Get booted or retire?

S

Stearno

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
I am an active duty E-7 w/22.5 yrs in service in a flying AFSC. Recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and facing an MEB, I'm not sure what to expect or what direction I want it to go. I take 4 injections daily, have a restricted diet, and am phohibited from strenuous activity. I've also had frozen shoulder which left me with reduced strength in my right hand and tingling/numbness in both hands and legs/feet when walking long distance or running.(I don't run anymore due to this and plummeting glucose) I'm not expecting to be found fit for duty since I don't believe I will fly again, but I've "heard" way too many variable from too many folks who have not dealt with this. I've combed the web and not found the answers I need, so here it goes
I'm looking for the pros/cons of these options and also other options if there are any
1. Fight to stay in to high year tenure so I can collect VA benefits
2. Let them medically retire at X% and also collect VA benefits(I've also heard you can't get both)
3. Establish retirement date now and ride it out for that(not sure how that would help)

Any help is greatly appreciated
 
Stearno said:
I am an active duty E-7 w/22.5 yrs in service in a flying AFSC. Recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and facing an MEB, I'm not sure what to expect or what direction I want it to go. I take 4 injections daily, have a restricted diet, and am phohibited from strenuous activity. I've also had frozen shoulder which left me with reduced strength in my right hand and tingling/numbness in both hands and legs/feet when walking long distance or running.(I don't run anymore due to this and plummeting glucose) I'm not expecting to be found fit for duty since I don't believe I will fly again, but I've "heard" way too many variable from too many folks who have not dealt with this. I've combed the web and not found the answers I need, so here it goes
I'm looking for the pros/cons of these options and also other options if there are any
1. Fight to stay in to high year tenure so I can collect VA benefits
2. Let them medically retire at X% and also collect VA benefits(I've also heard you can't get both)
3. Establish retirement date now and ride it out for that(not sure how that would help)

Any help is greatly appreciated
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I'm sure other very knowledgable folks will chime in here in the next 48 hours. But I'd say go thru the IDES process, get your medical discharge, and draw your time on AD out as long as possible.

Why? Well, this is an election year and the NDAA is up for grabs. We are a few pawns in this game, so you just may - never know - just might benefit from staying AD for as long as you can.

If you have 20 AD years, you are good to go. You can do CRDP.

nwlivewire
 
You are over 20 years in so if you are rated over 50% you will get both your VA and Military pay concurrent. IDES/MEB is the way to go as it will all be taken care of before you get out. If they feel you need a MEB than this is actually a good thing as you will end up getting more in the long run. So basically if they feel you need a MEB take it, with over 20 years in you are in the best situation possible.
 
New question.
Assuming I get medically retired at 40%. Would that mean a retirement check of E-7 @23yrs=$2470ish + 40% more=$988ish?
Further assume I get to 50% VA, spouse + 2 kids under 18 and an 18 yr old in college = $1093
Would I get both of those?
Regarding the VA rate table, could I claim a stepson over 18 whose in college(he's currently in DEERS)? What is meant by "veteren with spouse and one(or two) parent and child?

Again, thanks in advance...way too much to learn and nowhere near enough time to learn it
 
I would say you are only going to get your retirement for 23 yrs of service. E-7 @23yrs=$2470ish + 40% more=$988ish. The reason I come to this is because I had in over 20 yrs and got 80% DoD. I was paid for 75%, max allowed DoD, not 50% retirement plus 75% for disability. I'm Legacy Program or the old DES system. Once my VA kicked in, my retirement pay dropped to the respective 57.7% (my retirement) and I get my VA 90%. If you are awarded 50% and over you will get your retirement and VA. I'm not sure on the stepson but my guess would be yes you should be able to claim him. The parents would have to live with you as a dependent.

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
 
To address the step-child issue. The answer is yes. The VA, like the Military considers them to be a dependent. I have two step-children and they are entitled to my benefits, to include the chapter 35 benefits I receive.
 
Thanks, what are Ch. 35 benefits? Is there a place that spells all these things out in one location? I read on someone else's post that if you are unable to do your job on the outside (I guess the FAA doesn't like diabetics either), the VA has programs to retrain you for something else. Does that use your GI bill or is that a seperate thing?
 
Stearno said:
Thanks, what are Ch. 35 benefits? Is there a place that spells all these things out in one location? I read on someone else's post that if you are unable to do your job on the outside (I guess the FAA doesn't like diabetics either), the VA has programs to retrain you for something else. Does that use your GI bill or is that a seperate thing?
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It is also know as (Survivors & Dependents Assistance). Some of them can be seen here. http://gibill.va.gov/benefits/other_programs/dea.html But,it also extends to post access for SM who were not retired, and family medical care under Champ VA.
 
Stearno said:
OK, figured out Ch 35...looks like you have to be 100% for that...
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In a sense yes. It is a bit more confusing than that though, as the VA has all of the modifiers they use. The in short the 100% rating must have been determined to be permanent and total(P&T) before they will award you the additional benefits.

On a side thought, it might be a good idea to start a sticky regarding some of the VA terminology and a benefits link.
 
