Comments on military disability and the time it takes

2015-01-29T12:57:28-05:00

If you file for military disability I understand it could take several years to get it, I think this is unfair to those who severed and their should be a better way of doing this. What's your opinion?

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Jan 29 at 2015 1:23 PM

2015-01-29T13:23:08-05:00

I retired in 2011 and was essentially like a deer in the headlights when I even thought of starting a claim based on everything I heard. Last year, in June, I finally made a point of working through whatever hurdles may come up - at least it would finally be started.

It did take awhile, from the beginning of the claim through the review of my records and any tests or X Rays and physicals. My claim was fairly straightforward, but yes, it still took the better part of a year for the VA to decide on my claim.

As of today, I received my first VA payment. Since I'm at a 40 percent, I receive a reduced amount from my regular retired pay and the VA sends me the difference tax free, but it still equals what I was receiving from DFAS.

Response by SSG Thomas McBriarty made Jan 29 at 2015 1:27 PM

2015-01-29T13:27:17-05:00

I agree it does take too dam long. On the bright side it is all tax free and back dated to the day you put in for the claim. M buddy got 25 grand back pay.

Response by MSgt Garrick Hill made Apr 14 at 2015 1:01 PM

2015-04-14T13:01:38-04:00

I started the VA process shortly before I retired in 2013 and was awarded with my disability rating (30%) in five weeks. I was a little surprised as some others who retired around the same time as me waited close to a year if not longer.