Posted on Feb 27, 2014
Can I join the Army Reserves or National Guard if I am currently collecting compensation from the VA?
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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.
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 277
Kyle,
Don't do it! You will be required to pay back every dollar you earn in the reserves or Guard back to the VA!!! Not worth it. It is also not worth the risk of having a Toxic Leader who may jeopardize your career inside the military or outside - and you can be certain that if a medical issue keeps you from being at drill on time, missing drill or not performing well on a PT test - leaders in the Guard or Reserve (some who may not have deployed), will likely not care and will likely write you up and process you for malingering or a multitude of other things - which could lead to an other than honorable discharge or separation. Be proud of your service already, join the VFW and/or American Legion if you seek to reconnect with a brotherhood and camaraderie. Also, if you are considering other civilian careers, don't take a chance on letting the military cause you further injury or time away from a career that you should be totally devoted to. Hope this helps and best of luck!
Don't do it! You will be required to pay back every dollar you earn in the reserves or Guard back to the VA!!! Not worth it. It is also not worth the risk of having a Toxic Leader who may jeopardize your career inside the military or outside - and you can be certain that if a medical issue keeps you from being at drill on time, missing drill or not performing well on a PT test - leaders in the Guard or Reserve (some who may not have deployed), will likely not care and will likely write you up and process you for malingering or a multitude of other things - which could lead to an other than honorable discharge or separation. Be proud of your service already, join the VFW and/or American Legion if you seek to reconnect with a brotherhood and camaraderie. Also, if you are considering other civilian careers, don't take a chance on letting the military cause you further injury or time away from a career that you should be totally devoted to. Hope this helps and best of luck!
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I am a drilling reservist and have a 100% rating by the VA. I drill for points only (except for a couple days during the year to keep my deficit that accrues down - for SGLI). Yes, you can be rated by the VA and serve in a TPU. Regarding retention: It's based on several things to include the potential of a med board (mine retained me). The minimum retention standard is as follows: You can qualify with your weapon, wear your LCE, wear a helmet and pass an APFT or alternate APFT (if med boarded). Bottom line: Each year (FEB - MAR) the VA will send you a letter that states they know you drilled for XX amount of days. If they skip you a year, they'll get you for two years. They go by FY, not CY. You and your commander will fill out the back, which will determine how many days you drilled for pay. You send it back to the VA. The VA will then withhold your check until that amount is repaid.
Note: If you are filing for disability or already have a rating, USE AN ADVOCATE - Don't try to deal with the VA directly. I go through Disabled American Veterans (DAV). You can pick your own advocate but I strongly recommend DAV.
Note: If you are filing for disability or already have a rating, USE AN ADVOCATE - Don't try to deal with the VA directly. I go through Disabled American Veterans (DAV). You can pick your own advocate but I strongly recommend DAV.
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SGT Shannon Ritzert
I was wounded in OIF 1 in a combat fight with a RPG blast. I was honorably D/C from the Army and am at a 100% combat related disability. I have since obtained my education as an RN. In the service I was a MP. I am trying to get my PMHNP now and work with wounded vet's mental health. It has been very hard to get clinical's for school purposes and have been considering re-joining in a reserve status to gain connections and clinical experience. I am worried about losing my service connection if I do this though.
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CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret)
SGT Shannon Ritzert - You are compensated by the VA for your injuries, not an inability to work like social security disability. You could get back in assuming they would take you (the Army has different rules for medical personnel - might be doable). The main thing is you can't collect VA money and military pay at the same time - you could do it for points only (like I do) or simply bank the reserve pay and pay it back when the VA collects annually. If you came back in you will NOT lose your 100% comp. I am 100% myself since 2007 and I'm still serving. I'm also collecting social security disability (I don't get paid by the Army so I have no "earnings" - points only and social security knows this). If you weren't in the medical field I'd say you have little chance of getting back in but since you're talking medical - check it out. Go see a recruiter or two. Is there a medical unit near you? You might want to see them as well. Have you considered working for the VA as an intern? That's something else you may want to look at.
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SGT Shannon Ritzert
CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) - The purpose would be to gain the experience. I will look into it. I have looked into the VA but they are very hard to get into with out experience within the field. Because all of my current experience is in ICU and ER I do not match their standard for a mental health nurse... Kinda suck's
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CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret)
SGT Shannon Ritzert - Well, check out the Reserves or Guard. If you can get your foot in the door...
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The National Guard will take you as long as you are rated 60% or less, and provided your disability does not hinder you in your job perform or APFT.
