Moe

Vicki, sorry to hear this. Not the way to end a career. Sounds like medical retirement was best in your situation but for others it may not be. If the condition is likely to improve a regular retirement is in ones best interest.

Retired military receive no back pay unless VA disability exceeds retired pay. They consider us as having been paid. The only recourse is to file amended tax returns to recoup any taxes paid on disability increase. Can only go back three years. There is a bill on the hill to do away with the three year limitation. That would help those like me. I was granted an increase retroactive five years. Vets who didn't retire get the backpay from the VA. I think it also applies to Fed retirees. Someone here will chime in. In my case it would have been around $28,000.

Yes Berta. It's hard to get any info about it though. A friend of a friend is a VSO. Says he thinks a decision will come before the 4th. I haven't been to the Fed Circuit site lately. It doesn't share much info. I don't think this is a supremes issue so this decision should be final.

Allan, the best thing to do is file an appeal of the original award for bilateral tinnitus. Cite the BVA decision as a basis for appeal. That will get you in the lineup. My reply was that they were appealing the BVA decision and once the appeal was decided my request would be considered. More experienced people have told me it will be automatic if the VA loses at the Fed Circuit. Very important. Be sure to appeal the original award. Don't open a new claim. That could wipe out the original claim. I, like the majority, don't trust the VA. Good luck.

Yes that is what I said, briefly. Those, like me, rated for bilateral tinnitus before june 03 were only given 10% because the VA was misinterpreting the law. The BVA ruled that we should get 10% for each ear and the VA has appealed that decision to the Federal circuit. My latest info says that we should hear something before the 4th on that appeal. What I have said is very abbreviated as it would take pages to detail all the events. I personally don't read page long posts so I tend to make mine as short as possible.

If your conditions are service connected the VA will see that you get medical care either at a VA facility or one of their contract servicers. Don't think they will make your tricare copays. Sounds like you aren't near a VA. What copays are you talking about? meds. doc or both? I too am on tricare prime. I get my meds at the VA. Only $12 a visit at the docs office. If you are opting for POS with tricare then it can get pricey.

Don't know about this individual, only the issue of granting 10% for each ear. The VA is appealing the BVA decision. I don't think the federal Circuit will over turn the BVA decision. Probably just a stall tactic by the VA. This will only affect those rated with bilateral tinnitus prior to june 03.

I get 48.16 which should be rounded up to 50%. Do you have a good VSO? You could also go to the VA site and make an Email inquiry. They will usually answer within three business days.

I appreciate the comments. It's difficult to post in a way that doesn't sound like complaining. I rarely do that. Guess I was successful this time. I am thankful for everything I have. Hope I can help other Vets achieve what they deserve..

While I was successful in getting a rating increase I lose on retro pay because I'm retired military. Had I not retired I would be getting a nice five figure check. As it now stands now,all I can do is file a amended tax return for the past three years. I say this as I have detected that just a few here, very few, think we retirees get all the breaks. We get it broke off in the primary orifice more times than most know. I'm not complaining, just sharing info..

The VA has appealed this decision to the federal circuit.

This is misinformation. Family members of retired Veterans, tricare or otherwise, are not entitled to med care at VAMC's. If Retired military yes. They must meet the means test and pay co-pays like all Veterans unless being seen for service connected medical problems.

The VA only deals with disability compensation. They are paying you the full amount for your rating. I think you are confused on crdp. The amount of retirement restored each year is on DFAS. The VA does not pay any of our retirement pay. When an award is made and retroactive pay is involved the VA is the only payer. The only thing you can do is file amended tax returns for three years on the portion of retired pay that was actually disability compensation. If this doesn't clear it up we will just agree to disagree. Have a good one..

There is no back pay due on retirement. You were payed the money only it was taxed. The only thing you can do is file amended tax returns to recoup the taxes you payed on the increased disability pay. The max is three years. The VA will pay retroactively but you aren't due any retirement backpay. Just think about it and it will become clear. I was just increased to 70% back to May 01. Will get a nice check from the VA and will file amended tax returns for three years. Hope this clears it up for you..

I think it helped to read the posts of others in the same situation. Made enduring the wait a little easier. The old saying "misery loves company." I will try to use the experience gained to help others in the same boat. I will say that the admin side of the VA sucks big time... Thanks Pearl and Pete53..

My white envelope came yesterday. 20% increase back to May 01. Said I would receive back pay within 15 days. And it only took 2 1/2 years... Now at 70% and will rest for awhile. Just hope others don't have to wait as long.

My neighbor had a knee replacement and he was rated 100% during the recovery period. After that I believe he returned to his previous rating. But as we all know every situation is different with the VA.

Welcome to the club. I received my letter from the BVA in Dec 05. I am still waiting for my award letter from the RO. Five months today...

I am retired military and am waiting on my award letter which will put me in the same situation as Dave. The way it was explained to me is no back pay in retirement but might receive back disability pay from VA. I say maybe because they use chinese logic and math so that it is indecipherable by mortal beings. In addition an amended fed tax form can be filed for the taxes paid on any back pay from the VA. Hope this makes sense..

Why don't you tell us retirees how you realy feel....; B)

The ones pushing for Vets getting on base/post privileges probably live close to a facility. For the majority of Vets military facilities are too far away to be a benefit to them. If you can get these so called bennies more power to you. My comments are intended to point out that these bennies aren't what you think they are, especially if you have to drive long distances to get them..

Any disabled Vet that wants my place in line can have it. The savings in the px/bx are minimal to nonexistent. Don't believe me, go to the aafes site www.aafes.com and see for yourself. Better yet go to the on base/post stores with a retired or active member and look at the prices. Unless recently changed anyone can go in if accompanied by an ID holder..

I earned my base/post exchange privileges through retirement but I rarely use them due to their higher prices on things I use. I stopped using the bx and commissary around 92. Ocassionally I go to Ft Polk and Barksdale AFB and the prices are out of sight. I can save much more on groceries on the civilian economy unless you are into the case sales the commissary has once in a while. I only say this so those who wish for the privilege will know they aren't missing that much. Maybe if there was a post/base in my area I would buy the gas. But there again the base service station can only undercut the local gas stations by just a few cents.

In order to get SSDI you must have worked five of the last ten years, period. No exceptions. Been there and tried...