Can I join the Reserves if my VA claims add up to 100% disability? Will I lose my disability rating while during Reserve duty?

2020-08-30T03:22:50-04:00

Thinking about joining the reserves even if all my va disability claims reach 100%.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2020 3:43 AM

2020-08-30T03:43:30-04:00

Hi Scott,

100% is a bit iffy because it would mean non-deployable, but it really depends on the MOS/AFSC now.

I've seen 80% and they are still in working as Admin, but not 100% sure on the 100% rating.

If you do get in, the VA takes out a percentage of your Disability pay due to drill pay. Exact math I am clueless on IE I have 10% for my tinnitus which at full pay is 170$ i believe but the VA gives me 110$ only cause of drill pay.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2020 3:45 AM

2020-08-30T03:45:13-04:00

An example

https://taskandpurpose.com/community/air-force-sergeant-overcomes-100-disability-rating-return-full-duty

Air Force Sergeant Overcomes 100% Disability Rating To Return To Full Duty

A dozen years after he was nearly killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan, Master Sgt. Israel Del Toro was on the verge Saturday of completing a final,

Response by SSG Steven Borders made Aug 30 at 2020 9:40 AM

2020-08-30T09:40:31-04:00

You have to do the math, and it is kind of tricky sometimes. But it gets confusing at times. I think you would actually make more with disability at 100% than actual reserve pay. That's why one of my soldiers got out. I am only 60% and I drill for points only and only get paid when I go to school or AT.

Response by SP5 Peter Keane made Aug 30 at 2020 12:40 PM

2020-08-30T12:40:42-04:00

VA claims don't add up. They multiply %'s.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2020 12:42 PM

2020-08-30T12:42:59-04:00

https://themilitarywallet.com/waive-va-compensation-to-receive-military-pay/

Waive VA Compensation for Military Pay - VA Form 21-8951

You can serve in the Guard or Reserves if you have a VA disability, but you may have to waive VA Disability Compensation in order to receive military pay.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 30 at 2020 3:09 PM

2020-08-30T15:09:20-04:00

Look VA math- sucks, percentages are not added. You will have to talk to a recruiter for the whole story.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Sep 1 at 2020 2:28 PM

2020-09-01T14:28:33-04:00

So, the odd short answer is that your VA disability rating is irrelevant to your service (hold on....).

Whether you can join the Reserves depends entirely on whether you meet MILITARY standards of fitness, either for accessions or continued service [depending on if you are currently "out"]. The VA does not make those decisions. The military medical system and/or MEPS does.

That said, if you have a 100% VA rating, the odds are very strong that you don't meet one or more MILITARY fitness standards. The military and VA are very different in how they assess things (which is why, when you look at the IDES system, you tend to find the people have a higher VA rating than the military disability rating), but not THAT different! You'd have to either have a totally debility in one area or several significantly debilitating issues to hit 100%.

Assuming you qualify for military service, you cannot collect VA $$ while in a paid duty status. Assuming 39 days (1 weekend a month + 15 days AT), you would essentially have to file a form at the end of the (retirement/calendar, I can't recall) year stating how many days you had worked for the military that year. The VA will then withhold from the current year's payments 39 days worth of entitlement. Again, I don't know if they do this all at once, or if they spread it out over the current year.