Does the Rating Even Matter?

[MSGFlod]

Relevant Facts:
-National Guard
-15 years of service
-already rated with VA @ 100% P&T

So other than being above or below 30% for separation vs retirement, does my rating even matter? If I understand correctly, I will not receive any pension regardless and no type of compensation. So a rating of 30% does me no worse than a rating of 90%, correct?

 

[marktuan]

Relevant Facts:
-National Guard
-15 years of service
-already rated with VA @ 100% P&T

So other than being above or below 30% for separation vs retirement, does my rating even matter? If I understand correctly, I will not receive any pension regardless and no type of compensation. So a rating of 30% does me no worse than a rating of 90%, correct? sports games

You’re mostly on the right track, but there are a couple things to keep in mind.

Since you’re Guard with 15 years and already at 100% VA, you’re correct that the big breakpoint is below vs above 30% (separation vs medical retirement). Anything under 30% = severance, 30%+ = retirement (TRICARE, ID card, etc.), which is a big deal long term.

Where it still can matter a bit is:

• If you get medically retired (30%+), you’d be eligible for retiree benefits (mainly healthcare), even if you don’t draw DoD pay right now.
• The exact DoD % can affect things like CRDP/CRSC eligibility later, especially if your situation changes or once you hit retirement age.

But yeah, in terms of monthly money right now, your VA 100% is what you’ll actually be paid, so a DoD rating of 30% vs 90% won’t really change your paycheck.

So short answer: it does matter for retirement status and benefits, but not so much for immediate compensation in your case.

 

[MSGFlod]

You’re mostly on the right track, but there are a couple things to keep in mind.

Since you’re Guard with 15 years and already at 100% VA, you’re correct that the big breakpoint is below vs above 30% (separation vs medical retirement). Anything under 30% = severance, 30%+ = retirement (TRICARE, ID card, etc.), which is a big deal long term.

Where it still can matter a bit is:

• If you get medically retired (30%+), you’d be eligible for retiree benefits (mainly healthcare), even if you don’t draw DoD pay right now.
• The exact DoD % can affect things like CRDP/CRSC eligibility later, especially if your situation changes or once you hit retirement age.

But yeah, in terms of monthly money right now, your VA 100% is what you’ll actually be paid, so a DoD rating of 30% vs 90% won’t really change your paycheck.

So short answer: it does matter for retirement status and benefits, but not so much for immediate compensation in your case.

This is an obvious ChatGPT answer. I was hoping for an answer from a person that they answered themselves so I know it’s accurate information. I also trust ChatGPT with a lot, but when it’s something like this that is permanent and once a decision is made, me accepting or appealing may affect the rest of my life, I need to know that it is actually accurate. Can anyone confirm if this is an accurate answer?

 

[Almostthere86]

You are correct the only thing that could possibly help in your case would be if higher than 30% then you are medically retired. Has its own set of perks and if any of your conditions are combat related they may qualify for CRSC which would help clawback any of the offset that you will have with being 100% on the VA side. I had a similar scenario minus I made it to 20 years of total service with the guard and active duty combined. I would have had to wait until I was 58 and some change to get my retirement but thanks to CRSC I got it all back way ahead of schedule. Only thing I would add that yes may sound chat gpt is that if you are less than the 30% you would get a severance payment and then that payment would potentially be taken back in the form of your VA being garnished until it is fully recouped.