Questions

[drt773]

I am new here. I was injured on while activated as an AF reservist. I have had two back surgeries. The fisrt was a bone fusion of L5-S1 with no success. The next was L4-S1 with hardware and instrumentation. I was sent through the MEB process by the Air Force got the results of the PEB yesterday 50% medical retirement. I was concurred but my PEBLO has left me more cofused than anything now. My questions are where do I stand now. Especially since I have been at my home or record on convalescent leave approx 200 miles from the nearest AF installation throughout this whole process. Any help would be appreciated as I am throughly confused now. Thank you.

[john999]

100% or IU from the VA is $2610 a month. I think you should file for it if you are unable to work. You should go to the VA or DAV and ask about filing for compensation. There is probably an offset, but your VA money would be tax free. Others here should be able to tell you more on this topic. Hang around until you get better answers. If you got some kind of severance pay don't spend it until you learn about potential VA compensation as you may have to pay it back when you get VA money. I don't think you can get both VA and the DOD disability compensation at the same time. I am guessing but I know there is some offset.

[Vike17]

drt773,

Like john999, I'm also not sure how medical disability from the DoD is dealt with. I know there is a certain percentage one must obtain before they see a compensation check from the DoD, but not sure what it is. For some reason 30% sticks in my mind, but don't qutoe me on it.

As for VA disability, as soon as you receive your discharge, or even if the Airforce at your installation has a benefits at discharge program, you should certainly file for disability compensation. For your lower back fusion you'll be rated according to limitation of range of motion (how far you are able to bend forward). If you have any neurological deficits such as drop foot, reptile dysfuction, or bowel and bladder dysfuntion as secondary to your fusion, they'll be rated seperately.

If my memory serves me correctly, if your receive a severance payment from the DoD, the VA is required to withhold some or all of your VA disability compesation until the severance pay is payed back to the Government. I also beleive if you receive a monthly medical disability retirement from the DoD, there will be a dollar for dollar offset with your VA disability; however, I'm not quite sure of that, it all depends on what chapter your retirement falls under. Maybe someone else can chime in with the correct information.

I hope this helps!

Vike 17

[Guest rickb54]

I am new here. I was injured on while activated as an AF reservist. I have had two back surgeries. The fisrt was a bone fusion of L5-S1 with no success. The next was L4-S1 with hardware and instrumentation. I was sent through the MEB process by the Air Force got the results of the PEB yesterday 50% medical retirement. I was concurred but my PEBLO has left me more cofused than anything now. My questions are where do I stand now. Especially since I have been at my home or record on convalescent leave approx 200 miles from the nearest AF installation throughout this whole process. Any help would be appreciated as I am throughly confused now. Thank you.

You stand to receive 50% of your base pay tax free. you and your dependents will retain your ID card and all benefits, to include Tricare.

Now you should file a va claim, requesting compensation for all medical issues ralating to your active duty service.

[Testvet]

the medical retirements rated at 30% or higher do not have lump sum payments collectable by the VA to offset like the 10 and 20% awards do, so that is not part of his /her worries, but I agree with everyone else file your VA claim immediately as it will take time to process and they pay back to the date you are discharged as long as you file the claim within 12 months of discharge

50% doesn't sound like much but you are in a far greater position than those being given 10 and 20% awards no ID cards no medical for dependents etc, and as we all know the VA awards are usually a lot higher than the MEP boards decisions, if you can't get the 100% if you are rated 70% ask for TDIU if your back injury keeps you from working it still pays at the 100% rate

I don't know how the concurrent pay thing works since I am not retired but you need to find out if you can draw both and if you are awarded the 100% rate and not employable don't forget to file for Social security disability that will take a few years to work thru the system if it is not granted on initial filing

[Berta]

These guys are talking about two programs through DOD that affect military retirees-

I cant tell if they apply to you =depends on years of service and other factors.

CRDP is Concurrent Receipt of Disability Payments (CRDP)

CRSC is Combat related Special Compensation (CRSC)

Fully explained at:

http://www.dod.mil/dfas/retiredpay/concurr...rdpandcrsc.html

And at Military.com-Mil.com has latest info and full vets discussion on how this works.