Well, I finally recieved a letter from the VA Office in NC with my service-connected disability rating of 40% for Rheumatoid Arthritis. It's funny how the US Coast Guard medically retires me at 20 years of service (yes, I was 'forced' to retire at 20) at 50% retirement pay but the VA says 'ah your worth 40%'. So why waste all that time and effort just for $600 month tax-free(minus my retirement pay of course)? Well its not even $600-you subtract that from my retirement pay 'plus' dividends 'minus' tax-free part, uh ahh to confusing. It doesnt make much sense, ALL veterans have not been taken care of in my opinion. I have seen it over the years and now I am in the same "BOAT". Thank You, VA for whatever this is suppose to help.

A few quick questions. Did you only submit one item to the VA for rating? Are you working alone or with a VSO? Was the 50% from the CG your disability rating from the medboard? Did you check the VA Schedule of ratings to see if they acurately rated you? You may be in round one, not the end of the game. My last rating from the VA took 3 years and a lot of paperwork, they originally denied all my claims.

Welcome to this board and retirement! You have to realize that CG disability retirement and VA disability are horses of a different color, and have nothing to do with each other as the $$ goes. The CG retirement is based on years of service, as you said. The VA disability is based on the Comp Tables you will find by clicking the link.

Chances are, since you made it to 20 years, you are not 'Chapter 61'. I think that's for med retirement with less than 20 years. Read up on 'concurrent receipt' and how your disability payments affect your retired pay. There is a lot on this forum about it. Since you retired with 20 years, you get both your retired pay and VA disability "concurrently". It's offset right now, and only for a few more years (until 2014 I think). You should have noticed you get 2 deposits on the 1st of each month, one from CG and one from VA. Right?

If you have not retired yet, you should consider attending a TAPS class ... there is a lot of information to learn and absorb.

Welcome to the 'check(s) of the month club, and best of luck in your retirement,

--Jim
Life is good!

EMC, thanks for responding. I was peaved last night but what can you do, its the government. I had a medical board and the CG results was 50% retirement at 20 years. Almost everyone I talked to said you should be at least 50%+ rating from the VA. I have not yet checked rating table or VA website. I had RA and Hypertension on claim but my Hypertension was not high enough I guess, but still taking medication for it. I have not contacted the VA office here in AL but not sure if I want to spend the time and money just to get 10-20% more 3-4-5 years down the road. Welcome to retirement life......

It is not a waste of time. I personnally feel they do that because many feel that way. DO the paper work and get what you are supposed to!!!

Mike

3523369 --> First off you need CG retirement percentages and VA disability percentages are two completely different animals.

VA percentages are the same regardless of your retired paygrade... As you go for increases you will learn that an additional 10% to a 40% disability will not necessairly be a 50% disability.

You can go to the VA web site for additional info, or go to your local office. There are lots of folks here willing to help you... Ask, and you will get answers...

Wray...

quote:

Originally posted by 3523369:
EMC, thanks for responding. I was peaved last night but what can you do, its the government. I had a medical board and the CG results was 50% retirement at 20 years. Almost everyone I talked to said you should be at least 50%+ rating from the VA. I have not yet checked rating table or VA website. I had RA and Hypertension on claim but my Hypertension was not high enough I guess, but still taking medication for it. I have not contacted the VA office here in AL but not sure if I want to spend the time and money just to get 10-20% more 3-4-5 years down the road. Welcome to retirement life......

From the VA ratings

quote:

5002 Arthritis rheumatoid (atrophic) as an active process (cont.)

Less than criteria for 100% but with weight loss and anemia
productive of severe impairment of health or severely
incapacitating exacerbations occurring 4 or more times a year
or a lesser number over prolonged periods 60

Symptom combinations productive of definite impairment of
health objectively supported by examination findings or
incapacitating exacerbations occurring 3 or more times a year 40
One or two exacerbations a year in a well-established diagnosis 20

For chronic residuals:

For residuals such as limitation of motion or ankylosis, favorable or unfavor-able, rate under the appropriate diagnostic codes for the specific joints involved. Where, however, the limitation of motion of the specific joint or joints involved is noncompensable under the codes a rating of 10 percent is for application for each such major joint or group of minor joints affected by limitation of motion, to be combined, not added under diagnostic code 5002. Limitation of motion must be objectively confirmed by findings such as swelling, muscle spasm, or satisfactory evidence of painful motion.

