Openbah / Journal of a Marine Officer Candidate

Author: Openbah

  • Finally getting registered with the VA

    Thanks to solid advice from a reader, I was able to submit my paperwork to the VA for disability compensation. Thank you Don!

    This morning I went to the Disabled American Veterans office and met with a Service Officer who helped me with all the paperwork. Not even 30 minutes later I was finished. I should hear from the VA in a week telling me they received my information. After they retrieve my file from the Department of the Navy (which will take about a month), they will schedule an orthopedic appointment for me. The VA orthopedic doctor will evaluate me, then submit his findings, and the VA will give me another disability rating.

    So why am I getting a second disability rating?

    The military rates only conditions determined to be physically unfitting, compensating for loss of a military career. The VA may rate any service-connected impairment, thus compensating for loss of civilian employability. Another difference is the term of the rating. The military’s ratings are permanent upon final disposition. VA ratings may fluctuate with time, depending upon the progress of the condition. Further, the military’s disability compensation is affected by years of service and basic pay; while VA compensation is a flat amount based upon the percentage rating received.

  • Received my TDRL packet

    I finally received the packet with all of my TDRL (Temporary Disability Retirement List) information in it. It contained information explaining my benefits as well as instructions for my time on the TDRL. I basically need to see a military doctor every 18 months, keep the Marines informed of any change of address or other significant changes (marriage, children, etc), and choose a Tricare health insurance plan.

    As for it aiding my VA registration dilemma, it sadly didn’t help at all.

    The packet also contained something I didn’t expect to receive. (more…)

  • 9 month post-FVFG follow-up

    Had my 9 month follow-up appointment down in New York City on Monday.

    I brought down a copy of the MRI I had done 2 weeks ago. He and two other surgeons were pleased with what they saw. There is an increase in blood flow to the head of the hip, and the cartilage on the ball is still not peeling off.

    Hip joint
    (more…)

  • TDRL orders and the VA

    Just found out that my TDRL orders are still not done. They are on a Commander’s desk and their office is running behind. They said they’ll hopefully be completed this week.

    Apparently I’m not supposed to try to do anything with the VA until I get that info packet. They make an appointment with the nearest MTF for me and there will be a POC I can call. According to a Sergeant at their office, the appointment would probably not be until around the 1st of February. Wow.

  • At a stand-still with registering with the VA

    Did you know that candidates separated from the Marine Corps are never given a DD 214 or any other kind of discharge papers? According to my disenrollment letter:

    You are separated as a Officer Candidate Disenrollment, Code JFW1. Your description of service is “entry level separation.” Members in this status do not receive a discharge certificate or characterization of service at separation.

    So things are at a stand-still until I receive official orders to TDRL. It turns out because I don’t have (and won’t be getting) a DD 214, nobody is able to register me. All they can tell me at the national VA headquarters and at the local level here in Boston, is that cases like mine are handled at a regional level. Try calling your regional VA office and the call will go straight to the national headquarters.

    A Marine Officer who graduated OCS in 1967 found my site and offered some excellent advice to getting things worked out. He recommended I get in touch with my local Disabled American Veterans. Let’s hope they will be able to assist me with the VA.