Veteran's Preference

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11-27-2011, 01:29 PM

#21

USMCFLYR

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Position: FAA 'Flight Check'

Posts: 13,837

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowSlowT2

Don't discount the value of "service related" disability with no compensation. What that means is you currently aren't hampered/disabled by your service-related injuries. If, in the future, you develop other problems related to these previously identified areas, you can then refile and claim VA disability.

While that doesn't help you get a job right now, it doesn't mean what you've got is worthless.

On a slight tangent, with the new laws allowing federal agencies to share information with the FAA, is having VA disability good for those of us with first class medicals? Or is this a pandora's box of potential liability from the FAA AME perspective? In other words, we're holding ourselves out as "fit to fly" and yet we may be receiving disability for hearing, or eyesight, or some other service-related disability?

I'm not sure about this sharing of information that you are talking about, but when I went through the process it was against the law for them to ask you what your disability was - though there was a form that you could voluntarily fill out identifying your disability for a bean counter's sake and their love of statistics I guess.

Hearing is a fair example. Your hearing might have been damaged in the military - this equals disability compensation; but you can hear well enough to pass the 1st class physical = no problem with the medical.

What ever the military broke on you while on duty and however much the law (VA) has decided they own you for breaking you on duty - if you can still pass the medical standards for the 1st class then it shouldn't be a problem.

That is the way I understand it.

USMCFLYR

11-27-2011, 01:29 PM

#22

VSTOLG4

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Posts: 298

-Some agencies don't consider vet preference for GS12 and above.
-Read up on EVHO..it allows military to apply for some non-external announcements.
-Th O4 and above rule is just plain BS no matter how you slice it......vet is vet!

***good topic usmcflyer, thanks for posting.

11-27-2011, 02:56 PM

#23

Mink

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Posts: 945

Quote:

Originally Posted by zach141

Okay, (after an hour's search!) found the letter they sent following my VA exam. I had a few things that were judged to be service-connected, but the eval's bottom line that I was 0% disabled by them. The letter said, in a slightly confusing way, that my 10% disability was denied. (I was awarded 10% of zero!)

Thanks much for the information. I now see clearly that I will NOT be receiving any preference for an FAA job.
zach

You can file a "grievance" (not sure what term the VA uses) if you think they have not properly rated your disability. As stated by USMC, you probably will have better luck using a Veteran's advocate group (like DAV - Disabled American Vets). Their sole purpose in life is to help vets, and they can help you submit for a re-look at your disability rating.

11-27-2011, 03:03 PM

#24

Mink

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Quote:

Originally Posted by usmc-sgt

For what its worth..I have a service connected disability which rates payment and it does not affect my medical. I disclose it and per the AMEs guidance, providing I meet the criteria for the class of medical I am seeking it is a non issue. My "issue" is something that it tested during the medical.

Same as above. I get a monthly VA disability (small) chunk of change, and also maintain a 1st Class med with the FAA. I cleared the disability issue with my AME, sent in the paperwork to the FAA, and now just check the "yes" block where it asks about "Are you receiving a disability?" and write in, "Previously reported, no change."

I think the FAA got hot on this issue a few years ago when it uncovered abusers out there that were claiming full Social Security disability benefits (or something like that) while still claiming to be good to go for a 1st Class medical, so they started digging into the disability issue big time.

11-27-2011, 11:32 PM

#25

LowSlowT2

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Posts: 484

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCFLYR

It was announced this summer - a quick search and I can't find it. Can't seem to get the right combination of search words. I'll look again tomorrow. It was basically allowing the FAA access to other branches of government medical databases to compare medicals against. In other words, anything in your VA record would be electronically accessible by the FAA...

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCFLYR

Hearing is a fair example. Your hearing might have been damaged in the military - this equals disability compensation; but you can hear well enough to pass the 1st class physical = no problem with the medical.

Personal horror story with this one - an over zealous Flight Surgeon/AME turned in all of my hearing records to FAA with my 3rd class application a few years back. FAA sent me a nasty letter telling me I had to prove I could hear, had no inner ear disorders, etc, etc. Fortunately, the USAF had put me through the same battery of tests the FAA was after, so I forwarded those and all was well, but I got a stern letter from the FAA...

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCFLYR

What ever the military broke on you while on duty and however much the law (VA) has decided they own you for breaking you on duty - if you can still pass the medical standards for the 1st class then it shouldn't be a problem.

I agree with this in concept. I just think this sharing of info will cause more scrutiny. If one were to be awarded max disability for hearing, a little bit for a bum joint that had surgery during the service period, and a few other odds and ends and it all added up to 51%, I think the FAA would look down on you claiming to be the paragon of health, able to fly pink paying bodies with a 1st class medical while getting concurrent disability & a primo parking spot...

I'm about to go through my VA physical - I'm hoping all I get is service connected, but 0% payment for most things...it means: "we broke you, but you're well enough now that you're not 'disabled', but if it gets worse, we'll fix it and/or pay you"

11-28-2011, 02:45 AM

#26

USMCFLYR

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My disabilities ended up with me requiring waivers even for the military. When CAMI required me to submit for the same waivers, I sent them all the submissions to NAMI.
CAMI was quite impressed with the military waivers and had no problems issuing a 1st class. For me - there is nothing in my VA that isn't already an established part of my FAA medical. It seems to me that the FAA physical emphasizes sight, hearing, blood pressure and heart condition. There is a lot that can be compensated for through the VA that seems to be of no concern to CAMI.

USMCFLYR

11-28-2011, 03:39 AM

#27

HercDriver130

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I notice the OP hasn't poked his head here lately.

11-28-2011, 04:33 AM

#28

USMCFLYR

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Quote:

Originally Posted by HercDriver130

I notice the OP hasn't poked his head here lately.

I thought I was the OP

USMCFLYR

11-28-2011, 05:45 AM

#29

Dragon7

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The VA disability/Vets preference for GS jobs is what it is and probably not changeable in the immediate future. If you are pursuing a GS job, either research or take a seminar on exactly how to apply through USAJOBS. Your resume containing the key words that the scantron is looking for determines greatly where you fall out in their 3 tier system of candidates. Bottom line is you won't get interviewed unless you are in highest tier.

Worry about what you can control.