Is it a Command or a DoD failure?

As a retired, previously nationally accredited, County Veterans Service Officer, I repeatedly saw the regulation intended to protect our wounded disregarded. I worked with numerous AD, Reserve & NG members who had or were about to be tossed aside, without counsel or medical board procedures. The Army/Army Reserve was the most frequent offender, willing to tell them, "You are a broken toy, go home" instead of doing the right thing. I literally had to call the Pentagon, more than once, to prevent cases like the second example. He was due to be transferred to the Retired Reserve in 3 business days, preventing him from both the points qualified Active Duty retirement he was entitled to and the Medical Retirement he was unfortunately full qualified for.

And these are just a few the good outcomes. There were so many more that came to me after they were out. Many will say go to the Army Board of Corrections of Military Records (ABCMR) but know they are a 2 year wait, they deny at a higher rate than the VA, that is as ineffective as the units.

1) AD soldier - in WW Unit on so many drugs he couldn't get up in time for formations, so they busted him, twice I think. I spoke to him several times by phone, but he wouldn't remember the calls. I sent out paperwork showing his prior service in the Navy, ROTC, and former Officers service yet they Med separated him, not med Retirement as he deserved. I worked with VA Liaison who did DoD fight, I did his VA 100% SC claim.

2) AGR - 25+ yrs with first 6 AD Marine, multiple deployments. At home went USAR, deployed, then went AGR Recruiter. Point wise fully qualified for AD retirement but AGR did exit physical 1 year out, then he had 3 surgeries, 1 hip & 2 shoulders. They tried to send him to Retired Reserve, withholding his retirment pay and family health insurance until nearly age 60. I called Pentagon and sent surgery reports to LTC Tomko (belss you) 4 days before his transfer and she fixed it. She had 2 Master Sergreants (MSG) meet him at transition point, rescinded transfer orders, the MSG's took him to local Hospital for exams, and he was fully Medically Retired that evening. This gave him immediate retirement pay and TriCare medical insrance for his family. His claim, filed threw me, ended with a VA rating of 100%, metal plate in jaw, TBI, both shoulders, hip, back, hearing....

3) USAR injured back on deployment, progression at home unit, redeployed, further aggravation, 20+ years (USA & USAR), got him hooked up with VA, extensive PT then surgery, then implant of pain electrical stimulator. He is Unfit For Duty and barely functional in society and the unit wants to send him to Ret Reserve? WTF. VA rating 80%.

The military failure is that with 8+ years of points these soldiers, being unfit to work much less remain on duty, were entitled to Medical Retirement. This would mean full pay and TriCare for their children. Less than 2880 point the military, supposedly using the VA rating standards, can medically separate (severance pay**) or Medically Retire, depending on the percentage of injuries making the soldier Unfit For Duty (UFD). Lesser injuries that add up to 30%+ but still fully capable of performing duty requirements does not qualify for a medical separation. But injuries such as cervical fusion due to blown-out disc in neck, with nerve damage to right arm/hand, most likely makes the soldier UFD since they can’t wear battle rattle and likely not trainable to another MOS.  

**Note: Severance given at separation will mean a withholding of VA Compensation since severance is also disability pay from the federal government. Once the withheld VA pay equals the severance the VA Compensation pay will start

This is the kind of BS that dishonors and shames the Army when the media puts their teeth in it.

PLEASE HELP STOP THIS!

Sincerely, Patricia JANE Babcock, Veterans Benefits Educator, SFC (Ret), US Army/USAR, CVSO (Ret)