Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 7/5/2007

Question
Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.  I am active duty E5 and I just had my second tibia osteotomy one for each knee.  I have been diagnosed by Navy Med Pensacola as also having degenerative arthritis in both knees.  I haven't gone up for a med board yet.  I was planning on separating anyway at the end of this enlistment but could I qualify for some kind of medical separation severance pay.  I have ten years active duty.  Thanks

Answer
Dear Shane --

If your condition was worsened by your military service, you should be compensated for the loss of physical ability.  Having served ten years, you really should hold out for a medical retirement.  The risk of doing that, is that the medical board could decide to retain you in service with limited duty, rather than give you an early medical retirement.  

With a medical retirement, you will continue to receive health care at military and Veteran's Administration (VA) hospitals at government expense rather than your own expense.  You would receive a small military disability pension, and you would be eligible to apply to the VA for free post-service job training, as well as an increase in your disability pension, if your disability is keeping you from getting jobs you would otherwise be qualified for.  You would also have rights to shop at the PX, commissary and AAFES gas stations etc, since you would have a retirement ID card.

You must weigh the risk of being retained in service versus the potential for continued care you deserve for your current service and injury.  

Please write back, if new questions arise.

Good luck to you.