Disabled vet question

If a veteran is drawing disability for something 'fixable'... say a wrecked knee... is the disability reevaluated if the knee is repaired years down the road? I only used knee as an example...

Just curious.

Kirk Constable said:

If a veteran is drawing disability for something 'fixable'... say a wrecked knee... is the disability reevaluated if the knee is repaired years down the road? I only used knee as an example...

Just curious.

Click to expand...

Yes, it can be re-evaluated. The VA can ask for a re-eval at pretty much any time. Also, if it's found that the knee was repaired some time before a re-eval, and the vet purposely didn't notify the VA of his improved status, then some portion of the pensions can be recouped. Worst case, the vet can be charged with fraud. I was told this by a VA rep during a USMC retirement seminar about twenty years ago.

My dad drew a small VA pension from WWII. The VA called him in for a re-eval several times over the years.

If the vet is on the TDRL list (Temporary Disability Retired List), the disability can and will be evaluated periodically to ensure that it still exists. After a certain period of time (ten years, if my memory serves me correctly), if the disability still exists at the same level or worse, the member is transferred to the PDRL (Permanent DRL) and the evaluations should cease. In the case of a knee replacement 15-20 years down the road, that's another can of worms and a question best left to the pros at the VA to answer.

Nancy (former military disbursing specialist and proud wife of a disabled veteran)

Another thing to consider too is if you have been drawing a VA pension for 20 years or better they cannot take it away or reduce it.

Bill

Thanks. I was really just curious, with all the new technology available today.

I forgot to add that i have been recieving a pension since 1977, that's how i know they cannot take away or reduce it.

Bill

Kirk,

I just went through the initial VA disability process a year and a half ago. My understanding is any disability, fixable or not, can be re-evaluated at any time. Depending on the disability, the VA could zero out the award, increase the percentage of diability, or increase the percentage of diability.

Also of interest, the veteran can at any time request a re-evaluation of the disability, but unless that you know that your conditions have stayed the same or worsened and can substantiate it, know that the VA could decrease your disability percentage award.

~Scott