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What I am about to address, may sound like sour grapes to some, and that's fine. I just want to know if others have had the same experience and how it was addressed with them.
I was medically separated in July 2004 with knee issues. Two surgeries did not fix the problem. The Army MEB deemed me to be 0% disabled, and provided me with severance pay on my way out the door. It was formulated at 2 x base pay x # of years in service. After taxes, it was still a decent chucnk of change. The only other thing they told me as part of that process was to make sure I filed a claim with the VA. So I did. I ETS'd on 2 Jul 2004. The next day I was at the VA. Two weeks later I got a letter informing me I had been awarded 10% for my knee, 10% for another issue, totaling 20%. This would entitle me to $220 a month for the rest of my life.
I got my first disability check from the VA in March of this year, almost 10 years after the award.
What they didn't tell me as I was out-processing the Army, nor at the VA, was that I was going to have to repay every penny of that severance pay before I would start getting it sent to me.
I looked into this, and it is considered double-dipping if you do not repay that severance.
I have written Congressmen and Senators, and all have agreed that it is a stupid policy, but one that no one is willing to battle.
Obviously, I am not alone in this adventure.
I am just wondering if others were misled on their way out the door as I was, or if they were actually briefed on what all was entailed in this matter.
I would love to hear your thoughts/stories.
I was medically separated in July 2004 with knee issues. Two surgeries did not fix the problem. The Army MEB deemed me to be 0% disabled, and provided me with severance pay on my way out the door. It was formulated at 2 x base pay x # of years in service. After taxes, it was still a decent chucnk of change. The only other thing they told me as part of that process was to make sure I filed a claim with the VA. So I did. I ETS'd on 2 Jul 2004. The next day I was at the VA. Two weeks later I got a letter informing me I had been awarded 10% for my knee, 10% for another issue, totaling 20%. This would entitle me to $220 a month for the rest of my life.
I got my first disability check from the VA in March of this year, almost 10 years after the award.
What they didn't tell me as I was out-processing the Army, nor at the VA, was that I was going to have to repay every penny of that severance pay before I would start getting it sent to me.
I looked into this, and it is considered double-dipping if you do not repay that severance.
I have written Congressmen and Senators, and all have agreed that it is a stupid policy, but one that no one is willing to battle.
Obviously, I am not alone in this adventure.
I am just wondering if others were misled on their way out the door as I was, or if they were actually briefed on what all was entailed in this matter.
I would love to hear your thoughts/stories.
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 17
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I was told that since I was combat wounded that I wouldn't have to pay my severance back to the VA because they passed a new regulation about combat wounded. Five years later the VA tells me that I didn't meet the deadline so I had to pay it back anyway. I think it is all bull.
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I feel for you & they should explain that to soldiers before they discharge you!
I guess I was lucky & my doctor fully explained before I medical boarded that if I accept a settlement from the Army it would be taxable & would have to be fully repaid with my non taxable VA benefit before I would ever see a penny of it!
He also explained that you can refuse it & deal directly with the VA!
He adamantly told me not to accept anything from the Army.
He also explained if they decide not to give me a payable rating at all not to sweat it as long as they give me a 0% determination letter I was better off & eligible to go to the VA for a 2nd MEB & most likely to be granted a non taxable rating!
He was absolutely right!
They gave me a 0% determination & now I have a 160% permanent service connected disability rating!
And on the flipside I personally know people that has refused their Army settlement & dealt directly with the VA
I guess I was lucky & my doctor fully explained before I medical boarded that if I accept a settlement from the Army it would be taxable & would have to be fully repaid with my non taxable VA benefit before I would ever see a penny of it!
He also explained that you can refuse it & deal directly with the VA!
He adamantly told me not to accept anything from the Army.
He also explained if they decide not to give me a payable rating at all not to sweat it as long as they give me a 0% determination letter I was better off & eligible to go to the VA for a 2nd MEB & most likely to be granted a non taxable rating!
He was absolutely right!
They gave me a 0% determination & now I have a 160% permanent service connected disability rating!
And on the flipside I personally know people that has refused their Army settlement & dealt directly with the VA
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