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Old 09-05-2016, 12:45 PM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by Jetjok View Post
Just for sh!ts and grins, I'd be interested in why "some people" went to jail for what you mentioned above. On the electronic medical application, you're asked to highlight either Yes or No to the question: "Medical disability benefits."

When I googled "FAA Medical disability benefits", this appeared: "The applicant must report any disability benefits received, regardless of source or amount. If the applicant checks yes on this item, the FAA may verify with other Federal Agencies (ie. Social Security Administration, Veteran's Affairs) whether the applicant is receiving a disability benefit that may present a conflict in issuing an FAA medical certificate. The Examiner must document the specifics and nature of the disability in findings in Item 60."

Assuming, for the sake of argument, that the applicant receives a VA disability, for something that's not disqualifying, I don't see where the problem is. However, if the issue involved is related to flying, and was not answered correctly on the application, then there's a problem. Just receiving a disability payment from the VA is in no way disqualifying.
What I referred to occurred before the question about disability benefits was added to the FAA medical form. The FAA for some reason decided to cross-reference their pilot medical list with a list of folks claiming government (federal I assume but don't recall for certain) disability benefits. Some of the matches were getting disability for serious, disqualifying conditions but had maintained an FAA medical by not disclosing their issues. They went to jail for lying on a federal form (read the fine print, it's not FAA and admin law, it's DOJ and a federal felony). Presumably they did a plea deal since a case like that would be essentially irrefutable.
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Old 09-05-2016, 01:21 PM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by Jetjok View Post
Just for sh!ts and grins, I'd be interested in why "some people" went to jail for what you mentioned above. On the electronic medical application, you're asked to highlight either Yes or No to the question: "Medical disability benefits."

When I googled "FAA Medical disability benefits", this appeared: "The applicant must report any disability benefits received, regardless of source or amount. If the applicant checks yes on this item, the FAA may verify with other Federal Agencies (ie. Social Security Administration, Veteran's Affairs) whether the applicant is receiving a disability benefit that may present a conflict in issuing an FAA medical certificate. The Examiner must document the specifics and nature of the disability in findings in Item 60."

Assuming, for the sake of argument, that the applicant receives a VA disability, for something that's not disqualifying, I don't see where the problem is. However, if the issue involved is related to flying, and was not answered correctly on the application, then there's a problem. Just receiving a disability payment from the VA is in no way disqualifying.
According to urban legend, a pilot (or pilots) was claiming 100% disabled though Social Security and NOT disclosing it to the FAA (assuming the two entities would not "talk"). Not sure what the disability was, but the non-disclosure to the FAA was the problem. And it thus became a red-flag item for ALL disabilities for ever after.

I have a disability rating from the VA. Disclosed it on my FAA physical, my FAA doc sent in the supporting paperwork, have never been questioned and put "PRNC" on the form every time. So, yes, the situation you describe in your last para is accurate.
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Old 09-05-2016, 01:23 PM
  #13  
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Did not see 7777's response before submitting mine.

What he said...
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Old 09-06-2016, 04:40 AM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by Mink View Post
According to urban legend, a pilot (or pilots) was claiming 100% disabled though Social Security and NOT disclosing it to the FAA (assuming the two entities would not "talk"). Not sure what the disability was, but the non-disclosure to the FAA was the problem. And it thus became a red-flag item for ALL disabilities for ever after.
This has to do with the difference in how SSA and VA define disability, especially at the 100% level. It also has to do with the advice one receives when you get a 100% VA rating.

My ex is a 100% VA-rated vet. She was advised by various organizations to immediately apply for an SSA 100% rating based on her VA rating. These organizations were sincerely trying to help her maximize her benefits. But, an SSA 100% rating includes by default the statement that one is completely disabled and unable to work (or words to that effect). In her case, she didn't feel those conditions applied, so never got the SSA rating. In the case of a pilot, it's presumably kind of hard to present oneself as able to hold an FAA Class 1 medical, but also be "completely disabled and unable to work" by virtue of holding an SSA 100% rating.

It's kind of unfortunate that the VA uses "percentage" as their index for disability. 100 or even 90 percent implies near or total disability and carries certain presumptions about one's inability (dis-ability?) to work. But a 100% VA rating can be obtained without having any impact on work whatsoever. The system of adding up small item ratings (even in spite of it not being linear math) combined with large percentages for non-work affecting conditions (sleep apnea = 50%, among others) can easily result in someone receiving a 100% rating that is still perfectly able to work.

So, as stated by others, just be careful what benefits and ratings you apply for, and be upfront and honest with your AME.
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Old 09-06-2016, 05:53 AM
  #15  
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The way the VA math works is that one catastrophic condition can lead to a 100% rating. You can also get the cumulative value of several lesser issues, but regardless of how bad or how many issues, the largest payment you get is 100%. So it's not really an indication of your disability or ability at all, it's just a tally of your compensation. As mentioned, other systems try to rate your ability to work which is actually pretty hard to do accurately.
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Old 09-09-2016, 08:15 PM
  #16  
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I receive a VA check every month. Reported it to the FAA when I started receiving it last year, no big deal. Unrestricted FC1. Current employer could care less!
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Old 09-14-2016, 04:12 AM
  #17  
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I, too, get a check from the VA every month. It hasn't affected my FAA medical one bit.

In other news, PM me if you want to contest your VA rating. My wife's a lawyer, and this is one of her practice areas. She can provide references from pilots she's helped.
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Old 09-16-2016, 03:55 AM
  #18  
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I am at 40% receiving a monthly payment, and still hold a class 1 with no issues or limitations.
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Old 09-22-2016, 03:46 PM
  #19  
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This next class I I'll have to check the VA disability check box. In the comments, what have you all been putting? Itemized what it's for? And what documentation has your AME submitted with it?
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Old 11-07-2016, 01:57 PM
  #20  
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Is it up to each individual AME? Have any conditions perked their ears or is it usually a blanket "can you still perform your flight related duties?"
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