Military disability rating (1 Viewer)

[flapgreen]

I recently have moved to the Chattanooga area. One of the reasons I chose the area is due to a newer large medical VA facility. I made a basic apt to start the ball rolling and get in the system. If your 50% they say you have full coverage. I've always used my private insurance. Gotta say I was pleasantly surprised by the care. They took labs, filled a prescription for me. All prescriptions are by mail, which I didn't know, so that's awesome. They called me back today to formulate plan from lab results. That was also the time to start the paper trail on thing I plan on claiming in the future. PTSD and lower back issues due to my knee. My first experience overall, went way better then I thought it would.

I'm under the same region as Chattanooga but in Nashville. The Tennessee VA region is a very solid one as a whole. I've had a lot of vets come through from other places and say this has been their best experience.

 

[FarFromHome]

I played this game the long and hard way. I left the military at 25 and didn't file my first claim until I was 38 for the same reasons as mentioned. I didn't feel like I deserved it. Then over time I started hurting in more and more ways.

Filed the first claim myself and got a 20% for the slam dunk stuff. I had my ankle plated back on to my leg after a training accident.

Had a friend help on my second claim and got to 30%.

Hired a firm that assists vets in filing and they got me up to 50%. That firm was highly recommended at the time, but has gone way downhill.

I finally reached out to a legal firm who represents veterans for claims. That process was as simple as can be and I had an interview with them, they submitted me for about 20 different injuries. I went to medical for each one which was a time consuming process, but worth it. Ended up at 98% which is rounded to 100%. But one thing to know is that the PTSD part can be evaluated by the VA periodically.

One of the biggest changes was that my PTSD evaluation doctor was outsourced from the VA hospital to a private doctor based in California. When I gave her a rundown of all the things I've been through and seen while serving, she was visibly horrified by what I was saying. She gave me a very high rating on PTSD. I feel like when you tell your war stories to the VA doctors they've heard it all before and probably minimize it as much as a civilian doctor might overstate it.

Bottom line: Get a lawyer, they know the correct way to proceed and pay for themselves after a couple months. Get a civilian doctor as often as possible.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[FarFromHome]

My current Burn pit claim got denied today.

 

[FarFromHome]

Any military disability claim updates for anyone?

The disability claim process is an 8 step journey through VA.Gov. I'm at step 5 in my current journey. Step 5 is "Rating." I've completed everything at my end and all my information for this claim is sitting at some desk waiting for some federal hack to stamp approve or decline. The power this person has is immense. Ha ha

 

[FarFromHome]

Remember 50% is the magic number. With that comes full healthcare through VA facilities. I have yearly health exams and get all my prescriptions mailed to me at no cost. Although I've heard a lot of nightmare stories with VA healthcare, the Chattanooga facility has really been a pleasant experience. No complaints from me so far.

 

[-OZ-]

Remember 50% is the magic number. With that comes full healthcare through VA facilities

Huntsville VA is okay. It’s a newer facility, I’m just glad to not have to use Birmingham now.
50% is the magic number if you retired too, CRDP means you get the disability on top of your retirement instead of just the tax benefit.

 

[FarFromHome]

Update. Just got my DENIED notification on my latest claim.

Chronic back pain that my civilian doctors tell me was related to right knee damage from my military time.

5 months of jumping through the hoops ended in a nice try from the VA. Ha ha

Any veterans in here claim PTSD? About to start that claim. Any tips for those that have walked this journey?

 

[beer 30]

Update. Just got my DENIED notification on my latest claim.

Chronic back pain that my civilian doctors tell me was related to right knee damage from my military time.

5 months of jumping through the hoops ended in a nice try from the VA. Ha ha

Any veterans in here claim PTSD? About to start that claim. Any tips for those that have walked this journey?

Tell them you developed PTSD from having to jump through hoops trying to get your back taken care of.

Seriously, sorry about the denial. After serving the country, it shouldn't be this hard to be taken care of on the back end. Good luck, appreciate your service

 

[SWC]

I have never filed a claim. It seems like such an uphill slog for what amounts to a pittance. Every time I have looked into it I quickly became discouraged and elected not to file.

I'm a combat veteran with PTSD and several associated comorbidities. I've spent more than four years in mental health treatment. I'm at 0% disability. But thankfully my medical care is covered bc I'm a pauper.

