Military..VA Disability..Effect Hiring?

[DrEvil]

Hello,

I just got out of the military after 15 years. I am considering filing with the VA for disability for several items incurred over my term of service as a pilot in the Air Force. As many gulf war vets have come down with, I was diagnosed with IBS and severe lactose intolerance in 1996, 5 years after the gulf war. Additionally, I'm considering filing for hearing loss and back problems (g-forces??).

My question is, if I do file, and am awarded disability benefits, will this affect hiring down the road? So if I try to "gain" from the gov't, will this prevent my position to get an airline job in my future?

Interested in your thoughts!

Thanks!

 

[skiddriver]

Your prospective employees won't ask, and you are under no obligation to bring it up.

A 1st (or 2nd) class medical is all you need to show you are physically capable to do the job. The airline can't disqualify you if you hold whichever FAA medical they require.

As an aside, due to two bad knees, two bad elbows, and a messed up shoulder, I got a 50% rating following retirement. The Comair Chief Pilot's office gave me time off (without pay) to make my VA assessment physicals.

Don't sweat it, just make sure you stay healthy enough to keep your FAA medical.

 

[Hugh Jorgan]

Yes, make sure you claim EVERYTHING! It has nothing to do with your medical. When you start you start your TAP class, listen to the VA person carefully. I was impressed by the one in Oklahoma.

HOWEVER,
I can say that I know of at least one major who will ask you if you are receiving any medical disability from the military. I don't know what they do with that information, but I have seen it asked. I don't think they try to verify a "no" answer, but I can't confirm that.

In a barely related question, does anyone really think a finger-wave is necessary when one is claiming disability for hearing loss? I didn't think so and felt quite violated.

 

[skiddriver]

In further thread creep, I'm thinking of the one time I got a physical from a female flight surgeon. Small fingers...yeah