In 2010 I left AD and joined the OKANG, after joining the VA rated me at 60%. I drew both, a Drill check and VA Compensation check. At the beginning of the fiscal year the VA would stop my Compensation till they recouped their money for the year. 2013 and 2014 the VA suspended my Compensation since I gave them a copy of my Deployment Orders. Mid 2014 I returned home and I started receiving VA Compensation at the 60% rating and my Drill Checks once again. In the fall of 2015 my VA rating increased to 100%. At 100% I drill for retirement points only because my two day Drill check doesn't come close to the VA Competition for the same time. Because of my disabilities I can't pass the APFT, so in June of this year I will ETS. I hope this helps.
In 2010 I left AD and joined the OKANG, after joining the VA rated me at 60%. I drew both, a Drill check and VA Compensation check. At the beginning of the fiscal year the VA would stop my Compensation till they recouped their money for the year. 2013 and 2014 the VA suspended my Compensation since I gave them a copy of my Deployment Orders. Mid 2014 I returned home and I started receiving VA Compensation at the 60% rating and my Drill Checks once again. In the fall of 2015 my VA rating increased to 100%. At 100% I drill for retirement points only because my two day Drill check doesn't come close to the VA Competition for the same time. Because of my disabilities I can't pass the APFT, so in June of this year I will ETS. I hope this helps.
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SGT (Join to see)
CSM Charles Hayden -CSM, I understand that and I'm not questioning my bar. Just stating the facts that I mentioned at the beginning of my response. A SM must be able to perform his or hers MOS and pass the APFT. That is it.
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But if you are receiving disability because obviously something hurts or not functioning properly, why would you be able to join the reserves? That's waste fraud and abuse. Active duty guys can't do it, why should Guard and reserve member? We are on the same team right?
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Yes, you can. my daughter in laws step father is in the reserves. He is collecting disability at 80%. He's in the reserves to make it to equivalent of 20 yrs so he can retire and receive retirement pay.
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SMSgt David A Asbury
I would advise you to contact the VA regional office to confirm if you can. Not that you can not join, but for the reason you are drawing disability pay. Also, when I ask the VA about getting a part time job at 100%, was yes you can get a part time job but you can not get paid are large amount. So Kelli. go for it, if you can get in the Army Reserves. Remember first to find out if what you are disabled is not disqualifying at the MEPS.
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SMSgt David A Asbury
Glad to hear you added another piece of the puzzle to help others to get answers quickly. Thank you
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The answer is Yes; However, you cannot receive military duty pay and disability pay for the same day. For example when you go to annual training that is maybe 2 to 3 weeks that's you'll see a big change unless you are have a high percentage of disability pay.
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SFC Kina Gyan
It's very true what SSG Anisca said. What I've noticed TPU service-members who also receive VA disability compensation do is calculate the amount of battle assembly (usually 2days a month) paycheck and compare with their prorated VA compensation for 2days, and then choose whichever pays more. They the same for Annual Training as well (2/3wks).
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It depends what the ratings are based on, and wheather your injuries would limit or prohibit you from performing your duties. I'm in the Oklahoma National Guard, I joined two days after my terminal leave was up, they knew up front I was broke coming in. Four months later the VA rated me at 60%, they said no problem. Now five years and a deployment later the VA has rated me at 70%, and still no problem.
As for the disability compensation. Technically you can not draw both a VA check and a Military check. So that can be handled one two ways. You can continue drawing the VA check and drill only for Retirement points. Meaning no money period under M-Day status, Annual Training or Schools listed under Title 32. Or you can draw both checks and forfeit your VA check one to two months on average every year. To pay back the overage the VA gave you over the year.
I one Soldier that told the VA to cancel his disability payments which the VA did do. However when he ETS' d and he went back to the VA to restart his disability claim, he literally had to start his claim over. That is what he told me personally.
Thats my two cents, Good Luck
Richard Aldrich
SGT, OKANG
As for the disability compensation. Technically you can not draw both a VA check and a Military check. So that can be handled one two ways. You can continue drawing the VA check and drill only for Retirement points. Meaning no money period under M-Day status, Annual Training or Schools listed under Title 32. Or you can draw both checks and forfeit your VA check one to two months on average every year. To pay back the overage the VA gave you over the year.
I one Soldier that told the VA to cancel his disability payments which the VA did do. However when he ETS' d and he went back to the VA to restart his disability claim, he literally had to start his claim over. That is what he told me personally.
Thats my two cents, Good Luck
Richard Aldrich
SGT, OKANG
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SGT (Join to see)
This is what I do as well... I am in the Texas Army National Guard and get regular drill pay. I will get a letter in the mail from the VA telling me that they are not going to send for "X" amount of months. The VA just does not send the money to my account until it is caught up, makes it easy for me... I just go to drill and it all works out. I have 3 years left for my 20 years in the military (8 USMC & 12 in the TXANG)
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If your state has a defense force, you can also look there. They need prior service Soldiers who have been there, done that. Lots of opportunities for cameradirie, networking, and using civilian skills.
