Posted on Feb 27, 2014
PFC Kyle Corcoran
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I have been collecting disability compensation from the VA since October 2012 and I am also using my Post 9/11 GI Bill to attend college. I really miss the camaraderie and brotherhood I felt while in the military. I really want to join the Army reserves or the National Guard so I can still attend college but be part of the military again. Would I have to cancel all of my disability compensation? Is that even possible? Some one help me out. Thanks.
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MSG Don H.
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Depends on what your disability is for and how extensive your disability is, I get 10% for hearing loss from an IED in Iraq in 2005, but still serve in the Guard. I have deployed since 2005, annual medical screening takes longer because I usually have to go through a second hearing test with an audiologist. IF you can pass a physical, you should be fine. Keep in mind that the VA will take back some of your compensation once a year. I get a letter every year explaining that based off the number of days of duty I performed last, my next VA payment will be reduced.
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CPT Retired
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The ultimate answer to your question depends on wether or not your disability makes you non-deployable. You can be on disability and serve otherwise. Contrary to SGT Gus Laskaris statements, you can't double dip and receive payment for military service and VA disability. If you join at some point, the VA will offset your disability payments by the number of days you drill or you can opt to drill without pay if VA compensation is worth less than the drill pay. That is all going to depend on your rating and rank.
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1stSgt First Sergeant
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Yes if it's 30% or less and you forfeit your disability pay. I left the Army after 4 years with 10% disability. Eighteen months later, I joined the Air Force. That was 12 years ago.
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SGT Chris McDaniel
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I considered this briefly in 2011. I asked ROTC if they thought I could make it in. The 1SG I spoke with told me it was theoretically possible. First I'd have to renounce my VA claim, essentially tell them anything that was broke was now fixed. Then I'd have to apply for medical waiver. This is the sticky part. The army can, and likely will deny the waiver.

If that happens, you've surrendered your VA claims for life. No take backs. Were I you, I would try to speak to someone knowledgeable at recruiting or ROTC and tell them what your disability is for. Perhaps they can tell you what the odds are that you'd qualify for a waiver.

If you're satisfied with the risk go for it. But it's a steep one. You're most likely better off not doing it.
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SSG Petroleum Supply Specialist
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Yes you can still be in guard or reserve ! You will have to no collect disability. On the two days you drill also it depends on amount of disability you get also
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MSG Mechanic 2nd
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if you are found fit for duty yes but you have to decide is the disability payment more or less than what you would recieve from drilling, that being said, you can drill for points or stop getting disability payments, its up to you, you cant get both, if you cancel disabillity you will eventually have to reapply, the waiting time is long but it might be worth it talk to your local county veterans rep they have the knowledge and experiance
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MSG James Strickland
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Good grief! Why would any commander want a disabled Soldier? Broke Soldiers just want to use the military for benefits. I retired after 23 years of active service. I collect Disability and wouldn't want to go back just to get hurt further. Sounds like the Solders aren't really disabled.
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SGT Timothy Douglas
SGT Timothy Douglas
>1 y
I have had 2 CDRs missing body parts one COL Franks went on to command 7th Corp in desert storm, I'm pretty sure he wasn't broke, I had many soldiers with injuries work with me who were ass kickers, guess it depends on pain tolerance and desire. glad your retired not a good job to have worried about being hurt
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MSG James Strickland
MSG James Strickland
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Let me clarify, I don't see Soldiers who've lost a limb or ability but are fully capable of performing their duties as disabled. I was speaking from a point of view of Soldiers who are incapable of performing their assigned duties but wanting to fill a position on the TDA to ride out to retirement but unwilling to do the job. I salute our brothers and sisters who've had to endure the lost of their limbs. They deserve a full medical retirement.
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SGM Art Stephens
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Yes you can join the guard/reserves, provided that you can pass the physical. However, your VA compensation will be offset by the number of training days you accrue each year... make sure you monitor it and submit the required documents... because the VA will come after you for recoupment of over payment.
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PO1 Michael Havner
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You can't collect VA disability while in uniform. You would have to give up the VA pension and then successfully pass entrance physical. Probably not going to happen.
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MSG Donald Bedford
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Your disability will be offset by your Drill pay.
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