I need help clarifying a few things with benefits/retirement pay. I was consistently told by PEBLOs, MSC’s, Counsel at the end of the MEB process to list any additional conditions and go file and possibly raise rating to 100. Currently VA 90 and a recently full medically retired O-3 70% Air Force for combat related injuries less then 20 years so not qualified for CRDP.
I’m trying to understand why I should ever deal with the VA again but keep being told by many including the VA to apply for additional conditions even the MEB attorney recommended but didnt' seem to understand my questions. I do have a few conditions that were not referred for MEB and not yet SC by VA. I understand if a lower or mid enlisted is medically retired many times a 100 VA rating would end up being more then their DOD retirement, so they would receive the higher amount. But many officers with a high enough DOD rating would be equal to or higher then the VA 100 rating would amount to. The only other reason I can think of is taxation since VA comp is tax free, but am I understood it that if my DOD condition is direct combat related and qualifies for CRSC my entire DOD amount would be tax free anyways or is that wrong? I have not received my first retirement pay yet.
I don’t live near a large VA hospital only a tiny clinic, so anything beyond basic primary care needs to be community care referral which in my experience is sometimes a big pain in the ass, being medically retired I qualify for Tricare which is much more flexible.
Am I missing something or am I just being told this from PEBLOs, VA reps, etc because statistically there are more enlisted members in the service so that’s what they see more often? Tricare is such good insurance I’m just not sure what the point of me filing any additional claims gets me as If I need medical treatment for them I’m still likely to use Tricare instead of the VA where I understand all care for service connected conditions is free, but with so many official reps saying the same thing I am just wondering what I’m not understanding. I also believe all my current VA conditions are listed as static.
I’m trying to understand why I should ever deal with the VA again but keep being told by many including the VA to apply for additional conditions even the MEB attorney recommended but didnt' seem to understand my questions. I do have a few conditions that were not referred for MEB and not yet SC by VA. I understand if a lower or mid enlisted is medically retired many times a 100 VA rating would end up being more then their DOD retirement, so they would receive the higher amount. But many officers with a high enough DOD rating would be equal to or higher then the VA 100 rating would amount to. The only other reason I can think of is taxation since VA comp is tax free, but am I understood it that if my DOD condition is direct combat related and qualifies for CRSC my entire DOD amount would be tax free anyways or is that wrong? I have not received my first retirement pay yet.
I don’t live near a large VA hospital only a tiny clinic, so anything beyond basic primary care needs to be community care referral which in my experience is sometimes a big pain in the ass, being medically retired I qualify for Tricare which is much more flexible.
Am I missing something or am I just being told this from PEBLOs, VA reps, etc because statistically there are more enlisted members in the service so that’s what they see more often? Tricare is such good insurance I’m just not sure what the point of me filing any additional claims gets me as If I need medical treatment for them I’m still likely to use Tricare instead of the VA where I understand all care for service connected conditions is free, but with so many official reps saying the same thing I am just wondering what I’m not understanding. I also believe all my current VA conditions are listed as static.
