Do I have this correct?

I have 13+ years of active duty time.

I am currently a reservist with 16 years of qualifying service.

I also currently am rated at 70% by the VA. So I am receiving "Veteran with Spouse $1,861.28" for essentially 11 months out of the year since about a month is withheld due to receiving 36 days of reserve pay per year.

My questions are
1) is since I am currently 70% by the VA. Once I hit my 20 years of qualifying time can I get medically retired?
2) if so, would it be at the 70% i am currently rated with the VA?
3) if is it, according to the calculator (at Medical High-3 Calculator ) 70% medical retirement would be $4,067/month
  • $4,067 medical retirement is $2,206 more that the $1,861 VA disability so I would be better off going with that (although Med Retirement is taxed)
  • since I would be medically retired, I would also be able to get Tricare (which I am not entitled to as a regular reserve retiree until I turn 60)
  • Once I turn 60, at the regular reserve retiree age, since I am over 70%, I would qualify for Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP)
Do I have all this correct?
 
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Walter88 said:
I have 13+ years of active duty time.

I am currently a reservist with 16 years of qualifying service.

I also currently am rated at 70% by the VA. So I am receiving "Veteran with Spouse $1,861.28" for essentially 11 months out of the year since about a month is withheld due to receiving 36 days of reserve pay per year.

My questions are
1) is since I am currently 70% by the VA. Once I hit my 20 years of qualifying time can I get medically retired?
2) if so, would it be at the 70% i am currently rated with the VA?
3) if is it, according to the calculator (at Medical High-3 Calculator ) 70% medical retirement would be $4,067/month
  • $4,067 medical retirement is $2,206 more that the $1,861 VA disability so I would be better off going with that (although Med Retirement is taxed)
  • since I would be medically retired, I would also be able to get Tricare (which I am not entitled to as a regular reserve retiree until I turn 60)
  • Once I turn 60, at the regular reserve retiree age, since I am over 70%, I would qualify for Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP)
Do I have all this correct?
Click to expand...
#1. No. You will retire at qualifying age for Reserve Retirement which is age 60 or slightly less if reduced by qualified deployments.
#2. N/A
#3. That's not how any of this works.

Why do you assume that because you have a certain VA rating you will medically retire? That isn't how it works. You would need to have a duty related injury with a LOD from your unit. That injury would need to be found unfitting meaning you can't do your job and are restricted by profile. The miltary decides that and it isn't up to you. If not you would be found non duty related which means kicked out with no medical retirement or severance. If 15 or more good years you would be issued a 15 year letter and that works the same as 20 year letter except no CRDP meaning any VA compensation received would offset your earned Reserve pension. So if you have 15 good years and get hurt and cant serve at least you are guaranteed a pension at qualifying age for retirement.

If you are at 16 good years. Just try to hit 20 good years and be moved into the retired reserves. Then at qualifying retirement age you get your earned longevity pension + any VA compensation received as long as your VA rating is 50% or higher. Remember you need to apply for your Reserve retirement about 6-12 months before reaching qualified age to retire. It doesn't happen automatically.

Even if you were medically retired any VA compensation would offset any pension. Also, you can't get more than the combination of your earned longevity pension + VA compensation. So if a chapter 61 pension is involved you don't get that amount + VA compensation if the chapter 61 pension amount is higher than your earned longevity because that would exceed the cap referenced earlier which is required by law.
 
For me, it sounds like you've got quite a bit to consider regarding your benefits and potential medical retirement. While I'm not an expert, it seems like you've done your research thoroughly.
To ensure you have all the correct information, it might be beneficial to consult with a Veterans Law Attorney. They specialize in navigating the complexities of VA benefits and can offer personalized insights based on your specific situation.
I came across a firm called Stone Rose Law that specializes in veterans' law. They might be able to provide the guidance you need. Check them out at Military Lawyers - Jag Attorney - Stone Rose Law
 
LaurenMay said:
For me, it sounds like you've got quite a bit to consider regarding your benefits and potential medical retirement. While I'm not an expert, it seems like you've done your research thoroughly.
To ensure you have all the correct information, it might be beneficial to consult with a Veterans Law Attorney. They specialize in navigating the complexities of VA benefits and can offer personalized insights based on your specific situation.
I came across a firm called Stone Rose Law that specializes in veterans' law. They might be able to provide the guidance you need. Check them out at Military Lawyers - Jag Attorney - Stone Rose Law
Click to expand...
Hello,

An attorney is not necessary to determine how much one would receive in retired pay and VA compensation percentages.

Free advice is offered here, regarding amounts.

Recommend you visit with @Provis on this site.

Ron

Edited to add:

There are hundreds of computation examples on this site.
 
@RonG @Provis Look at the post two above. Look at all the messages posted by that member. I think it is a bot.
 
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