Sidebar for @FarFromHome or anyone else who knows: my DD214 has several errors. My Surface Warfare qualification is not on there, which is not super important but I devoted quite a few hours to earning it and passed a three hour oral board examination. More importantly and germane to the topic, it doesn't reflect I was awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal and the Navy Unit Commendation. I don't have any award letters but www.history.navy.mil verified my shaky middle age memory. We engaged Libyan Nanuchka II missile boats, sinking one and damaging another. Anyway, seems like I would have to get that straightened out as step one before filing a claim.

do it man honestly you did the work you deserve to have your records correct if not for you than for some relative who might look you up sometime in the future man i know it is easy for me to say and you to do but you earned those honors the hard way and they should be on your paper

 

[SWC]

thanks to all of you guys and gals who served i appreciate you

 

[FarFromHome]

I have never filed a claim. It seems like such an uphill slog for what amounts to a pittance. Every time I have looked into it I quickly became discouraged and elected not to file.

I'm a combat veteran with PTSD and several associated comorbidities. I've spent more than four years in mental health treatment. I'm at 0% disability. But thankfully my medical care is covered bc I'm a pauper.

Sidebar for @FarFromHome or anyone else who knows: my DD214 has several errors. My Surface Warfare qualification is not on there, which is not super important but I devoted quite a few hours to earning it and passed a three hour oral board examination. More importantly and germane to the topic, it doesn't reflect I was awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal and the Navy Unit Commendation. I don't have any award letters but www.history.navy.mil verified my shaky middle age memory. We engaged Libyan Nanuchka II missile boats, sinking one and damaging another. Anyway, seems like I would have to get that straightened out as step one before filing a claim.

do it man honestly you did the work you deserve to have your records correct if not for you than for some relative who might look you up sometime in the future man i know it is easy for me to say and you to do but you earned those honors the hard way and they should be on your paper

The VA claim process is constantly changing. It's quite simple now, other then the waiting.

Start claim online at VA.gov.

Attach all your medical history to include all civilian info in regards to what your claiming. The more info the better

Wait for VA to send you to a VA medical apt to research your claim. For example this last one I was sent to assigned provider for a physical targeting my back.

Now simply wait for "rater" to go over all your stuff.

Get approved or denied and assigned rating.

The actual physical time you put in is minimal outside attending the assigned apt.


I also have no idea on changing dd214 to reflect accuracy. Id think it's possible, but like most VA things would be a slow process .

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Update. Just got my DENIED notification on my latest claim.

Chronic back pain that my civilian doctors tell me was related to right knee damage from my military time.

5 months of jumping through the hoops ended in a nice try from the VA. Ha ha

Any veterans in here claim PTSD? About to start that claim. Any tips for those that have walked this journey?

Are you using a VSO to help you with this? If so, then maybe try a different one and if not then you definitely should be using one. They don't cost a dime and are usually disabled vets themselves.

Get help from a VA accredited representative or VSO | Veterans Affairs

An accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative can help you file a claim or request a decision review. Learn how to find and appoint one of these types of accredited representatives to help you.

www.va.gov

 

[CGRdrJoe]

I can't stress this enough, an accredited VSO is free. Many lawyers try and claim they can get you a 100% disability rating but they not only charge fee's for the service but often times try and grab a percentage of your disability pay once you start receiving it. The guy that taught my TAPS class in September said that they are seeing more and more vets fall for these things because it looks like only $500 can increase your rating and they don't see the small print where they get screwed

 

[CGRdrJoe]

I have never filed a claim. It seems like such an uphill slog for what amounts to a pittance. Every time I have looked into it I quickly became discouraged and elected not to file.

I'm a combat veteran with PTSD and several associated comorbidities. I've spent more than four years in mental health treatment. I'm at 0% disability. But thankfully my medical care is covered bc I'm a pauper.

Sidebar for @FarFromHome or anyone else who knows: my DD214 has several errors. My Surface Warfare qualification is not on there, which is not super important but I devoted quite a few hours to earning it and passed a three hour oral board examination. More importantly and germane to the topic, it doesn't reflect I was awarded the Navy Expeditionary Medal and the Navy Unit Commendation. I don't have any award letters but www.history.navy.mil verified my shaky middle age memory. We engaged Libyan Nanuchka II missile boats, sinking one and damaging another. Anyway, seems like I would have to get that straightened out as step one before filing a claim.

do it man honestly you did the work you deserve to have your records correct if not for you than for some relative who might look you up sometime in the future man i know it is easy for me to say and you to do but you earned those honors the hard way and they should be on your paper

The VA claim process is constantly changing. It's quite simple now, other then the waiting.

