VA disablity
 

I have a buddy who flies fighters for the Navy and is now getting out of the military. He wants an airline job, preferably with Delta. While flying fighters he had a back injury. His doctor told him to stop any jolting exercise like running. He is medically UP and is cleared to fly, but he is curious about filing for some disability with the VA. I told him to be careful because he wants to join a SELRES unit, and it may raise a flag with the airline on his first class medical. I think he got his FAA first class medical, but didn't mention the back problems to that doctor.

Can filing disability with the VA disqualify him from becoming a SELRES (selected reservist) or give him any problem working for an airline?

If you lie to one federal agency (FAA) and file for a disability (monthly income) at another federal agency (VA), it's called a federal offense.

I just got off the phone, and he did report the back injury during the FAA physical, and still is approved to fly.

The original question still stands.

Can't answer the reserve question but if he can hold a FAA Class 1 or even Class 2 at some airlines, he won't have a problem getting a job. The airline will have no knowledge of his VA status and it's probably illegal for them to ask.

HOWEVER.... if he files for and receives disability payments I believe there are limitations as to what he can draw if he is working full time or even at all for that matter.

I think there is a big difference between the selres and being completely out. My had has been on 10% disability for 30 years and never had an issue with having a full time job.

From what I understand, 10% is fairly common. Again, not sure what the implications are for the selres, and I need that answer too.

It's been a while since I dealt with this, but here's the way it worked then...


From a Reserve perspective, you can claim and be awarded significant disability from AD and still drill as a SELRES. The only catch is that you are not allowed to receieve disability pay while drilling...you must voluntarily forgo it. Once you are done drilling, you can then collect your monthly disability.

However, I would not want to have a registered VA disability and then try to claim perfect health to the FAA and/or airlines...like someone said, there is federal prison time at stake here.

Someone who is serious about the airlines might want to consider not claiming a disability immediately. I think you can wait a year after release from AD to file without getting resistance to your claim. Technically, there is no time limit, but years down the road the VA will resist the claim I think.

Also, just because the FAA is OK with your disability does not mean that all airlines will be.

I agree..if he can hold a Class 1 or 2, then it should be no problem. As long as he discloses everything about the injury/disability. If he starts claiming workers comp or something like at his new job then it might raise an eyebrow or two. The big thing is as long as he does nothing dishonest or lies.

Where did you fly Hooves?

I think that as long as you can pass an FAA physical it doesn't matter to the airlines.

However, I do know a former F-16 pilot who took a large diability for a neck injury, then when layed off by his airline tried to get a job with an F-16 ANG unit. Somewhere in the hiring process they realized that he was getting payed for a bad neck and they ended up not hiring him.

OK...I`m gonna give you the straight word. No guess work or opinions...Here goes. If you are awarded VA disability compensation, it is between you and the VA..period. They are prevented,by law, from ever releasing any information about you or any compensation to anyone. If this info is released, you can sue the VA and the person who released the information. How do I know? Take a wild guess.

:confused::confused::confused:

Roll: That goes for the civilian job, right? What about the SELRES job?

Rocco: West coast. 1997-2004

Hoove = S-3B AKA War Hoover (but really because it sounds like the vacuum, almost same engines as the A-10).

Gotcha, thought it was for me...

Nope. You headin North?

Not yet...I doubt I'll survive the next round though(or the one after that).:( Oh well, another Boeing type for the ticket. Just hope it becomes commutable.

I think you are asking about a reserve job. The former head of the Veterans Administration gave me the info that I gave you. He said that information could not be released to anyone. I`m assuming he is good for his word, he`s a former US Senator, however he is a Democrat.

I'm glad disability information is a sealed record but does anyone know why exactly? It seems to me any other money coming to you from the government is pretty much public knowledge. I don't exactly understand why VA benefits would be illegal to release. But I certainly don't disagree with the policy. I was just curious.

Sounds like a good story, sanitized version to share?

Also curious about reason, is it health records privacy or something else at play?

I got mashed up pretty good in a bail out long time ago. Got on with a major, and a few years later went to the VA for two days of tests. Was awarded 50% disability..It`s tax free, BTW. 50% and above means free perscription drugs from the VA. I have no idea why the health records are private. Go for it if you can.

There were 30 or so pilots in CA who were getting Soc Sec disability and had a Class I medical and are in trouble.

