DOD/VA %'s are IN

ArmyLOD

ArmyLOD

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PEB Forum Veteran
Registered Member
Ok, DOD gave me 80% PDRL and VA gave me 90%, I am happy, but kinda confused of how I didn't get 100% with VA. They gave me the same % as DOD but then added 50% for sleep apnea plus 10% for something else but how does that only equate to only 90%? I know they have a screwey way of math equation but really.

So my PEBLO said I should take the DOD because 75% of base is higher than VA's. So my question(s) are.

1. If I start receiving DOD retirement then get VA to 100% can I then go with VA?
2. Should I fight now vs waiting until I get out for getting VA to 100%? (I NEED OUT, not helping my issues)
3. If I stay with DOD retirement and get VA to 100% can VA tell me that I can't work?, due to DOD paying me?
4. With those percentages do I qualify for the property tax relief on my home? (MI)

If any more info is needed let me know, I'm an open book. Just ask....... Thanks to all with the support during the many months of waiting.
 
It is possible that you may not have been granted service connection on one or more of the DoD unfitting conditions.

It would take the 199 and VA proposal to know for sure.
 
gsfowler said:
It is possible that you may not have been granted service connection on one or more of the DoD unfitting conditions.

It would take the 199 and VA proposal to know for sure.
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Ill take another look to see, but all showed yes in the service related block. I just received it today and the clock starts tomorrow, So I will be getting it off to legal first thing in the morning. Just seems weird to me, just looking there was another 10% for ankle instability that VA gave me that DOD didn't which I understand why DOD didn't due to it not affecting my MOS/ duty. But it was service related, crazy, crazy, crazy.
 
1. If I start receiving DOD retirement then get VA to 100% can I then go with VA?

You VA C&P will offset your DoD retirement (tax free) if the DoD retirement is greater than the VA C&P than you will get the VA C&P and then the difference of the DoD $$. If you injuries are combat related, you should apply for CSRC, make sure to check out the criteria.

2. Should I fight now vs waiting until I get out for getting VA to 100%? (I NEED OUT, not helping my issues)

You should check out the proposed ratings to make sure they are correct and accurate. If you can financially survive on your DoD requirement, you can most certainly do this after you get out. As long as you do it within 12 months of discharge, the rating will be back dated to the date of discharge.

3. If I stay with DOD retirement and get VA to 100% can VA tell me that I can't work?, due to DOD paying me?

The VA does not typically tell you that you cannot work, there are some circumstances such as requesting TDIU that will not be paid if you are working. Read up on TDIU.

4. With those percentages do I qualify for the property tax relief on my home? (MI)

You would have to contact your states Veterans office, they can brief you on what benefits they have. The will mail you a benefits book if you request it.
 
ArmyLOD said:
Ill take another look to see, but all showed yes in the service related block. I just received it today and the clock starts tomorrow, So I will be getting it off to legal first thing in the morning. Just seems weird to me, just looking there was another 10% for ankle instability that VA gave me that DOD didn't which I understand why DOD didn't due to it not affecting my MOS/ duty. But it was service related, crazy, crazy, crazy.
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Sometimes the VA will not grant service connection if they feel the condition existed prior to or was incurred outside of service. The DoD awards service connection because of the 8 year rule.

With DoD granting 80% and the VA granting 90% (including the 50% OSA and 10% ankle) I would bet that they found one or more of your unfitting conditions to not be service connected.

It could be a simple oversight on the part of the VA. This happened to me on two conditions. Make sure that your counsel does the correct thing as far as the VA is concerned. Mine did a VARR and it was a 100 day waste of time. The VARR only addresses a rating percentage, not service connection.
 
ArmyLOD said:
Ok, DOD gave me 80% PDRL and VA gave me 90%, I am happy, but kinda confused of how I didn't get 100% with VA. They gave me the same % as DOD but then added 50% for sleep apnea plus 10% for something else but how does that only equate to only 90%? I know they have a screwey way of math equation but really.

So my PEBLO said I should take the DOD because 75% of base is higher than VA's. So my question(s) are.

1. If I start receiving DOD retirement then get VA to 100% can I then go with VA?
2. Should I fight now vs waiting until I get out for getting VA to 100%? (I NEED OUT, not helping my issues)
3. If I stay with DOD retirement and get VA to 100% can VA tell me that I can't work?, due to DOD paying me?
4. With those percentages do I qualify for the property tax relief on my home? (MI)

If any more info is needed let me know, I'm an open book. Just ask....... Thanks to all with the support during the many months of waiting.
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Indeed, congratulations on the recent receipt of your IPEB findings inclusive of DoD PDRL and DoVA proposed ratings! :D Take care and most definitely enjoy your forthcoming military disability retirement. :cool:

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!
 
