VA increased my percentage disability

[combatmedic78]

I tried to search on the internet but I was having no luck on finding the answers to my questions. I know that this might be the wrong forum but when I checked only 2 guest were viewing the military forum so I am going to try and ask here.

For the last year and a half, I have been fighting with the VA so that I could get my PTSD recognized by them so that I could get help for it. I just received today a letter stating that I am now considered 50 percent disability. It is broken down to 10 for my knees, 10 for tinnitus, and 30 percent for PTSD.

The main thing that I am worried about is that I am currently serving in the Army Reserves, and I have till January when I will have completed my military service obligation. What do I have to do? What will my unit do when my unit finds out? In a way, I am afraid of them trying to discharge me in any way to screw up my honorable discharge from Active Duty. I personally would love to just finish out my last 5 months. I guess that I am afraid what the military might do now.

I would appreciate any help that y'all can give me. Thanks.

Jason

[noway]

fwiw:

If your disability effects your military performance , then you should be discharged as far as I'm concern. Having 50% disability and in the numbers you have should be looked at by your unit to how effective would you be.


note: Your discharge would not fix a dis-honorable since you did nothing DH.

[m2hmghb]

Your discharge would be classified as medical not dishonorable or general. I hope you feel better man, and good luck with everything. You need anything let us know.

[Makila]

Probably will have to go before a MRB (Medical Review Board) Options probably are:

1. Retain you in your present position/MOS if your disability does not prevent you from carrying out your duties.

2. Retrain to different MOS more likely to some rear echelon type job (Highly unlikely since you're close to separation).

3. Discharge you now.

My son is not deployable due to medical condition and thats what he's looking at right now.

[DennisP]

I would be suprised if anything came to fruition prior to you getting out in 5 months. For them to convene a medical board for you would take far longer then that. I would ride out your last 5 months and sail off into the sunset.

Good luck and if you have any questions about the VA, let me know.

Dennis P.

[Marine8541]

Your discharge would be classified as medical not dishonorable or general. I hope you feel better man, and good luck with everything. You need anything let us know.

There is NO such thing as a medical discharge.

OP the Veterans Heath Administration (VA Hospital) will share your rating and compensation and pension payment information with the US Department of Veterans Affairs they in turn will share it with your branches personnel department. The very worst that your command can do is administratively discharge you on the basis of unable to perform assigned duties. DON’T worry every enlisted man receives an admin unless you’re separated punitively. Your character of service will still be honorable. Here’s a link that explains discharges.
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/justicelawlegislation/l/aadischarge1.htm

I suggest that you be honest with your command while you don’t fall under concurrent receipt I honestly can’t speak on the laws nor regulations (if any) about drawing reserve/NG pay and C&P money.

ETA Get with your Service Rep on Monday and get the straight skinny.

[combatmedic78]

Thank you. I appreciate all of your comments. The system is so confusing when you don't know it. All I was ever worried about was making sure that my guys made it home.
I have been fighting tooth and nail for every inch with the VA just that they recognize it so I can receive help. Now, I just hope that they let me finish my time out but I guess that I will have to see. Thanks again

[m2hmghb]

Thanks for the correction Marine. Best of luck Medic.

[deadday]

Thank you. I appreciate all of your comments. The system is so confusing when you don't know it. All I was ever worried about was making sure that my guys made it home.
I have been fighting tooth and nail for every inch with the VA just that they recognize it so I can receive help. Now, I just hope that they let me finish my time out but I guess that I will have to see. Thanks again

Were you injured in OIF/OEF? If so, you should have been assigned an OIF/OEF Case Manager by the VA...If you haven't, then you need to get one ASAP, and if you have, you should give them a call first thing Monday morning...Your CM should be able to help you out with those questions.






drew

[kawalerzysta]

My brother go honorable discharge from the Army. He joined Pa National Guard. While in the guard he received 40% disability from VA. He was told that he can either keep VA pension or be discharged from the Guard (apparently you cannot receive VA medical compensation and drill pay). From financial standpoint he chose to separate from the Guard and ended up with honorable discharge.

[Shasta69]

Don't worry about the discharge classification. As long as your not a **ck-up and don't something stupid, YOU WILL be getting the Honorable Discharge.

As someone mentioned, get with a Service Representative (ie. Disabled Vietnam Veterans of America) to help you understand what you are entitled too. These Service Representatives can also assist in submitting the required paperwork to get your entitlement rolling.

Fifty percent is nothing to sneeze at. In addition to the Federal Government entitlements, you may also have State entitlements (i.e. reduced $$$ for motor vehicle, hunting/fishing licenses, state funded low interest loans) that someone with say 20% rated won't get (like me).

I'm sorry to hear of your rating and presummed departure from military service.

It's Dedication to Service, like yourself, which brings credence to our Great Nation!

Much Luck and keep us posted!

[mitchshrader]

for the record, the 20% to 50% fight is 8x as hard as the 50% to 100% fight.

[combatmedic78]

Were you injured in OIF/OEF? If so, you should have been assigned an OIF/OEF Case Manager by the VA...If you haven't, then you need to get one ASAP, and if you have, you should give them a call first thing Monday morning...Your CM should be able to help you out with those questions.






drew

I did serve two tours in Iraq with my Tank Company. I luckily made it through fairly well off just a little banged up. I had friends who were injured a lot worse than me.
When I first had left Active Duty, I believe that I had met a lady at the VA who is over the veterans of OIF/OEF. I will try and give her a call along with my section sergeant.
Thanks again.