I think that this is most likely going nowhere, but one can dream. I think a better way to go is full concurrent receipt for everyone. All persons put out on disability get 2.5 % of their base pay times the number of years served. Then they also get their VA compensation.
Originally posted by EMC_: I think that this is most likely going nowhere, but one can dream. I think a better way to go is full concurrent receipt for everyone. All persons put out on disability get 2.5 % of their base pay times the number of years served. Then they also get their VA compensation.
I disagree. They should get whatever their current pay grade is multiplied by their % of disability that makes them unfit for service from the DOD(Army, Navy, AF, Marines) or DHS(Coast Guard)just for serving (which the system currently does so changing it only seeks to hurt vets) PLUS their VA compensation for being DISABLED. BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THE SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO DO. You get your pay from the military for serving and your pay from the VA for being disabled, end of story.
What the Dole-Shalala report and what you agree on, will only financially hurt veterans, like myself, who already live below the poverty line because of the paltry sums the VA and DOD/DHS pay us.
Now I am speaking from experience and I am sure you are saying what you are from experiences of your own. I would be very interested in hearing them.
I don't think you would ever see them allowing a person to receive 2 seperate disability payments for the same disability.
I wonder if your case is the exception as far as it hurting veterans. If you look at the case of the person in the IPEB thread who is getting severence pay. They will have to pay that back before collecting any VA benefits for the disability that put them out. They referred to 20% disability, under 2.5% per year they would get a 30% retirement and VA Compensation.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by EMC_: I don't think you would ever see them allowing a person to receive 2 seperate disability payments for the same disability. [QUOTE]
I think that would be like trying to collect CRDP and CRSC for the same rated issue. They don't allow it you only get to collect for one or the other. I think you are right though Larry. They should either give them a lump sum payment which they do now or give them the opportunity to multiply the number of years by 2.5% for a retirement. However the rules of CRDP say you have to have 20+ years to be eligible for it. So they may be just better off taking the lump sum payment investing it wisely and then collecting for their disability through the VA. Lots of things would have to be changed and I doubt the VA or the Govt. is willing to pay out given how much they are paying now for CRDP and CRSC. I read a recent note for CVSO’s (County Vet Service Officers) that said the VA is going back through claims with much more scrutiny now due to the amount of claims and the rising cost of them. From what I understand they are even reviewing permanently disabled Vets as well. One of the interesting items they are now starting to challenge is PTSD claims. Apparently the Govt. is trying to line up as many Doctors as they can to say that PTSD is curable due to the high number of claims coming from OIF and OEF Vets. The best friend OIF and OEF Vets have now is the Vietnam Vets because they are pushing hard for benefits for them since Vietnam Vets are now mostly retired.
By the way, have either of you gone through a PEB before or are you or have you filed for VA benefits? How about PTSD? Just checking. Because I have given this a lot of thought and this is the nicest thing I can come up with in reply.
Matt: Yes I have been through a PEB and I am currently rated. X-Rays showed a lot I was not aware of when I applied but I had a great DAV Rep who helped me file my claim and get through the process. I am now a County Veterans Service Officer for Lake County Colorado and I help Vets file claims with the VA for issues they have so I am fairly familiar with the process. I am by no means an expert but I try to keep up with as much as I can in the field. If you are medically retired with less than 20 years in my experience you can not collect CRDP. I don't know your situation but I don't think you can collect from both the CG and from the VA for the same issue. As far as PTSD is concerned I only mentioned it because over 80% of OIF/OEF Vets who have claims are claiming PTSD and it has become a major cost for the VA and the Govt. which they are trying to get a handle on. I know of at least two cases where Vets. who were totally and permanently disabled having their cases reviewed by the VA for some reason or another. Both had PTSD and both were Vietnam Vets. Hope this is deep enough for you and that it answers your question.
By the way, have either of you gone through a PEB before or are you or have you filed for VA benefits? How about PTSD? Just checking. Because I have given this a lot of thought and this is the nicest thing I can come up with in reply.
I've gone through 2 different PEB's. First I was cleared Fit For Full Duty, then before returning to duty, I was Medboarded and put on the TDRL. Then a little over 2 years later was, cleared again and re-retired via years of service. I have received 4 different ratings from the VA in a 6 year period. No PTSD personally, but someone very close to me has suffered from it for years.