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And how would you be able to physically and mentally be able to handle that? You are disabled now.... no? If not, then why take disability in the first place?
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I lost a leg below the knee in Afghanistan in 2005. When I med boarded out in 2006 it was right before they started letting functional leg amputees stay in if you could handle it. I tried to join the National Guard and was counseled that I would lose all my VA benefits, but the recruiter now appears he may have been misinformed.
Too bad. I am too old now but would have loved to have continued to serve.
Too bad. I am too old now but would have loved to have continued to serve.
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SFC Kina Gyan
I'm very sorry for what happened to you in AFG, SGT Crowley, and I commend you for your undying courage and dedication to have wanted to continue to serve this great nation of ours. I also apologize for the recruiter who was too quick to turn you down, instead of doing a thorough research to ensure you were afforded every leverage and that ALL avenues were exhausted before turning you away. It's a damning admission but this has been a huge problem with recruiters since 2004. Almost all the recruiters I've come in contact with since then have only ONE objective: getting paid a lot of money (with BAH and stuff) while making the minimum effort to enlist TWO recruits per month, and doing nothing else. And all he had to do was call any MEPS center for the correct information. It's very shameful what he did and I he reads this on this platform and reach you to apologize for what he did. Again, thank you for your selfless service and it's an honor to know of a decent human being like you. God bless you and your family, the US Armed Forces, and the United States of America.
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Yes you can in some cases. Go talk to a recruiter. Find one who cares and is willing to do paperwork, waivers, or whatever it takes.
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The difference between civilian and military disability to me is, in the military, we can't say no to what we are told to do. So if you break me, you need to care for me. I wrote a check to the govt with my life as collateral. That's different than the private sector.
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While I appreciate your desire to serve... please understand this... it took my husband more than 7 yrs to get his military medical records from active duty and another several years before he got his disability rating. He would have dearly loved to have been able to stay in the Air Force and continue his career... There are too many men and women who have been denied any kind of disability and can no longer serve, so my question here... is how is it fair to those who can't get disability and are struggling today while others get it handed to them and manipulate the system to their advantage. I have known too many vets who need their disability ratings to simply get basic medical and health benefits. I am sorry if I come across strong, but I have a husband with disabilities and what we have to go through for one simple procedure gets overwhelming at times. So I am sorry I cannot support this thought or desire.
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SSG Robert White
The problem that most people have is they don't know how to take the C&P exams. What most people do is take the exam the same way they did exams in the military. When on AD, the military want's to know how healthy you are. The VA wants to know how messed up you are. Also, most contract doctors and about half the VA doctors don't do proper exams. Your entitled to a second opinion. All you need to do is get a copy of all the C&P exams. I can provide that to anyone. They VA puts it on their web site, then realizes that people are using them. They then take them off and make it hard for everyone to find them. I have the latest PDF file with all the exams. You need to cite (from the C&P exam requirements) exactly what the examiner didn't do to get a proper exam. Don't wait for an appeal. When you do appeal, make sure you ask for a Decision Review Officer. Don't go to the BVA until you went thru a DRO.
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After her active duty time, and due to injury, my wife collects 80% disability, uses her college benefits and is still in the reserves. Whatever she makes in drill pay is subtracted from her disability and taxed. She isn't ready to give up and still feels she contributes to the cause, more than some of her counterparts.
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I would check and see if the reason you are getting disability pay can or will keep you from joining, deploying and other things like PT in the Reserves or Guard. You can call a Reserve Recruiter and find out if the REC code on your DD Form 214 keeps you from joining. I saw where someone mentioned you can be in the reserves/guard and still draw disability pay. You may keep your disability pay but have drill paydays taken out of it when you drill or do two weeks active. I wish you luck.
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The guard seems to be thinning the ranks. Many, many soldiers are getting flagged and booted for such things as failing two PT tests in a row. They are also out of money for schools, at least my battalion. So IMO, it will be difficult for you to get in the guard at this time. No money equals no waivers.
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Find a veteran community thru facebook or tweeter. That will bring back the commeradory and brotherhood without the stress of deployments and policies that conflict with your lifestyle. Get a service companion go to your local VFW post and register and you won't miss out anymore. VFW's have daily, monthly, weekly, and yearly events to keep you and others out of that feeling of missing commeradory.
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Tennant's Rule #1 - Always refer to the regulations....having said that....as a general rule you can. However, I have to caution you that it all depends on the disability and the percentage you have been given. Tread carefully because if you do join because you will end up drilling for free or giving all or part of your VA disability back.
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LTC Charles T Dalbec
Hooah and you might not want to give back a tax free disability for taxable drill payments
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