Start claim online at VA.gov.

Attach all your medical history to include all civilian info in regards to what your claiming. The more info the better

Wait for VA to send you to a VA medical apt to research your claim. For example this last one I was sent to assigned provider for a physical targeting my back.

Now simply wait for "rater" to go over all your stuff.

Get approved or denied and assigned rating.

The actual physical time you put in is minimal outside attending the assigned apt.


I also have no idea on changing dd214 to reflect accuracy. Id think it's possible, but like most VA things would be a slow process .

DD214 correction requires a BCM/NR

Request Correction of Military Records

If you believe an error or injustice exists in your military record, you may complete and submit a DD Form 149, Application for Correction of Military Record, along with sufficient evidence of the

www.defense.gov

 

[FarFromHome]

Update. Just got my DENIED notification on my latest claim.

Chronic back pain that my civilian doctors tell me was related to right knee damage from my military time.

5 months of jumping through the hoops ended in a nice try from the VA. Ha ha

Any veterans in here claim PTSD? About to start that claim. Any tips for those that have walked this journey?

Are you using a VSO to help you with this? If so, then maybe try a different one and if not then you definitely should be using one. They don't cost a dime and are usually disabled vets themselves.

Get help from a VA accredited representative or VSO | Veterans Affairs

An accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative can help you file a claim or request a decision review. Learn how to find and appoint one of these types of accredited representatives to help you.

www.va.gov

I have never used one. Interesting. Good stuff buddy. I took a quick look online and they really make it easy. I'll go through those steps, have one appointed, then file my PTSD claim. Appreciate this info. This is the primary reason I started this thread. Thanks.

Side note. I lived decades thinking I had all my arms and legs and the VA didn't owe me anything. After a life changing conversation with a respected leader my opinion changed. Be honest, get what you can. Get over feeling guilty over that appoach. Take the step boys and girls and start a claim. Worst thing the can happen is you get denied.

 

[DA RAIDERS]

Love the site. The traffic is always too notch and figured a thread on helpful information and personal journeys in regards to Military injuries would be nice. A thread to help answer each other's questions.

Veterans disabilty rating is a great way to repay all veterans for sacrificing his or her body for serving. It's a tax free monthly payment for life once your rating is established.

I am an Army veteran with a 50% disabilty rating. I fought my pride for decades, convinced 10% was where I need to be. I had all my limbs and have functioned as decent law abiding husband and father. I was content with it.

As a civilian police officer attached to the Air Force, I had a heart to heart conversation with my Flight Chief about this topic. He helped me understand that I have gave my body to my country and any medical concerns that happened during that time is handled by Uncle Sam. 3 months later I was bumped up to 50%. 50% is the cut off for free health care for life. Not the easiest accessible health care, and I currently use my private insurance, but come retirement time will allow me to quit working fairly young.

Any veteran with medical concerns, start the process and let the journey unfold.

Recently I added a new claim in accordance with the new Burn Pit legislation. I spent 9 deployed months walking by burning garbage. Took my rotation of personally burning garbage and human waste. Guess what? Thats not good for the body. I should be getting a final verdict on that soon and will share.

Come to attention soldiers and chime in.

While not veteran, I sat in on conversation, on this very topic, while at West Point last year. My friend’s son was a graduating cadet that had played on the football team. We were there for his wedding. An awesome trip. Anyway, one of his mentors, a high ranking WP grad, was talking with the dad about this very thing. He said exactly what you about ones pride. Swallow it. It’s such a contradiction to the machismo that runs rampant in the service.

My friend’s son got hurt playing football for West Point. The general told them to file a claim. While not deployed, it was till an injury sustained as a soldier. Originally this did did not sit well with the dad or the the son. Especially the son. He was fine. There was nothing wrong with him, his knee had healed after surgery and rehab. The mentor said it all adds up and you’re due what your due. And by the end of his service you want everything documented. And best to do at the time of injury/exposure etc., while all details are fresh in your mind and all relevant proof is readily accessible. His words, “it doesn’t make you a *****, it means you’re smart”

Deep respect to all that serve.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Update. Just got my DENIED notification on my latest claim.

