Do I have to reverse my VA Disability claim in order to be eligible to enlist again?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 14:42:10 -0400

Good Afternoon, I am prior service Army and am working with a recruiter to get back in the Army.

I have a VA disability rating of 50%, most of it being arthritis related (later in life issues) knees and shoulders, normal military wear and tear. However none of my disability rating reasons would make me non-deployable.

He has instructed me that I need to call the VA, see a physician and have all of my VA claim reversed, in order for me to even go to MEPS.

I have read from other sources such as Military.com (not sure how credible it is) here is the link

https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-benefits/disability/having-va-disability-rating-doesnt-prevent-you-serving-military.html#:~:text=Simply%20having%20a%20VA%20disability,had%20while%20on%20active%20duty.

The article says that all you have to do is let the VA know that you are enlisting and that you will suspend your payments until you separate from the military again. It also stated the issue related to being deployable or not.

For anyone who knows how hard it is dealing with the VA it makes you think twice before reversing something that took so long form them to come to a decision on.

Any prior service or recruiters with knowledge on the subject?

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Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2020 4:58 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 16:58:51 -0400

He told you wrong. It also depends on what you’re wanting to do. If you’re wanting to go active then you’ll most likely have to suspend your disability payments while on active duty, then when you get out you can re-instate your benefits. If you wanna go guard or reserve you can keep your ratings just how they are. Only thing is you can’t receive VA disability payments and drill pay at the same time. You’ll have to suspend one or the other. Another option is suspending your drill pay and just receiving your benefit pay and collecting retirement points from the Army. I know a guy in the guard with 80% disability rating. You’ll make more if you suspend your VA payments on for the days you attend drill. Hope that helps!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2020 5:00 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Sep 2020 17:00:12 -0400

You must suspend your payments and will not receive any prorated amount for the time you are on active duty. Once your term concludes, you will apply for reinstatement of your benefits and will begin to receive them again.

Response by Cpl Johnny Willis made Jan 14 at 2021 5:13 AM

Cpl Johnny Willis — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 05:13:47 -0500

I'm following a similar path as you. Did you ever get this sorted? Curious to see how it turned out. From the comments and from what I also experienced, you'll need to submit form VBA-20-572 to the Va, its a form submitted to no longer Receive Direct Deposit. This "suspends". Thats what the VA told me, but I think you might have to get a letter with confirmation that the suspension is in effect. I'm going to call and ask if they would write a letter like that, but curious to know the results of your situation.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Aug 8 at 2021 6:47 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Sun, 08 Aug 2021 18:47:20 -0400

You are being paid a VA disability because you are 50% disabled. If you suspend that there is no guarantee you will get it back, that's if the military will take you