Can I join the Army Reserves or National Guard if I am currently collecting compensation from the VA?

A letter just came out by the secretary of defense on 12 Feb. It seems they are now flagging members in the reserve with disabilities through the VA. This can definitely change how things are right now. A pilot in our unit was just grounded even though he has waivers, passing fit scores etc... FYSA.

I did. At age 45. I carry a 20% disability... I had to get a waiver to rejoin... I didnt rejoin for college money or benefits.... MY thought process was: if they'll take me at age 45, then maybe it will save a family somewhere losing an only son or daughter.... but even more, at age 56 now, I'd do it all again tomorrow. But thats just me. Thanks for reading.

Short answer is yes. You have to report how much you get from the VA and your pay may be offset. I can't answer to what the VA does. The caveat has to be if your disability excludes you from obtaining a waiver to be in the Guard or Reserve. We have some people with huge disability ratings serving. Again the trick is you need to get a waiver and without knowing your circumstance would be hard to advise you. You can pm me if you wish.

ALCON, please remember that VA disability is figured differently than something like Social Security disability. SS grades based on your ability to do a job that you should be able to do, considering your age, education, skill, etc. Example: my son was born with his left arm truncated at mid forearm, but he is not disabled in the eyes of SS because he can still do everything a two year old would normally be expected to do. VA looks at the whole wide world of jobs and gives you a rating based on your inability to do any of them. Suppose you were badly disfigured in an IED, but your body is functional. There are civilian jobs that this would severely hamper your performance, but there are a lot of Army jobs that the veteran could still perform completely.

To answer the OP: you keep your rating but cannot collect disability for any calendar day that you are on active status. When you ETS, you could resume collecting disability pension. However your disability rating is still subject to re-evaluation by the VA from time to time, and your active duty status might affect their assessment.

To suggest that Mr. Corcoran could not contribute to any service though disabled is absolutely ridiculous and deplorable. I invite any of you who feel this way to watch my friend MSG Cedric King speak about his experiences and then take a look at what contributions he has made to society since, all while still serving.

I was in your position. I was at like 10% disability with the VA for my hearing. I just needed to report to the VA once per year what I was doing in the National Guard, so they could adjust my "disability compensation" accordingly. In addition, when I deployed, I notified the VA and my compensation was stopped while on active duty.

Please don't. A quarter of my unit is broken and they just sit around at drill holding up their profile. They are killing our unit and holding up others from promoting. CO is about to make a "broke" platoon. The really awful thing is that alot of these cats are 20 years old with no combat time. I know thats not you, but please don't come back to be the "broke" guy.

Yes you can join or continue to serve. Va Disability has nothing to do with your ability or willingness to work. There are rules if you have received 100% or have accepted medical retirement from the military. As long as you can pass the APFT with or without profile, and perform your duties as a soldier.

You should talk to a recruiter who can best explain the current situation

What could you have possibly be getting disability for being a PFC that had only been in for no more then 18mo and that's including basic/AIT? State side injury? Service connected? I would just look into volunteering at your local VAMC or VFW instead of the Reserves or Guard