I assume you are still flying RW???The 100 % guy I used to work with used to brag about going to the gym. One day asked me about my VA claim. When he found out I claim zero, he said “oh you left a lot of money on the table.”
So glad when he left. Was the epitome of laziness and lack of attention to detail. Two traits that don’t go well in my line of work.
Pilot Veterans!! Any truth to letters being sent out in ref VA DISABILITY
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Gotcha! However, he is confident about keeping his current Class 1 MED cert. until his Med cert expires. I would think that once the FAA gets notified about the lying on Block 18, then a letter gets sent out notifying him that his medical is revoked time now!
As for the Disability Award, I’ve heard the same thing about folks loosing once re-evaluated
No, they were NOT permitted to do that. The privacy act specifically prohibits disclosure of personal information on citizens maintained by one agency to either parties outside the government or other federal agencies (there are exceptions but none of them applied here).
No agency shall disclose any record which is contained in a system of records by any means of communication to any person, or to another agency, except pursuant to a written request by, or with the prior written consent of, the individual to whom the record pertains 5 U.S.C. § 552a(b).
Of course, the FAA doesn't give a rat's ass about complying with the Privacy Act. They violate it continually. I've been trying to get them to stop disseminating my information in violation of it for years.
Right?! You just go to the mailbox one day and there is an FAA letter stating that you no longer hold a medical because of X…However, if you would like to keep flying, you need to do X,Y, and Z and spend thousands of dollars to do so!!
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Yep. Actually on a flight right now.
Fly safe brother!!
Tarheelpilot
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That’s interesting. Every single guy I’ve worked with that was latched on to the VA teat had the same performance issues.The 100 % guy I used to work with used to brag about going to the gym. One day asked me about my VA claim. When he found out I claim zero, he said “oh you left a lot of money on the table.”
So glad when he left. Was the epitome of laziness and lack of attention to detail. Two traits that don’t go well in my line of work.
Lindberg
Final Approach
Can he go in for an early reveal, check the correct boxes, and deal with it?
Morgan3820
Ejection Handle Pulled
I always thought that any claim for disability should require a Purple Heart.
They were not permitted to do it at the time, and got their hand slapped for it (and that's all that happened for violating the law). They are allowed to do it now, because now you explicitly waive that provision when you apply for a medical.
Fearless Tower
Touchdown! Greaser!
That would be on the opposite side of the ridiculous spectrum…
Fearless Tower
Touchdown! Greaser!
I think I know what you mean, but the problem is how do you define ‘latched on to the teat’?
Lots of veterans with high disability ratings who deserve those ratings.
I know people with 100% ratings that do not have performance issues in their post military jobs.
Morgan3820
Ejection Handle Pulled
Seriously, given your experience where should the line be? This issue, it’s not just a military one it’s a civilian one as well. I see plenty of people in handicap spots that have no apparent disability and are in their mid-20s. I really am interested in a discussion.
I am very much saddened by the lack of personal honor and integrity of my fellow citizens.
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Honor and integrity are very subjective things and are usually invoked when judging the actions of others. It’s tough to have an objective legal line in the sand on moral issues. Just ask Justice John Paul Stewart about pornography, for example.
O
Only 10% no "benefits"
Guest
I have a 10% disability rating from the VA. However, due to receiving a separation bonus (i.e. a bonus to get out of the military) during a previous drawdown, and due to a quirk in the pertinent regulations, I do not actually receive any monthly payments.
I believe the question on the medical form asks if you are receiving any disability benefits.
10 years ago or so, I answered this question "no", because I'm not actually receiving any benefits. Well, monetary benefits anyway, and I was pretty sure that's what the question meant. I'm not sure what other type of "benefits" would be considered - I mean, I'd get a slight preference for government jobs, but that's NA for me. I guess I could be seen at a VA hospital for my specific injury, but that's not necessary. So am I "receiving benefits"?
I've answered it "no" every year since. After all this discussion, I am beginning to wonder if I should have answered it "yes". And if I change my answer to "yes" at this point, will that cause any problems? Set off a flag at the FAA?