Chronic back pain that my civilian doctors tell me was related to right knee damage from my military time.

5 months of jumping through the hoops ended in a nice try from the VA. Ha ha

Any veterans in here claim PTSD? About to start that claim. Any tips for those that have walked this journey?

Are you using a VSO to help you with this? If so, then maybe try a different one and if not then you definitely should be using one. They don't cost a dime and are usually disabled vets themselves.

Get help from a VA accredited representative or VSO | Veterans Affairs

An accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative can help you file a claim or request a decision review. Learn how to find and appoint one of these types of accredited representatives to help you.

www.va.gov

I have never used one. Interesting. Good stuff buddy. I took a quick look online and they really make it easy. I'll go through those steps, have one appointed, then file my PTSD claim. Appreciate this info. This is the primary reason I started this thread. Thanks.

Side note. I lived decades thinking I had all my arms and legs and the VA didn't owe me anything. After a life changing conversation with a respected leader my opinion changed. Be honest, get what you can. Get over feeling guilty over that appoach. Take the step boys and girls and start a claim. Worst thing the can happen is you get denied.

you're welcome, as YN I still had no clue on most of this stuff until I took taps recently. We had a VSO rep come down he gave us so much useful info that it made the long day worth it.

 

[Max Power]

I can't stress this enough, an accredited VSO is free. Many lawyers try and claim they can get you a 100% disability rating but they not only charge fee's for the service but often times try and grab a percentage of your disability pay once you start receiving it. The guy that taught my TAPS class in September said that they are seeing more and more vets fall for these things because it looks like only $500 can increase your rating and they don't see the small print where they get screwed

This is the route I was going to suggest. I had little to no luck my first three submissions. Some of it was obvious stuff being denied. I went with a legal firm who made it easy and got me a great rating. I feel like they know the legal terms to use and when the VA sees a lawyer representing someone they nickel and dime the issues less. Cost me about 3k.

 

[Max Power]

Update. Just got my DENIED notification on my latest claim.

Chronic back pain that my civilian doctors tell me was related to right knee damage from my military time.

5 months of jumping through the hoops ended in a nice try from the VA. Ha ha

Any veterans in here claim PTSD? About to start that claim. Any tips for those that have walked this journey?

Are you using a VSO to help you with this? If so, then maybe try a different one and if not then you definitely should be using one. They don't cost a dime and are usually disabled vets themselves.

Get help from a VA accredited representative or VSO | Veterans Affairs

An accredited attorney, claims agent, or Veterans Service Organization (VSO) representative can help you file a claim or request a decision review. Learn how to find and appoint one of these types of accredited representatives to help you.

www.va.gov

I have never used one. Interesting. Good stuff buddy. I took a quick look online and they really make it easy. I'll go through those steps, have one appointed, then file my PTSD claim. Appreciate this info. This is the primary reason I started this thread. Thanks.

Side note. I lived decades thinking I had all my arms and legs and the VA didn't owe me anything. After a life changing conversation with a respected leader my opinion changed. Be honest, get what you can. Get over feeling guilty over that appoach. Take the step boys and girls and start a claim. Worst thing the can happen is you get denied.

I felt the same at first and waited 10 years to file disability. My realization was in my late 30s, my body started hurting all the time and I was telling my brother (a doctor) about it and he let me know that isn't "normal".

My PTSD claim was outsourced during covid via teleconference to a doctor in Cali. I don't think she delt with many vets as my stories appeared to mortify her, but I'm here thinking they aren't the worst I've heard. At the end I was diagnosed with PTSD with Alcohol abuse disorder. Alcohol was ruining my life for several years before I had to make some serious changes. Honestly some of the money helped change things for the better for me. I had some additional resources to break the cycle of alcohol and depression.

Not suggesting anyone else is in the same boat, but if drinking is even a bit of a coping mechanism, its worth bring up to the VA.

