Pilot Veterans!! Any truth to letters being sent out in ref VA DISABILITY

The 100 % guy I used to work with used to brag about going to the gym. One day asked me about my VA claim. When he found out I claim zero, he said “oh you left a lot of money on the table.” :rolleyes:

So glad when he left. Was the epitome of laziness and lack of attention to detail. Two traits that don’t go well in my line of work.
I assume you are still flying RW???
 
"It depends". He should NOT be confident, because there is a VAH/FAA program in which the 1 year re-up Psych eval is done by a VAH psychiatrist. IMO Those are the ones at risk for losing the award if warranted to be in full recovery. This has happened to two of mine. However both now work for part 121 Air Carriers.

A very influential IL. Veteran Senator thinks that if you are completely recovered, no further award is appropriate.
Gotcha! However, he is confident about keeping his current Class 1 MED cert. until his Med cert expires. I would think that once the FAA gets notified about the lying on Block 18, then a letter gets sent out notifying him that his medical is revoked time now!
As for the Disability Award, I’ve heard the same thing about folks loosing once re-evaluated
 
Years ago a number of certificates were revoked when the FAA mined Social Security records of certificated pilots, which they were permitted to do as both were federal agencies.
No, they were NOT permitted to do that. The privacy act specifically prohibits disclosure of personal information on citizens maintained by one agency to either parties outside the government or other federal agencies (there are exceptions but none of them applied here).

No agency shall disclose any record which is contained in a system of records by any means of communication to any person, or to another agency, except pursuant to a written request by, or with the prior written consent of, the individual to whom the record pertains 5 U.S.C. § 552a(b).
Of course, the FAA doesn't give a rat's ass about complying with the Privacy Act. They violate it continually. I've been trying to get them to stop disseminating my information in violation of it for years.
 
No, they were NOT permitted to do that. The privacy act specifically prohibits disclosure of personal information on citizens maintained by one agency to either parties outside the government or other federal agencies (there are exceptions but none of them applied here).

No agency shall disclose any record which is contained in a system of records by any means of communication to any person, or to another agency, except pursuant to a written request by, or with the prior written consent of, the individual to whom the record pertains 5 U.S.C. § 552a(b).
Of course, the FAA doesn't give a rat's *** about complying with the Privacy Act. They violate it continually. I've been trying to get them to stop disseminating my information in violation of it for years.
Right?! You just go to the mailbox one day and there is an FAA letter stating that you no longer hold a medical because of X…However, if you would like to keep flying, you need to do X,Y, and Z and spend thousands of dollars to do so!!
 
The 100 % guy I used to work with used to brag about going to the gym. One day asked me about my VA claim. When he found out I claim zero, he said “oh you left a lot of money on the table.” :rolleyes:

So glad when he left. Was the epitome of laziness and lack of attention to detail. Two traits that don’t go well in my line of work.
That’s interesting. Every single guy I’ve worked with that was latched on to the VA teat had the same performance issues.
 
Gotcha! However, he is confident about keeping his current Class 1 MED cert. until his Med cert expires. I would think that once the FAA gets notified about the lying on Block 18, then a letter gets sent out notifying him that his medical is revoked time now!
As for the Disability Award, I’ve heard the same thing about folks loosing once re-evaluated
Can he go in for an early reveal, check the correct boxes, and deal with it?
 
Bingo. And though I'm waiting to hear from the usual pedant to come here and [correctly] point out that the ratings are not all inherently straight additive, the point still remains: these grifters know that, and malign tactically enough to gain the proper combination, as advised by the VA-literate remoras.

I've seen some of these claims sheets on their portals. Pending adjudication for 35 separate line items (I had to count them I couldn't believe it), on their way to 100pct. One was visibly upset he was getting snagged at 90pct because the delay in adjudication for the remaining balance 10 line items or so was cramping his style. On a 35 item case file. Unreal.
I always thought that any claim for disability should require a Purple Heart.
 
No, they were NOT permitted to do that. The privacy act specifically prohibits disclosure of personal information on citizens maintained by one agency to either parties outside the government or other federal agencies (there are exceptions but none of them applied here).

