Does anyone have experience of being denied commissioning due to injuries sustained at the academy? I am told my Mid will get a disability retirement, just looking for someone whom has had the experience or knows the process and long term outcomes. Thanks for any assistance.
Non commissioning after graduation
- Thread starter Midmom13
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This is a place to start reading:
There is a process. The good news is, for involuntary separations for medical fitness reasons, there is virtually no possibility of required monetary payback.
Your mid will get briefed, sign papers, be informed of healthcare rights from VA.
I strongly recommend keeping a log of the who/what/when of things he is told along the way, so he is clear and knows what he was told by whom and when. Once he is separated from the Navy as part of DoD, healthcare for the service-related documented issues shifts to the VA.
Keep good paper files, email files, screenshots.
I am sorry to hear this. Looking down the road, if he ever decides to go into federal civil service employment, his USNA years can count toward Federal retirement years (but not military retirement, for other readers).
And - be sure to research your state’s veterans affairs bureau/agency/department for state benefits, which are different from federal benefits. They may define “veteran” in such a way he qualifies. Due to the nature and brevity of his service at USNA, I don’t know what federal VA benefits he is eligible for. There are Veteran Service Advisors (VSO) in states, counties, bigger cities, as well as at local vet organization chapters, who can advise on federal VA and state veteran benefits. The state benefits vary by state. We had a sponsor daughter who developed Type I diabetes and was separated after 2 years. Her home state veterans benefits paid for her to complete her degree at a choice of 3 state universities. The certified veterans benefits counselor at the local American Legion Post back home took good care of her. Membership not required. Free service.
And welcome new member of 35 minutes! Sorry it is under such difficult circumstances.
There is a process. The good news is, for involuntary separations for medical fitness reasons, there is virtually no possibility of required monetary payback.
Your mid will get briefed, sign papers, be informed of healthcare rights from VA.
I strongly recommend keeping a log of the who/what/when of things he is told along the way, so he is clear and knows what he was told by whom and when. Once he is separated from the Navy as part of DoD, healthcare for the service-related documented issues shifts to the VA.
Keep good paper files, email files, screenshots.
I am sorry to hear this. Looking down the road, if he ever decides to go into federal civil service employment, his USNA years can count toward Federal retirement years (but not military retirement, for other readers).
And - be sure to research your state’s veterans affairs bureau/agency/department for state benefits, which are different from federal benefits. They may define “veteran” in such a way he qualifies. Due to the nature and brevity of his service at USNA, I don’t know what federal VA benefits he is eligible for. There are Veteran Service Advisors (VSO) in states, counties, bigger cities, as well as at local vet organization chapters, who can advise on federal VA and state veteran benefits. The state benefits vary by state. We had a sponsor daughter who developed Type I diabetes and was separated after 2 years. Her home state veterans benefits paid for her to complete her degree at a choice of 3 state universities. The certified veterans benefits counselor at the local American Legion Post back home took good care of her. Membership not required. Free service.
And welcome new member of 35 minutes! Sorry it is under such difficult circumstances.
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I have heard, perephilly, and seen one example, that the alumni association is amazing in assisting Mids is this situation. Your Mids has a very bright future ahead of them. Different than expected, but amazing nonetheless….
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Thank you!
Impulsive
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They MAY get a Disability Retirement, but not necessarily! The PEB and MEB determine the fitness and disability, THEN it goes to IDES which is where they get their "Rating". If the Rating is more than 50%, then they can get both a military retirement and their disability payments. If less than 50% then CRDP (combined receipt disability and pension) does NOT kick in and they have to choose their military disability or %pension that the PEB determines.
Something to remember here is that as an academy student they are basically an E-5 and any retirement prior to Commissioning would be at that pay grade, NOT O-1.
Also a factor is if the injury was a result of something at the academy or on liberty/leave. I have seen academy members (not yet graduates or graduating) medically discharged with just a DD-214 and no MEB/PEB, and therefore no retirement or disability rating for issues resulting from "misconduct" (misbehaving badly during leave/liberty). As @Capt MJ plainly states, get and keep ALL records before you leave so that you at least apply for benefits after you are discharged. I have also seen members graduate, not Commission, and get no disability or retirement rating at all. So make sure you review with your Command your status and steps needed BEFORE leaving!