I'm an Officer (O3) getting medically retired. I have a 5 year ADSO and only served 4 years. Will I be eligible for the GI Bill? I was planning to serve 8 years to get 100% of my GI Bill (Officers only start gaining GI Bill benefits after their contract is complete).
GI Bill / Junior Officer
- Thread starter Jumper9012
- Start date
I know the ADSO goes out the window when medically retired or separated. Anecdotally I received post 9-11 bill even though I didn't serve a complete term when I was medically separated. Might need someone else to chime in to be sure though. Typically you are not punished or lose benefits if your career was cut short due to medical issues.
I am in a similar situation to OP, 100% medically retired, 3 years of my 5 year ADSo. I got denied when I applied to the VA last week for Post 9/11 GI Bill.
How I read the regulation below, it seems that I am eligible.
Under 38 C.F.R. § 21.9520(b), an individual is eligible if they:
"Serve on active duty after September 10, 2001, for a minimum of 30 continuous days and, after completion of such service, are discharge from active duty under other than dishonorable conditions due to a service-connected disability."
I am a service academy graduate, so I have the 5 yr ADSO, but nowhere in the reg does it state that having the ADSO disqualifies the 30 day time served in section b.
Any more insights would be appreciated, I am writing my appeal now.
Here's what I have: At least 30 continuous days on active duty and must be discharged due to service-connected disability or received a Purple Heart (Purple Heart effective August 1, 2018)... I believe that you may not qualify fully. And I say this as somebody who also graduated from one of the service academies. My ADSC was up 18 April of this year, so I have served some time above it. Though, you should qualify for it regardless because of your service connected disability. I would call and reach out again!
Did some digging, doesn't look like there is a path to GI Bill eligibility. As per this appeal: https://www.va.gov/vetapp25/Files1/A25002105.txt
Yes, this is what I know as well. Thanks for bringing up this reference document.
Looks like they got separated not medically retired. Im still trying to apply