As a Navy Reservist, I was recalled to active duty in 2005 for an IA tour in Iraq on a convoy security team. While in country, I was injured by a blast and later diagnosed with TBI and PTSD. I was just retired TDRL at 30 percent in August 2008 after spending almost two years on Med Hold undergoing treatment and counseling.
Some of the problems that I have experienced since my retirement have been not qualifying for unemployment due to not being able to work full time because of VA appointments, delay in VA Rating after being told in VAAP while still active that it would be four to six weeks after we turn in our DD 214. I’m now being told it will be four to six months.
I’ve applied for Social Security but am not sure that I will even qualify since my DOD rating was only 30 percent and I have no idea when the VA will come back with their rating. As far as retirement pay, I have tried repeatedly to find out what my pay will be every month so I can try and work out some kind of a budget to make my mortgage, credit card and child support payments.
I’m still getting the runaround from DFAS and unsure what type of surprises I have waiting for me the end of the month or if I even have a check waiting. After being under SCRA for that long, I already have an adjustment back to regular interest rates. I’ve been advised by my credit card companies that if I’m a late pay that my interest could go as high as 29 percent. Any advice is greatly appreciated as I’m sure there are others experiencing these types of hardships as well.
(Submitted by Rick Bolander, MA1, Retired)
The VA is suppose to be re-rating military personnel in your case. If social security turns you down get a good lawyer the same applies is the VA keeps messing with you.
Rick! Much is going on.…I have been disillusioned as well…struggle is worse than dealing with war…to be at home and still go around the corner and find no one at home…It’s the policy makers, the bureaucratic red tape…Those who make the laws of our USA.….Congress…When disability comes to the forefront…You will find that no matter how much is pending…we are a challenged group.…The right to stand up is good as long as you don’t fall down…Maybe if you could have a representative to help you through your battle…It has to be one who faces Congress…The Armed Forces.…not the VA, nor DFAS.…Everyone wants money and those who have money will not help you get there…its all about greed…and the fact it does not affect them per se.…Veterans, their families…Who represents your needs! And where does your Congressman stand!
Rick, sir, you do have help available in seeking the benefits you earned and are entitled to. Unfortunately, this is a world where no one is going to tap you on the shoulder and give you anything. As for the unemployment insurance (UEI) benefits, confer with your state employment agency about state disability benefits in lieu of UEI benefits. you need to get your doctors’ blessing for that. as for VA, dont pay a stinking lawyer; they will deduct their labors from your settlement — enlist the veterans service organizations (VSOs) such as American Legion, Disabled American Vets, Veterans of Foreign Wars etc. — they are your best advocates/counsel because they are some of the strongest Lobbyists who pressures our Congress into providing vets their deserved benefits, and most of all, their services are FREE !!! as for social security, you will need to hire a real, greedy (stinking) lawyer — make sure its a social security advocate (expert?) type. they advertise like those ambulance chasing lawyers in the yellow pages, the vet press newspapers, and other periodicals. good luck, sir! hang tough, and keep the faith! Jesus Christ lives! May God bless you.
Disabled veterans of America is an advocacy group trying to help veterans navigate the VA system. If they told you it would be six months, you are fortunate. I retired in 1994 and it took over 18 months. Ten years later I asked them to reevaluate me based on new medical information and they raised my rating from 60 to 90%. The military is notorious for evaluating injuries on the low side. Keep a copy of your medical records, make sure any follow up care is documented and that you also stated in the application who is your medical provider, address, phone number and dates of care for any service related injury. I can tell you that PTSD is one of the most impacting results in trying to get and keep a job. Your years of service are creditable for leave purposes and for reductions in force (RIF). The federal government gives priority to veterans according to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM.gov) and is also a resource for job searches. Those with a service connected disability of 30% or more get a 10 point priority. This means that in and interview where you get a numeric rating, ten points are added to your score. Unfortunately, VA service varies from state to state and the VA is trying to standardize care and ratings. There is a long backlog due to the war, so try to hang in there and not give up.
Rick, sir, you do have help available in seeking the benefits you earned and are entitled to. Unfortunately, this is a world where no one is going to tap you on the shoulder and give you anything. As for the unemployment insurance (UEI) benefits, confer with your state employment agency about state disability benefits in lieu of UEI benefits. you need to get your doctors’ blessing for that. as for VA, dont pay a stinking lawyer; they will deduct their labors from your settlement — enlist the veterans service organizations (VSOs) such as American Legion, Disabled American Vets, Veterans of Foreign Wars etc. — they are your best advocates/counsel because they are some of the strongest Lobbyists who pressures our Congress into providing vets their deserved benefits, and most of all, their services are FREE !!! as for social security, you will need to hire a real, greedy (stinking) lawyer — make sure its a social security advocate (expert?) type. they advertise like those ambulance chasing lawyers in the yellow pages, the vet press newspapers, and other periodicals. good luck, sir! hang tough, and keep the faith! Jesus Christ lives! May God bless you.
Rick, Your immediate biggest problem, believe it or not, is your 18 month exams by the Navy to maintain your TDRL. They can do this by US Code for 5 years. After that, you go permanent retired. This gives you your pay, Tricare,ID Card, and pretty good credit. It gives mental relief which is not to be underestimated. Don’t ever skip one of these exams. Bring new med records if they help your case. Never let them pay you to sign away your Navy retirement bennies. They are worth more than any lump sum. Contact the nearest major VA and get the name and number of a Service Officer from (preferably) the DAV or the VFW. Sometimes the best rep is the one one your State government stations at the VA. Lots of times they are less busy and as a state civil servant has often been there for years and knows everyone. If you got 30% out of those cheap pricks in the Navy Disability Board, you should do much better in the VA rating system. This is due to budget stuff I won’t get into. At least 50% though, I’d guess. Of course you will immediately appeal and while you’re waiting your rep will put you in for unemployability if you are. This will pay at the 100% rate which runs a lot more than 50% of an E-6 base pay. Keep appealing, never miss appointments and don’t minimize your problems trying to look or feel tough. Eventually you’ll get a personal hearing with a traveling hearing officer and get a real chance to tell your story and get your deserved rating. If it is 100% (and I think it will be) ask for the hearing officer to write out approval for “permanent and total” This will take a huge load off your mind. No more rating exams and a ton of extra federal and state benes including dental care. You will need a Soc. Sec. Lawyer. SSD is harder to get than 100% VA. One system has nothing todo with the other though medical records can go back and forth at your discretion. Good Luck and I am not a lawyer. Just been through the whole system. Persistence Pays
Good Luck
Rick, I just did a story on these problems in my English class and I have been trying to find ways to help our veterans get the word out of things like this and how we are employed but VA set appointments during the week when we are all trying to hold on. Go to your local senator reps office and explain the issues and seek hel. Also do what the other person said about the VSOs, they are a big helh, AMVETS help out also. Keep buging those that are to solve your answers (DFAS and VA) and they will get tired of you and get you results. If you are not in agreement with the decisions, then appeal. Good luck and never give up. Make sure you join the VSO groups as a member and support them as well.
Carl Jr.
I would like to thank everyone for their comments and advice. It’s been a while since I have been online and I wanted to post an update on my situation. Shortly after this initial post I was contacted directly by DFAS with a person that personally oversaw that my problem was solved and I received prompt payment. I also applied and was approved for SSID based on my disabilities.