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.