Disab. Compensation + Federal Employment

[tk3000]

It is my understanding that given the very nature and profile of physical prowess in the military service that if one is in such great physical shape to join the military one may then loose or abdicate his/her disability compensation. Recently I was working as a government contractor at the DLA (Defense Logistic Agency) and some veterans there mentioned that one can not as a DLA employee receive both the disability comp. and regular wages. It is my understanding that VA employees can receive both wages and disability pay. So it is no clear for me what the critiria is. Thanks for any input.

[manning01]

It is my understanding that given the very nature and profile of physical prowess in the military service that if one is in such great physical shape to join the military one may then loose or abdicate his/her disability compensation. Recently I was working as a government contractor at the DLA (Defense Logistic Agency) and some veterans there mentioned that one can not as a DLA employee receive both the disability comp. and regular wages. It is my understanding that VA employees can receive both wages and disability pay. So it is no clear for me what the critiria is. Thanks for any input.

I work for the DOD as a federal employee and I get my federal pay plus my VA disability. Not sure why they were saying that but yes you can get both. When it comes to FERS retirement and getting VA disability hopefully someone here can chime in and answer that one I'm not sure on that I need to know myself.

[john999]

I worked for the Post Office for 20 years and I got 30% VA disability pay the whole time. I knew a guy that got 90% SC and he worked with me at the USPS. The VA has many, many disabled vets working there. I was under FERS and I got my VA disability. If your disability is so bad you cannot do the basic demands of the job then they don't have to hire you. If you became totally blind while working as a mail carrier I don't think they have to retain you. If it is work related you file for worker's compensation. If it is worsening of SC condition you file for federal disability, SSD and 100% from the VA. I did this but not for blindness. I was working for USPS. I became totally disabled. I filed for OPM disability, SSD and TDIU.

John

[tk3000]

Thanks for the insights. It is amazing how an untrueth that is repeated often enough ended up vested with truth in the mouths of so many.

[71M10]

Not necessarily, what you indicated in the introduction of your question was would a person loose their federal disability if they joined the military. I thought I read if a person goes active duty, they loose their VA compensation until they come off active duty. An entirely different question than, "can you collect disability and work for the DOD". It is my understanding that one can be a contractor, employee or service member and be working in the DLA. So if they indicated "employee" yes they were incorrect, but it probably arises out of a misunderstanding of someones status during a previous conversation.

Edited April 22, 2013 by 71M10