Posted on Oct 31, 2015
Ok, I just ripped off the band aid and have an approved retirement, any advice?
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I have just started the retirement process. I am particularly concerned with medical/physical and the next career. Any advice is welcome and appreciated.
Posted in these groups: 
Transition
Transition
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 44
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LTC Jason Mackay
Sir, make copies of all your medical and dental records. Also get paper copies of any electronic records from your base hospital as those don't necessarily get entered into your hard medical record. File your VA disability claim BEFORE you retire and it will get "fast-tracked," meaning that you could get your rating and disability compensation the first day you officially retire. I wish I had done that with my own claim, as it took almost 6 months to get it approved. The only good thing that came from that is I got back paid from the day I retired. I suggest you have a VA Service Rep from the DAV, American Legion, VFW, or similar organization help you file your claim as they know how to cut through the red tape.
Sir, make copies of all your medical and dental records. Also get paper copies of any electronic records from your base hospital as those don't necessarily get entered into your hard medical record. File your VA disability claim BEFORE you retire and it will get "fast-tracked," meaning that you could get your rating and disability compensation the first day you officially retire. I wish I had done that with my own claim, as it took almost 6 months to get it approved. The only good thing that came from that is I got back paid from the day I retired. I suggest you have a VA Service Rep from the DAV, American Legion, VFW, or similar organization help you file your claim as they know how to cut through the red tape.
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SSG John Gillespie
PO1 John Miller - See, that's the thing. BDD is all well and good but it doesn't work like some representatives say it does. They don't actually begin processing the claim until the day after separation. What it *does* do, however, is allow the SM to have a fully developed claim before that date by allowing for VA exams and such to take place while the SM is still on Active Duty. This was exactly the case for me.
As for getting my Congressman involved, it's still a bit early for that. That's pretty much the nuclear option.
As for getting my Congressman involved, it's still a bit early for that. That's pretty much the nuclear option.
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MSG Tim Gray
Sorry not insinuating you specifically were drinking the koolaid, just that those personnel conducting the briefings were not giving accurate information.
During my briefing I was given all kinds of information to "make me feel good" all lies. They told us "oh if you have CIB, bronze star or similar info on your 214-your claim will not go through a lengthy claim process" lies. I am going to go through another congressmen today. The BDD claim I originally submitted, as verified by numerous VA 800 operators has shown that the dependent info has always been there since the start of my claim. Yet my current back pay amount for dependents (by appropriate FY schedules) is approaching $30,000 dollars. I even requested that the decision be made faster without any further info to be provided by me. 3 years and counting.........
During my briefing I was given all kinds of information to "make me feel good" all lies. They told us "oh if you have CIB, bronze star or similar info on your 214-your claim will not go through a lengthy claim process" lies. I am going to go through another congressmen today. The BDD claim I originally submitted, as verified by numerous VA 800 operators has shown that the dependent info has always been there since the start of my claim. Yet my current back pay amount for dependents (by appropriate FY schedules) is approaching $30,000 dollars. I even requested that the decision be made faster without any further info to be provided by me. 3 years and counting.........
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MSG Tim Gray
COL Robert Davies - Roger sir, will be contacting Senator Patty Murrays office today,thank you!
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PO1 John Miller
MSG Tim Gray
I do agree that you're being visited by the Green Weenie Tim! I hope that you get your dependents issue resolved and that you get all the back pay due to you.
I do agree that you're being visited by the Green Weenie Tim! I hope that you get your dependents issue resolved and that you get all the back pay due to you.
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If you have any, and I do mean any, medical issues, don't let them say "The VA will look into it." Make them start the diagnoses process while you are still active duty. I have had numbness in both hands and legs prior to my retirement, but I let the Hospital put off doing any until after I retired. A huge mistake. Get it all started now, if you haven't. Get it in your records along with treatments before you final out. Ringing in your ears, even occasionally? Get it in your records. Sore or swollen joints? Get it in your records. Take a couple of hours and sit down with your medical records and go over them yourself to verify what is and isn't in there.
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For those retiring, I offer this advice I wish I did. You do not need a job right away. You are blessed in having the retirement and won't starve or lose a house (though personal variables differ). Take the time to learn what you want to do for the rest of your next career. If you take a job because you need or think you need it, that will be the industry in which you will be labeled (i.e. I took a gov't job as a QA Specialist, that was my label until I worked for a bank in Bus Continuity; that became my label.)
Networking is the other key. Meet civilians and find some of their networking groups. As a lot of question; do informational interviews. You may find someone who served who will take a chance.
The transition is not easy for most. In my mind, the goal is to find what you want to do rather than need (unless you truly do need).
Networking is the other key. Meet civilians and find some of their networking groups. As a lot of question; do informational interviews. You may find someone who served who will take a chance.
The transition is not easy for most. In my mind, the goal is to find what you want to do rather than need (unless you truly do need).
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SGT James Hastings
I totally agree. It is like choosing what subject you want to study in school. Do some research. Ask around and you might run into free (sometimes worth that price) help that can give you enough information to make wise choices. Don't rush.
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