Military Brides

Medical Separation vs. Retirement

Does anyone have experience with this? FI will begin the process soon. He has an appt at the VA Tuesday and they will write the letter to the board. I have a lot of questions but don't want to bother him while he's stressed. How long will it take? If he's 70% disabled according to the VA does that mean he'll get a medical retirement? How does the process work?
I just hate how this is all up in the air and we don't know what's going on. Thanks in advance!

Re: Medical Separation vs. Retirement

  • calindicalindi member
    5000 Comments Second Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    He should get some significant benefits with 70% disabled.  From what I heard from FI who worked at a Veterans clinic last year appealing disability benefits for diabled vets, 60% is kind of the line in the sand - they tend to try to qualify people as less than that because it means less benefits.  So at 70%, he should have some sort of medical and financial support for life.  I don't know about the Army and how it differs from Marines (if at all), but I can ask my FI?  He's pretty well versed in disability benefits (also, his Dad is rated 60% disabled from Vietnam).

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  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_medical-separation-vs-retirement?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:c8ee00d2-c56b-41b4-b82e-95ac933e0579Post:dc75937f-0736-4a86-9396-0262b1c9c78a">Re: Medical Separation vs. Retirement</a>:
    [QUOTE]He should get some significant benefits with 70% disabled.  From what I heard from FI who worked at a Veterans clinic last year appealing disability benefits for diabled vets, 60% is kind of the line in the sand - they tend to try to qualify people as less than that because it means less benefits.  So at 70%, he should have some sort of medical and financial support for life.  I don't know about the Army and how it differs from Marines (if at all), but I can ask my FI?  He's pretty well versed in disability benefits (also, his Dad is rated 60% disabled from Vietnam).
    Posted by calindi[/QUOTE]
    FI said at 30% he gets a medical retirement but the VA and the board differs on percentages. 
  • edited December 2011
    It is my understanding that he wouldn't get any kind of a "retirement" because he hasn't been in for 20 years.  He's not retiring.  He'd be medically separated.. I could be wrong though! I admittedly don't know much about disability.  My FIL I know gets something like 60% from the CG, but he was in for 30 years, and has lots of back problems and skin cancer... Sorry.  Keep us posted!
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  • LetsHikeTodayLetsHikeToday member
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    edited December 2011
    You could also post this on military nesties.
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  • IrishcurlsIrishcurls member
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2011
    Sami, that was my thought. Medical benefits are different from a retirement. Though I know people who get benefits for sleep apnea, so I'm sure your FI will get ample compensation. I hope anyway. 
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  • calindicalindi member
    5000 Comments Second Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Okay, so I spoke more to FI about it last night - it's not "retirement" but he gets "medical benefits" if he's disabled due to his service.  He'll be "medically separated" (certainly honorably, since his medical condition is the reason he's being discharged). The amount depends on the amount he is disabled, and he'll likely get healthcare through the VA for life, which is good, but unlike retirement, that won't transfer to his spouse and children.

    His best advice is to make sure you document EVERYTHING.  What will likely happen is they'll give him an initial disability rating depending on the various aspects that are disabled (PTSD, physical capability, etc.) and then will downgrade his rating once he improves in certain areas.  Go to a VA if he can and have a full evaluation (shouldn't cost anything) and have them establish his full disability ranking.  Get literally EVERYTHING in writing (see the pattern here?). Keep a folder of everything - as his partner, this is likely going to be something you could help him with for the rest of his life.  Keep records of everything - every single doctor he's seen, try to get a copy of his records from them.  Record dates of visits, any sort of daily difficulties he's having, etc.  Write down and keep everything.  If you're super organized, scan it and save it into a computer file (I always email myself important documents on Gmail since they'll be there forever).

    Based on the amount he is disabled, they will give him money to supplement his income if he's able to work a civilian job, or to support him if he is unable to work for any period of time.  They will likely try to downgrade him quickly, and after a certain point, he doesn't get much (if any) benefits anymore.  He will have the right to an appeal, and if he feels the rating isn't reflective of what he is literally able to do, then he should look into appealing.

    FI worked at a clinic this past summer where they helped veterans appeal their disability claims, pro bono (meaning free).  He should look into one of those if he feels he hasn't gotten what he deserves based on his level of disability.  If he needs any more help, my FI is happy to send over the chart of disability and what it means for reimbursement (he says he thinks the Army is the same as the Marines since it's the DOD that handles medical separations, so it's supposed to be uniform throughout the services).

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  • edited December 2011
    Thanks for the help. Not trying to say you guys are wrong but he could get a medical retirement. My cousin was medically retired. It's when you're more than 30% disabled. My cousin has his benefits, disability each month, and a pension. I just wish I knew how they determine which one you get. He has everything documented and has his 2nd VA appt today. According to the VA he's 70% disabled. I just wish this didn't happen because I hate seeing him lose something he loves :(
  • calindicalindi member
    5000 Comments Second Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_medical-separation-vs-retirement?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:c8ee00d2-c56b-41b4-b82e-95ac933e0579Post:004f746a-f6c3-4e7a-9074-f49c11469e4a">Re: Medical Separation vs. Retirement</a>:
    [QUOTE]Thanks for the help. Not trying to say you guys are wrong but he could get a medical retirement. My cousin was medically retired. It's when you're more than 30% disabled. My cousin has his benefits, disability each month, and a pension. I just wish I knew how they determine which one you get. He has everything documented and has his 2nd VA appt today. According to the VA he's 70% disabled. I just wish this didn't happen because I hate seeing him lose something he loves :(
    Posted by Zimsgirl[/QUOTE]

    It's not called a retirement, it's called "medical separation", but it's essentially the same thing.  And it's not a full pension, and I don't think it's called a pension, but again, it's basically the same thing.  It's there to supplement his income and pay for medical bills due to lingering effects of his injuries that prevent him from working completely or partially.  And you get SOME benefits over 30% disabled, but not complete benefits.

