USMCFLYR

No I get it...just trying to use easy to understand numbers, but it would have been better if I was more numerically correct.

But I understand it enough to know how and why my disability rating is what it is and how I am still able to hold a 1st Class medical albeit with SIs.


Have you ever been diagnosed with arthritis? I assume you have, either by an civilian doctor or during your VA screening, then you have 'Any illness....' which you would need to disclose. Now....are you currently taking medication for the arthritis? Many, if not all of the medications for the different types of arthritis required a Special Issuance for flying. So for instance if you were on Enbrel and flying without a Special Issuance, then this would be a problem and would need to be immediately addressed. I feel your pain (literally) in this so good luck!

I like BIG Bus

I have completely missed that question for some reason. I just answer no to everything like I have been for umpteen years unless something new medically pops up. After seeing it on here I had to go back and look at the form. When did the form change? Are you sure they aren’t talking about Social Security disability benefits? There is nothing in the instructions that clarifies this.

e6bpilot

That’s certainly your choice.
You may feel different in a few years when that back becomes a big problem and you have to pay for care and rehab. Getting VA medical and disability benefits for a legitimate condition is absolutely warranted.
The scam you speak of is absolutely correct. It has become a drain on government resources purported by the people who are “helping” vets apply for VA benefits. Sleep apnea and PTSD are the big ones. Lots of shoe clerks claiming PTSD who have never set foot in a combat zone. It is shameful and disrespectful.
You somehow protesting this by not claiming benefits for a legitimate condition that could really affect your quality of life later on is perplexing, though. It’s an interesting way to get your point across and could really cost you later down the road. The Airbus captain collecting 40 percent likely has legitimate issues that also affect his or her quality of life.
Cheers and thanks for providing your perspective.

rickair7777

It depends. Read ALL of the questions. If you've never been hospitalized, had surgery, or collected ANY disability benefits I think you're OK with unreported joint issues (I don't think you're required to report them).

But if you have a VA rating which results in you getting money from the US treasury (I'm strating to suspect you do), then you SHOULD be reporting that per 18(y). The question does not have caveats related to the other questions, it is very black and white. YOU don't get to decide whether the disability issue is relevant, the FAA wants the opportunity to do that for themselves.

The good news... even if you are getting disability and have not reported it, I *think* the feds are going after really low-hanging fruit, which is to say folks with OBVIOUSLY disqualifying conditions (ie mental health, diabetes). I don't *think* they want to prosecute anyone for not reporting a condition which would not even be a certification issue if disclosed.

If you've been getting VA payments but did NOT check the 18(y) box, then you probably need to fix that BEFORE they catch you. Call a lawyer. I'm pretty sure prosecution is not an issue for you. But getting your tickets revoked *might* be an issue if they catch you first. So I would be pro-active. As I've said before, if you're not flying with a disqualifying condition, and pro-actively correct your FAA record before they catch you, I suspect it's just a paperwork drill. But I serioulsy wouldn't stick your head in the sand.

The reason there are more than a few people in this boat has to do with military medicine culture. If you can do your job safely, what military medicine doesn't know won't hurt them... kind of don't ask, don't tell in most cases. But you CANNOT take that attitude to civil aviation... what the FAA doesn't know will get YOUR certs revoked and YOUR arse potentially thrown in federal prison.

rickair7777

I think it changed in 2009-ish. My medical from 2008 does not have 18(y). My 2009 medical does. That was also when they changed 18(v) to include arrests, in addition to convictions, for DUI.

They are not "talking about" anything other than exactly what the question says. Which would mean any and all disability benefits including VA, SS, state disability, workman's comp, Fireman's fund, Indian tribal, etc, etc, etc.

See my previous post. As long as you're not flying with a disqualifying condition you can probably correct your record with a paperwork drill. Do it before they catch you though. Get a lawyer.

rickair7777

Yes, if you have any conditions or old injuries, get a rating so you're covered in the future. It's really hard to go back years later and make a claim, it needs to be done upon separation (guard/reserves can do it following any extended federal AD).

If you don't want the money, ask for a 0%.

Billy Baroo

It took the VA almost a year after I retired to determine my overall rating. Ever since that time, as I was a recipient of disability benefits I have checked "Yes" on the FAA form, but have not provided an explanation beyond stating "VA disability" in the remark section. My AME never even brought the issue up. I have not had surgery or medication, only physical therapy and chiropractic manipulation so I do not believe my issues would be any type of certification obstacle and I agree that it seems as if the FAA is looking for low hanging fruit and outright falsifications rather than simple omissions of minor details.

sherpster

Good advice above.
It is very hard to get a rating after leaving the service. I had what I thought was a well documented foot issue and decided 4 months after retiring to see if the VA would give me shoe inserts (tricare retired insurance wouldnt pay for them). I got denied because I never claimed it when I got out after 29yrs of service. I then claimed it and was denied. Retired in April and denied in September! I had what I thought to be bulletproof service connection with a bulletprooof diagnosis in service. Getting service connection, even 1 day after separating, is not as easy as I thought it would be. That whole thing was an eye opener. I now tell all retiring folks to at least document their issues (even if they dont really bother you right now) because coming back later may not be an option. Funny thing is the damn shoe inserts made my feet hurt worse so I dont wear them at all and I am getting surgery later this year to stop the pain.

rickair7777

"Technically" even physical therapy or chiropractor probably qualifies as "Visits to Health Professionals" and should be reported. Apparently even dental exams count although most folks probably don't report routine exams.

Again, if it doesn't impact your flying and isn't remotely a disqualifying condition, I doubt they're coming looking for you.

But if it was me, I'd just report it all, to get it in your record. Otherwise there's always that remote risk that if they DO go looking for something (perhaps for unrelated reasons), they might find a molehill to build on. Again, prosecution is a high bar (even if the FAA wanted to the DOJ won't touch trivial crap like that), but the FAA can take certificate action with little due process.

Gundriver64

What I'm saying is that this guy fraudulently got a 80% disability and was booted out of the military over it. Don't confuse military flight physical requirements with FAA physical requirements. They aren't the same beast. I knew an examiner who got a SODA with one missing eyeball (accident). You can't fly in the military with one eyeball...