No agency shall disclose any record which is contained in a system of records by any means of communication to any person, or to another agency, except pursuant to a written request by, or with the prior written consent of, the individual to whom the record pertains 5 U.S.C. § 552a(b).
Of course, the FAA doesn't give a rat's *** about complying with the Privacy Act. They violate it continually. I've been trying to get them to stop disseminating my information in violation of it for years.

They were not permitted to do it at the time, and got their hand slapped for it (and that's all that happened for violating the law). They are allowed to do it now, because now you explicitly waive that provision when you apply for a medical.
 
That’s interesting. Every single guy I’ve worked with that was latched on to the VA teat had the same performance issues.

I think I know what you mean, but the problem is how do you define ‘latched on to the teat’?

Lots of veterans with high disability ratings who deserve those ratings.

I know people with 100% ratings that do not have performance issues in their post military jobs.
 
That would be on the opposite side of the ridiculous spectrum…
Seriously, given your experience where should the line be? This issue, it’s not just a military one it’s a civilian one as well. I see plenty of people in handicap spots that have no apparent disability and are in their mid-20s. I really am interested in a discussion.
I am very much saddened by the lack of personal honor and integrity of my fellow citizens.
 
Seriously, given your experience where should the line be? This issue, it’s not just a military one it’s a civilian one as well. I see plenty of people in handicap spots that have no apparent disability and are in their mid-20s. I really am interested in a discussion.
I am very much saddened by the lack of personal honor and integrity of my fellow citizens.

Honor and integrity are very subjective things and are usually invoked when judging the actions of others. It’s tough to have an objective legal line in the sand on moral issues. Just ask Justice John Paul Stewart about pornography, for example.
 
I have a 10% disability rating from the VA. However, due to receiving a separation bonus (i.e. a bonus to get out of the military) during a previous drawdown, and due to a quirk in the pertinent regulations, I do not actually receive any monthly payments.

I believe the question on the medical form asks if you are receiving any disability benefits.

10 years ago or so, I answered this question "no", because I'm not actually receiving any benefits. Well, monetary benefits anyway, and I was pretty sure that's what the question meant. I'm not sure what other type of "benefits" would be considered - I mean, I'd get a slight preference for government jobs, but that's NA for me. I guess I could be seen at a VA hospital for my specific injury, but that's not necessary. So am I "receiving benefits"?

I've answered it "no" every year since. After all this discussion, I am beginning to wonder if I should have answered it "yes". And if I change my answer to "yes" at this point, will that cause any problems? Set off a flag at the FAA?

(The injury was a broken wrist that didn't set quite right and has a slight rotation and slight reduction in range of motion - makes it hard to do pushups, for example. But certainly doesn't affect my ability to fly.)
 
I think I know what you mean, but the problem is how do you define ‘latched on to the teat’?

Lots of veterans with high disability ratings who deserve those ratings.

I know people with 100% ratings that do not have performance issues in their post military jobs.
I know those 100% as well.

By latched on I mean the guys the have a 100% rating from a thousand paper cuts. Basically the guys without a real disability that have worked the system to maximize the grift like a panhandling entitled POS. Those guys are lazy and suck at work.
 
I always thought that any claim for disability should require a Purple Heart.


Without digging into the minutia, a Purple Heart is for a wound or injury related to enemy action. A serviceman who is injured in a training exercise, for example, wouldn't receive one.

So are you suggesting there should be no disability payments for anyone who isn't injured by an enemy?
 
I have a 10% disability rating from the VA. However, due to receiving a separation bonus (i.e. a bonus to get out of the military) during a previous drawdown, and due to a quirk in the pertinent regulations, I do not actually receive any monthly payments.

I believe the question on the medical form asks if you are receiving any disability benefits.

10 years ago or so, I answered this question "no", because I'm not actually receiving any benefits. Well, monetary benefits anyway, and I was pretty sure that's what the question meant. I'm not sure what other type of "benefits" would be considered - I mean, I'd get a slight preference for government jobs, but that's NA for me. I guess I could be seen at a VA hospital for my specific injury, but that's not necessary. So am I "receiving benefits"?

I've answered it "no" every year since. After all this discussion, I am beginning to wonder if I should have answered it "yes". And if I change my answer to "yes" at this point, will that cause any problems? Set off a flag at the FAA?

