system or getting ready to use it..

I will be your Moderator here..

Post a question I will try to get you a answer..

Thanks!

Da-Chief

[DeeDee]

Very good idea - i'm sure there are lots of people with questions about what to do

[HM1(SW/AW)]

I am waiting to see what my percentage will be. They said it normally takes about 30 to 45 days to get it after last day in the service.

[flynavy]

Excuse my ignorance here but : can you retire at 20 and receive disability in addition to your normal retirement? If so when someone says "you will have 50% disability."; what does that mean monetarily?

Thanks.

[Da-Chief]

Flynavy,
This is a very interesting question you ask..

I myself am rated @ 80%. I receive my retirement check and a portion of my Disability as well. Before 2004, You could only receive "1" but mixed..

Before 2004, say I were to get 1000.00 a month for my retirement, 800 of it would be covered under the VA and be "NON-TAXABLE" 200 of which would be.

After 2004, if you were rated at 30 percent or more, they would start paying you both but at percentage rate to be 100% in 2014.

I.e in 2014 I would get My full 1000.00 from the Navy, and then the VA would pay 800 so I would have a total of 1800.00.. this is called "CONCURRENT RECEIPT.

You can read more about it here..:

http://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay/retired-pay/retired-concurrent-receipt-overview

Hope this helps..

D/C

[flynavy]

Thanks I really appreciate it.

[flynavy]

I'm still trying to grasp this. So you are categorized at 80% disabled and retired at 20 years. You now receive your full retirement plus an extra: roughly $2000 a month tax free? That sounds almost to good to be true.

I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea a couple of years ago. I feel great and sleep with a thing called an "oral appliance" that displaces my jaw and prevents the apnic episodes. I was told that this made me "50% disabled," which I found odd as the Navy continues to let me fly aircraft.

If I read this system correctly I would be financially foolish to stay in beyond 20 even though I love what I do. Any thoughts Chief.

[HM1(SW/AW)]

I received a letter stating that my disability rating will be 80% and that if I have any objections to call or mail the VA about them.

I don't know when I will start to receive my disability amount yet though.