Note: The ratings for the active process will not be combined with the residual ratings for limitation of motion or ankylosis. Assign the higher evaluation.

quote:

7007 Hypertensive heart disease:

Chronic congestive heart failure, or; workload of 3 METs or less
results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or;
left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of less
than 30 percent 100

More than one episode of acute congestive heart failure in the past year,
or; workload of greater than 3 METs but not greater than 5 METs
results in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or;
left ventricular dysfunction with an ejection fraction of 30 to
50 percent 60

Workload of greater than 5 METs but not greater than 7 METs results
in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or; evidence of
cardiac hypertrophy or dilatation on electrocardiogram,
echocardiogram, or X-ray 30

Workload of greater than 7 METs but not greater than 10 METs results
in dyspnea, fatigue, angina, dizziness, or syncope, or; continuous
medication required 10

OR

quote:

7101 Hypertensive vascular disease (hypertension and isolated systolic
hypertension):

Diastolic pressure predominantly 130 or more 60

Diastolic pressure predominantly 120 or more 40

Diastolic pressure predominantly 110 or more, or; systolic pressure
predominantly 200 or more 20

Diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or; systolic pressure
predominantly 160 or more, or; minimum evaluation for an
individual with a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100
or more who requires continuous medication for control 10

Note 1: Hypertension or isolated systolic hypertension must be confirmed by readings taken two or more times on at least three different days. For purposes of this section, the term hypertension means that the diastolic blood pressure is predominantly 90mm. or greater, and isolated systolic hypertension means that the systolic blood pressure is predominantly 160mm. or greater with a diastolic blood pressure of less than 90mm.

Note 2: Evaluate hypertension due to aortic insufficiency or hyperthyroidism, which is usually the isolated systolic type, as part of the condition causing it rather than by a separate evaluation.

Note 3: Evaluate hypertension separately from hypertensive heart disease and other types of heart disease.

Take a look at the VA ratings and see if they rated you fairly. If not it is more than worth the trouble of filing an appeal. First get someone (VSO) from AMVETS, DAV to assist you. It is free and they know how the game works.

I'm still confused about the 50% from the CG. Was that a medboard disability rating or what you got from 20 years. I was medboard TDRL at 30% from the CG. I ended up getting 40% from the VA. I filed a second claim with the VA with some related conditions and things that came up soon after retirement. It took 3 years and asking them to reconsider an initial verdict of not service connected. In the end I was rated 80% by the VA. I also got 50% retirement for my years of service. Remember the ratings a retroactive to retirement if filed in the first year and back to the date of filing after the first year is over. IT may take some time, but it doesn't cost you any money.

What was the VA rating for your hypertension? A rating of zero still puts them on the hook should your condition get worse. Also did you only file with the VA for the same ailments that the CG listed? If you have other serrvice connected ailments they should be filed with the VA. The CG rating is limited to the medboard issues the VA looks at your entire medical record.

You need to do what you need to do. If you disagree with the VA's findings, then you need to file a Notice of Disagreement (NOD). If you are using one of the service organizations, they can help you with that. Read the criteria in EMC's post, that's what the VA uses to assign your percentage.

And, as Wray said, you need to understand the difference between your CG retirement percentage, and the VA disability system percentages. 2 totally different critters. The CG is based on service, the VA is based on documentation and numbers. It's important for you to know what ails you, and if their is any service connection for the VA to be involved with. Otherwise, it's money and entitlements you will not receive. Different levels of disability dictate the various entitlements available to you, like vocational rehabilitation.

It's up to you.

--Jim

Life is good!

Thanks for all the info. And thank you for your SERVICE! I see that unless I have major deformity and weight loss and major pain, I am at 40% no matter what I can appeal. I really just want benefits for my wife and 2 sons, like education and health care. I appreciate all your replies and Thank You again for the help. "SEMPER PARATUS!"

Not sure what you are looking for, but I think you should get ahold of a VSO (Veterans Services Officer) that can look at your case and explain it to you, along with the Disability Rating process. You're still on the first step.

It can be very confusing, especially when you've been led to believe other things by other people (Messdeck Intelligence). Every case is different and you need to understand yours! There are plenty of VA system educated people here who can assist and advise, but you have to make and take the time for YOUR case.
I'd heard it all too, so before I retired, I made sure I educated myself on the FACTS and did whatever I had to do to make it happen. Yes it was frustrating at points, and it seemed to take forever, but if you want something, you need to go get it.

I'm not understanding the retired at 20 and only getting 50% pay. Were you on TDRL, or out on Medical not counted as FFFD? Something is not making sense, and I'd like to help you understand it too. If you retired at 20 yrs of active service, you would be getting full retirement and would be eligible for Concurrent Receipt, and your wife and children would have benefits based on your retirement, and you'd have TRICARE. If you were "medically" retired and there was a period of time not counted as FFFD towards retirement, then the "20 year mark" could be causing frustration and confusion I hear from you. Sounds like it's been a long road. If I'm missing something, please let me know.

