Question for my fellow Retirees/Veterans

SFC William Swartz Jr — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 08:30:41 -0400

I just received notification from the VA that my sleep apnea was rated, after having to re-submit my medical records, and my overall rating is now at 60% for compensation. My question is, have any of my brothers or sisters on here been rated at 50% or higher for compensation and if so, do you get an additional check from VA on top of your retirement check if you retired at 20-years or more? I know there used to be the No concurrent payment thing, but if not mistaken that was changed about 10-years or so ago.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Aug 19 at 2014 8:51 AM

MSG Wade Huffman — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 08:51:56 -0400

It will take some time, but YES, you will receive both checks in full. The delay is generally with DFAS rather than the VA (believe it or not! LOL!) Your letter should state something to the effect of "your retired pay center has been informed of this decision...".

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2014 9:29 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 09:29:29 -0400

I am glad to see some info on this. I have been rated at an 80% for over a year now and still waiting on the concurrent payment and the back pay. My rating effective date is 1 Feb 2013.

Response by SFC Rocky Gannon made Aug 19 at 2014 10:16 AM

SFC Rocky Gannon — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 10:16:15 -0400

Will Yes another check on top of retirement.

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Aug 19 at 2014 1:35 PM

SGT Thomas Lucken — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 13:35:15 -0400

I reapplied to VA back in March. Almost 6 months into my claim, it still says Under Review... With no completion date!!!!! I am stuck going through the Chicago Regional Office. Sent a letter to the VFW Service Officer up there 2 days ago. Hopefully get some idea soon.

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Aug 19 at 2014 2:23 PM

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 14:23:05 -0400

I am not retired but received a 70% rating. Got the back pay check without any notice, the check showed up and then a week later the decision showed up.
Back pay was only 14 months, which was the time it took from my first ever claim to the payout, since then the monthly checks are sent direct debit to my Stateside account.
NOTE: Since I live overseas, there is a special POC for VA Overseas Vets and they are less swamped as regional offices and sit in a building with the VFW and DAV, who both had a mandate for my case.
After all the horror stories I heard, I was so surprised at the professional, timely and thorough service and the super friendly helpful people I spoke to on the phone on many occasion. I can only speak highly of the VA in Pittsburgh.

Response by SSG Jeffrey Spencer made Aug 19 at 2014 3:50 PM

SSG Jeffrey Spencer — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 15:50:09 -0400

The VA has stalled on my rating for over 7 years now. I got rated 10% for hearing, but my main issue is with my knees. They have punted every time and I'm on my last appeal. That alone has been pending 3 years.

Response by LTC Donald (Don) Bachler made Aug 19 at 2014 5:20 PM

LTC Donald (Don) Bachler — Tue, 19 Aug 2014 17:20:46 -0400

I was just rated at 50% You do get concurrent receipt at the 50% point. I get two monthly payments - one from DFAS and one from VA. I did receive back pay from both the VA and DFAS. The payment took a couple of months to receive.

P.S. Over 50% also means that you can be treated by the VA for all health care, not just service-connected issues.

Response by SGT Thomas Lucken made Aug 20 at 2014 6:05 AM

SGT Thomas Lucken — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 06:05:24 -0400

Seem to evade questions on way claims so long! Considering a while back, the POTUS said they were going to improve the process!!!! When and what century..... I wasn't to impress with the meeting to be honest! I damn sure didn't walk out with that ol' warm fuzzy feeling!!!!!!

Congressman John Shimkus, Veterans Advisory Committee Meeting August 19, 2014 Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5694 Highland, IL

12th District members in picture. Front row from the right Congressman John Shimkus, Al Luehm 12th District Commander, VFW Post 5694 Commander Paul Kustermann, Tom Miller, Past 12th Dist. Cmdr. Kate Broadhurst, 12th District Adjutant Jack Fessler, Jim Causey, Past State Commander Russ Rieke Sr.

Back row, right to left Maurice Niehaus, Post 9770 Sr. Vice Cmdr. Tom Lucken, Post 5694 Chaplin Tony Haislar, Troy Huddle, Brett Leman, Post 5694 Quartermaster Dave Kampwerth, Post 976 Commander Tony Avers.

Thank You, Allen J. Luehm 12th Dist. Cmdr.

Response by CWO2 Edward Waldrop made Aug 27 at 2014 12:45 PM

CWO2 Edward Waldrop — Wed, 27 Aug 2014 12:45:28 -0400

my rating is 60% as well, 24 years of service. I do get a retirement check and disability payment. The disability payment is also tax exempt.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Oct 4 at 2014 9:38 PM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 21:38:10 -0400

SFC William Swartz Jr.,

If you served 20 years or more and are eligible to draw a retirement check from DFAS and you receive a VA disability rating of 50% or more, you SHOULD be eligible for Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP). SO short answer, yes.

If you are a medical (Chapter 61) retiree and you are eligible to draw pay from DFAS plus have a VA disabled condition rated at 10% or more which is Combat Related, then you may be eligible for Combat Related Special Compensation (CRSC).

CRDP is almost always a better solution. When CRDP was phased in, you received a percentage increase over time until you were receiving full concurrent receipt of both DFAS and VA payments.

See http://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/disability/crdp.html for additional information on CRDP.

Hope this helps,

SFC Joseph M. Finck USA (Ret)

Concurrent Retirement Disability Pay

Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) allows military retirees to receive both military retired pay and Veterans Affairs (VA) compensation.

Response by Cpl Joshua Wehrman made Oct 23 at 2014 8:46 AM

Cpl Joshua Wehrman — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 08:46:06 -0400

I am shocked at some of these responses, I knew the va was kinda screwed but wow! I feel lucky I was rated while still in, I am on TDRL after 5y3m of service I was rated 70% va and 50% dod and have gone from active to retirement with very few hiccups when seeing the big picture. I hope you all keep your heads up and keep fighting the fight just don't give up

Response by SMSgt Travis Armstrong made Dec 23 at 2014 4:09 PM

SMSgt Travis Armstrong — Tue, 23 Dec 2014 16:09:03 -0500

Yes, you will receive both as others have mentioned. DFAS will have to do an audit of your retired pay account before your retired pay starts back. DFAS finished mine in about a month and a half. However, I did call DFAS every two weeks so it would not fall through the cracks.