(The injury was a broken wrist that didn't set quite right and has a slight rotation and slight reduction in range of motion - makes it hard to do pushups, for example. But certainly doesn't affect my ability to fly.)
I believe the question on the medical form asks if you are receiving any disability benefits.
10 years ago or so, I answered this question "no", because I'm not actually receiving any benefits. Well, monetary benefits anyway, and I was pretty sure that's what the question meant. I'm not sure what other type of "benefits" would be considered - I mean, I'd get a slight preference for government jobs, but that's NA for me. I guess I could be seen at a VA hospital for my specific injury, but that's not necessary. So am I "receiving benefits"?
I've answered it "no" every year since. After all this discussion, I am beginning to wonder if I should have answered it "yes". And if I change my answer to "yes" at this point, will that cause any problems? Set off a flag at the FAA?
(The injury was a broken wrist that didn't set quite right and has a slight rotation and slight reduction in range of motion - makes it hard to do pushups, for example. But certainly doesn't affect my ability to fly.)
Tarheelpilot
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I know those 100% as well.
By latched on I mean the guys the have a 100% rating from a thousand paper cuts. Basically the guys without a real disability that have worked the system to maximize the grift like a panhandling entitled POS. Those guys are lazy and suck at work.
Without digging into the minutia, a Purple Heart is for a wound or injury related to enemy action. A serviceman who is injured in a training exercise, for example, wouldn't receive one.
So are you suggesting there should be no disability payments for anyone who isn't injured by an enemy?
Tarheelpilot
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I’m thinking you should just stay a no.
disclaimer: just some dude on the internet.
Fearless Tower
Touchdown! Greaser!
The question is indeed are you receiving "medical disability benefits".
In your case, it sounds like you answered accurately. If you ever do start receiving benefits, then you would need to select yes on the next medical application.
That is what I have to do this year. I left active duty in 2016 and was initially assessed as 0% disabled. Then in April I received a check for almost $40k. Apparently, the VA had to go back and revisit a bunch of claims and I was reassessed at 30% for a similar situation - arthritis from injured wrist and shoulder. That check was back pay from when I first filed the claim. So now I will have to mark yes on that question.
Fearless Tower
Touchdown! Greaser!
Personally, I think it should be limited/related to service connected issues. If the medical issue was caused or somehow related to a person's service, then they should be compensated.
I work with a guy who has 100% disability rating. Former submariner. Was affected by a gas leak in his berthing compartment that has affected his lungs. He'll never be the same. Certainly not combat related, but definitely a medical condition directly caused by his service.
Morgan3820
Ejection Handle Pulled
Ok, Bad idea. Alternate suggestions?
I think that is why he got the Lawyer and then do whatever the FAA needs…however, he is being all Pollyanna thinking this will all be “fixed” in a couple of weeks
What boat was he on? I was on the SSBN 640 blue from 1990-92
So should an Army clerk who develops carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis from long-term keyboard work be granted VA benefits?
I've had trouble for years with CTS stemming from my job at Lockheed. Workman's Comp paid for treatment, and they provided me with a special chair and work station, but I still have flare-ups. I wouldn't expect any sort of payout from long-term disability insurance for it, though. Should it be different for a veteran?
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I don’t think there’s any particular cutoff, the VA just needs to tighten their requirements as to what can get claimed and reduce the percentages of the claims.
I always say, you know it when you see it. When a friend comes into my office and is stoked that he got awarded 50 % for sleep apnea, there’s something wrong. When a job such as a commercial pilot flying passengers that should require excellent physical fitness but yet your pilot is collecting 100 % disability and parks in a handicap space, there’s something wrong. When you attend a VA disability class and the entire class of young, healthy 20 something year olds enthusiastically raise their hands with **** eating grins on their faces when asked if they’re going to claim, there’s something wrong.
Used to be more stringent. It was more physical injuries that occurred in training or combat. Now it’s every little ache and pain someone can claim. The false PTSD claims and the exaggerated 50 % SA claims are the worst. Used to be prior to 2004, you couldn’t collect both retirement and VA disability either. Now we can double dip. What’s funny is, I’ve got friends collecting military retirement, collecting high percentage VA disability, then working as a DoD civ in the same job that apparently gave them said disability!