(The injury was a broken wrist that didn't set quite right and has a slight rotation and slight reduction in range of motion - makes it hard to do pushups, for example. But certainly doesn't affect my ability to fly.)
I’m thinking you should just stay a no.

disclaimer: just some dude on the internet.
 
I have a 10% disability rating from the VA. However, due to receiving a separation bonus (i.e. a bonus to get out of the military) during a previous drawdown, and due to a quirk in the pertinent regulations, I do not actually receive any monthly payments.

I believe the question on the medical form asks if you are receiving any disability benefits.

10 years ago or so, I answered this question "no", because I'm not actually receiving any benefits. Well, monetary benefits anyway, and I was pretty sure that's what the question meant. I'm not sure what other type of "benefits" would be considered - I mean, I'd get a slight preference for government jobs, but that's NA for me. I guess I could be seen at a VA hospital for my specific injury, but that's not necessary. So am I "receiving benefits"?

I've answered it "no" every year since. After all this discussion, I am beginning to wonder if I should have answered it "yes". And if I change my answer to "yes" at this point, will that cause any problems? Set off a flag at the FAA?

(The injury was a broken wrist that didn't set quite right and has a slight rotation and slight reduction in range of motion - makes it hard to do pushups, for example. But certainly doesn't affect my ability to fly.)
The question is indeed are you receiving "medical disability benefits".

In your case, it sounds like you answered accurately. If you ever do start receiving benefits, then you would need to select yes on the next medical application.

That is what I have to do this year. I left active duty in 2016 and was initially assessed as 0% disabled. Then in April I received a check for almost $40k. Apparently, the VA had to go back and revisit a bunch of claims and I was reassessed at 30% for a similar situation - arthritis from injured wrist and shoulder. That check was back pay from when I first filed the claim. So now I will have to mark yes on that question.
 
Seriously, given your experience where should the line be? This issue, it’s not just a military one it’s a civilian one as well.
Personally, I think it should be limited/related to service connected issues. If the medical issue was caused or somehow related to a person's service, then they should be compensated.

I work with a guy who has 100% disability rating. Former submariner. Was affected by a gas leak in his berthing compartment that has affected his lungs. He'll never be the same. Certainly not combat related, but definitely a medical condition directly caused by his service.
 
Without digging into the minutia, a Purple Heart is for a wound or injury related to enemy action. A serviceman who is injured in a training exercise, for example, wouldn't receive one.

So are you suggesting there should be no disability payments for anyone who isn't injured by an enemy?
Ok, Bad idea. Alternate suggestions?
 
Can he go in for an early reveal, check the correct boxes, and deal with it?
I think that is why he got the Lawyer and then do whatever the FAA needs…however, he is being all Pollyanna thinking this will all be “fixed” in a couple of weeks
 
Personally, I think it should be limited/related to service connected issues. If the medical issue was caused or somehow related to a person's service, then they should be compensated.

I work with a guy who has 100% disability rating. Former submariner. Was affected by a gas leak in his berthing compartment that has affected his lungs. He'll never be the same. Certainly not combat related, but definitely a medical condition directly caused by his service.
What boat was he on? I was on the SSBN 640 blue from 1990-92
 
Personally, I think it should be limited/related to service connected issues. If the medical issue was caused or somehow related to a person's service, then they should be compensated.


So should an Army clerk who develops carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis from long-term keyboard work be granted VA benefits?

I've had trouble for years with CTS stemming from my job at Lockheed. Workman's Comp paid for treatment, and they provided me with a special chair and work station, but I still have flare-ups. I wouldn't expect any sort of payout from long-term disability insurance for it, though. Should it be different for a veteran?
 
Seriously, given your experience where should the line be? This issue, it’s not just a military one it’s a civilian one as well. I see plenty of people in handicap spots that have no apparent disability and are in their mid-20s. I really am interested in a discussion.
I am very much saddened by the lack of personal honor and integrity of my fellow citizens.

I don’t think there’s any particular cutoff, the VA just needs to tighten their requirements as to what can get claimed and reduce the percentages of the claims.

I always say, you know it when you see it. When a friend comes into my office and is stoked that he got awarded 50 % for sleep apnea, there’s something wrong. When a job such as a commercial pilot flying passengers that should require excellent physical fitness but yet your pilot is collecting 100 % disability and parks in a handicap space, there’s something wrong. When you attend a VA disability class and the entire class of young, healthy 20 something year olds enthusiastically raise their hands with **** eating grins on their faces when asked if they’re going to claim, there’s something wrong.

