How do you determine the amount of disability pay a veteran will receive when transitioning out of the military?

RallyPoint Shared Content — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 14:38:58 -0400

Transitioning comes with a lot of unknowns and there are several options when it comes to sorting out disability pay. What is the best advice when it comes to maneuvering this process?

Response by SFC Edward Ermey made Aug 9 at 2021 7:35 PM

SFC Edward Ermey — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 19:35:48 -0400

First you must have a physical before you leave the service and have a copy of all of your medical records. You need to see the VA rep. at your transition center, to determine if you have any compensable injuries or conditions that where occurred during your time of service. Then the VA rep can give you an estimate if you have any. If you have a combined disability from 10 to 50%, that portion will be tax exempt from retirement pay. If you are getting out without retiring, then you will possibly get a disability check based on the VA's criteria. However if you have a single injury or condition service related rated at 50% or more then you will be able to collect both your retirement check and a disability check If you are retiring. At any rate you must read and follow the governing criteria.

Response by 1SG Jacob Brannan made Aug 10 at 2021 4:00 PM

1SG Jacob Brannan — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 16:00:31 -0400

"there are several options when it comes to sorting out disability pay." What? There is only one option. You work with a VSO and they help submit your claim or you do it by yourself. You conduct your exams at the direction of the VA. You wait forever for the contracted medical facility (if you're unlucky enough to have to use one) to forward all of your DBQ's to the VA. You wait for the VA to make a claim decision. You receive notification via snail mail to let you know what the VA's decision is. You start getting paid. This is the only option and there's nothing to sort out. The VA sorts it out and you deal with it.

BLUF: If you're a transitioning service member and you're trying to calculate what your compensation will be you are wasting your time. You are also going to be in trouble if you are factoring your "calculations" into what you think your income is going to be after you transition.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Aug 10 at 2021 7:55 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 19:55:56 -0400

Get a rating from the VA. Both supposedly use the same criteria. The Army had to accept my VA rating when they failed to board me. I wound up retroactively retired

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Aug 16 at 2021 3:12 AM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 03:12:36 -0400

Thanks for the share

Response by SSgt David M. made Jun 27 at 2022 8:40 PM

SSgt David M. — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 20:40:40 -0400

I made the mistake of not making a copy of all my medical records when I left the service the first time. I had been involved in a 5 ton wrecker accident in October 1973. I had my right side slammed against the passenger door and hitting my head against the window which shattered. I had some pain but did not think long term what issues I would ever have. Fast forward to 2021 and I am out in a farm field with my metal detector. I find a grapefruit sized rock and toss it to the edge of the field. I feel a snap and shooting pain in my right shoulder and down my right arm. Again I ignore it all and move on. I wake up early most mornings and one morning in March 2022 I think that I am having a heart attack. My right arm is throbbing and the pain is shooting down my right arm. I go to my primary doctor and she suggest that I go see a orthopedic specialist, I get an appointment and finally see my orthopedic specialist for a consult. He checks to see how well I can lift my arm and reach around my back, reach up, down and all around. He suggest that I get an MRI. I get scheduled for the MRI and get the report, partial torn rotater with bone spurs and arthritis. I am now scheduled for surgery July 8th. Had I have had copies of my medical reports I could show reason to link this injury to my active duty time. I guess win some and lose some! ;-) I SALUTE All My Fellow Veterans!!! GOD Bless America!!!