1. I am not an expert in military disability retirements, medical boards or Veterans Affairs. I am sharing my personal experience both as a Retired Coast Guard Yeoman and as the wife of a retired Navy Corpsman. I am PDRL, and my husband Chris is TDRL, having just been retired Sep97.
2. Everyone's situation is different. Just because I or Chris are entitled to something does not mean you will be as well.
3. I am the first to admit that I do not particularly like the Navy, especially the command at National Naval Medical Center. The medical aspect of the command is one of the finest in the country, however the command itself, especially its current leadership (the XO, the Admiral, the Command Master Chief, and the Chief of Telemedicine) leave a lot to be desired. Admiral Rideneur (sic) and Master Chief Larson of the previous command, I have a great deal of respect for. Adm Potter's--very little, if any at all. However that being said, I will try to be unbiased and fair concerning personal experiences at NNMC.
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DEFINITIONS: {these are not alphabetized for the simple fact that I'll be adding to the list as the page progresses}
TDRL:
Temporary Disabled Retirement List
PDRL:
Permanent Disabled Retirement List
VA:
Veterans Affairs
USCG/CG/Guard:
United States Coast Guard
Coastie:
Member of the CG
USN/Nav:
United States Navy
Squid/sailor:
Member of the Navy
Med Board:
Medical Board-determines whether member is fit for duty
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TDRL vice PDRL:
Simply put, TDRL is temporary whereas PDRL is permanent.
It seems to me that most members who are to be medically retired before their 20y mark are put on TDRL. The reason would be due to their age {the resilience of youth?}. Since those members are usually under 40, there is the chance their condition will improve.
When a member is put on TDRL, they are entitled to the exact same benefits as any other retiree. A crucial difference is state taxes--a lot of states do not tax retired disabled pay {Virginia and Kentucky, I know for a fact do not} whereas regular retired pay may be subject to taxation.
It is EXTREMELY important for the TDRL retiree to keep their service informed as to their whereabouts for members on TDRL are subject to 18 month re-evaluations. If your service can't find you, you have no one to blame but yourself when you are cut off.
Re-evaluations are to determine whether the condition has gotten better, worsened or stabilized. If the condition is still unstable, the member will remain on TDRL and be re-evaluated in 18 months (unless they are close to five years on TDRL {the max time allowed} in which a final decision must be made).
If the condition has stabilized and the member is found fit for duty, they have the option of either requesting separation or returning to active duty. The exact criteria for this, I do not know at this present time--when I have the facts, I'll add them)
If the condition has stabilized and the member is found unfit for duty and is rated at 20% or below, they will be separated with severance pay no greater than 24 months of base pay.(2 months pay for every year of active duty--the exact formulas and variables I do not know at this present time)
If the condition has stabilized, the member is rated at 30% or higher, they will be put on the PDRL, in which case, they are no longer subject to re-evaluations.
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VETERANS AFFAIRS
First a little story
A lot of people have negative things to say about the VA and its programs. As a matter of fact, I remember vividly about eight years ago, I was out on a date with my love at the time-Mike. Mike was a Coastie and we were sitting in a movie theatre discussing my brother who had just joined the Army. Mike kept saying my brother was an idiot for signing up for the GI Bill, that he was just throwing his money away and what a big rip-off it was. {when I joined the CG a year later, I decided not to mention to Mike that I had signed up for the GI Bill as well}. He thought the VA was just recruiting propaganda {not his exact words. Mike was very beautiful, but my three year old has a bigger vocabulary}. Well, eight years later, my brother has been using his GI Bill and is currently pursuing a law degree. What a rip-off....
The VA is the military members best friend. The VA will be there for you long after the service has forgotten you. There are benefits on top of benefits. I urge you to explore the VA website and to contact the VA to find out what benefits you may be eligible for. A word of caution--nothing is quick. However the wait may well be worth your time.
