Benefits

[Guest jangrin]

Met a veteran that served in vietnam. He recently had heart surgery, was diagnosed with DMII long time ago and now has had his Drivers Lic. taken away because of blindness from DMII.

This vet spent 18+/- years in army, then worked for civil service for many years, was in army reserves many years, I think finished up as a master sargent and he is currently retired with a combined retirement but draws social security.

He is bronze star for valour recipient. He has never filed a claim for disability except he got a settlement for hearing loss back in the 70's.

He is afraid to file the claim because he doesn't want to loose his SS, he lives pretty tight to the budget wire.

What can I tell him about the money part of compensation. If he files a claim how will that part work. Offset or what. I know nothing about civil service and combined retirements.

I need to convince him to go to a SO. He can't see well enough right now to come on Hadit.

Thanks,

[Berta]

Jangrin-he won't lose his SSA retirement benefits but I dont know about civil service benefits- John 999 would know that-

Does he get a retirement from the military too?

That would affect his potential VA comp- what I mean is here:

http://www.military.com/benefits/military-...aring-crsc-crdp

This site, Military.com has the latest on this too---and a whole forum as I recall---(CRSC and CRDP)

"He has never filed a claim for disability except he got a settlement for hearing loss back in the 70's"

I guess you mean he got a lump sum disability retirement amount?

But he did not pursue the hearing loss in any claim with the VA?

He does need a good SO's help but I sure can understand that he would want to find out how any VA comp would affect or be affected by any of his military or civil service retirement.

This is info on the ten year phase out program regarding the offset-

http://www.dod.gov/prhome/mppcrsc.html

"The Department of Defense has two programs designed to reduce the reduction in retired pay due to receipt of Veteran Administration compensation, for certain disabled retirees.

Concurrent Retirement and Disability Payments (CRDP) provides a 10-year phase-out of the offset to military retired pay due to receipt of VA disability compensation for members whose combined disability rating is 50% or greater . Members retired under disability provisions must have 20 years of service.

Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) pays added benefits to retirees who receive VA disability compensation for combat-related disabilities and have 20 years of service . "

[john999]

jangrin

VA benefits don't affect federal retirement benefits. You can get the SSA, OPM And VA. The SSA has an offset on OPM, however, if you are under the FERS retirement plan.

[Guest jangrin]

John,

What is OPM?

I'm not sure how they retired him. I know he draws SS and I know he got out of actice duty with 17+ years because they gave him orders to go back to Vietnam and he got out of the service because he felt he would die there if he went back.

Then he went to work for Civil Service for many years and was in the army reserves. He said they combined his retirement? I am sure he had OVER 30 years combined. I don't think he retired that long ago and his birthday is in 1939.

I just know he needs to file a claim for DMII and secondarys> I don't think he will file for the PTSD, but from the sounds of things he would be granted. At this point he needs Aid and attendence or at least housebound. But first he needs to file a claim. He has been in the hospital 3 or 4 times over the last couple of years.

I am trying to see if I can get an SO to call and talk to him by phone.

Jangrin

[Pete53]

Depends if he is getting SSD or SSI. SSD is not affected bt VA or voce versa but SSI is.

[Guest jangrin]

He is getting SSI.oops regular SS (not ss disability).

All the physical stuff has gotton worse since he retired. But the DMII I think was diagnosed quite a few years ago. Then heart problems and all the rest.

Edited January 11, 2007 by jangrin