:eek::eek::eek:

Yeah the FAA aeromedical and the Social Security Admin. started sharing data a couple years ago. I heard that a handful of private pilots got tagged for prosecution, but didn't know any professionals were that dumb.

Don't leave a paper trail, somebody might decide to follow it. Many of the feds seems to REALLY enjoy taking down upstanding citizens, it's a lot more fun than just busting career scumbags who think prison is no big deal.

I think the confusion in this topic comes from the misnomer of disability and it's blanket use - they really need a different term but they only use the one. VA disability certainly can include real disablity that prevents you from holding a job or a Type I physical. However, it also includes any health issues you developed while on Active Duty that make you not as healthy as when you entered. Examples, bum knee from a sports injury, hearing loss (but your hearing is still good enough to hold a type I but not as good as when you entered), a chronic health condition that developed on active duty (thyroid problem, blood pressure etc), even a hysterectomy or vasectomy. You absolutely can and should file and recieve VA disability for these types of items. Yes it is purely between you ann the VA and as long as you are honest on your physicals there are no issues.
The VA rep explained it like this when I seperated: You enter Active Duty as a brand new car with a full tank of gas. The military drives the **** out of you and then trades you in for a new car. The VA compensates you for what was used out of your gas tank and wear and tear on your parts. Will the car still run and operate? Yes, but not as well as when it was new. That is the basis for the compensation.

I think the confusion in this topic comes from the misnomer of disability and it's blanket use - they really need a different term but they only use the one.

VA disability certainly can include real disablity that prevents you from holding a job or a Type I physical. However, it also includes any health issues you developed while on Active Duty that make you not as healthy as when you entered. Examples: bum knee from a sports injury, hearing loss (but your hearing is still good enough to hold a type I but not as good as when you entered), a chronic health condition that developed on active duty (thyroid problem, blood pressure, scars from surgery etc), even a hysterectomy or vasectomy. You absolutely can and should file and recieve VA disability for these types of items. Yes it is purely between you and the VA and as long as you are honest on your physicals there are no legal issues.
The VA rep explained it like this when I seperated: You enter Active Duty as a brand new car with a full tank of gas. The military drives the **** out of you and then trades you in for a new car. The VA compensates you for what was used out of your gas tank and wear and tear on your parts. Will the car still run and operate? Yes, but not as well as when it was new. That is the basis for the compensation.

Great explanation, Box. My VA disability is for 2 different things. One is simple acid reflux and my AME is aware of the meds I take. The other is for a shoulder injury, which he is also aware of and which doesn't affect my Class I. I got a 20% disability rating from the VA, and a Class I physical from the FAA without any conflict or issues.

For those retiring, the amount of your retirement pay from DoD is reduced by the amount of your VA disability compensation. But the VA money is tax free.

You gotta be kidding me. Twenty five years after retiring from the USAF, I got 10% VA disability for loss of hearing. They began sending me a check for $110.00 a month and promptly notified the USAF who deducted $110.00 a month from my retirement pay. You can't double dip that way. The computers talk to each other.

It has already been said that if you are receiving a retirement pension then your disability is deducted from your pension (However, the disability portion is not taxed). This does not mean that the VA is free to tell anybody about your disability, they are just required to alter your pension.

By the way, Did you at least get twenty-five years of back pay on that $110 per month? If you are awarded a disability it is normally back dated to your day of discharge.

New rules... adopted a year or so ago. If your disability was related to any combat action or supporting combat (whether in theater or not)... then your retirement compenation will not be reduced. But you have to apply and be approved.

I can't answer for the SELRES, but if he is approved for a partial disability (ie not total or 100%) from the VA-- go for it. If he passes the FAA Class 1 (and being up front with all questions on the application form) -- it will not be a problem with the airlines. In fact, it is illegal for the VA to share or disclose ANY information to outside parties. The only info the airline will have access to is the FAA Class 1, not the military or VA health info.

There are literally THOUSANDS of guys out there flying for the airlines with a VA disability rating.

I wish you were right however I believe it is backdated to the date of filing. For some it takes years to get an approval and they are compensated for the time they wait.

Okay, I think it is if you file your claim within twelve months of seperation your claim is backdated to your EAS. Mine most definitely was. I seperated in May, filed in July and received a determination in October. The date on the compensation was my EAS.