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Now, the benefits we use:{the below is copied directly from the VA website and only contains info pertinent to us. Each case is different}
Disability Compensation
I. Benefit Description
The VA compensation program provides you monthly benefits if you are disabled because of an injury or disease incurred in or aggravated during your military service and for certain conditions which may develop after your release from active duty. Benefits are authorized based upon the severity of your claimed disability(ies). If your service-connected disabilities are evaluated as 30 percent or more, you are entitled to additional allowances for your dependents.
Other Benefits/Payments May Affect Your VA Compensation
Military Retired Pay - By law, the payment of VA compensation benefits is affected by the receipt of military retired pay. If you receive military retirement, you may initiate a waiver of your retired pay to receive the full amount of VA compensation. Until the waiver takes effect, your compensation will be adjusted or withheld depending on the amount of military retired pay you are entitled to. The advantage of waiving military retired pay for VA compensation is that VA benefits are not taxable.
II. Eligibility
You may be entitled to VA disability compensation for any medical condition or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by your military service if you were released from active military duty with an other than dishonorable discharge. There is no time limit to apply for VA disability compensation. However, you are encouraged to apply within one year of your release from active duty as entitlement is established retroactively to the date of separation if your claim is filed within this period. The effective date of eligibility for benefits will be based upon the date of your claim if you apply beyond the one-year period.
III. How to Apply
VA Form 21-526, Veteran's Application for Compensation or Pension.
The following supporting evidence and/or documents should be submitted with your application:
Service Medical Records - Those applicants who have their service medical records are encouraged to submit them with their application to expedite processing. Otherwise, VA will contact the service department to obtain them.
Other Medical Records - Medical records to substantiate any and all treatment by private doctors and hospitals.
Dependency Documents - Original or copies of birth and marriage certificates and copies of divorce/death record terminating all of your prior marriages and those of your spouse.
Military Discharge/DD Form 214 - (Copy 4 - Member Copy) Those applicants who have a copy of their DD-214 are encouraged to provide a copy with their claim to expedite processing. Otherwise, VA will attempt to obtain verification from the service department.
Priority Inpatient and Outpatient Medical Care
Vocational Rehabilitation (Chapter 31)
I. Benefit Description
The Vocational Rehabilitation program provides services and assistance necessary for service-connected disabled veterans to achieve independence and to obtain and maintain suitable employment. Vocational Rehabilitation can include college, technical school or on-the-job training or special training at rehabilitation facilities or at home when it is necessary because of a serious disability.
Vocational Rehabilitation services include, in part, assessment, counseling, training, subsistence allowances and employment assistance. VA also will assist you in job placement. While you are enrolled in a Vocational Rehabilitation program, VA pays the cost of tuition, fees, required books, supplies and equipment. VA also may pay for special supportive services such as medical and dental care, prosthetic devices, lip-reading training and signing for the deaf.
II. Eligibility
If you have an other than dishonorable discharge, you may be entitled to Vocational Rehabilitation benefits if BOTH of the following conditions are met:
A. You have a service-connected disability(ies) and VA has awarded you at least 20 percent compensation. Effective October 1, 1993, a veteran with a 10 percent disability evaluation may also be eligible if a serious employment handicap is evident.
B. VA determines that you need vocational rehabilitation to overcome an impairment to your ability to prepare for, obtain or retain employment consistent with your abilities, aptitudes and interests. Your service-connected disability must materially contribute to this employment handicap. If you are eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation benefits, you may receive up to 4 years of rehabilitation services. Generally, you must complete a rehabilitation program within 12 years from the date VA notifies you of your entitlement to compensation benefits.
III. How to Apply
VA Form 28-1900, Disabled Veterans Application for Vocational Rehabilitation.
The following supporting evidence and/or documents should be submitted with your claim:
Dependency Documents - If not currently or record with VA, the original or copies of birth and marriage certificates and copies of divorce/death record terminating your prior marriages and those of your spouse.
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