As always, all of your words of wisdom help my anxiety calm down a bit. Thank you for the insightful information. I will keep you all up-to-date.
 
ArmyLOD said:
As always, all of your words of wisdom help my anxiety calm down a bit. Thank you for the insightful information. I will keep you all up-to-date.
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Indeed, no worries and you are quite welcome! :)

As such, I can definitely relate to the heighten anxiety to include all other symptomatology associated with my numerous medical conditions! ;)

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!
 
I have a question that I am hoping someone can shed some light on. I have a l4-l5 fusion done just over a year ago, and I got 2 staff infections and an ecoli infection from the surgery and had to have a second surgery to clean out the wound, a picc line for antibiotics for 3 months and a wound vac to suck out any remaining fluid. The ecoli infection is gone, but the staff infections are dorm it and on the hardware installed with the fusion. Yet when I got my ratings back from the VA they say the infection is not service connected. The surgery was during active duty, and was done by an active duty doctor at BAMC. How is that not service connected?!
 
MichaelBunt said:
I have a question that I am hoping someone can shed some light on. I have a l4-l5 fusion done just over a year ago, and I got 2 staff infections and an ecoli infection from the surgery and had to have a second surgery to clean out the wound, a picc line for antibiotics for 3 months and a wound vac to suck out any remaining fluid. The ecoli infection is gone, but the staff infections are dorm it and on the hardware installed with the fusion. Yet when I got my ratings back from the VA they say the infection is not service connected. The surgery was during active duty, and was done by an active duty doctor at BAMC. How is that not service connected?!
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I'm curious to see anyones replies, I also had 2 post surgery infections, mine was after placement of a spinal cord stimulator, I was also on a PICC line. Mine was only 6 weeks and I hated every minute of it, I can't imagine 3 months with that stupid bag being attached. Personally I couldn't find anything relating to staph in the schedule of ratings.
 
Luckily, they gave me con leave the entire time so I didn't have to fight the picc line or wound vac with the uniform. I had a constant drip from a pressurized ball, it was a pain and always in the way!
 
I'm not sure if they will rate it, due to the fact that the infections can get cleared up and not be a life long problem. I could be wrong and sometimes I am. My problem is VA did the same for me but I have perm nerve damage and lost feeling in my left pointer middle and thumb and they didn't even rate me with 0% and said it wasn't military related. It was caused by the c6c7 disks that blew out that was related to military service due to the disk laying over the nerve when it blew out. So not sure if they will rate you on it but I would definitely try. Just like meds I'm on so many darn meds that I'll probably be on the rest of my life, but not one thing on them anywhere for a rating.
 
ArmyLOD said:
I'm not sure if they will rate it, due to the fact that the infections can get cleared up and not be a life long problem. I could be wrong and sometimes I am. My problem is VA did the same for me but I have perm nerve damage and lost feeling in my left pointer middle and thumb and they didn't even rate me with 0% and said it wasn't military related. It was caused by the c6c7 disks that blew out that was related to military service due to the disk laying over the nerve when it blew out. So not sure if they will rate you on it but I would definitely try. Just like meds I'm on so many darn meds that I'll probably be on the rest of my life, but not one thing on them anywhere for a rating.
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Did you try a reconsideration on the nerve damage? I've seen many others get rated for this and I would think it's worth reattacking, it's in the schedule of ratings.
 
I talked to the MEB/PEB attorney and we figured that I will attack it when I get out, with VA. DOD gave me 80% and yea I guess I could fight that to but why, due to the fact that they are only going to give me 75% anyways even if I hit 100%. So I figure I would file it with VA within the 1 year and get all the other stuff done at the same time to hopefully get VA up to 100%, then it would be worth it. <--- IMO.. At least I can walk out of boots and enjoy retirement, not having to deal with a possible 4 more months of crap and stress. Just my thoughts
 
ArmyLOD,

I am a little confused about your PEBLO telling you to take DoD retirement over VA. You really don't have a choice to make. You are given a DoD disability retirement and the VA will offset the DoD retirement. If DoD is higher that VA then you get that difference DFAS. Some or all of the VA offset can be restored by CRSC if eligible.

Mike
 
Mike,

I think I understand what your saying and if I do yes, they said that DOD is 3150.22 and VA is 1714.34. I was told that VA would pay me the 1714.34 that isn't taxed and DOD would pay the difference to make up to the 3150.22. So DOD would pay 1435.88 that is taxed and VA would pay 1714.34 that isn't taxed to give me the pay of 3150.22. That's my understanding anyways. That doesn't include my dependents as of yet though. Let me know if I'm wrong please. And I don't qualify for CRSC.
 
I asked that question before and ppl said it's difficult to prove. It was actual unit mission training that involved other agencies. Our unit is kind of unique, we get paid hazard duty pay for our mission here state side. So I guess I would need to know what's needed.
 
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