 

[CGRdrJoe]

I can't stress this enough, an accredited VSO is free. Many lawyers try and claim they can get you a 100% disability rating but they not only charge fee's for the service but often times try and grab a percentage of your disability pay once you start receiving it. The guy that taught my TAPS class in September said that they are seeing more and more vets fall for these things because it looks like only $500 can increase your rating and they don't see the small print where they get screwed

This is the route I was going to suggest. I had little to no luck my first three submissions. Some of it was obvious stuff being denied. I went with a legal firm who made it easy and got me a great rating. I feel like they know the legal terms to use and when the VA sees a lawyer representing someone they nickel and dime the issues less. Cost me about 3k.

my buddy did the same, he had another lawyer friend go over the contract to make sure that the firm wouldn't get any percentage of his disability pay.

https://www.reddit.com/r/VeteransBenefits/comments/1eig9y7/is_a_va_lawyer_worth_it/?rdt=34939

 

[Riffraff]

Random thoughts:

New school: Military personnel get told to report everything nowadays. Just get it in the health record at least once. Good in theory or practice until it's sometimes to the point of documented malingering (falsification / exaggeration of illness to gain benefits).
- TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) was a big one during Iraq/Afghanistan. Can't always prove a mild concussion happened, but want it in the records as it's 50% disability. The brain repairs itself for mild ones over 90% of the time - was not usually a lifelong malady. As our Neuro-Psychologists would show during testing: one can 'play dumb', but no one can 'fake smart'.
- Nearly everyone experiences PTS (Post Traumatic Stress, ie trauma), but not PTSD (Disorder). PTSD does not have to mean war related - such things like a sexual assault, car/plane accident, natural disaster, being commonly around trauma while working (medical, fire, police) can last a lifetime. But not everything is a disorder.

Old school: For some careers or levels of security clearance it was 'never' a good thing to admit there was an issue of any kind. Medical records were thin and only show when things were pointing in the wrong directions. If it's not in the records, it never happened. Obviously got a low VA rating, but likely experienced more stress than most ever will.

Big issue: It is - not - in the VA benefit member's financial interest to get better for any issue, otherwise they lose $. Once injured/depressed, always injured/depressed. For life.

Unsure how high/low it is for claiming what one is due or how high/low the amount of vets apply for benefits at all, but get yours if it's the case.

Just don't be 'that guy':
If we've been around/in the military, there's always that one person/story that we know of. 20 year 'stateside only' career in administrative only positions at headquareters locations getting 90% disability making the warriors at the Center for the Intrepid look bad.
Off topic: (Seriously, if one ever needs to feel better about their current life situation, go visit the CFI to get awe inspired, watch the prothstetic legs running the upstairs track preparing for the Olympics, join in a water polo game, whatever. The patients are quite impressive in attitude and capabilities.)

 

[FarFromHome]

Random thoughts:

New school: Military personnel get told to report everything nowadays. Just get it in the health record at least once. Good in theory or practice until it's sometimes to the point of documented malingering (falsification / exaggeration of illness to gain benefits).
- TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) was a big one during Iraq/Afghanistan. Can't always prove a mild concussion happened, but want it in the records as it's 50% disability. The brain repairs itself for mild ones over 90% of the time - was not usually a lifelong malady. As our Neuro-Psychologists would show during testing: one can 'play dumb', but no one can 'fake smart'.
- Nearly everyone experiences PTS (Post Traumatic Stress, ie trauma), but not PTSD (Disorder). PTSD does not have to mean war related - such things like a sexual assault, car/plane accident, natural disaster, being commonly around trauma while working (medical, fire, police) can last a lifetime. But not everything is a disorder.

Old school: For some careers or levels of security clearance it was 'never' a good thing to admit there was an issue of any kind. Medical records were thin and only show when things were pointing in the wrong directions. If it's not in the records, it never happened. Obviously got a low VA rating, but likely experienced more stress than most ever will.

Big issue: It is - not - in the VA benefit member's financial interest to get better for any issue, otherwise they lose $. Once injured/depressed, always injured/depressed. For life.

Unsure how high/low it is for claiming what one is due or how high/low the amount of vets apply for benefits at all, but get yours if it's the case.

Just don't be 'that guy':
If we've been around/in the military, there's always that one person/story that we know of. 20 year 'stateside only' career in administrative only positions at headquareters locations getting 90% disability making the warriors at the Center for the Intrepid look bad.
Off topic: (Seriously, if one ever needs to feel better about their current life situation, go visit the CFI to get awe inspired, watch the prothstetic legs running the upstairs track preparing for the Olympics, join in a water polo game, whatever. The patients are quite impressive in attitude and capabilities.)

