Readers of Tom Philpott’s Military Update column sound off.

Reforming Disability Rating Process Won't Be Easy

I applaud efforts to revamp the Department of Defense and VA disability rating processes which always have been very cumbersome. I am a Department of Defense medical provider. I also have worked at the VA, handling incoming troops from Iraq and Afghanistan.

DoD disability evaluations are not based on the same protocols the VA uses. DoD looks at the medical conditions troops have and then determines if they can perform their military jobs. The boards do not care if members can meet military standards for fitness, only if they can do their specific military jobs.

This can be very confusing. The commanding officer gets a response back from the board that a troop is fit for “continued service” which is not the same as “fit for full duty.” This allows DoD the option of keeping the individual to perform his job and waiving the requirement, for example, to run for his physical fitness test. Most COs do not understand this. They think the person has returned with no medical problem.

It will not be easy, under disability rating reform, to change the focus of DoD boards from judging whether a person can perform his job specialty to determining their ability to perform any job anywhere.

Another concern is that DoD disability severance pay has to be paid back before VA compensation payments can start. Most troops do not know this. Several injured troops I’ve treated were awarded $1100 per month for compensation but had to wait to receive those payments until $13,000 in severance money was recouped. This means a troop is without any money for over a year, never mind that they may have a family to care for.

DOD needs to find them fit or unfit for more than their job specialty and to stop disbursing severance pay. Just let VA rate and pay them.

These are just a few of many issues both departments will be struggling with.

LAURIE G.
Richmond, Va.

I just read the report and recommendations to the President from the Dole-Shalala Commission on changes needed for care of the severely wound among our returning troops. The report leaves much to be desired. It seems to omit the need to give existing veterans the care they need and paints a picture of a great, well-oiled VA organization.

I have been in the system for over 10 years and I have not had a seamless and happy transition to civilian life. I and others are left with the impression from this report that the improvements might cause more grief for those of use already in the system.  

Most veterans’ forums are loaded with comments from persons who don’t understand the system and are still trying to make sense of their own claims. Implementing the Dole-Shalala recommendations should be put on hold until we can get a better understanding of what real veterans have experienced. I don’t believe that’s been done.

AL D. LYNCH
U.S. Army-Ret.
Via e-mail 

EXPAND CONCURRENT RECEIPT

I was forced to retire with 15 years and 10 months of service due to a medical condition for which I am rated 100 percent disabled. I gave up my military retirement to collect VA compensation, which pays a little more.

I know senators are trying to pass a bill that would give concurrent receipt to those forced to retired for disability short of 20 years, if they have combat-related injuries.

Here is where I am confused. I too am considered retired military. I have a retired military ID, can shop at base exchanges and commissaries, am eligible for TRICARE and forfeit my military retirement to collect VA compensation. The only difference between a member serving 20 years and me is that I was forced to retire. I had planned to spend 30 years in the service, just as my father had. I did not know any other life.

Are military retirees like me being considered for concurrent receipt?

If not, why? 

DANNY McGOWAN
Master Sergeant, USAF-Ret.
Victorville Calif.

Being considered? Yes. The history of easing the ban on concurrent receipt of both military retirement and VA disability compensation has been one of progressive change. Congress has taken phased steps since 2000 to allow concurrent payments for more and more disabled retirees. With each victory, advocates refocus on the next group of disabled retirees waiting to see forfeited retirement restored. This year Congress is moving to allow concurrent receipt for at least some combat-disabled retirees who were forced to leave service short of 20 years. In future years, non-combat disabled retirees with disability ratings below 50 percent or with fewer than 20 years served might be targeted. Those efforts likely will be helped by recommendations from the Veterans Disability Benefits Commission which will deliver it final report to Congress in October. – Tom Philpott 

UNDERPAID BY VA

I was in the Vietnam War with the Air Force and came back with diabetes and several other problems. At first the VA gave me a 30 percent disability rating. Then, after I got the American Legion involved, they gave me 60 percent. I am still fighting.

I have been on insulin since before 1991. I went to the American Legion office recently where my consular asked what I was getting from the VA for my diabetes. I said 20 percent. He explained that anybody on insulin is supposed to have a 40-percent rating for that condition alone. So he sent in the paperwork that day.

Here’s the stupid thing. Now the VA is acting like they did not know I was on insulin when they gave me 20 percent. All these years I’ve been underpaid. My consular said I probably will not get back pay because that’s just the way the VA does business. So it goes.

GROVER JACKSON
USAF-Ret.
Tacoma, Wash.

Letters may be edited for clarity or length.  Write to Military Forum, P.O. Box 231111, Centreville, VA  20120-1111, send e-mail to militaryforum@aol.com or visit www.militaryupdate.com

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