With that being said I have been looking into the Disability retirement vs. 20 year retirement. For disability retirement it is = to (years in service x 2.5% x Base pay) from my understanding, with VA benefits would this not be = to or greater than a 20 year retirement? I mean I am sure you are right about the 20 logically, but it seems to me that the equation would work out to be generally the same.
Waiver of retired pay without restoration via CRDP is a consideration if you retired with less than 20 years. Note: CRDP nor CRSC replaces or restores the waived disability portion of retired pay.
1. Temporary Disability Retirement List
If you are found unfit to perform your duties because of a disability that may not be permanent, you may be placed on the Temporary Disability List (TDRL).
Your retired pay will be computed using one of two methods:
your disability percentage (using a minimum of 50 percent for payment purposes while on the TDRL), referred to as Method A,
or
your years of active service, referred to as Method B.
Your pay will be computed based on whichever is more beneficial for you.
2. Permanent Disability Retired List
If your disability is found to be permanent and is rated at 30 percent or greater, or you have 20 or more years of service, you will be placed on the Permanent Disability Retired List (PDRL).
Your retired pay will be computed using one of two methods.
Your disability percentage, referred to as Method A.
Your years of active service, referred to as Method B.
Your pay will be computed based on whichever is more beneficial for you.
3. As a disability retiree with less than 20 years AD, your retired pay will be waived/lost dollar for dollar in the amount of VA comp received. You would not be eligible for CRDP which causes concurrent receipt of retired pay and VA comp. You might be eligible for CRSC which replaces some or all of the longevity portion of retired pay waived for approved combat related disabilities.
4. If the 20 years of which you spoke is 20 good years (which you would be trying to attain)—CRDP (if othwise eligible) would not be payable until you met the RC age requirement (and 20 good years + VA rating >=50%).
Ron