Posted on Mar 23, 2016
Should veterans and retirees be "Triple Dipping?"
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We hear about how all these Vets are triple dipping, but I don't think people are educated on how hard it actually is to do this, and how very small of a percentage of people can qualify to do this.
You have to meet all of these requirements: Serve over 20 years, receive a 50% or more VA Rating, be deemed unemployable or 100% disabled by the VA, AND qualify for SSI benefits.
You have to meet all of these requirements: Serve over 20 years, receive a 50% or more VA Rating, be deemed unemployable or 100% disabled by the VA, AND qualify for SSI benefits.
Posted in these groups: 
Retirement
Retirement
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 616
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I first saw a FB response question about this ... and this is what I posted ... and I'll repeat it here!
Triple dipping? By federal law, if you are 50% or higher service connected disabled, and a military retiree, you get concurrent (meaning both). Likewise, if you are 100% service connected disabled & unable to work, you can apply for SSDI (see included link for more info on SSDI for 100% S/C DAV). None of these have any impact on other retirements that may have been employer or employee financed. It is potentially possible for a multi-career 100% service connected disabled veteran ( say for example, a Vietnam vet with presumptive connection due to later in life cancer from agent orange exposure) to have multiple benefits eligibility. We paid into the social security system, we paid taxes, we didn't ask to become disabled from our service ... we don't get workman's comp if injured 'on the job' from military service related injuries, ailments etc...
Be grateful it isn't you if it doesn't apply!
https://www.ssa.gov/people/veterans/
Triple dipping? By federal law, if you are 50% or higher service connected disabled, and a military retiree, you get concurrent (meaning both). Likewise, if you are 100% service connected disabled & unable to work, you can apply for SSDI (see included link for more info on SSDI for 100% S/C DAV). None of these have any impact on other retirements that may have been employer or employee financed. It is potentially possible for a multi-career 100% service connected disabled veteran ( say for example, a Vietnam vet with presumptive connection due to later in life cancer from agent orange exposure) to have multiple benefits eligibility. We paid into the social security system, we paid taxes, we didn't ask to become disabled from our service ... we don't get workman's comp if injured 'on the job' from military service related injuries, ailments etc...
Be grateful it isn't you if it doesn't apply!
https://www.ssa.gov/people/veterans/
Information for Wounded Warriors and Veterans Who Have a Compensation Rating of 100% Permanent...
Social Security delivers a broad range of services online at socialsecurity.gov. We have a proud history of protecting the integrity of our programs and service to the public.
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MSgt Stephanie McCalister
I often tell people, I miss driving, I miss bowling, I miss dancing with my husband, I miss being able to get around on my own without help .. I hate feeling like a burden ... I miss the home we lost because I couldn't work any longer & we couldn't keep up with the mortgage ...
I actually was awarded SSDI BEFORE I was ever approved for VA disability .. SSA used my VA medical records as well as their own doctors exams, to award me SSDI benefits in less than 3 months, first time applying, no appeals .. it took 2 1/2 years before the VA came to similar conclusions & awarded me 100% s/c disability (first time claim, no appeals necessary).
I see posts online all the time that throw disabled veterans in the same pool as welfare leeches ... and I'm very much aware that not everyone on SSI, foodstamps, medicaid, are leeches, but there's also far too many that are ... I paid into the same taxes everyone else did for my Social Security & Medicare benefits, I served over a span of 22 years in two different service branches, I didn't game the system for my rank while serving, and I wouldn't game it once out for something I wasn't entitled to.
I have a family, they needed a roof over their head, I could no longer work to support them ... so yes, I applied for benefits.
So is the consensus that I, & others like me, just go out & shoot ourselves so our families can collect from whatever meager benefits they'd be entitled to, & move on without having us as millstones around their necks?
I'm pretty sure the response to that is a resounding NO ... and having been to that brink of despair, I assure you, I'd never advocate it ...
Again I reiterate .. I'd give up my 'benefits' to have a normal HEALTHY life ... I've zero regrets about serving ... but I wished I'd come out whole ... thankfully there were options so I could at least ensure my family has a roof, food, warmth, a life.
If you did come out whole, I'm happy for you .. if you didn't ... I hope you're seeking the help available for you.
I actually was awarded SSDI BEFORE I was ever approved for VA disability .. SSA used my VA medical records as well as their own doctors exams, to award me SSDI benefits in less than 3 months, first time applying, no appeals .. it took 2 1/2 years before the VA came to similar conclusions & awarded me 100% s/c disability (first time claim, no appeals necessary).
I see posts online all the time that throw disabled veterans in the same pool as welfare leeches ... and I'm very much aware that not everyone on SSI, foodstamps, medicaid, are leeches, but there's also far too many that are ... I paid into the same taxes everyone else did for my Social Security & Medicare benefits, I served over a span of 22 years in two different service branches, I didn't game the system for my rank while serving, and I wouldn't game it once out for something I wasn't entitled to.
I have a family, they needed a roof over their head, I could no longer work to support them ... so yes, I applied for benefits.
