I have been diagnosed with sever sleep apnia. I will be on the sleep air machine. What i am asking is i was told that i would be getting %50 disablity for my condition at E-5 pay. Is this true?
2006-10-28 20:19:44 · 5 answers · asked by davydave98277 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
for all that have awnsered here are some details, 1) I am getting discharged with an admin sep( under honerable conditions) 2) i am not getting discharged for sleep apnea. 3) i have went and done the sleep study and was diagnosed there. And my branch chief was talking to me he has the same thing and is on a machine and he was told the navy was going to give him %50 disablity just for the sleep apnea. I am giong to get the cpac machine when my doc orders it.
2006-10-29 10:37:00 · update #1
I work for the VA and you must visit with the regional office in your area. Try to get documentation supporting your claim too. I don't do SC ratings but I know that the regional office is where to go.
2006-10-28 20:24:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some important questions-- are you being medically discharged, or are you at the end of your tour? If you're being medically discharged, then it's (relatively) easy... the Navy will give you a percentage. If you're being discharged at the end of your tour or for some other reason, are you getting an Honorable, Administrative Under Honorable Conditions, Other-Than-Honorable, or Dishonorable Dscharge? It makes a difference.
If you're getting a medical discharge, then the Navy will give you a percentage-- probably not 50% (more like 10-20%-- 50% is normally a medical retirement, vice discharge), but don't worry about it at this stage. Because whether you're getting a medical or some other discharge and you have this diagnosis, it's the VA that'll set your final percentage... and the VA that'll give you the benefits.
You need to first, make a COMPLETE COPY of your medical records. Not just the parts referring to apnea-- everything. With your record in hand (and step two is to take it to Kinkos and make two more copies, because they get lost), you should now (and I mean NOW, preferably while still on active duty) go to step three, and put your medical record in the hands of a 'Service Officer' from the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), or failing that, the American Legion or VFW. These guys are experts, trained in "working the system". Let them go through your record and apply for you to the Veterans Administration. If you do it yourself, you might get a 20% where they could get you 40-50% (or whatever numbers you plug in).
If the Navy says you're 10%, the VA doesn't have to listen, and routinely gives a higher percentage. (I'm medically retired-- the Navy said 50%, but the VA made it 70%, thanks to the DAV... they added in everything I ever went to Sick Bay for, and it adds up.) Incidentally, say that you went to see the ship's doc a couple of times or more for bronchitis, but haven't had any trouble in a couple of years. The VA might give you "0%". That 0% means that the bronchitis isn't disabling you at all now... but if it comes back, they've acknowledged that it's "service connected", and so could up your percentage some time in the far future. That's why they have to work with your whole medical record.
The DAV and other veterans associations' Service Officers do this for free-- you don't even have to join (although I did). The only thing that could completely hose you is if your discharge is OTH or Dishonorable... then you'll have to petition to have it upgraded, which can be done, but it's a pain in the backside.
Your bottom line-- make and keep copies of everything; don't believe everything they tell you in PSD, and get help from the DAV/VFW/Legion ASAP. And be patient. This is the government-- nothing good happens as fast as it ought to.
2006-10-29 04:55:04 · answer #2 · answered by The Padre 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you are getting a medical discharge, you will not get 50% of your E-5 pay, you will get 50% of what ever a 100% VA disability gets. If you get a medical retirement, then you will get full benefits that the Navy offers active duty sailors. Make sure that all medical documents are in your military medical file. The VA will use these records to confirm what the disability is for. Apply as soon as you get discharged. When you get out, where ever you choose to live, apply at the VA Regional office for your area.
2006-10-29 02:38:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, that is pretty true. My son in law was going to get discharged for the same thing, but he was given a choice; he could stay or get out. But I would find out ALL the details to make sure before I was discharged.
2006-10-29 02:25:06 · answer #4 · answered by Nancy D 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I hope not. Get a sleep C pap machine. It will take care of your problem, and then go to college, get a job, and contribute to society.
2006-10-29 02:26:37 · answer #5 · answered by Ender 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