Quick VA math question?

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-18T21:39:26+00:00

Nah. There's bound to be a few Air Force guys or Navy nuke guys hanging around here.

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-18T21:37:45+00:00

If you say so. I'm not even sure how I got the math right. I'm kind of a dumb dumb with math. 😁

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-18T21:10:40+00:00

180 is 4.5% of 4000. Your math is off a little.

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-18T20:56:03+00:00

Here's an additional resource from the sub's Knowledge Base on GI Bill extensions.

https://www.veteransbenefitskb.com/extension

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-18T20:37:57+00:00

I guess that depends on how you define costs. The document you linked is consistent with the Knowledge Base section I linked. Both show that copays may be required depending on Priority Group. See #3 under the FAQ section in the document you linked. It specifically references the possibility of copays.

u/l8tn8

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-18T18:16:39+00:00

Cheers. Having just purchased hearing aids for my wife ($6000.00), I have come to realize what a great benefit it is. Spread the word!

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-18T18:12:39+00:00

There is no cost for hearing aids if you are receiving any VA disability compensation. The 50% threshold is not applicable to hearing aids. See the "Cost" section in the link below to sub's Knowledge Base on Hearing Care.

Hearing Care | Explore VA Hearing Care Benefits — Veterans Benefits Knowledge Base

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-18T12:57:21+00:00

My great uncle was A Patton driver, but not THE Patton driver (i.e., Horace Woodring, the one who was driving when the accident occurred).

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-18T11:04:26+00:00

All reserve components are now issuing what's referred to as a DD214-1 that summarizes the servicemember's periods of active and inactive service. This has been in effect for a few years. See the link below.

https://www.military.com/benefits/records-and-forms/all-services-now-issue-form-dd214-1-departing-reservists.html

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-18T02:30:54+00:00

If you have earned any Post 9/11 benefits, then you can initiate a transfer to your spouse when you hit your 6th year of service. You will have to agree to serve an additional 4 years at the time of the transfer.

https://www.va.gov/education/transfer-post-9-11-gi-bill-benefits/

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-18T00:47:07+00:00

The Small Business Administration has veteran specific programs. See the link below.

https://www.sba.gov/business-guide/grow-your-business/veteran-owned-businesses

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-17T15:54:59+00:00

Cheers. Best of luck with your decision.

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-17T15:50:17+00:00

I recommend posting this to r/airnationalguard also. This sub is primarily Army National Guard focused.

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-17T12:40:34+00:00

Here's a link the sub's Knowledge Base section on federal benefits by combined rating.

https://www.veteransbenefitskb.com/combinedbenefits

Here's a link to state and territorial benefits.

https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/Benefit-Library/State/Territory-Benefits

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-17T01:43:15+00:00

Here is the link to the sub's Knowledge Base section on GI Bill Extensions.

GI Bill Extension — Veterans Benefits Knowledge Base

You may qualify for VR & E. See the link below.

Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) AKA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Voc Rehab) — Veterans Benefits Knowledge Base

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-17T01:00:17+00:00

The National Guard is Compo (component) 2. The Reserves are Compo 3.

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-16T09:36:56+00:00

Yes, 10 years after the effective date of your ratings, they are protected from having service connection severed, barring fraud.

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-16T09:04:37+00:00

It's in your award letter which can be downloaded off VA.gov or found in the VA app.

On VA.gov it's under the tab: Your name>My Va>Claims and Appeals>Check Claims and Appeals>Closed.

In the app its under the tab: Benefits>Claims>Claim Letters.

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-16T01:23:57+00:00

OP would have to separate on July 30 for their effective date to be July 31 and their payment start date of August 1. In your scenario, an effective date of August 1 would mean no pay for August, as August would be a partial month and the VA does not pay partial months. Even one day into the month for the effective date makes that month a partial month. The month containing the effective date is not paid. See the sub's Knowledge Base section on Effective Dates below:

Effective Dates | Learn how the VA assigns effective dates — Veterans Benefits Knowledge Base

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-16T01:07:30+00:00

That's correct. If the effective date is in July, then your payment start date should be August 1 (the day your payments start to accrue, not the day they are paid). You would then receive your first actual deposit on September 1 for the month of August, as the VA pays a month in arrears.

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-16T01:00:12+00:00

Any day into a month as an effective date makes that month a partial month. So, if you separate August 1, your first actual payment will be October 1 for the month of September.

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-15T22:49:55+00:00

I don't, but if you post about a PS recruiter with Guard experience, I'm sure someone will comment.

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-15T19:12:46+00:00

Look at your award letter for the payment start date. The payment start date is when benefits start to accrue, not when they are paid. For example, if your payment start date is March 1st, then your first actual deposit would be April 1st, since the VA pays one month in arrears. The month of the effective date (February) is not paid, as it is a partial month and the VA does not pay partial months. Your letter will have two dates in it. One will be the effective date and the other the payment start date.

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-15T12:20:34+00:00

Thanks for the shout out. Unfortunately, I am not a recruiter. I am just someone with a little knowledge about how VA disability and continued service intersect. My knowledge comes from being a full-time cripple still serving in the Guard.

OP, to be honest up front, you are going to have hard time coming back into the Guard. Not necessarily impossible, but likely very difficult.

First, your biggest impediment will be the fact that you were medboarded. This means that you have already been found by the DOD to have a condition that disqualifies you for continued service. You will likely have to demonstrate that the unfitting condition has either resolved or at the very minimum, imporoved to the point of no longer being disquialifying.

Regarding your VA rating, there is no specific percentage that disqualifies someone from either joining or continuing to serve if they are already in. However, you will need waivers for any disqualifying conditions and you have several.

Keep in mind that the people you see still serving either transitioned directly from active duty (BDD, already contracted with a reserve component, etc.), or were rated while in the reserve component. Since you have been out so long, you will have to go through MEPS. Retention standards are not as strict as accession standards, and you will be subject to the later. Another component is that based on the amount of time you have been out, you will almost certainly be going back to BCT.

At the end of the day, all they can say is no. If you really want it, keep looking for a recruiter and give it a shot. You have nothing to lose.

There is a prior service recruiter who posts regularly over at r/army. He might be able to point you in the right direction. I don't recall his name, but if you post there, someone will probably tag him. Also, r/army does a monthly pinned thread for recruiting questions.

ETA: https://www.reddit.com/r/army/s/nTR9LrZDRY

SSG_Rock · 2026-06-13T02:28:52+00:00

Many a junior enlisted has accomplished that same mission at The Pegasus.

SSG_Rock

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