If I am rated at 70% disabled by the Army and 100% va rated, should I get both?

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 11:42:26 -0500

DFAS is saying I get only 50% for longevity retirement of 20 years instead of the 70% disability.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Feb 8 at 2016 12:13 PM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Mon, 08 Feb 2016 12:13:37 -0500

MAJ Ken Landgren I don't understand, so please educate me a bit. You put in 20 years of service, yes? So you get 50% retirement pay. You are rated at 100% on your VA disability, so you get the full VA disability payment, with concurrent receipt, due to you being over 50%, yes? What department is the 70% ratings from? Is there another source (SS disability perhaps) of funds that should result from the 70% rating?

Response by SGT Terrence Hiett made May 16 at 2016 5:22 PM

SGT Terrence Hiett — Mon, 16 May 2016 17:22:30 -0400

The Percent of Disability is not the Percent of Pay. It is a rating of how disabled you are from performing all quality of life functions, and is used to determine "the loss of income" from those disabilities and then you are reimbursed by the VA for "the loss of income" This is what was explained to me when my ex wife applied for her disability compensation. Hope this helps with the original question.

Response by MGySgt James Forward made Oct 18 at 2016 3:54 PM

MGySgt James Forward — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 15:54:10 -0400

Army rating does not impact your retirement pay. So you get your 50% (retired pay) and a separate VA payment for the 100% VA rating. Two totally separate pots of money. Don't know where you could have figured you were gonna get 70% of your retired pay...Semper Fi.