Should veterans and retirees be "Triple Dipping?"

Although I joke when I say it, I could have been a quintuple "dipper" except that I took a lump sum payout from my TSP instead of monthly checks.

I spent 30 years on active duty, retired in 2001 and was given an 80% disability rating by the VA for bad knees, coronary artery disease, cervical and lumbar spine issues, apnea, and carpal tunnel issues. Although I didn't like to think I was "disabled" I had things that were going to give me problems later in life...

Well I went to work as a Customs and Border Protection Officer - yes, I was able to pass their physical fitness standards; but over the course of the next 10 years I had to have surgery to fuse two cervical vertebrae, bi-lateral knee replacement, and two cardiac stents installed. Guess it became later in life.

In April 2014 I had a "significant" heart attack according to the cardiologist. When asked when I could return to work he said "never."

All earned; I received my military pension (well half, the ex-wife gets her FSPA 50%), CBP Retirement - that I paid into from my pay, 100% permanent and total VA disability, and SSDI - which I also paid into Social Security for 50 years...

So yes, I'm entitled to it; I paid my dues for it, and I would much rather be able to work and have a job instead of trying to stay healthy enough to enjoy life. Anyone want to take the 9 different medications I have to rake daily?

One thing that everyone has to remember is that SSDI rates you as yes or no, if get yes you are disabled and can not work very much. You can work a little bit not not alot. The VA rates you from 0-100% and you can work. Now in the VA if you are over 70% you can apply for unemployable status. Now SSDI is also loser on some things than the VA, like mine for instance. I have MS and the VA rates as 30% I think it can go up depending how bad you get, like wheel chair bound and stuff like that, but SSDI considers it bad enough that you are disabled.

Anyone who has to deal with the pain and agony that it takes to even qualify for this is in my book only getting a small portion of what they deserve anyway. I too am a disabled vet and let me tell ya after losing a house and many jobs by trying to make ends meet while dealing with the pain that it is hard. It took me 10yrs to even beet my IU and another state (I moved back home to Ky) to get my SSDI so hats off to anyone who can get the triple dip ice cream and you deserve it for what you gave and much more.

I think it should be if you where making a career out of the military and where med boarded out, then you should be able to get your retirement. I think the 20 year crap is stupid. I have 15 years in the military and was injured and being combat wounded, I should be able to receive my retirement. I am total and permanent with the VA. Any thoughts

I get all three due to an injury 30+ years ago. Navy retirement, 100% VA rating, and SSDI. I think that I deserve it.

We paid for the insurance through payroll deductions. I worked a second job on weekends most of my time in the military, paying more money into SSI/SSDI.

You could get 70% disability for five years and then find out you have to pay back all your drill pay because they call it double dipping. I recieve disability because of the run in with the cops and the almost loss of my family. Now that it is becoming more stable I have to pay back 5 years of drill pay because I can't claim drill pay with disability. I didn't ask for disability compensation I asked for help with my life after two stressful deployments. Now I pay back the money I earned doing drills and dealing with snot nosed privates with no respect anymore. 18 years and out sounds really good. Sad

If you are service connected the VA picks up the spouse's medical just like the vets. You get a ID card and go on base for shopping so I don't get the SSI. But I am talking -100 per cent. My Dad was from WW2. I think George W signed it into law around 2001, not at all sure. Same time TFL came into being. The VA usually doesn't tell people this information. It like most all things military, you find it out by yourself. Unless you are doing something wrong.

SSI is a benefit for the blind, disabled or over 65 who meet the poverty requirements. I believe you mean disability benefit (SSDI) which we (those who work) pay into. The poverty limit is very low, so very few vets will quallify for ssi.

If you have a hard time functioning because of your service, you deserve anything you qualify for as promised to you as an American Veteran. I think the small percentage shows a lot of our warriors who got shot, blasted, crashed, burned, run over and otherwise gave their best years to their country. They deserve to be taken care of, and I think we need to do a much better job. These men and women deserve our support. All gave some, but some gave all, you know? There is fraud out there, but triple dipping through qualification does not appear to be it.