[lopealle]

So I know I opened a thread not to long ago as to what I should do when I get out the military. I was suppose to be ETSing the end of December. 89 days of paid vacation from the Army. Now I go to the I will most likely be Medically Retired from the military. I don't know if I should be excited or upset that I won't be getting out in 2 months anymore. What do you guys think I should do ETS or do the Medical Board?

[lambtron]

Well, if you get medically retired, you'll be retired from the army lol. I'm pretty sure you collect a medical pension. I'm not sure if it differs or how it is different than the VA disability rating, I'm sure it has more perks than just being rated. You need to look into it and weigh the pro/cons.

[MBChariot]

Med Board; you are getting out anyway might as well leave with something. My wife med boarded a couple of years back and she was in the same situation as you. Decision time comes on whether or not you will take the severance pay lump sum or not. It really depends on how good you are with money; some rather take the monthly payments but my wife did the lump sum route and invested it. Good luck.

[Chest Rockwell]

Med Board, for the same reason listed above. Get that money if they're looking to hand it out.

[Asiann]

Currently in the Army with 16 years. Give me more info so I can better assist you. Worked in the hospital for much of my career so very familiar with the med boards. You can PM me if you like.

[lopealle]

pm sent

[doc1911]

I've been in the military for 12 years now. I don't have a great handle on the med board but I know that if you get out with too high of a per cent disability it can be very tough finding a job in a lot of fields. I don't know if the med board works the same way.

[lopealle]

Update:


Well friday I was seen unfit. So now I have to wait 6-8 weeks to get my rating back from the VA. I was told friday that I might loose use of my left hand. Now I have practice fapping with my right hand along with learning how to write with it too.

Anybody hiring right now?

[NYCGP]

WTF. Lop when did you hurt your hand? I cant believe I completely missed this. I'm really sorry to hear about this.

[JayKay335i]

Nope. But at least woman will still fuck a cripple if he has an M5. Better start making use before the next model comes out and youre just another cripple with an old BMW.

[lopealle]

Originally Posted by NYCGP

WTF. Lop when did you hurt your hand? I cant believe I completely missed this. I'm really sorry to hear about this.

The doctors say I have arthritis and tendinitis in my hands. I don't know how you can have 2 different things but thats what 3 different doctors have told me. It's all good i'm not really stressing to much.

Originally Posted by JayKay335i

Nope. But at least woman will still fuck a cripple if he has an M5. Better start making use before the next model comes out and youre just another cripple with an old BMW.

Dude white bitches fuck just because they think im cool
Everybody that doesn't know anything about BMWs almost think it's a 2010 so I just let them go with that and let the pussy rain lol.That new model is awesome.

[JayKay335i]

Originally Posted by lopealle

The doctors say I have arthritis and tendinitis in my hands. I don't know how you can have 2 different things but thats what 3 different doctors have told me. It's all good i'm not really stressing to much.



Dude white bitches fuck just because they think im cool
Everybody that doesn't know anything about BMWs almost think it's a 2010 so I just let them go with that and let the pussy rain lol.That new model is awesome.

The new model is sick. I'd take any of the previous gens.

[MDyDinanM]

i went through the med board process for service injuries. I'm in the Marines, but i'm sure the Army has the same system.

I was found Unfit and will be medically retired after 7 years for service connected injuries. That said, since I got a high rating, I will be medically retired and collect a disability pension for the rest of my life.

Never had the option for lump sum or regular monthly payments, but i think that's attributed to the fact my rating was very high.

I went through the DES Pilot Program at NNMC Bethesda where they combine the DOD and VA Rating system together, so in the end, you get both ratings and don't have to wait to go through the VA process when you get discharged.

Since my DOD was higher than my VA, the VA will off set the DOD.

Bottom line, depending on your rating, assuming its 30% or higher, I would go w/ the medical retirement. Especially if you have less than 20 yrs in. That way you would have a retirement pension, be 10 Points Veterans Preference Eligible (assuming your over 30% rated by VA), etc.

you can pm me for more details.

[lopealle]

Originally Posted by mdyaman

i went through the med board process for service injuries. I'm in the Marines, but i'm sure the Army has the same system.

I was found Unfit and will be medically retired after 7 years for service connected injuries. That said, since I got a high rating, I will be medically retired and collect a disability pension for the rest of my life.

Never had the option for lump sum or regular monthly payments, but i think that's attributed to the fact my rating was very high.

