Should veterans and retirees be "Triple Dipping?"

There are only about 60K of us who tripple-dip. This isn't as common as people think it is.

As for me, I wish I were heathier. It's not a great trade-off.

I am a 24 year ten months and 4 days Veteran. I earned my retirement, I paid into Social security it is mine I should get it. VA disability is for those who witnessed things most people could never understand we did not ask for this nor the lives it tears apart why loose one or two of these just to get one we have earned.

I am a 25 year retiree. I have Idiopathic Parkinsonism. I can no longer work. I am waiting for my SS Disability. If I qualify for VA disability all that will do is make my Annuity Payment (it is not a retirement check) tax free. If I receive more than my Annuity Payment, good for me. I will receive SS Disability because I can no longer work and have been paying into SS since I was 12. These are benefits that I have earned through service, hard work and putting this country before my own well being. Somebody please explain to me why I should not receive everything I believe I should.

So here's a few questions for you:
1. I retired with 22 years so I'm receiving a retirement check. Is that considered the first "dip"?
2. I retired with 30% disability, so I get 30% from the VA. Is that considered the second "dip"?
3. I currently work for the DoJ at a Detention Center, if (when) I retire from there and receive a retirement check from them, is that going to be considered my third "dip"?
and,
4. If I retire with a disability from there, and I get a disability check or compensation for it from them, is that considered a fourth "dip"?

I draw Army Retired pay, Civil service and SSI, thus, I feel completely comfortable about it as I worked very hard for it all. Could I draw a VA pension also? I don't know and am not interested as I just personally feel there are a lot of young kids out there who have far greater problems and need the help more than I do, now don't get me wrong as I wouldn't be surprised if some of my current illnesses could not tied to my Vietnam time and other issues while I served but I am happy that I have my Tri-Care for Life and Medicare as they take care of all my medical needs and if I want I can go on base and get my groceries and other items,... So, how in the world can I complain, it is all bigger than just me.... You guy's do what you have to do for yourselves I will not judge you in the least and I Salute Each and Everyone of You for Your Service....

SSG (Join to see) I can tell you that my ex husband is a triple dipper and it wasn't difficult at all for him. He was medically retired after he had 3 discs in his lumbar spine fused, no other injuries. He did 26 years riding a desk as a Yeoman with zero sea time and zero deployments. He was medically retired with 30% disability which he has managed to get raised to 60% so he gets a VA disability and his retirement. He also promptly got a social security disability on his first try. My son who was 15 at the time tells me his father made him lie during his testimony for SSD. He claims he can't work because he can't sit for extended periods yet he sits at a computer for hours on end. He also plays golf and basketball, owns three cars including a sports car and goes on regular vacations. I personally think he is a disgrace and have often thought of turning him in. Thankfully, they have made it much more difficult to get SSD now...

Been an airborne sapper and infantryman. I havent doubled or tripled dipped yet. Not sure if i want to make it harder on the system as it is. Though, i can tell you, i got degenerative arthritis literally everywhere, if it wasnt for the medical synthetic marijuana, i would not be walking. At first the army was like yeah right, but when they saw i was more jacked up than i claimed to be, my military career was over at 17 years.

Some of the guys like me at 90% couldnt get connected for other injuries like wrists, elbows, ankles and hips which was mainly from being an airborne sapper. Trust me some of those guys at 100% are far worse than I am. The VA has other programs that can get soldiers into a rehab training program but more than likely youll never get it, because once they see that youre 70% or higher, its a hard case to send you back for job training.

Military retirement is an earned benefit. VA disability is earned through sacrifice. SSDI is paid for by the member.

I know this isn't exactly the same, but Generals who retire after 40 years TIS also see their basic pay go up in retirement from what it was. This upsets some people, but I don't see either of these as cheating the system. To the contrary, it is the system actually working as designed to compensate for dedicated service. People need to stop getting jealous and trying to tear down others simply because they want more themselves.

These vets earned every red cent paid in full by their blood, sweat, and tears, and the people who denigrate them simply do not understand.

I think you should triple Dip because what you made while serving would put you below the poverty line in the civilian world