I was rated 10% by the Navy with 17yrs of service. Therefore, I received Disability severance from the Navy. I addition, I was rated 70% by the VA. I receive a check from them once a month. However, the VA withholds $121/month from their payment in order to recoup the total Disability Severance I received from the military.
While there is such a thing as Medical Retirement, Temporary Medical Retirement or Disability Severance, one can not double dip if they so choose to be rated by the VA.
Yeup! I'm aware of all of that, and thank you for the backup.
Just to clarify all that though . . .
I have a disability rating from the Navy for 30%. The condition is called Crohn's Disease and 30% is the minimum for it. I can receive up to 75% for it, but I'm hoping not!
Based off that alone, I will receive a check from the Navy twice a month for half E6 pay for 5 years. At the end (or if they decide its perminant before then) I will be permanently retired and receive 30% of E6 pay for life.
Now with the VA, they will take that 30% and add any other conditions (I have a few others I may be able to get rated for). That total combined rating (say 60%) is what they will give of my base pay. In order to receive that I have to wave my Navy pension (because it is a pension, if it was a severance pay I would have to do what you are doing and repay part of it with the VA money).
So, if I do nothing, then the Navy pays me, and its taxed, and right now it would be 50% and later 30% of E6 pay. If I fill out the paperwork and get rated by the VA and wave my Navy retirement pay, then I would get the check from the VA, for whatever they rate me, and it would be tax free. And as everyone has said, no double dipping!
I am asking a bunch of questions about it, and have been in contact with the VA guy at my base. I go through SEPS/TAPS and DTAPS for the second time 2 weeks from now. So I feel rather comfortable with the process, and what is actually going on.
All of that was not the intent of my question though.
How important is it to have that degree first?
I am almost done with it, but will be out before completion. If I work things right, I'll be out maybe 5 months before graduation.
So, I could grab a job that does not require a degree, and then once I get my degree see what options I have; or I could just grab an odd job and finish the degree, and then look for a good paying job.
Any input on or guidance on that?
Oh! And thank you for trying to make sure I understood what was going on with the Navy/VA retirment thing.
~B