Disability Articles |

The public in general is not aware that:
If a servicemember has 20 years of service, breaks a leg in a softball game (and it affects their mobility), they get *ALL* retirement pay *AND* VA compensation.

But if they fall off a tank while reparing it and are paralyzed, but have less than 20 years of service they are *REQUIRED TO FORFIET* retirement pay if they accept VA compensation. (with some rare insignificant exceptions)

Shouldn't a 25 year-old with, say, six years of service get their six years worth of retirement pay? (about $200 a month)

Private companies are required by law to "vest" employees after participating 5 years in a retirement fund. But not the government.

Doesn't the paralyzed 25 year old NEED the extra money, where the 20 year "full" retiree with a limp could probably get by without the VA compensation ($200-$300 monthly)

The public doesn't know this. Even MOST congressmen don't realize it works this way. If they did I KNOW they would be outraged.
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LetMe,
I am trying to "shorten it up", but it is a complicated issue. I thought I did good to reduce it to about 140 words.
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Gilla,
What do you think a petition should say? I have participated in many petitions in my life and the congressmen are only interested in their own constituents.
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vampire13r:
There is no "vesting" after 8 1/2 years. I think you are confusing this with the fact that after 8 years of service the government can't deny a veteran treatment for a "pre-existing" condition. This includes genetic diseases like sickle-cell anemia.
"Very few veterans?" Since most servicemembers don't retire, I suppose that is technically correct, but of 20+ year retirees 100% are eligible for retirement and VA compensation if they disabilities rated at 50% or greater. (estimated 200,000 of 600,000 military retirees)
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Charles J:
Go to http://www.hadit.com/forums/ for assistance in handling the VA.
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Nancy:
My DD214 and my Government issued ID say I am retired. I get all other retired benefits (Exchange, commissary, base lodges, etc.)
The difference is I was TOLD to retire while the 20 year service member has to ASK PERMISSION to retire.
If I worked at McDonalds for 6 years AND paid into their retirement program for that entire time they had better damn well pay me my 6 years of retirement benefits or I can sue them and/or have the government compel them to pay.
Retirement is retirement and VA compensation is like LTD (Long-term disability)

Just because YOU quit at 10 years and are "now" disabled does not address people that were TOLD to retire short of 20. Don't you think Jessica Lynch should get her 2 years of retirement pay? About $100 a month, in addition to her VA compensation?
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jeeper_peeper321
The DAV and VFW (and USDR and most all the Military Coalition member organizations) want to get benefits for 10% disabled 20 year retirees BEFORE they get benefits for 100% disabled 19 year retirees. I think that is bassackwards.

But I never said 20 year retirees should stop getting any benefits. Why do you say I did? I campaigned long and hard to get the benefits they now have. I only get annoyed at 20 year retirees that say, "I got mine, see you later."
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Well considering Concurrent Receipt has only been the law since 2002.

It's not like 20 year retirees have been double dipping for very long.

You have to start somewhere, it took long enough to get concurrent receipt passed the way it is.

DAV and the VFW are still working to get Concurrent Receipt passed so that all retirees, whether 20 year or medical retirees can draw both thier retirement pay and VA Disability pay.

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And why would you want to stop 20 year retirees from getting both ?

It's not like, just because they are now finally getting both, that means the medicial retirees cannot get it.

Your blaming the wrong horse there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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So get out and join your local DAV or VFW and start doing something about it !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!