Your retirement plans . . .

[RHINOWSO]

While not related to retirement / pension, this is something that might help people here.

When I separated from AD back in the 2010s, I did the VA thing and received 60% rating by their funky chicken math (how 80% = 60% I'll never know.). A portion of it was my lower back and my neck from flying. I really didn't give it much thought and went on with reserve and civilian life.

Over the years my neck and lower back have gotten worse, tolerable but worse. A friend who was USAF worked with this organization to get a re-evaluation and it worked great for him. It took some convincing but eventually I did their re-evaluation / assessment program as well, which resulted in a significantly increased rating. It runs about $3K but you'll recoup that with a better rating and the initial phone consult is free.

Disabled Veteran Benefits - Patriot Benefit Consulting

Get the most out of your disabled veteran benefits with our disability benefit questionnaire, Nexus Letters for veterans, & our free consulting services.

patriotbenefitconsulting.com

 

[Brett327]

While not related to retirement / pension, this is something that might help people here.

When I separated from AD back in the 2010s, I did the VA thing and received 60% rating by their funky chicken math (how 80% = 60% I'll never know.). A portion of it was my lower back and my neck from flying. I really didn't give it much thought and went on with reserve and civilian life.

Over the years my neck and lower back have gotten worse, tolerable but worse. A friend who was USAF worked with this organization to get a re-evaluation and it worked great for him. It took some convincing but eventually I did their re-evaluation / assessment program as well, which resulted in a significantly increased rating. It runs about $3K but you'll recoup that with a better rating and the initial phone consult is free.

Disabled Veteran Benefits - Patriot Benefit Consulting

Get the most out of your disabled veteran benefits with our disability benefit questionnaire, Nexus Letters for veterans, & our free consulting services.

patriotbenefitconsulting.com

VSOs should also be able to assist with this. Most are free.

 

[RHINOWSO]

Agreed, VSOs are free but mine (DAV) basically spent 10 min and listed the 4 things I already knew I could claim. Not really helpful other than that. Did the VA DR consult which was slanted in their favor; as opposed to having a paid consultant team on your side.

Good, Fast, Cheap. Pick 2.

Just saying if you are rated at 50-70% already and separated long ago, more than likely a consult and potentially re-file can get you a large difference in decisions.

Best of luck.

 

[Gatordev]

Just saying if you are rated at 50-70% already and separated long ago, more than likely a consult and potentially re-file can get you a large difference in decisions.

Any idea if that opens you up to also losing a decision if you're currently asymptomatic? I have one issue that most certainly could come back since it can be a genetic ortho condition, but thanks to PT was "cured" after retirement.

 

[Angry]

Any idea if that opens you up to also losing a decision if you're currently asymptomatic? I have one issue that most certainly could come back since it can be a genetic ortho condition, but thanks to PT was "cured" after retirement.

Obviously without knowing your specifics the answer is “it depends” or “42% chance of reversal.”

But the general rule as described to me by an attorney who handles VA claims cases is that they can and will re-evaluate all your existing claims if you ask for anything to be re-rated. So make sure the juice is worth the squeeze before you let that toothpaste out of the tube.