If one weren't pursuing FAA certification or aviation employment, maximizing one's disability rating might be a good deal. A few extra dollars from uncle sam won't compensate for hearing loss, limb loss, mobility loss, or loss of sanity or sleep, but it's something. In the case of one making a career of aviation, the cost-benefit analysis of what one gets in compensation from the VA, insurance, social security, etc, should be weighed against the potential cost to one's career over the expected term of the career (lifetime, for example). The aggregate income up to retirement with a legacy airline will be substantially more than whatever one is able to achieve in a VA disability rating. So long as the two won't conflict (due diligence), no problem, but if a choice must be made, it's best to do the homework and decide where the priority lies. It should probably lie with one's lifetime career.

That said not everyone who comes into disability benefits does so with the foresight of an aviation career. I asked a fairly young gung-ho staff sergeant in Basrah one night if he had a sinus or other condition that would preclude a rapid altitude change on the way to the airport. He said he had just one ear drum. I told him we'd take a little more time and care getting down. I asked what happened to his other ear. RPG in Baghdad. "It's okay, sir," he said cheerfully, "If the army wants me to have another ear drum, they'll issue one." Admirable, but of course, wrong.

I mention this relevant to the reference of sour grapes and prejudices about the great unwashed separating and seeking a white collar career as airline pilots; not everyone leaves the service in a pilot, or as an officer, or even with the intent to fly. Additionally, not everyone has any idea that disability benefits might have a bearing on medical certification (or that reporting them might). For those reasons and many more, t's always wise to do extra due diligence in researching the impact to career, what must be reported, what's allowed, etc. Just like planning a takeoff, know before you go, and just like a clearance (Clarence) that isn't clear, clarify. Far better than falling afoul.