Used to be more stringent. It was more physical injuries that occurred in training or combat. Now it’s every little ache and pain someone can claim. The false PTSD claims and the exaggerated 50 % SA claims are the worst. Used to be prior to 2004, you couldn’t collect both retirement and VA disability either. Now we can double dip. What’s funny is, I’ve got friends collecting military retirement, collecting high percentage VA disability, then working as a DoD civ in the same job that apparently gave them said disability! :eek: Only in America.
 
I don’t think there’s any particular cutoff, the VA just needs to tighten their requirements as to what can get claimed and reduce the percentages of the claims...
Most of that is Congressionally driven; the schedule for ratings is in 38 CFR 4. Probably the best thing that happened was a few years ago the diagnostic criteria was removed from public view in an effort to limit the fraud.

My melanoma is a 0%* which gets me healthcare access. Tricare lets me see a dermatologist annually and a basic eye exam every other year; VA gets me into a derm semiannually and an ophthalmology screen (yes you can get skin cancer in your eyes) annually.

What surprised me was a dislocated shoulder on an AASLT O Course high obstacle was rated fairly high because the impacts (limits to motion) were judged to be bilateral. I didn’t even include that on my application, but VA scrubs the entire service medical record.

As you know and I’ve shared here before, I disclosed all of it up front when I had to get an FAA medical and it was a nothing burger other than a letter reminding me that any change in my condition needed to he reported.

* ETA: the scars from the excision and skin graft were rated at 10% lol.
 
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PTSD and SA are the biggest offenders for one. 50% for SA is way the heck out of line, especially for DOT medical holding folks, like 121ers. My former boss flew to his fini, then magically long term DNIF for SA, 6 months from retirement date concurrent with his terminal leave. GMAFB. Important for folks to understand the significance of 50pct rating threshold, it's the numerical point at which the payment is NO longer offset from the pension. Literally a doubling of the benefit in net terms.

Ultimately, like @Velocity173 alluded to, even after stipulating the grift is across the board, just locking out these grifters from getting over the 70 pct hump (and of course, 90pct) would make a marked difference in the burden to the VA funding. That's how lopsided the last 10pct'ers affect the credibility and sustainability of the entire spectrum all the way down to the 0pct rated.
 
…50% for SA is way the heck out of line….
This is one that bothers me because you can be diagnosed while on active duty, get boarded for it, and then be left in a deployable career field but can’t deploy. That, to me, is either medical dq, not a cush run to retirement.

What cracked me up was I could deploy with no waiver post melanoma so long as I was in remission.
 
They were not permitted to do it at the time, and got their hand slapped for it (and that's all that happened for violating the law). They are allowed to do it now, because now you explicitly waive that provision when you apply for a medical.
No, you do not. The only waiver is for an NDR check.
 
This is one that bothers me because you can be diagnosed while on active duty, get boarded for it, and then be left in a deployable career field but can’t deploy. That, to me, is either medical dq, not a cush run to retirement.

What cracked me up was I could deploy with no waiver post melanoma so long as I was in remission.

In the Navy, you can have OSA and still be fully deployable and cleared for sea duty.
 
Disability is not for military needs, it for how the military impacts your life. A woman with a hysterectomy is very impacted.

The question is WHY she had the hysterectomy.

If it was due to something that happened due to her service, then yes. But if the cause was not service related, then no. And I am good with yes when the cause is questionable.
 
No, you do not. The only waiver is for an NDR check.

Read the fine print (from the FAA MedExpress disclaimer that is acknowledged at login), see bold text:

