What happens to your disability compensation when you want to start working again?

PFC Kyle Corcoran — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 19:05:12 -0400

I am an OEF veteran that was awarded disability compensation for PTSD and a combat related seizure disorder. I have not been working but I have been using my Post 9/11 GI Bill to receive a degree. I am close to graduating and I am ready to start working on my career. Before I get a job, what are my next steps? I know I am supposed to report additional income to the VA. Then what happens? Thanks!

Response by SPC Todd Hanson made Jul 6 at 2017 7:09 PM

SPC Todd Hanson — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 19:09:07 -0400

Think of the VA as a pension, and payment for injuries during military service. It's not like having SSI and you would have to report that. But with that said say I have a 20% rating for my back (which I do) I wouldn't go out and get a job breaking rocks.

Response by SSG Pete Fleming made Jul 6 at 2017 7:09 PM

SSG Pete Fleming — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 19:09:59 -0400

Well it really depends or the type of work, type of category, and the level of your compensation.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Jul 6 at 2017 7:18 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 19:18:04 -0400

I am pretty sure that as long as you aren't getting the Total and Permanent you can work regardless of your rating? I'm probably wrong about that, but I'd check into those. The VA Disability is a lot different than SSI.

Response by SSG Robert Smith made Jul 6 at 2017 7:20 PM

SSG Robert Smith — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 19:20:36 -0400

As long as you are deemed as able to work then nothing. I'm 60% and still work.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 6 at 2017 8:22 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 20:22:52 -0400

PFC Kyle Corcoran: Private First Class Corcoran- I have a disability clause that says that I can work; even though my disability rating is 100%.
Many Prayers and good luck to you on your journey, Private First Class-
Margaret

Response by TSgt Kenneth Ellis made Jul 6 at 2017 9:16 PM

TSgt Kenneth Ellis — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 21:16:30 -0400

I'm was 30 percent disabled and working for at&t. And went to 70 percent disabled and never reported my income to the VA.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2017 9:19 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 21:19:44 -0400

I separated from AD with a VA rated disability. I went to work for the Air Force as a federal firefighter. As long as I met the medical requirements for that job (which I did), then it didn't affect me getting the job.
Having a service connected disability also gives you more options for federal hiring depending on your rating. Employers cannot discriminate based on disability (whether it's VA or otherwise) as they can't discriminate on sex, race, color, etc. either. Only if the job you are applying for requires certain physical conditions to be met, and you cannot perform them, then it would hurt your chances. But that doesn't matter if it's from being in the service or if you injured yourself at home.
See the following link regarding VA requiring income reporting: https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2531

News Releases - Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs

Latest news released by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jul 6 at 2017 9:29 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 21:29:42 -0400

In your case you do not need to tell the VA anything

Response by SSgt Ryan Sylvester made Jul 6 at 2017 10:06 PM

SSgt Ryan Sylvester — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 22:06:24 -0400

Same story as many others here. I have 70% disability through VA, and work for the VA. There's no report on additional income or anything, and it's not considered double dipping because the disability and federal pay are from different "pools". The only reason you'd have to set aside your disability pay (without being Total & Permanent) is if you managed to step back into military uniform again and started receiving military pay and benefits.

Response by SGT Aaron Atwood made Jul 6 at 2017 10:36 PM

SGT Aaron Atwood — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 22:36:44 -0400

Not sure about the civilian side, but if you were to go back into the military you'd have to cease disability payments despite the fact you're supposed to rate that disability compensation for life. I'm still battling the VA because I went back to active duty and the VA didn't find out until this year.

Response by PO2 Samantha Day made Jul 7 at 2017 3:50 AM

PO2 Samantha Day — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 03:50:06 -0400

I never reported income from a job to the VA. Was never told I had to and that my working had nothing to do with the VA unless I was rated IU or temporary 100% - I am neither. Granted I eventually had to quit working all together plus apply for SSDI.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jul 7 at 2017 9:06 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 09:06:52 -0400

Nothing unless you are going into the Guard or Reserves. If you end up doing that you can't double dip from Uncle Sam's money pool.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Jul 7 at 2017 9:25 AM

SGT Patrick Reno — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 09:25:40 -0400

I was wondering how that works. Had a guy working for me full time as a MIllwright. And also collecting 100% disability.

Response by SFC Andrew Miller made Jul 7 at 2017 9:55 AM

SFC Andrew Miller — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 09:55:42 -0400

So long as you are not receiving 100% based upon Individual Unemployability (IU) you don't have to do anything. IU is where you are rated lower than 100%, but paid at the 100% rate because of one of your service connected disabilities you are unable to maintain gainful employment.

If you are receiving 100% due to IU you must report it, if not don't worry about it at all.

Response by SGT Chantelle Stewart made Jul 8 at 2017 10:57 AM

SGT Chantelle Stewart — Sat, 08 Jul 2017 10:57:41 -0400

I wouldn't think working would affect your VA disability. I'm 60% and work. And congratulations on the degree!

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jul 9 at 2017 10:42 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sun, 09 Jul 2017 10:42:05 -0400

The purpose of Service Connected Disability Compensation:
"Generally, the degrees of disability specified are also designed to compensate for considerable loss of working time from exacerbations or illnesses."

Response by CW3 Chris Davis made Jul 13 at 2017 6:08 PM

CW3 Chris Davis — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 18:08:32 -0400

Kyle,
With what you have stated in mind unless you are 100% disabled and deemed unable to work then there should be no issues, what I see on the VA webpage and what I am familiar with is that you can work and still draw your disability pay which I know many that do,

"Disability compensation is a monthly tax-free benefit paid to Veterans who are at least 10% disabled because of injuries or diseases that were incurred in or aggravated during active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training. A disability can apply to physical conditions, such as a chronic knee condition, as well as a mental health conditions, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)."

Now with that said if you have a disability rating why didn't you utilize Voc-Rehab before using your GI Bill? Many Vet's do not realize that they can use it first then use their GI Bill to continue their education, or you can even look at jobs that require you to have your Masters Degree and only set your sights on them and go talk to the Voc-Rehab folks to continue your education that way, just a thought.