VA Disability & NVGs
 

My whole career, I've heard VA awards a disability rating after 100 hrs of NVGS time. Is this Fact or myth?

Never heard of it. Why don't you ask the VA?

As a retired USAF fighter pilot who's flown NVGs (although not quite 100 hours) and with a disability rating, I think it is extremely unlikely the VA would award an "automatic" disability rating for a certain amount of NVG time. ... or indeed, for anything!

However, you can claim neck issues and they will evaluate it (I have an MRI and range-of-motion test). I would highly recommend you go to one of the service agencies (I used the VFW) to help you fill out the forms and get guidance as you separate / retire.

I am still on active duty and I recently received the VA benefits briefing. Nothing is automatic. I’ve also heard many thing as automatic 50% like surgery or sleep apnea with a CPAP machine. You’ll still have to go through the process. If you’re still on AD, get the process started after ASAP. If you’re already out get yourself a VA disability advocate through the VFW or American Legion, or Rep for Vets (don’t need a lawyer unless you’ve been denied). Start the process ASAP. It will probably take around two years to complete if you are already out, so start now. Start here:
http://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/evidence.asp
Then go here to determine what your ailment falls under:
http://www.benefits.va.gov/COMPENSATION/dbq_ListBySymptom.asp
In any case a disability advocate can help you figure out the process.

100 hours....

That's so cute.

My guess is probably not. If that was the case almost every army pilot out there would qualify after their first deployment hitch.

Two years.....why in the hell is that allowed to happen? The way this government treats its current and former uniformed members borders on criminal.

Congress needs to grow a pair and put a stop to this. Our local VA in AZ had a secret list it would put people on. They are attributing that list to causing 40 deaths. Our two local buffoons, Flake and McCain, are "out raged" and want answers. They could give two craps about what is happening there..they want press for thinking they care.

CNN: At least 40 vets died while waiting for care at Phoenix VA - Veterans - Stripes

Agreed...that's why I ask. Starting the retirement process now and learning about the VA process, I think this is myth.

JungleJett,

It's supposed to be getting better but I'll trust the govenment about as far as I can throw Sumo. The VA has hired more people to deal with the issue and the backlog has been reduced somewhat, but at the VA briefing I just went to they were saying you could have up a two year wait to recieve benefits. AD get to participate in the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program

http://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/fact...DFactSheet.pdf

If I am to recieve VA disability compensation I will get it a soon as I get my first retirement check.
To the OP,
I cannot express enough how important it is to start the ACAP process NOW or at least when the widow opens for processing.

What if it was fact? Would you take it? How did using NVGs give you a disability?

Staring at a monochrome TV screen 1" away from your eye for 2000 hours probably has quite a potential effect on your distance vision...

That said, nothing is automatic with the VA and you'll have to go through the process.