I'm going to warn others (or rant my high blood pressure state of being stabbed in the back) and share a recent experience in the hopes to get the word out so as others can be more informed... Let's somewhat start from the beghining. My last day as an active duty Soldier after 12 years of service was March 10, 2012. During my time, I only had two duty stations. Ft. Bragg, NC in 2/325 AIR 82d AB. During that time, I was deployed a total of 35 (on the books) months. I don't think that time needs to be explained... I then made a round robin back to the schoolhouse at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD for the remainder of my time. I was involuntarily discharged from service from there. Please save your comments, as I was discharged under honorable conditions and my chain of Command gave me every positive opportunity they could on the way out. It was not a neagative or adverse discharge. It was told to me by my BN Commander and the CSM that it was an unfortunate event on both the Army side and for me. OK, so I got "hooked up" to the max by by senior leadership and even got extended leave. I recieved a considerable "involuntary separation pay" on the way out, as well. I began my VA disability compensation journey in November of 2011. I started the "quick start" so as to get a fluid payment schedeule as soon as I came off active duty status...Or so I was told. It is now Feb 2013 and I just now got my disability rating of 90%. (yes I am very broken) OK so you that are familiar with this say "BACKPAY BABY"................................................................NOT!!! They took almost 13K in recoupment for the separation pay I recieved as though it were some kind of debt "I" owed "THEM". I am not one to blow my own horn, as I rarely talk about my combat service (just don't feel the need to explain myself) but REALLY??? I am rated at 90% so it is obvious that the Army and my time in service had a nasty effect on me. WHY did thewy take what I feel they owed "ME". I don't go around with the "America owes me something" attitude nor do I brag about what I have done for this country but I feel as though I have been betrayed and stabbed in the back by the government. For the last many many months, all I wanted is what they told me I earned. This money was a down pyment on a home for my family. I don't want to be rich and wealthy but I just want a comfortable life for my wife and children. I feel like they burned my home down before I even had the chance to buy one.
!!!military personnel beware!!!
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They should have explained it to you. But they consider that sep pay as part of the payment due to medical. I went through the same stuff. The only reason they do it, is because some people take the seperation pay (medical pay) and then do not claim V.A. Now the local V.A. rep could have explained it that you could have kept the money but then guess what, you would have to wait for your monthly disability checks until they hit the 13k. I know still crappy system but it is what it is. Good luck, and if you are rated at 90% you will get a decent check, and look at it this way. Loosing the 13k sucked, but the disability is for life, but good luck man.
Vet
Vet
Yea, I got an involuntary sep too and the whole comp package. I cant wait to see what my back pay check is going to be like when they finally firgure out my disability rating.
Also that you for doing the nasty part of the business over there, I was a Sailor and had it ALOT easier in comparison
Also that you for doing the nasty part of the business over there, I was a Sailor and had it ALOT easier in comparison
I was also medically discharged only I was separated at 0%... The VA currently has me a 40% disability. Due to the army separating me at 0% I am now medically retired for the rest of my life. I also received a little over 13G for separation pay but in order to receive VA benefits that money had to be paid back. I was able to set it up to where I received half my benefits and the other half went to pay back the separation pay. Call up the VA and ask them about it.
Wow didn't realize that separation pay was deducted from you disability pay. That is some pretty crappy goings on. Me and the wife both joined the AF in 1999. I got out for a bit and re-entered again. We are both E-6's and she has some sever neck damage from her C3-C7. Bulging disc, deteriorating disc ect. Only took 4 years to finally get to a specialist to find out this problem. They went from saying "stop crying and suck it up" to "OMG I'm not to sure you can stay in the military". Same doc. All those PT dodgers are to blame that don't have anything wrong and claim back pain. Anyways I'm just ...... about it how we are treated by the "Medical Professionals". You can't even compare it to civilian health care. It might not cost us money out of our pay checks but we pay for it with our actual health and well being sometimes.
At least I am not the only one to get screwed over by the VA.. The Navy put me out on medical at 10% and handed me a check for sep pay. When I reveived my back pay from the VA at 60% disability they also took back all the sep pay around 55000. I am currently in the LONG process of change my status to RET. Just like the rest of us we don't brag about what we did, but the VA process sucks!!!!
I just kept the separation pay and decided not to go through with the VA disability claim. They've been up to some pretty shady stuff recently, declaring completely sane people mentally unfit, allocating their checks to someone they designate, and that person decides what happens to YOUR money for you, and the worst part is they call your local sheriff's office and instruct them to search your home and confiscate firearms and other weapons. I know a guy personally that this happened to. He was told by the VA that he needed knee surgery, and he sought a second opinion from a civilian doctor. Without notifying him, they had the sheriff pick up his guns, and his checks are going to someone else now, for them to manage.
Didn't you hear...they are in the works for a new war we have to pay for
I got to see first hand what a military hating president can do to the military...
I wish you luck...fight for every penny you deserve...you EARNED it!!!!
I got to see first hand what a military hating president can do to the military...
I wish you luck...fight for every penny you deserve...you EARNED it!!!!
that sucks but some times the military can be shady .... I served and so did my brother , I was 35 eng bt fort lwood,he was 3rd 325 82nd at bragg, he went over to train in oman and got shot 3 times(ff) made it back but no disability pay stayed in 3yrs more total of 6 and he gets nothing for that injury ... and he has been pickin shrapnel out of his body for yrs... sometimes the army sux!!! But boys at least we get the flag when we die!!!!!!!!!!lol
I guess this turned into a VA sucks thread. And I totally agree with all of it. My wife got out December of 12 and is still waiting on the VA to determine her disability. I can't wait to see what it'll be like when I get out in 2016.
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I havent had to deal with the VA yet but just the medical system in general is a joke. I tore my miniscus in basic and never had it taken care of. I have continually torn it and let it heal. After a very long string of profiles, 17 different diagnoses from the PA, and a sever limp, I was given an MRI. After looking at the results it was determined that the back of my miniscus where the tear is is now almost completely scar tissue. I had arthoscopic surgery at the end of August and then deployed 2 months later. Good ole' army. guess us infantry guys are supposed to just suck it up, even if we dont work properly. Also the physical therapy was a joke. just some fat guy who told me the exercises and then played on his computer the whole time. Cant wait to talk the VA when i get out!
I am not a service man, and probably have no right to post here. First off, I thank you all for your service to this country, wholeheartedly.
I am appalled by the stories of my friends and coworkers of the treatment of soldiers by the government; both pre and post discharge. So many hollow promises and almost blatant lies are told to you guys. I understand that you know the risk of harms way when you enlist, but to be treated as many of you have been is just plain unacceptable. You boys and girls are willing to and have put your lives n the line for us. Your families have gne through things for us. I apologize to you on behalf of the people in the government who don't care about you or your sacrifice.
Please rest assured, there are people who look up to you and admire your bravery.
I am appalled by the stories of my friends and coworkers of the treatment of soldiers by the government; both pre and post discharge. So many hollow promises and almost blatant lies are told to you guys. I understand that you know the risk of harms way when you enlist, but to be treated as many of you have been is just plain unacceptable. You boys and girls are willing to and have put your lives n the line for us. Your families have gne through things for us. I apologize to you on behalf of the people in the government who don't care about you or your sacrifice.
Please rest assured, there are people who look up to you and admire your bravery.
Lee, thank you. Many do what we do for various reasons. I started to pay for college and the still did not know what I wanted to be when I grew up. Still don't now that I am a lifer! But appreciate what you are saying! Try to get local vape shops to put together packages if deploying soldier or unit may need them!
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