Yep. Modern soldiers entering basic training with disability rating on their mind is such a sad thing.

 

[Kanil]

Just don't be 'that guy':
If we've been around/in the military, there's always that one person/story that we know of. 20 year 'stateside only' career in administrative only positions at headquareters locations getting 90% disability making the warriors at the Center for the Intrepid look bad.

I worked with a guy we'll call "Mooch" that was in a major in the Army and retired after 24 years. Mooch was a cyber security expert and spent his whole career behind a computer. He was deployed to Iraq a couple times but "spent most of my time in the server room where it was cool".

When he found out a couple of us were vets, he told us all about how we could game the system to get 100% disability and then explained how he gradually went from 10% to 100% over time. I told Mooch that while I have a couple small things that could be related to time served, I would MUCH rather that money go to people who really need it. One of the other guys he said it to wasn't as nice. Told Mooch to get away from him right now and never, ever speak to him again. Mooch didn't last long in his role as a CISO. The last straw was when he was unable to help with a potential security breach because he was at the water park with his kid... at 1PM on a Tuesday... while putting hours in on his timecard.

Don't be a Mooch.

 

[FarFromHome]

Just don't be 'that guy':
If we've been around/in the military, there's always that one person/story that we know of. 20 year 'stateside only' career in administrative only positions at headquareters locations getting 90% disability making the warriors at the Center for the Intrepid look bad.

I worked with a guy we'll call "Mooch" that was in a major in the Army and retired after 24 years. Mooch was a cyber security expert and spent his whole career behind a computer. He was deployed to Iraq a couple times but "spent most of my time in the server room where it was cool".

When he found out a couple of us were vets, he told us all about how we could game the system to get 100% disability and then explained how he gradually went from 10% to 100% over time. I told Mooch that while I have a couple small things that could be related to time served, I would MUCH rather that money go to people who really need it. One of the other guys he said it to wasn't as nice. Told Mooch to get away from him right now and never, ever speak to him again. Mooch didn't last long in his role as a CISO. The last straw was when he was unable to help with a potential security breach because he was at the water park with his kid... at 1PM on a Tuesday... while putting hours in on his timecard.

Don't be a Mooch.

Screw Mooch. Ha ha

 

[CGRdrJoe]

Just don't be 'that guy':
If we've been around/in the military, there's always that one person/story that we know of. 20 year 'stateside only' career in administrative only positions at headquareters locations getting 90% disability making the warriors at the Center for the Intrepid look bad.

I worked with a guy we'll call "Mooch" that was in a major in the Army and retired after 24 years. Mooch was a cyber security expert and spent his whole career behind a computer. He was deployed to Iraq a couple times but "spent most of my time in the server room where it was cool".

When he found out a couple of us were vets, he told us all about how we could game the system to get 100% disability and then explained how he gradually went from 10% to 100% over time. I told Mooch that while I have a couple small things that could be related to time served, I would MUCH rather that money go to people who really need it. One of the other guys he said it to wasn't as nice. Told Mooch to get away from him right now and never, ever speak to him again. Mooch didn't last long in his role as a CISO. The last straw was when he was unable to help with a potential security breach because he was at the water park with his kid... at 1PM on a Tuesday... while putting hours in on his timecard.

Don't be a Mooch.

Screw Mooch. Ha ha

I'm sorry but this is such a bad take on so many levels, with all of our systems seemingly down I actually have a small amount of time to elaborate.

I'm guessing Mooch wanted to feel cool and probably over played his hand but I'll also bet that most of what he did his career he can't talk about. I have friends in the cyber/intel world and the **** they have to mentally process is no f'n joke, it's also mentally fun when they make a mistake and complete **** things up and feel responsible.

First, the disability rating is to pay you for the wear and tear that you've endured over your career so if you came in at 18 and were of basically perfect health then that is how you should leave. If you blow your knee out playing a sport then you are just as much entitled to that disability as someone that blows it out in an ied explosion, that's just a basic fact. As a military member we are expected to stay in shape and injuries caused by that are just as much claimable as any other.

It's amazing how many vets love to **** on other vets after not having walked in their boots, no one never knows someone's whole story.

