Expert: Rod Powers - 11/15/2006

Question
ok,what if i only had two years service before being put on tdrl?And,does being on tdrl mean time served
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
SINCE I'M AT 30% AND ON TDRL.IF I WAS TO GET FULLY PERMANENTLY RETIRED HOW MUCH WOULD MY PAY BE AND IF I WAS TO GET MEDICAL SEPARATION WHAT KIND OF SUM WOULD I BE LOOKING AT
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

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I was medical discharged from the army in 04 and was put on tdrl.i was discharged with medically indued asthma and feel fine.is there any way to waive anything to rejoin the army or navy.i have a 30% rating and haven't had my first doters visit with tdrl since five been out
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Hi Leonard,

It's "possible," but extremely unlikely. It doesn't matter whether or not you "feel fine," the fact is that you were medically discharged in the past, which means (as far as the military is concerned) that you were given a chance in the past, and you couldn't make it, based on a medical condition.

So, (from the Military's point of view), if you tried once before, and you couldn't make it, why do you think they would take the chance that you could make it a couple of years later? I only ask, because, just to be considered for a waiver, you're going to have to convince the waiver approval authorities that something has happened since your discharge that makes things different.

Assuming a waiver is approved, you would have to forfeit your 30 percnet disability rating. Once cannot have a disability, and serve in the U.S. Military at the same time.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com

-----Answer-----
Hi,

If you were "permantly medically retired" at 30 percent, you would receive the same in medical retirement pay as you are now (plus annual cost of living increases).

If you were medically separated instead (assuming more than 6 years of service), you would receive involuntary separation pay at the rates shown on the charts at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/fy2006paycharts/a/seppay.htm.

You can't recieve both. You would either receive medical retirement pay or involuntary separation pay (if over 6 years of service), but not both.

Hope this helps!

P.S. Please don't type in ALL CAPS. On the Internet, typing in ALL CAPS, means SHOUTING. I know you didn't intend to SHOUT at me.

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com  

Answer
Hi Leonard,

Time on the TDRL does not count toward total active military federal service.

So, if you were medically discharged, you would not be eligible for involuntary separation pay. That requires at least 6 years of total active military federal service.

If, on the other hand, you were medically discharged, with 30 percent or more of disability, you would be eligible for medical retirement.

If you had 10 or 20 percent disability, you would not be eligible for medical retirement, or involuntary separation pay, but may be eligible for disability compensation through the Veterans Administration (http://www.va.gov), if the VA determined your disability was a direct result of your military service.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com