30% TDRL---10% VA Disability--Waiting for Final PEB decision.?

Question

I was an Air Force Police Officer and was injured in a car accident while on duty. I have been diagnosed with post concussion syndrome, which basically means that I have migraines all the time. Anyway, the Air Force rated me at 30% and put me on TDRL. I've applied for VA disability and they only rated me at 10%. My symptoms have not gotten any better, no matter what medication I take and I can't be a police officer again because of my random syncope. My question, I guess is.....can the final PEB rate me any less than the 30% they've already given me? And, will they take into account that the VA only rated me at 10%? Thank you so much for any help.

Answer 1

You will have a quadrennial physical for your Air Force disability retirement. I don't know if you have had your first one since being placed on the TDRL. If you haven't, I suggest you contact the nearest branch of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and ask to be put in contact with a Field Service Officer. Those guys are school-trained by the DAV and are sold experts on military and veterans disability matters. They won't charge you a dime for their services.
Your 30% rating is related to your fitness for continued active duty. The VA rating is related to your fitness for civilian employment. To me, as a retired Navy officer with 12 years of experience dealing with the Disability Evaluation System, the Air Force rating trumps the VA. But, do get in tough with DAV and get an advocate at your side who knows his onions.

Answer 2

First of all, thank you for serving and I hope for the best regarding your injuries. It's very unfortunate and sad that you have not gotten the best treatment and compenstation for your injuries to the fullest extent as I think it should be the case for everyone injured while serving in the military. It is also very sad that you have to deal with your injuries in your daily lives now. I watched the documentary Broken Government - “Waging War on the VA” and it just made me sick to my stomach how these men and women risk their lives by joining the military and serving in Iraq/Afgahnistan and yet they can't not get properly compenstated to the fullest extent possible when they are injured.

Regarding your case, I don't know what they will rate you at but you deserve the best treatment and compenstation there possible is. best wishes to you.