Me, I am an admin guy who also spent a solid 8 years deploying as part of the NSF so while on paper I'm an admin guy I was also in the field non stop at natural disaster, oil spill, hazmat events etc. So while people may laugh at me having ptsd it's because they don't realize that while deployed to katrina I was staring at dead bodies laying in their racks of fishing boats because the Asian fishermen tried to ride out the storm, so here I am boarding to follow the oil slick and bam bloated bodies. The first time was the worst and each time got a little easier as I fully expected to see that scene. Then after 3 weeks of that I got to come home to normallcy for a week before back down there to deal with more destruction. Or how about the time we got to go retrieve debris from the space shuttle columbia in '03, nothing like bagging up metaland body parts.

When people ask what I do I tell them I'm a YNC in the Coast Guard and I'm sure they picture a guy behind a desk and I'm ok with that because it's none of their ****ing business what i've been through. Judge away

 

[FarFromHome]

Just don't be 'that guy':
If we've been around/in the military, there's always that one person/story that we know of. 20 year 'stateside only' career in administrative only positions at headquareters locations getting 90% disability making the warriors at the Center for the Intrepid look bad.

I worked with a guy we'll call "Mooch" that was in a major in the Army and retired after 24 years. Mooch was a cyber security expert and spent his whole career behind a computer. He was deployed to Iraq a couple times but "spent most of my time in the server room where it was cool".

When he found out a couple of us were vets, he told us all about how we could game the system to get 100% disability and then explained how he gradually went from 10% to 100% over time. I told Mooch that while I have a couple small things that could be related to time served, I would MUCH rather that money go to people who really need it. One of the other guys he said it to wasn't as nice. Told Mooch to get away from him right now and never, ever speak to him again. Mooch didn't last long in his role as a CISO. The last straw was when he was unable to help with a potential security breach because he was at the water park with his kid... at 1PM on a Tuesday... while putting hours in on his timecard.

Don't be a Mooch.

Screw Mooch. Ha ha

I'm sorry but this is such a bad take on so many levels, with all of our systems seemingly down I actually have a small amount of time to elaborate.

I'm guessing Mooch wanted to feel cool and probably over played his hand but I'll also bet that most of what he did his career he can't talk about. I have friends in the cyber/intel world and the **** they have to mentally process is no f'n joke, it's also mentally fun when they make a mistake and complete **** things up and feel responsible.

First, the disability rating is to pay you for the wear and tear that you've endured over your career so if you came in at 18 and were of basically perfect health then that is how you should leave. If you blow your knee out playing a sport then you are just as much entitled to that disability as someone that blows it out in an ied explosion, that's just a basic fact. As a military member we are expected to stay in shape and injuries caused by that are just as much claimable as any other.

It's amazing how many vets love to **** on other vets after not having walked in their boots, no one never knows someone's whole story.

Me, I am an admin guy who also spent a solid 8 years deploying as part of the NSF so while on paper I'm an admin guy I was also in the field non stop at natural disaster, oil spill, hazmat events etc. So while people may laugh at me having ptsd it's because they don't realize that while deployed to katrina I was staring at dead bodies laying in their racks of fishing boats because the Asian fishermen tried to ride out the storm, so here I am boarding to follow the oil slick and bam bloated bodies. The first time was the worst and each time got a little easier as I fully expected to see that scene. Then after 3 weeks of that I got to come home to normallcy for a week before back down there to deal with more destruction. Or how about the time we got to go retrieve debris from the space shuttle columbia in '03, nothing like bagging up metaland body parts.

When people ask what I do I tell them I'm a YNC in the Coast Guard and I'm sure they picture a guy behind a desk and I'm ok with that because it's none of their ****ing business what i've been through. Judge away

Sometimes message boards intent gets lost in the text. My comment was intended to be in my best Will Ferrell voice. I don't know Mooch. Why in the world would attempt to sum up who he is with message board snapshot?

This "desk" job angle you bring up is new to me. I had some of my best battle buddies in non deployable jobs. We would deploy for 6 months while they held down the fort. I had zero I'll will or judging eyes at them when I returned from a brutal period away. Zero.

I don't know Mooch. I don't know these people he was speaking to. I read that walking my dogs and at first glance envisioned a civilian getting into the mind set of young active duty soldiers. Making them aware of what they should get while they are in it. That mindset I can't get behind. That just what I thought. It might not be accurate in describing what actually happened. I really don't care. It's what came to my mind. Envisioning soldiers in combat scenarios thinking about getting a disability rating. That's how you die.

