I spoke to the JAG this afternoon and he informed me that when reservists get medically retired they still have to wait until they turn 60 before they can collect their pay. Until then all they can get is the VA compensation. This doesn't sound right to me. Its my understanding that when a reservists gets medically retired you start drawing your retired pay once the paperwork is finalized. I tried to call my Pay office to inquire about this but they were closed. Anyone have any input on this?
There are quite a few scenarios that can take place, I'll go over a couple.
1.) Reservist, 20Y letter, medically retired 40% DoD, 100% DoVA. Injury not occurred in a combat zone or as an instrument of war.
Medical retirement is 40% of the retired base pay (we will use $3000 as the retired base pay) the reservist would be eligible for $1200 per month). DoVA C&P would be $2854.24 per month (single soldier no dependents). VA C&P is greater than the DoVA medical retirement, so the service member would collect the DoVA C&P and not the medical retirement. Once the service member reaches their EARNED retirement age (typically 60) then the can collect both C&P and their earned retirement based upon how many active duty points they have. This would be called concurrent receipt of disability and retirement pay (CRDP)
2.) Exact same scenario, however the injury was incurred as a instrument of war. The service member would then be eligible for combat rated special compensation and would be eligible to collect both the C&P from the VA, plus the medical retirement from the DoD. This is called combat related special compensation (CRSC)
Here is a some guidance from DFAS
http://www.dfas.mil/retiredmilitary/disability/payment.html
If you are comfortable sharing some of the details regarding your particular situation, I can advise you of every bit of pay, allowance and entitlement that you should be receiving.