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Most of that is Congressionally driven; the schedule for ratings is in 38 CFR 4. Probably the best thing that happened was a few years ago the diagnostic criteria was removed from public view in an effort to limit the fraud.
My melanoma is a 0%* which gets me healthcare access. Tricare lets me see a dermatologist annually and a basic eye exam every other year; VA gets me into a derm semiannually and an ophthalmology screen (yes you can get skin cancer in your eyes) annually.
What surprised me was a dislocated shoulder on an AASLT O Course high obstacle was rated fairly high because the impacts (limits to motion) were judged to be bilateral. I didn’t even include that on my application, but VA scrubs the entire service medical record.
As you know and I’ve shared here before, I disclosed all of it up front when I had to get an FAA medical and it was a nothing burger other than a letter reminding me that any change in my condition needed to he reported.
* ETA: the scars from the excision and skin graft were rated at 10% lol.
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hindsight2020
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PTSD and SA are the biggest offenders for one. 50% for SA is way the heck out of line, especially for DOT medical holding folks, like 121ers. My former boss flew to his fini, then magically long term DNIF for SA, 6 months from retirement date concurrent with his terminal leave. GMAFB. Important for folks to understand the significance of 50pct rating threshold, it's the numerical point at which the payment is NO longer offset from the pension. Literally a doubling of the benefit in net terms.
Ultimately, like @Velocity173 alluded to, even after stipulating the grift is across the board, just locking out these grifters from getting over the 70 pct hump (and of course, 90pct) would make a marked difference in the burden to the VA funding. That's how lopsided the last 10pct'ers affect the credibility and sustainability of the entire spectrum all the way down to the 0pct rated.
Ultimately, like @Velocity173 alluded to, even after stipulating the grift is across the board, just locking out these grifters from getting over the 70 pct hump (and of course, 90pct) would make a marked difference in the burden to the VA funding. That's how lopsided the last 10pct'ers affect the credibility and sustainability of the entire spectrum all the way down to the 0pct rated.
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This is one that bothers me because you can be diagnosed while on active duty, get boarded for it, and then be left in a deployable career field but can’t deploy. That, to me, is either medical dq, not a cush run to retirement.
What cracked me up was I could deploy with no waiver post melanoma so long as I was in remission.
No, you do not. The only waiver is for an NDR check.
Yep….the ole conscious got to my buddy…
Fearless Tower
Touchdown! Greaser!
In the Navy, you can have OSA and still be fully deployable and cleared for sea duty.
Pinecone
En-Route
The question is WHY she had the hysterectomy.
If it was due to something that happened due to her service, then yes. But if the cause was not service related, then no. And I am good with yes when the cause is questionable.
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Sounds like a Village People song.
Read the fine print (from the FAA MedExpress disclaimer that is acknowledged at login), see bold text:
Yep….that is what I was thinking….
Wow….glad I told the truth
These people who lied on their medical about disqualifying “disabilities” should all go to jail, full restitution to the taxpayer for their fraud, and forfeit all future military benefits, pension included. It’s people like this who blather on about freedom and welfare queens and hate the government, meanwhile they’re the biggest welfare queens of all. Pees me off to no end. And you can’t say a cross word about them because they’re “veterans”. All hail! They’re thieves and liars is what they are.
It’s amazing how many threads there are on this very site from guys with full PTSD disability from the military who magically feel so much better when they find o it they can’t fly. But heck, at least they’re honest, or considering being honest.
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Kenny Phillips
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It is human nature to take free stuff. Period.
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I always say, don’t pay for PTSD and just offer free phycological treatment / drugs and see how many still claim it. I’d be willing to bet only about half of those that claim PTSD actually have it.
A hysterectomy is the treatment for GYN conditions that could produce a disability (dysfunctional uterine bleeding, bulky fibroids etc.). Unless your job description includes 'having babies' (ie a paid surrogate), the procedure itself doesn't cause one to be unable to perform any work related activities. There can be long term complications like small bowel obstructions down the line, but those are a separate issue.
Absurd if true.