All my opinions. I dont like Internet cat fight so I apologize for any ill will I may have caused.

 

[Riffraff]

cyber/intel world

TS SCI via SSBI = NOYFB - could write a book about it.
Good old Top Gun style movie moments 'you're the one'.

non deployable jobs

Aye, be wary. There's some positions where they don't deploy because they do their war-fighting every day, not just when they deploy or train.

 

[Kanil]

Just don't be 'that guy':
If we've been around/in the military, there's always that one person/story that we know of. 20 year 'stateside only' career in administrative only positions at headquareters locations getting 90% disability making the warriors at the Center for the Intrepid look bad.

I worked with a guy we'll call "Mooch" that was in a major in the Army and retired after 24 years. Mooch was a cyber security expert and spent his whole career behind a computer. He was deployed to Iraq a couple times but "spent most of my time in the server room where it was cool".

When he found out a couple of us were vets, he told us all about how we could game the system to get 100% disability and then explained how he gradually went from 10% to 100% over time. I told Mooch that while I have a couple small things that could be related to time served, I would MUCH rather that money go to people who really need it. One of the other guys he said it to wasn't as nice. Told Mooch to get away from him right now and never, ever speak to him again. Mooch didn't last long in his role as a CISO. The last straw was when he was unable to help with a potential security breach because he was at the water park with his kid... at 1PM on a Tuesday... while putting hours in on his timecard.

Don't be a Mooch.

Screw Mooch. Ha ha

I'm sorry but this is such a bad take on so many levels, with all of our systems seemingly down I actually have a small amount of time to elaborate.

I'm guessing Mooch wanted to feel cool and probably over played his hand but I'll also bet that most of what he did his career he can't talk about. I have friends in the cyber/intel world and the **** they have to mentally process is no f'n joke, it's also mentally fun when they make a mistake and complete **** things up and feel responsible.

First, the disability rating is to pay you for the wear and tear that you've endured over your career so if you came in at 18 and were of basically perfect health then that is how you should leave. If you blow your knee out playing a sport then you are just as much entitled to that disability as someone that blows it out in an ied explosion, that's just a basic fact. As a military member we are expected to stay in shape and injuries caused by that are just as much claimable as any other.

It's amazing how many vets love to **** on other vets after not having walked in their boots, no one never knows someone's whole story.

Me, I am an admin guy who also spent a solid 8 years deploying as part of the NSF so while on paper I'm an admin guy I was also in the field non stop at natural disaster, oil spill, hazmat events etc. So while people may laugh at me having ptsd it's because they don't realize that while deployed to katrina I was staring at dead bodies laying in their racks of fishing boats because the Asian fishermen tried to ride out the storm, so here I am boarding to follow the oil slick and bam bloated bodies. The first time was the worst and each time got a little easier as I fully expected to see that scene. Then after 3 weeks of that I got to come home to normallcy for a week before back down there to deal with more destruction. Or how about the time we got to go retrieve debris from the space shuttle columbia in '03, nothing like bagging up metaland body parts.

When people ask what I do I tell them I'm a YNC in the Coast Guard and I'm sure they picture a guy behind a desk and I'm ok with that because it's none of their ****ing business what i've been through. Judge away

Sometimes message boards intent gets lost in the text. My comment was intended to be in my best Will Ferrell voice. I don't know Mooch. Why in the world would attempt to sum up who he is with message board snapshot?

This "desk" job angle you bring up is new to me. I had some of my best battle buddies in non deployable jobs. We would deploy for 6 months while they held down the fort. I had zero I'll will or judging eyes at them when I returned from a brutal period away. Zero.

I don't know Mooch. I don't know these people he was speaking to. I read that walking my dogs and at first glance envisioned a civilian getting into the mind set of young active duty soldiers. Making them aware of what they should get while they are in it. That mindset I can't get behind. That just what I thought. It might not be accurate in describing what actually happened. I really don't care. It's what came to my mind. Envisioning soldiers in combat scenarios thinking about getting a disability rating. That's how you die.

All my opinions. I dont like Internet cat fight so I apologize for any ill will I may have caused.

Maybe the guy was lying but he went into specifics about how he spent time reading on reddit how to fake specific injuries. He even sent me the subreddit in text later on so that I could do it. Again, maybe he was lying to be "cool" or fit in or whatever but I definitely didn't get that impression.