So is the consensus that I, & others like me, just go out & shoot ourselves so our families can collect from whatever meager benefits they'd be entitled to, & move on without having us as millstones around their necks?
I'm pretty sure the response to that is a resounding NO ... and having been to that brink of despair, I assure you, I'd never advocate it ...
Again I reiterate .. I'd give up my 'benefits' to have a normal HEALTHY life ... I've zero regrets about serving ... but I wished I'd come out whole ... thankfully there were options so I could at least ensure my family has a roof, food, warmth, a life.
If you did come out whole, I'm happy for you .. if you didn't ... I hope you're seeking the help available for you.
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PO1 Mark Hewitt
I have to change my VA place. They still won't qualify me over 40%. Though I can't open a bag of chips without a fight, limp on one side or the other depending on the pain that day, among other pains I have.
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Getting all the Dips is not as Easy as it sounds. A lot of it is Luck. I have many of the Same issues all people who get paid disabilities and I do not get paid for them. If you were Active Duty and went to Sick call for Everything you have a very good chance of being given a % for everything you have. If you are a Reservist and Deployed for 1 Day overseas and have a Record of everything you should be Ok. If a Reservist and you go to VA and tell them you have 30 years of Service but 4 of those were Active the VA will only Credit you with 4 years of Service. They can careless about your Reserve Time. Unless your Injuries were during a Deployment on Active Orders VA could CareLess. You Must Get an LOD of All injuries from your Reserve Unit, again which VA could care less about and you may have to fight with at appeal. I just happen to be a Military Tech/ Dual Status, I was Retired through PEB with 30 years, 11 mo 28 days give or take one week 2014. So I was able to Draw a % Full Retirement @ 53, didn't have to wait till 60 as E-7. Then Two weeks later My Civil Service Position Retired Me Under Disability @ 53 as WL09 with 29 years, 11 mo, 28 days give or take, That's 2 Government Retirements. Then Applied for VA after the Army said all my Disabilities was Caused by Service, VA Denied All. I am still Fighting, was told if I had Deployed I would have been Given all with no argument. Since then I applied for SSDI and have been Approved. Later VA Gave me 10% for something Else which cut my Retirement by 10% but fight goes on.
Now I need Upper Back Surgery and Lower Back Surgery all excepted by the Army Yet VA will do the Surgeries but will not Compensate. Have had Surgery on Both Feet non-Va, Nerve Left Arm affecting Left Hand through Elbow VA, Right Hand from small finger tip to Wrist, Repaired Cut Tendons, Broken bone and Carpal Tunnel, 0%.
Now and Later with TSP added and SSI replacing SSDI.
Army Retirement
Civil Service Retirement
SSDI/SS
VA
TSP
Now I need Upper Back Surgery and Lower Back Surgery all excepted by the Army Yet VA will do the Surgeries but will not Compensate. Have had Surgery on Both Feet non-Va, Nerve Left Arm affecting Left Hand through Elbow VA, Right Hand from small finger tip to Wrist, Repaired Cut Tendons, Broken bone and Carpal Tunnel, 0%.
Now and Later with TSP added and SSI replacing SSDI.
Army Retirement
Civil Service Retirement
SSDI/SS
VA
TSP
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Is it over 20 years? I know SM's who went IDES, are medically retired with ID card, 100% disabled, get CRSC, and get SSDI. My question would be P&T. Does that play a factor?
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SSG (Join to see)
If the injuries are from combat, it is possible to triple dip with less than 20 years Service. The combat related disabilities need to be 50% or more. (the other VA rated items will not count for the base 50% VA math.
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It depends. Sleep apnea gets you 50%. What other 'service related' injuries also can stack it up to 100%.
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SFC Bob Bennett
SN Greg Wright - Surgery doesn't always work. After I had my tonsils removed and uvila removed, it came back. The doctor (a CPT) said after the fact, surgery only works about 50% of the time.
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MSG Berry Miller
SN Greg Wright - I disagree with you. 1. "caused by obesity." Sleep apnea is not caused by obesity in all cases. I was 180 lbs and fit when my sleep apnea was diagnosed. 2. "breathing tube being too narrow." I was a long distance runner with my 20+ year PT run average being about 12:30, so there was nothing wrong with my breathing tubes. 3. "caused by a problem with your brain stem." I am a highly intelligent person that was always at the highest of physical condition and much more than moderate/average intelligence. I was a Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Operations Specialist while in the military, worked computer networking after getting out of the military, and completed an Associates degree AND Bachelors degree in under three years while working full time. Nothing wrong with the brain and brain stem.
Sleep apnea can be caused or related to issues/damages that develop throughout military service (for example, my heart condition that was diagnosed while deployed to Iraq was a contributing factor to me developing obstructive sleep apnea), which can be contributed to by other injuries or complications. Each person's body and health conditions react to different complications or develop from different stimuli or damage. Unless you know all of the facts, injuries, and complications that a person has, you can't assume. Thank you for your service.