I went through the DES Pilot Program at NNMC Bethesda where they combine the DOD and VA Rating system together, so in the end, you get both ratings and don't have to wait to go through the VA process when you get discharged.



Since my DOD was higher than my VA, the VA will off set the DOD.

Bottom line, depending on your rating, assuming its 30% or higher, I would go w/ the medical retirement. Especially if you have less than 20 yrs in. That way you would have a retirement pension, be 10 Points Veterans Preference Eligible (assuming your over 30% rated by VA), etc.

you can pm me for more details.

From my understanding when you have 30% or it's automatic retirement right? I was told by legal that my percentage through the army would be like 60% and that VA always rates hogher so im just patiently waiting it out.

[MDyDinanM]

Originally Posted by lopealle

From my understanding when you have 30% or it's automatic retirement right? I was told by legal that my percentage through the army would be like 60% and that VA always rates hogher so im just patiently waiting it out.

Correction, my VA rating was higher.

When you get your findings, it isn't automatic. You Have the option to accept the findings or appeal them to a board. You can also request permanent limited duty for a period of time (need to check the Army policy on that. In the Marines, you can request PLD if your combat wounded and finish out your 20yrs so long as you stay in height/weight standards. If not combat wounded, it can only be for a set period of time with good reason). If you accept your findings, you will then be given a discharge date for medical retirement. For the pension, the formula is that they take the average of your high 3 years in salary, divide by 36, then times your disability rating-not to exceed 75% as that is the cap.

[lopealle]

Originally Posted by mdyaman

Correction, my VA rating was higher.

When you get your findings, it isn't automatic. You Have the option to accept the findings or appeal them to a board. You can also request permanent limited duty for a period of time (need to check the Army policy on that. In the Marines, you can request PLD if your combat wounded and finish out your 20yrs so long as you stay in height/weight standards. If not combat wounded, it can only be for a set period of time with good reason). If you accept your findings, you will then be given a discharge date for medical retirement. For the pension, the formula is that they take the average of your high 3 years in salary, divide by 36, then times your disability rating-not to exceed 75% as that is the cap.

Oh ok I guess it is different between the Army and MArines. Monday I have to see if they gonna do surgery on my back. Howw long did your med board process take?

[MDyDinanM]

Originally Posted by lopealle

Oh ok I guess it is different between the Army and MArines. Monday I have to see if they gonna do surgery on my back. Howw long did your med board process take?

I can only speak to the DES Pilot Program i went though.

I started the Med Board process in Nov '09. Got all my dictations, narrative summaries, and VA evaluation done by early Jan '10. NNMC Bethesda Med Board Office submitted package mid-Jan. I got my results back mid-May, just before memorial day weekend.

I had 5 days to make a response (Accept, appeal, etc). I accepted and request permanent limited duty just shy of a year so i could finish my tour and some education goals. Took until early July for HQ, USMC to authorize my permanent limited duty.

So bottom line, its a two part process. Getting all the paperwork together and doctors notes, then submitting them.

[lopealle]

Update:


Well I got rated at 90% permanently disabled. Everybody keeps telling me its awesome. My case worker who is handling my med board said that the VA missed a couple of things and that I will probably end up with 100%. I'm wondering if that is gonna stop me from being able to get a job? It's definitely gonna be weird for me being out in the real world. I have only had one job before I went into the Army and that was at KFC (yes all the fried chicken I could eat) Do employers hire veterans with 100% disability?

[Litos]

100% disability ain't bad in the real world, because i don't think your employer should know about it anyways.........

p.s.
how do you "medically retire" !?!?! HAHAHAHA !!!!!!!

[Kroy]

congrats lopealle. getting 90-100% disability is good news, right?

[lopealle]

Originally Posted by Litos

100% disability ain't bad in the real world, because i don't think your employer should know about it anyways.........

p.s.
how do you "medically retire" !?!?! HAHAHAHA !!!!!!!

Its how the Army words it bro. I have never heard of anything like that either. I think I might hold off on getting a job. I have no education other than high school so I think I will. Go to school full time and collect unemployment and my disability check. Sounds like a plan for me.

Originally Posted by Kroy

congrats lopealle. getting 90-100% disability is good news, right?

Yea it's great news. I'm pretty excited. It definitely sucks being in the Army and not being able to progress due neck and back injuries.

[SchlauCow]

bad jumps?
ied?
general wear and tear?