Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 3/3/2010

Question
I was given a chapter 5-17 discharge from the army. I was still a S.I.T. at the time. I received the discharge because I had injured myself during basic training. Its been two years since my discharge and the injury I received still is not healed. It limits my ability to perform my civilian job. What am I able to get as far as benefits? I really don't want the benefits, just to be healed and not in pain anymore.

Answer
OK you need to go back and look at your paperwork because something is amiss here. AR 635-200 says a chapter 17 is for a condition that doesnt amount to disability but that could impede your ability to do your job. There is nothing in the chapter about injuries sustained during training or while in the army. In fact, the examples they give are chronic conditions such as dyslexia and sleepwalking. If you, indeed, were chaptered for that there really is nothing you can do to go back and get benefits from the military. You need to check your discharge paperwork in any case because they would have given you a benefits advisement, which in the case of a trainee is generally very limited. Also, you failed to say if you were voluntarily or involuntarily separated which also plays into what benefits and avenues you have to appeal. Check your paperwork and talk to a local VA rep and see if there is anything you can do. You must have had the injury documented in your military records and be able to show that it wasn't a preexisting condition. Good luck.