Temporary retirement?

[msktaylor0207]

My husband is an active duty OIF 1 vet. he is currently med boarding and we just got his first rating. they offered him 70% nonworking temporary disability. the VA has already told him hed get 100%. so how does that work? i thought army and VA was supposed to be using the same rating schedule? and isnt nonworking supposed to be automatically 100%? im somewhat new to all of this!

how do we fight it to get it permanent? any help would be great!

thanks!

[embalmerswife]

Can you clarify what you mean by "nonworking"? I've never heard that term used. Temporary means he's off active duty but should still be able to work a civilian job until the time he goes for re-evaluation when they will make a further determination to extend the temporary status, adjust it, or make it permanent based on his condition at the re-evaluation. I would say if the military has given him 70%, then you should also apply for Social Security Disability. There is a program for OEF/OIF veterans for their applications to be processed faster if they meet the other criteria for the program. We had our SSD claim back within the month and got backpaid for a month with SSD. VA does usually rate higher because they can rate all conditions that occur where the military can only rate conditions that keep you from doing your job. Hope this helps!

[californiasurfboy]

Hello Embalmerswife,

Question. Who did you speak with to speed up the process? I went to a wounded warriors page on the social security but when I clicked on fill out application, it lead me through all the normal application process and the page was not of much help. Is there a group I can go to for assistance? The social security lady that I spoke with had no clue what I was talking about. =/

Sorry for asking a simple question but I am really lost in the system right now. Two months into the MEB process I still do not have a nurse case manager, my peblo counslor has been ill and gone this whole time so I only met her monday, and I am going on 10 months now trying to get to the WTU since becoming unemployable non-bedridden due to PTSD/Anxiety but yet am not in there. In fact I have to explain to the Brigade Sergeant Major tomorrow how my permanent unit has misplaced me for the past four months since I appear to be assigned to nobody which just makes life that much harder in the army when you lack a chain of command to turn to. (long story....)

[msktaylor0207]

he already is getting social security. he started getting it in may of this year. cuz hes been unable to work for over 2 years now. but hes still on active duty. he only goes to his dr appointments and checks in a 2 days a week to the WTU.

nonworking disability is basically you are not allowed to have a job. he has PTSD and he is considered a liability and a loose canon i guess you could say. so he is deemed unfit to work.

as far as the social security going faster for military... not really true. i beleive they were supposed to have the case accepted or denied within 90 days... it was over 8 months for us! and he had all his medical records, everything was there. and he actually had the medical portion accepted. but he didnt hear anything for several months! it was rediculous!

it took being persistent mosquitos in their ears to get anything done! and our case manager STILL wont answer the phone or return calls! we filed formal audits to get things going.


im pretty sure my husbands medical rating will be changing. he found out yesterday he has to have surgery on his lungs. and they changed his lung diagnosis from reactive airway disease (RAD) to COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and his lungs have lost 2% of capacity in a year... he was at 40% lost lung capacity. so theyr holding off on the MEB AGAIN.

[Purple]

I filed for SSDI while on active duty and was told the process could take six months or longer. I supplied them with my medical records to help the process.

SSDI examiners have been in constant phone/mail contact with me. I wish it was true that the process was fast for all claimants...

[Purple]

This is a link for SSD if anyone is interested: Benefits for People with Disabilities