I'm not sure of eligibility for Concurrent Receipt if you had less than 20 years of creditable active duty service and were medically retired.

As for the VA, you need to hook up with them and have an entire medical review of your record and establish a baseline disability rating for anything that may have occurred during your military service. That includes what you've mentioned here, but who's to say there aren't other issues that you're not aware of that could be rated. That's where the Veteran Service Officer will be your greatest asset! With a degenerative medical condition, it's more important that you get there soonest. And every 18 months I'd be there getting it reevaluated.

I've researched the NC VA and they have alot more going on than some states! You have to get into their system and not be afraid of it. It's to your benefit!

Feel free to ask questions, if we don't have the answer, we can find it!

Good Luck!

YN102

I did have a medical board at the 18 year mark and the CG findings were to medically retire myself with service-connected disability at my 20 year mark (1 SEPT 2009) with 50% regular retire pay. My thinking was that I would at least be rated at 50% disability rating from the VA since everyone tells me usually the VA rates higher than the CG but I guess not the case with me.

It is just funny how the CG will not employ me after 20 year mark because of my 'disability' and the VA says I am not sick enough well 40% disabled. I read the criteria for RA from the VA website and 40% seems to be my rating, with 60% being close by the criteria.

It is frustating that the company that I loved to work for says 'sorry we dont want you anymore' because your of your disability and the VA that is suppose to be supportive of your needs is well "next claim" please..... Welcome to retirement, I guess.....

50% retirement at 20 years is the standard for 20 years, and regardless of the disability. The VA uses the Code of Federal Regulations and their handbooks to rate individual disabilities.

You should be aware that with the future phase in of Concurrent Receipt in the future you will receive your full retirement and your disability from the VA. At this time you must be rated 50% or more from the VA.

If your RA should be rated higher, and I would talk to the doctor about that using the information posted above, then you stand to receive more money. If it gets worse later, you can apply to have your disability from the VA increased.

If there are other medical conditions that are not rated, you might consider them, and if within 1 year of separation, put together the documentation and apply for disability based on those medical issues. A good VSO can help with these issues.

WE WILL GET NO RISE THIS YEAR FROM CG OR VA RIGHT?

You will not get a cola or a rise

Kinda odd... 644 is not a member here.

Hummmmmmmmmmmm.........

well here in Nevada most of the vets are not getting disable and are waiting for years. the guy up in reno, gets a boniest for not giveing them disable..Oh well....

quote:

the guy up in reno, gets a boniest for not giveing them disable..Oh well....

I'm assuming "boniest" meant bonus. I don't know where you got that information but it is 100% wrong.

This may help you....

http://www.military.com/benefi...-compensation-tables

Wray...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Wray,

First of all it is not one person doing the rating. There are a number of Rating Officers in each office. Work is checked by senior rating officers and by what I think are called Veterans Service Representatives who enter the data in the system.

One thing I noticed at my last C & P exam is that the VA has changed the way its doctors record examinations. The doctor discussed it with me as we went. They now require the doctor to collect information directly relevant to the decision making process in an online template. I think this may speed the decisions in the future, especially for complex issues like PTSD.

There are really 3 things that have to go into a decision:

1. Is there a Nexus or relationship to your service. If it is diagnosed on treated on Active Duty (and in the SMR), or in an exit physical this is easy. If it is found within 1 year it is supposed to create a Nexus. Not always, you could injure yourself 9 months later. Without this, it is not a Service Connected Disability. If you are several years out of service and had treatment in the service, an issue is have you had continued treatment for the disease? These rules are more complex.

2. A diagnosis of a disease that is can be rated per the CFR Chapter 38 by the VA. The diagnosis must be by a competent medical authority. There are three issues here. First, was this diagnosed by a medical doctor. A Chiropractor or Holistic doctor will not do. An MD or DO who is board certified in their specialty is the best to make the diagnosis. Second, do you have a diagnosis of a recognized disease. Third, is it ratable under the rules.

3. What is the percentage of disability based on the rating guides. Diseases are rated from 0% to 100%. Each has diagnostic characteristics that must be met. Some are easy to differentiate, some are hard and somewhat subjective. Often the lower ratings are easier to select based on the tables. Many fights are over the percentage of the rating and not rating the disability itself. There is a lot of money at stake.

I didn't make it up....
I was told by EX VA doctor....
And other people...
it may not be right, but
the way thing are going
what can I not believe...
God Bless American and it's troop's.