MidnightHauler

Fortunately, I'm not experiencing any of those issues. Just a couple of things that I could explain before getting my medicals approved. I just didn't know who to start with.

ugleeual

Don’t sweat it then… get your Va claim started and once you get your VA disability award bring that letter to your next FAA physical and ensure you list it on MedExpress… done.

MidnightHauler

Sounds good. Thanks!

AirborneUPSMovr

So much misinformation in this thread.

Latest one about PTSD - it’s NOT a show stopper unless you are currently treating (for example)

Excargodog

Not a whole lot is a show stopper unless you really are at risk of keeling over and dying momentarily. But there’s a whole lot that are sure show slower-downers and may be the cause of extensive and time consuming testing and follow up to prove to the FAA that they aren’t show stoppers.

rickair7777

Given the choice I'd rather just get the CJO, the class date, the seniority and start getting paid now. As opposed to jumping through FAA admin hoops for months or a year or two.

Just sayin'.

AirborneUPSMovr

Completely up to you to to leave >1 Million $$$ oover 30 years n the table.... But the 'hoops' for 100% disabled vets typically amounts to typing 'Previously disclosed, no change' on their medexpress. Do what you want, but most advice from bros who skipped the VA stuff is nonsense.

rickair7777

I claimed what's legit, which is minor and doesn't bother the FAA. I would have needed to fabricate PTSD, TBI, maybe OSA to get north of 50%. Despite engine room noise, small arms, and not-so-small arms exposure my hearing is pristine.

There are some caveats to VA benefits...

They can adjust your benefit lower if they adjudicate your health favorably. Need to strike a balance between fit enough to fly, but broke enough to keep a high rating.

If you can't get to at least 50%, then you cannot get concurrent VA and mil retirement. Typically you keep the VA and give up an equivalent amount of retirement pay, since the former is not taxed.

End of your airline career, each year is reasonably worth $500K. So any downtime waiting for FAA approval (up front or down the road) is going to quickly offset the VA benefit.

Retirement wave is peak right now, and about to start tapering off. Delay will cost significant seniority at the big three (and UPS?).

The VA is certainly is nice to have if you don't have a mil retirement and don't intend to get one in the reserves, and might not want to do airlines to age 65(67).

tnkrdrvr

This right here. Our VA benefits have value, but relative to airline pay it’s chump change. At current hiring rates, giving up even a months seniority unnecessarily may be the difference between holding the lines you want on the fleet you want at the end of your career or having to sit reserve on that fleet. Remember, as a mil guy/gal you are starting significantly later than the civilian folks who are getting hired 7-8 years younger than you. Don’t let reaching for an extra 10% disability cripple your airline career.

rickair7777

And airline employment is always a risk vs reward propitiation. If you're ultra conservative with risk in your life, might be best to max out the VA, then join the federal civil service, and buy in all of your mil time. Less money but essentially guaranteed quanitifiable pay and bennies for life.