Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff 
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
Currently: Offline
Posts: 5,075 
Location:
Joined: July 2007
Retired: USAF
NBA: Spurs
NFL: Niners
MLB: Giants
NHL: Penguins
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Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Jan 25, 2013 12:47:10 GMT 9
The DAV, and I'm sure every other military organization is on board for this legislation, and I encourage you to let your congressperson know your feelings about this issue. If you are one who would benefit, it is something that will really help. capwiz.com/dav/issues/alert/?alertid=62354151Jim Too  |
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Post by LBer1568 on Jan 26, 2013 3:25:26 GMT 9
Those of us who were lucky enough to have 50% or more Compensation from VA were allowed in 2004 to draw both Retired Military Pay and VA Compensation. However, they pro-rated it in over 10 years unless you were rated at 100%. After all this time I still pay about $40 a month out of AF retirement. It started in 2004 with about 10% and added 10% of remaining every year. Full payout in 2014.
But every little bit helps.
I spoke with my GOP Senator about this back in 1990's. He said every Senator and Congressman was aware of the diparancy, but they also knew they couldn't afford to pay all those qualified so after being in Senate Committee for over 20 years, they finally passed the 50% and higher part in 2004. The 10 year phase in was part of the compromise. I read an article back in about 2007 that almost half of the Concurrent receipt folks wouldn't live long enough to collect 100%. I am working on it with another year to go.
But those with less than 50% may never get the benefit. Too much money.
Lorin
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Jim Scanlon (deceased)
Senior Staff
FORUM CHAPLAIN
Commander South Texas outpost of the County Sligo Squadron
Currently: Offline
Posts: 5,075
Location:
Joined: July 2007
Retired: USAF
NBA: Spurs
NFL: Niners
MLB: Giants
NHL: Penguins
|
Post by Jim Scanlon (deceased) on Jan 26, 2013 4:15:21 GMT 9
Lorin, there are so many different programs regarding VA/Concurrent/Combat Related compensation, it boggles the mind. And, they often contradict each other. I am 20% VA disabled for my hearing, and 10%for Prostate Cancer. However, because Prostate Cancer is under the Agent Orange Program, that 10% is not considered a disability, even though I get compensation for it. Then, there is always a then with the government, I get fully compensated through CRSC because all of my VA perentages are considered Combat Related. So, not only do I get my VA Compensation, I get CRSC on top of it. That way I get what the bill in congress is trying to get for all VA disabilities. The CRSC program considers working around airplanes, even in Peacetime, to be a qualifying factor. So, anyone with hearing loss, should talk to the VA, as their way of dealing with it has changed from what it was 15 years ago. Jim Too |
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Post by LBer1568 on Jan 26, 2013 4:37:58 GMT 9
If you have a hearing loss VA disability, then the VA will take care of your hearing aids. They give you free treatment for all Compensated medical Issues. At 50%, they treat everything except Dental for free. Dental kicks in at 70% I believe. I did get dental treatment when I went through Occupational Reabelatioin program. VA Paid for me to go to School and get my Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer rating (MCSE).
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Post by Jim on Jan 26, 2013 7:17:28 GMT 9
A 4 year veteran has better benefits from the VA than what I can get............ Final VA decision- Because I had been released from the hearing restrictions 6 months before retirement and was not given any disability whatsoever for my hearing, my hearing loss is not service connected. Right ear 80% gone, left ear about 50%.. Strange, my right ear drum ruptured slightly while flying xcountry in a TF-102 from Griffiss to Moody SFB, GA. to replace a leaking elevon actuator. Hospital blamed it on sinus and put it in my records as such no referrence to flying..... The scar is visible to this day.....
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