TDRL to PRDL

I have 21 yrs service and was put on TDRL last Nov. Got my first TDRL relook info and they recommended I be put on PDRL at 30%. VA just rated me for the same condition at 70%. Since I have 21 yrs and get 52.5% retirement anyway should I care about the 30% PDRL? I really do not want to do a formal hearing so if I non concurred I think if would have to be a written package to SECAF.

Tomcat98
 
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I would look at the real dollars to figure out the benefits on the table. What is 70% of your retired base pay?

For some members (those with fewer years of service or lower rank) there may be no difference. However, if you have 21 years, you likely are senior and it may make a substantial difference. Hard to say without knowing the real dollars involved.
 
Once thing to keep in mind is that the military rating is based on the actual disabling condition, not every condition as the VA. I'm 70% with the VA for my fake hip and a long list of things. The USAF only rates me for only my hip, not all the rest of the stuff as the hip is the only condition of mine that made me unfit and put on TDRL. So the ratings are different. I started at 100% on TDRL and 100% with VA. VA lowered to 70% as expected last summer. I just had my reeval and if I stay on TDRL I'll be dropped to 30% by the USAF as my hip has healed. VA won't drop any lower, that 70% includes my hip at 30%, but again, lots of other things.
 
In this case I was rated 70% from the VA for this condition alone. AF now wants to rate it 30% for their purposes. I get 52.5% AS retirement anyway due to 21 YOS. Does this 30% rating matter?

Tomcat98
 
Tomcat98 said:
In this case I was rated 70% from the VA for this condition alone. AF now wants to rate it 30% for their purposes. I get 52.5% AS retirement anyway due to 21 YOS. Does this 30% rating matter?

Tomcat98
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Could be that the condition got better and is truly at 30%..don't go telling the VA or they might lower it too! I'm under 20yrs, but my thought is that if you are put on PRDL with 30%, that 30% of your retirement pay (the 52.5% of base rate) won't be taxed, the rest will. I think that's all the new AF rating will mean to you. So if you fight to have it raised and win, you'll get that much more of your retirement pay untaxed, but also might lose and if the VA sees and concurs with the lower rating, could lower your VA Disability Compensation. Just my thoughts, could be wrong, I'm still waiting on the PEB to decide outcome of my TDRL eval.
 
If i was you, I would probably take it to the formal board with all medical documentation from the VA and any other doctors that might know of your conditions. The biggest difference would be in pay, compare 70% of your high 3 compared to 52.5 percent of your high 3. Also, if your disabilities are combat related, then consider also the tax free benefit involved. 52.5 % will be about $4304 roughly and 70% would give you about $5740, so about $1435 more a month if you do get rated at the 70% level. This is just based on a quick calculation on current base pay for an o-5. If you can do without the extra money, then there is no need for appeal, accept the findings and be done with the process. Hope this helps some.
 
Since my TDRL was 50% could I justify the 70%. As for it getting better. As many of you know it is on a continuum some days you would never know and some days I am non functional.

Tomcat98
 
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