    My FFIL is 50% disabled according to the VA, has 2 Purple Hearts from Vietnam, has chronic pain in his leg from the slugs they couldn't entirely get out, and he gets a very small stipend.  He'd get more if he was rated over 60%, but he doesn't want to appeal it.

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  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_medical-separation-vs-retirement?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:c8ee00d2-c56b-41b4-b82e-95ac933e0579Post:5b3a1057-5093-44c8-8edc-7924a2cef9ea">Re: Medical Separation vs. Retirement</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Medical Separation vs. Retirement : It's not called a retirement, it's called "medical separation", but it's essentially the same thing.  And it's not a full pension, and I don't think it's called a pension, but again, it's basically the same thing.  It's there to supplement his income and pay for medical bills due to lingering effects of his injuries that prevent him from working completely or partially.  And you get SOME benefits over 30% disabled, but not complete benefits. My FFIL is 50% disabled according to the VA, has 2 Purple Hearts from Vietnam, has chronic pain in his leg from the slugs they couldn't entirely get out, and he gets a very small stipend.  He'd get more if he was rated over 60%, but he doesn't want to appeal it.
    Posted by calindi[/QUOTE]
    Oh ok. Thanks for the help. I hate not knowing what's going on and obviously it's all out of my control. I'll keep you posted on what's going on. His appt's today so we'll see
  • calindicalindi member
    5000 Comments Second Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_medical-separation-vs-retirement?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:c8ee00d2-c56b-41b4-b82e-95ac933e0579Post:dbc45a0b-713f-4d0a-8827-e75ecfad1aca">Re: Medical Separation vs. Retirement</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Medical Separation vs. Retirement : Oh ok. Thanks for the help. I hate not knowing what's going on and obviously it's all out of my control. I'll keep you posted on what's going on. His appt's today so we'll see
    Posted by Zimsgirl[/QUOTE]

    Good luck to him.  If you want that chart, it might help make stuff clear.  Shoot me a PM with your email and I'll get FI to find it and send it to me to forward on.  It's a non-mathematical system - like 40% physically disabled and 60% emotionally disabled and blah blah blah only will total 70% disabled... even though 60+40 is mathematically 100, it doesn't work that way.  I'm guessing that math is pretty similar to what your FI is, though you want EVERYTHING written out so that if you ever need to appeal, you have the records to go back from.

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  • edited December 2011
    In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_military-brides_medical-separation-vs-retirement?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:13Discussion:c8ee00d2-c56b-41b4-b82e-95ac933e0579Post:9be97ce3-3e52-4b25-b45c-da988a687bde">Re: Medical Separation vs. Retirement</a>:
    [QUOTE]In Response to Re: Medical Separation vs. Retirement : Good luck to him.  If you want that chart, it might help make stuff clear.  Shoot me a PM with your email and I'll get FI to find it and send it to me to forward on.  It's a non-mathematical system - like 40% physically disabled and 60% emotionally disabled and blah blah blah only will total 70% disabled... even though 60+40 is mathematically 100, it doesn't work that way.  I'm guessing that math is pretty similar to what your FI is, though you want EVERYTHING written out so that if you ever need to appeal, you have the records to go back from.
    Posted by calindi[/QUOTE]
    Thanks ygpm!
  • calindicalindi member
    5000 Comments Second Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    The linke he sent me isn't a document, and it isn't classified, so here you go:

    http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/rates/comp01.htm#BM03

    That'll give you an idea of the benefits.  The rating system is still a mystery to me.  I'll see if I can find out more!

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  • calindicalindi member
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    edited December 2011
    Ah... he just sent me this - this might give you some idea about the process:

    http://www.realwarriors.net/active/disability/disability.php

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  • calindicalindi member
    5000 Comments Second Anniversary Combo Breaker
    edited December 2011
    Also, if he wants to stay in, it may be possible:

    "All soldiers whom a PEB or MEB finds unfit for duty are eligible to apply for Continuation on Active Duty/Continuation on Active Reserve regardless of the extent of their injuries. The U.S. Army Wounded Warrior Program (AW2) Advocates assists soldiers who are interested in pursuing Continuation on Active Duty or Continuation on Active Reserve. The program notifies the Human Resource Command as soon as the soldier expresses interest in remaining on active duty and assists throughout the entire application process. To date, most AW2 soldiers who requested to continue to serve the nation have been able to do so.www.realwarriors.net/active/disability/disability.php#_end2">2 Leaders at all levels in military and civilian organizations recognize that veterans have vast knowledge, skills and expertise that they can use to enhance their training curriculum and workplace experience."

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