Except for your Social Security Number (SSN), submission of this information is mandatory. Incomplete submission will result in delay of further consideration or denial of your application for a medical certificate or medical clearance. Other than your SSN, the purpose of the information is to determine whether you meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) medical requirements to hold a medical certificate. The information will also be used to provide data for the FAA's automated medical certification system to depict airman population patterns and to update certification procedures and medical standards. For air traffic control specialists (ATCS) employed by the Federal Government, the information requested will be used as a basis for determining medical eligibility for initial and continuing employment. The information becomes part of the FAA Privacy Act system of records, DOT/FAA-847, General Air Transportation Records on Individuals. These records and information in these records may be used (a) to provide basic airman certification and qualification information to the public upon request; (b) to disclose information to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in connection with its investigation responsibilities; (c) to provide information about airmen to Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies when engaged in the investigation and apprehension of drug law violators; (d) to provide information about enforcement actions arising out of violations of the Federal Aviation Regulations to government agencies, the aviation industry, and the public upon request; (e) to disclose information to another Federal agency, or to a court or an administrative tribunal, when the Government or one of its agencies is a party to a judicial proceeding before the court or involved in administrative proceedings before the tribunal; and (f) to disclose information to other Federal agencies for verification of the accuracy or completeness of the information; and (g) to comply with the Prefatory Statement of General Routine Uses for the Department of Transportation.
 
He should have waited for a letter, and if he ever even got the letter send that to a attorney, learning to speak government helps so much in life.

FAA ATF they have the same tactics, and rely on self incrimination, this video has been making the rounds, perfect example of shaking the tree and waiting for a self incrimination, “we both know what you’re doing with it”, and so on, he got a little brazen but avoided their self incrimination traps


It’s the same bag of tricks with the FAA

Starts at 3:21
Yep….that is what I was thinking….
 
He’s receiving compensation FOR a disability. It’s not an either-or: it’s a both-and.

And, sorry, I have no sympathy for anyone who falsifies a record about a disability that could impact their flying.

I was a military physician for 24 years and dealt with many aspects of the disability program. It’s generous to a fault and, unfortunately, incentivizes not-ideal behavior. Lots of people “disabled” because of conditions they ate, smoked, or otherwise “lifestyle’d” themselves into a compensable disability despite the best efforts of the military to help them not do so. There are DEFINITELY people with truly service-connected diseases and people with cancers, etc. who are getting good care and coverage.

There are “service connected disabilities” with zero aviation impact (a woman gets an automatic 30% disability for a hysterectomy, even though I’m not sure I ever figured out the wartime use of a uterus). But if someone claimed a disability (and gets compensation) and didn’t document it on their FAA exam, I’m personally fine with that being tidied up if it’s relevant to flying status. Falsifying is falsifying, whether we personally think it medically matters or not.
These people who lied on their medical about disqualifying “disabilities” should all go to jail, full restitution to the taxpayer for their fraud, and forfeit all future military benefits, pension included. It’s people like this who blather on about freedom and welfare queens and hate the government, meanwhile they’re the biggest welfare queens of all. Pees me off to no end. And you can’t say a cross word about them because they’re “veterans”. All hail! They’re thieves and liars is what they are.

It’s amazing how many threads there are on this very site from guys with full PTSD disability from the military who magically feel so much better when they find o it they can’t fly. But heck, at least they’re honest, or considering being honest.
 
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Seriously, given your experience where should the line be? This issue, it’s not just a military one it’s a civilian one as well. I see plenty of people in handicap spots that have no apparent disability and are in their mid-20s. I really am interested in a discussion.
I am very much saddened by the lack of personal honor and integrity of my fellow citizens.
It is human nature to take free stuff. Period.
 
These people who lied on their medical about disqualifying “disabilities” should all go to jail, full restitution to the taxpayer for their fraud, and forfeit all future military benefits, pension included. It’s people like this who blather on about freedom and welfare queens and hate the government, meanwhile they’re the biggest welfare queens of all. Pees me off to no end. And you can’t say a cross word about them because they’re “veterans”. All hail! They’re thieves and liars is what they are.

It’s amazing how many threads there are on this very site from guys with full PTSD disability from the military who magically feel so much better when they find o it they can’t fly. But heck, at least they’re honest, or considering being honest.

I always say, don’t pay for PTSD and just offer free phycological treatment / drugs and see how many still claim it. I’d be willing to bet only about half of those that claim PTSD actually have it.
 
Simple facts. Civilians require hysterectomies and would get laughed at applying for a disability.

A hysterectomy is the treatment for GYN conditions that could produce a disability (dysfunctional uterine bleeding, bulky fibroids etc.). Unless your job description includes 'having babies' (ie a paid surrogate), the procedure itself doesn't cause one to be unable to perform any work related activities. There can be long term complications like small bowel obstructions down the line, but those are a separate issue.

Absurd if true.
 
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