Argh, too much to do. I guess I was supposed to have a briefing about this stuff within ten days of the diagnosis (back in Apr) but only found out last week they were adjuticating this today, Sept 11 (how appropriately ironic). I got it postponed due to their screwup until Oct 2nd or 9th. Now I get to jump through hoops to ensure I don't get hosed. The hardest part is trying to figure out if I'm better off getting medically retired or being found fit for duty and staying till HYT. BTW, HYT is 1Feb 14 (or 1 Feb 16 if I make E-8 this year)...any thoughts/comments appreciated
 
Stearno said:
Argh, too much to do. I guess I was supposed to have a briefing about this stuff within ten days of the diagnosis (back in Apr) but only found out last week they were adjuticating this today, Sept 11 (how appropriately ironic). I got it postponed due to their screwup until Oct 2nd or 9th. Now I get to jump through hoops to ensure I don't get hosed. The hardest part is trying to figure out if I'm better off getting medically retired or being found fit for duty and staying till HYT. BTW, HYT is 1Feb 14 (or 1 Feb 16 if I make E-8 this year)...any thoughts/comments appreciated
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Do you have any conditions directly related to combat? So, I guess are the best way for me to ask this question is, are you omitting anything because you think it is not rateable? Also, have you talked with a DAV, VFW, or Legion rep for additional advice on your conditions?

Note: You should qualify for this.. see here http://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/disability/crdp.html So, this would be concurrent receipt.
 
Stearno said:
Argh, too much to do. I guess I was supposed to have a briefing about this stuff within ten days of the diagnosis (back in Apr) but only found out last week they were adjuticating this today, Sept 11 (how appropriately ironic). I got it postponed due to their screwup until Oct 2nd or 9th. Now I get to jump through hoops to ensure I don't get hosed. The hardest part is trying to figure out if I'm better off getting medically retired or being found fit for duty and staying till HYT. BTW, HYT is 1Feb 14 (or 1 Feb 16 if I make E-8 this year)...any thoughts/comments appreciated
Click to expand...

Ultimately, the decision will rest with your branch of service as to if you are able to be retained for further military service.

You could request "Continuation of Active Duty" - aka COAD, but you have already reached your 20-year mark, so don't know if it's worth staying in or not.

If all your injuries on the DoD side are just the regular service-connected designated and unfit, then your DoD retirement gets Federally and State taxed (where applicable). If your DoD retirement injuries that made you unift for service are "combat/combat related", then your retirement will not be Federally taxed.

If you could stay in and your branch of service approved you to stay in, you would still be making a payroll check and probably get one more pay raise for your time in rank, too - and you might even get that next stripe. Either scenario would increase your retirement amount, as an E-7 maxes out in their pay scale at 26 years.

Keep us posted on what fork in the road you decide to take.

V/r,
nwlivewire
 
I didn't even think of the VFW or Legion. As far as combat related goes i don't know, but I wouldn't think so. I'm a Flight Engineer on C-5 aircraft. As such, we are constantly doing missions in theatre, but never really deployed. Although I was routinely gone more than 200 days annually, it wasn't a deployment becuase it was only 1 or 2 weeks at a time. That said, I've learned that an irregular diet, poor diet and stress are "thought" to be causes/contributers of type 1 diabetes. That said, it might be a stretch to say that 19 years of flying the big grey beast led to this.
As far as ommitting, no...I've told the Dr the stuff that's come up since the diagnosis. I think it might help with VA stuff later and will hopefully get me to 50%, but I understand the AF will only consider the diabetes when deciding to retire me or let me stay. Hopefully, they come out at 40% since I meet that criteria. Having read so many other peoples' stories on this site, I guess it's not so cut and dry.
 
Take a deep breath and relax. Given 20+ years of active duty, you will likely get the same exact benefits regardless if you are retired for length of service or for disability.

Mike
 
Stearno, I was in a similar situation. Over 20 years active and MEB for diabetes. I have been diabetic for over 11 years now. I was diagnosed at my 9 year mark. I was found fit initially and returned to duty then at my 16 year mark they tried to board me again with 20% and severance. Needless to say I fought that. Went down to Lackland at the FPEB and told them I want to stay in. They said ok and I returned to duty. Then at my 20 year mark I got another MEB and this time it came from the IPEB and they said I had to go through IDES for retirement. So from the get go on this last one they've made it clear that I need to retire. So I set it in my mind that this is it. So after reviewing all the great info on this site I set out to do everything that I read from other posters who had success. I also learned a lot from those who said they wished they had done one thing or another. I can tell you that based on what you said about being on insulin and restricted diet and no strenuous activity, that is at least 40%. That's what I was offered. My diagnosis didn't say "no strenuous activity" though, mine just said I am limited in what I can do. Your statement is much stronger than mine. The key for you to remember is get ALL of your conditions listed in the MEB. Let them decide what is unfitting. I went through my med records and found a list of issues I have had throughout my career. Subsequently, I have been given a 70% rating from DoD (2 unfit findings) and 100% VA. So if you go the MEB route, do your homework, as the guys on this site always say "you're your own best advocate!". Hope everything works out for you.
 
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