Sleep apnea can be caused or related to issues/damages that develop throughout military service (for example, my heart condition that was diagnosed while deployed to Iraq was a contributing factor to me developing obstructive sleep apnea), which can be contributed to by other injuries or complications. Each person's body and health conditions react to different complications or develop from different stimuli or damage. Unless you know all of the facts, injuries, and complications that a person has, you can't assume. Thank you for your service.
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SN Greg Wright
MSG Berry Miller - 1. Since I clearly list other types of sleep apnea, I'm not sure why you're inferring that I am saying it's caused by obesity in all cases.
2. The narrow breathing tube kind of sleep apnea would not effect running, or any waking activity -- it collapses slightly too much when lying prone. It has nothing to do with your fitness level.
3. Erm...your brain stem controls all autonomous functions. It has NOTHING to do with intelligence whatsoever, so while I take you at your word for for your brain power...it has nothing to do with the brain STEM having trouble controlling your breathing while asleep.
Here's more information, better explained:
http://www.medicinenet.com/sleep_apnea/page2.htm
I'm merely trying to educate, MSG...not one-up you. I apologize if it seems like I am. By the way, I have OSA myself, which is why I've researched the subject.
2. The narrow breathing tube kind of sleep apnea would not effect running, or any waking activity -- it collapses slightly too much when lying prone. It has nothing to do with your fitness level.
3. Erm...your brain stem controls all autonomous functions. It has NOTHING to do with intelligence whatsoever, so while I take you at your word for for your brain power...it has nothing to do with the brain STEM having trouble controlling your breathing while asleep.
Here's more information, better explained:
http://www.medicinenet.com/sleep_apnea/page2.htm
I'm merely trying to educate, MSG...not one-up you. I apologize if it seems like I am. By the way, I have OSA myself, which is why I've researched the subject.
Sleep Apnea Symptoms, Causes, Treatment - Sleep apnea facts - MedicineNet
Learn about sleep apnea, including a description of types of sleep apnea, symptoms, treatment (surgical and nonsurgical), causes, complications, diagnosis, evaluation, and importance of treatment.
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CW5 (Join to see)
MSG Berry Miller "Each person's body and health conditions react to different complications or develop from different stimuli or damage."
Exactly. No one can tell what was truly service related and what the SM was predisposed to develop in the future by bad luck or genetics. What we do know is that the majority of sleep apnea in the world is caused by life choices.
Our clinics, in my opinion, are acting with an abundance of caution and reluctant to say that your smoking, drinking or weight were the factor and not your 7 deployments to the desert.
Exactly. No one can tell what was truly service related and what the SM was predisposed to develop in the future by bad luck or genetics. What we do know is that the majority of sleep apnea in the world is caused by life choices.
Our clinics, in my opinion, are acting with an abundance of caution and reluctant to say that your smoking, drinking or weight were the factor and not your 7 deployments to the desert.
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You said the key phrase, meet requirements. There is no debate, they were injured in service, and retired. If they qualify for any program they deserve it. They served their country, earned their retirement, put money into SS, while qualify for Veterans programs. That’s it, they qualify. This debate has been had in Congress time and again. It should be put to rest. Is it justifiable to exclude someone form something they qualify for based on the fact that they also earned a retirement fair? Why should one Vet who meets a requirement be penalized because they served longer, hence qualifying for more?
Service members earn their retirement and SS by paying into it and sacrificing, they subsequently qualify for other benefits for other reasons, should they be penalized?
Service members earn their retirement and SS by paying into it and sacrificing, they subsequently qualify for other benefits for other reasons, should they be penalized?
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As a triple type, I also find the 50% requirement ridiculous. As long as Congress keeps the VA on a tight fiscal leash, the story will ever be so. Don’t get started on waste fraud and abuse. However there is a nuance not mentioned. The offset of pay is intended as a type of reduction in taxable income. Granted not as good as receiving the money. Every year there is a Congressional bill to drop the 50% requirement. Civil service retirement has no such offset. It wasn’t too long ago that no concurrent receipt was authorized then it was phased in over several years. Another benefit that was a financial life saver for many was the implementation of TRICARE for Life for retirees. Suddenly a good friend crippled in WWII got the equivalent of a $2500/mo pay raise because all his non-service connected meds were covered as in those days VA med coverage was very restricted.
All this to say, today’s benefits need further improvements, but they are a far cry better than several years ago. Sadly, improvements lag the needs of vets. My dad, a wounded WWII POW, didn’t finally get much coverage until about 35 yrs later.
All this to say, today’s benefits need further improvements, but they are a far cry better than several years ago. Sadly, improvements lag the needs of vets. My dad, a wounded WWII POW, didn’t finally get much coverage until about 35 yrs later.
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No brainer brother don't let your hard headed stubborn pride keep you from using your brain and good comman sense. It's not getting any easier out here brother. Ve con Dios!
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SN Johnny Whataman
I didn't put this commet here and I would grately appreciate it if you would take it down please! I am 100% service connected disabled veteran granted through a hearing in Washington, DC. With attornery.reprensentation. Thank you
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