GI Bill and Medical Retirement from the Academy

I don't know if this is the right place to ask this question but I figured someone might know. Unfortunately I was medically retired (PDRL) during my 2/C year, and had to transfer school. I am running into some issues trying to pay for school, and figured the GI bill might help. I know that time doesn't count for the full 3 years at USNA but considering I was medically retired, I think it might be worth pursuing considering one of the criteria for application says:

“You served for at least 30 continuous days (all at once, without a break in service) on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability"

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience?

I am sorry this happened to you, and glad you are trying to create a new path.

There have been several threads on this over the years.

A good first step is to see a certified veterans’ benefits counselor. Have your DD-214 and other relevant paperwork at hand. Veteran organizations such as DAV, AL, VFW, AMVETS, have certified, trained volunteer counselors. You do not have to join the organization. Contact the local post or chapter, or research the national website.
Example:


The VA and your state also have trained benefits counselors. Your state govt has a department which might have a name like “bureau of veteran affairs” or similar names.there will be county or major city offices with trained benefits counselors. They will know your federal benefit eligibility, including Post-9/11 GI Bill, as well as your own state’s veteran benefits program, which is different from the federal VA program. We had a sponsor son graduate from USNA but get med DQ’ed at flight school, couldn’t get into any other community, so was separated. No luck with GI Bill, but his home state veterans benefots program paid for his MBA at a state college.
Example of a state site:

Get trained help from people who know specifics.

I am about to accept a position with the federal civil service. I wanted to make certain I received 'credit' for my time at USAFA. I contacted the USAFA Registrars office and they sent me a letter including the following: (it took just a few hours from the request to receipt - they knew exactly what to send me when I mentioned 'Creditable Service')


This will only be a portion of the documentation that you will need. (I didn't qualify for the GI Bill based on the rules at the time). This specifically applies to 'creditable service' when trying to get your military time including time at USNA towards civil service time for benefits such as leave accrual, but it clearly states you qualified as active duty while at USNA.

I wouldn't start with the VA and the trained counselors - great people and well intentioned but it's unlikely they will understand the nuances of your time at USNA. I would speak to someone at the USNA version of Association of Graduates (AOG). They frequently help people like you find jobs/opportunities and have more than likely dealt with someone in your situation quite recently. (My daughter's date to the Ring Dance was separated with diabetes at the end of his 3rd year - she's unavailable to get me his information for the foreseeable future, but if you message me, I can try to help you get contact information of others that have been in your shoes)

There was a post (not sure if it was USNA or some other academy) about someone who voluntarily left and qualified for certain benefits. Can't help you with best way to search for it.

Quite a few universities also have special offices for veterans and they may be able to assist you.

If you have a good Congressional Representative/Senator - they should have a staffer that deals only with Veteran constituents. Though, I have reached out to my Congressman/woman 3 times on a special program and the only response I ever got was how to donate to their re-election efforts.

I had a classmate diagnosed with a terminal illness prior to graduation. He was allowed to graduate and the AOG along with the senior leadership at USAFA when to great efforts to make certain he was gainfully employed.

The VA will definitely know the right steps to get you access to VA specific programs. I use the DAV as my representative for service connected disabilities. They are wonderful, but as stated - service academy people are nuanced in what they do/don't qualify for while at the service academy.

And Captain MJ is definitely correct about State VA offices. Many states have great programs available to veterans and they are frequently under-utilized.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. You will find veterans and specifically the AOG is eager to help. It's our responsibility and it's rewarding.

One more thought - if the USN medically retired you, your disability rating/payment from the VA will be tax free and will likely be more $ than you are receiving from being militarily retired. If you haven't applied for a disability rating from the VA - that should be high on your list (the support organizations already mentioned will literally do all the paperwork once you contact them). Don't expect a quick result - the backlog is long, but they will backdate payments from the date of the initial claim.

Most universities, even community colleges, these days have a veteran advocate in Admissions, Registrar or Bursar’s office, because of the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon Fund.
Great point by @Cerberi

And - is there a chapter of Student Veterans of America at your school? Network with them, see what resources they know of. Be proud you volunteered and served AD at a SA for 3 years - you didn’t quit, and the medical thing just happened.

Circling back just in case anyone else has this issue. I was granted full GI bill and am using it towards my new undergrad. All I had to do is apply. Thanks all for your help.

BulldogInAMile said:

Circling back just in case anyone else has this issue. I was granted full GI bill and am using it towards my new undergrad. All I had to do is apply. Thanks all for your help.

Click to expand...

Hey brother, happy you got what you deserved. I'm wondering did you use a VSO to fight for you or how did you get the 9/11 GI Bill?

I graduated from USMA, did 5 years 3 days active duty before I was medically retired PDRL with 100% disability service related. Applied for GI bill and they denied me saying I didn't qualify because I didn't have "30 days active duty" due to my service obligation graduating from a SA (only had 3 days according to them.... That was back in 2019. Been fighting ever since and now my case has been stuck at higher review at the board since 2020...

Any suggestions?