I'm getting a little confused. I'm hearing that after I retire I can get at least 50% for sleep apnea. Do I get this money as well as my retirement pension or is my pension ofsetted by this 50%. I know this probably sound crazy but I never really looked into the retirement benefits until now. I have 22 plus and I'm considering tossing in the towel. My wife is also coming up on retirement (less than 60 days) should she start contacting the VA now or wait. Thanks for any response

I'm confused too.. Your profile says your name is Joe Dirt, and you are
"Air Force , Retired Military
E-9, Chief"

Care to elaborate?

Wray..

Other then the issues of your profile, which doesn't say the same as your post would indicate (but isn't my business...) I would expect an Air Force E9 to be very knowledgeable however.

You must apply with the Veteran's Administration for service connected disabilities. If you file within 2 years of retiring it takes less time to process your claim (although figure at least 1 year) for disability.

How much of a rating will you get for certain disabilities depends on the severity of those disabilities, the interpretation of them by the VA Rating Official, and "the luck of the draw"! Step one: make two photocopies of your entire medical record...never, ever, give the VA both copies; always keep one copy...you'd be surprised how many military medical records "get lost" within the VA System...

Then pick and chose a Service Representative. Someone from DAV, VVofAmerica, American Legion, VFW; they have Veteran Service Officers at VA Clinics, Hospitals, and usually in proximiaty to Regional Offices. These Service Organizations, for no fee what so ever, help the veteran submit their claim and act as an authorized agent for the veteran - and are recognized by the VA to do so...believe me, you want a VSO to help you. Attend TAPS they will give you all the information you ask for. Do not waste a moment getting going on your claim. If it is documented, and is deemed to be service connected, you can recieve a disability rating for it. Don't be surprised (if you get multiple disabilities) if your award percentages add up over 100% and they rate you less then 100%. The percentages are not totaled; there is a formula that is used to adjust them. You may get 50% for apnea, 30% for Coronary Artery Disease, 20% for bad knees, 20% for bad back and neck, but only be 75% overall...

I don't know (other then reading some posts here that several people have said they got 50% for apnea) who told you what you would get - you have to apply...

quote:

Originally posted by Nobodyaskedmebut:
... If you file within 2 years of retiring it takes less time to process your claim (although figure at least 1 year) for disability ...

Not sure if you still can, but when I retired in 2000 I submitted my claim to the VA right after I had my retirement/VA disability physical. The active duty files are acted on ahead of retirees or other veterans. The decision was made while I was still on active duty, but they couldn't tell me the answers until my retirement date went into effect, and the $ were as of Oct 1, 2000, my retirement date.

You will have to read up on concurrent receipt to see how the disability offsets your retired pay ... but in the end you will get it all with no offset! God bless America.

One more thing. By all means, use an organization such as Disabled American Veterans (DAV) to help with your claim. I have heard recent statistics that indicate that you will fare much better by using them than by going it alone. They got the lingo down and know what the VA needs ... you don't. DAV helped my on a recent upgrade claim and I got a 20% increase.

--Jim
Life is good

Hey Wray, have you ever had your identity stolen? It's not a good feeling. If I broke any rules about creating a bogus profile I apologize in advance and I will delete my user and profile. However, I will never put any personal information on the internet again! We all know who "joe dirt" is, plus Forrest Gump was already taken. I was just seeking out a little knowledge. Thanks to all that replied.

quote:

Hey Wray, have you ever had your identity stolen?

Yep, heard lots about it.. never a problem for me...

I guess ya gotta use your head with the AMOUNT of info you put out.. I hardly think putting your name and SOME info would create a problem... as many here do.

Each to their own...

Wray...

Joe Dirt, being anonymous is an option we all have. We do it for our own reason. But the truth is that we do it because we can. Unfortunately, not everyone here agrees w/ this. Some think that the only reason why we stay anonymous is to be able to throw rocks at others and avoid retaliation … especially if still working within the organization. In some cases, that might be true. But as I indicated before, we all have our own reason. But that's ok, everyone is entitle to their opinion. I personally, will NEVER EVER put my personal information out there on the Internet...period. And if it ever becomes a requirement to be here, that will be the end of my participation here.

Thanks