Would a soldier who received a medically related honorable discharge be eligible for VA disability assuming they served more than 180 days?

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 18:26:28 -0500

**Soldier was in AIT when his/her injuries were evaluated and later was recommended for medical separation. Soldier did not get the opportunity to complete AIT. Soldier is RE-3.

Update: Soldier was diagnosed with severe PTSD (service related sexual assault), anxiety, and a fractured hip evaluated to take upwards of 12-18 months for recovery.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Dec 26 at 2016 6:40 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 18:40:53 -0500

Yes. Don't see why not. No idea what rating would be given though.

Response by SPC Darin Taylor made Dec 26 at 2016 7:07 PM

SPC Darin Taylor — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 19:07:57 -0500

I was injured during my MOS training at Ft. Sam. I was put on medical evaluation and started the Line of Duty process. I was medically retired and immediately started my VA Disability claim and with the help of the DAV I was approved. So the answer is yes the soldier would be eligible for VA Disability.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Dec 26 at 2016 8:00 PM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 20:00:22 -0500

Depending on the type of injury absolutely yes, I was the Chief Drill Instructor for separations Platoon 1994-95. If a recruit was injured or became ill in training to the point where he could not continue Medical would determine if it was something that existed prior to enlistment and was aggravated or something that training caused. If it exited prior they were sent home. If not they stayed on in separations platoon for months waiting for the Navy Medical board to determine their rate of disability, if any.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Dec 26 at 2016 9:17 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 21:17:58 -0500

Eligible? Yes.
Earned? Well that's a call for a board to make as we do not have the needed info.

PTSD is the new millennium "lower back" injury of another time. In that it is often a complaint not earned, over stated with purpose to defraud and over awarded because it's hard to disprove and no one wants to ignore a real case and a soldier in need. ...so Yipee, PTSD for everybody.
I have been coached, led to, encouraged, reminded to claim PTSD. Chastised and even ridiculed for not claiming it... Its "easy money" .. "You must have it, not admitting that and claiming it, is a sure sign you have it, so you need to claim it" Wait.WHAT????

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2016 10:57 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 22:57:05 -0500

MST is considered a LOD injury.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Dec 27 at 2016 12:31 AM

SN Greg Wright — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 00:31:40 -0500

Just curious, but how do you come to be asking about Soldiers? (Don't read anything into my query, I mean no judgement.)

Response by PVT Patty Mike Figueras made Jan 12 at 2018 11:39 AM

PVT Patty Mike Figueras — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 11:39:02 -0500

This Soldier your speaking of can and will get benefits from the VA hands down. I go to the VA Hospital for Speech, and I was in SAARTP Unit for Alcohol recovery. I know of a Soldier that had MST but they now call it Personal Assault. He was able to see the MST PTSD Coordinator, which then helped him see the Psychiatrist, who gave him medication, not only for drug abuse, but also for anxiety ( PTSD ). He was Active Duty for only a year. It's like this: Any service member that goes to the VA Hospital claiming to have any kind of Sexual Assault, can and will be treated no matter what. They did an evaluation of course, asking a series of questions, then written tests, which is what all us Vets are faced with at the VA, and upon their completion of evaluation, the Service member is treated. If by chance the service member is a female? They have a specific Women's Care Clinic at the VA. So you can tell this Soldier what I said, and not to worry. To go to the VA Hospital and make an appointment with an MST Coordinator. He or she will take care of the Soldier in question. As many times as I've been to the VA Hospital and helped my fellow Veterans? I should've went to School and became a Counselor. Too late I'm 47 and disabled with five Children and an Irish Wife. Lol