VA Disability and ANG Myths

The short version for my battles who don't want to read:

Quick Overview: VA Disability and the Air National Guard

• Myth: You can’t be 100% disabled and serve in the ANG.

  Fact: You can serve with a 100% VA disability rating, as long as you meet the physical requirements. However, those with Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) cannot serve.

  
  

• Myth: You won’t get your disability pay while in the ANG.

  Fact: You will get your VA disability pay, but you must repay the VA for any active service days (drill, annual training, TDY, etc.).

  • VA Daily Rate Formula: Monthly VA payment ÷ 30.Example: $2,297.96 ÷ 30 = $76.60/day.

  • Keep track of active days to confirm VA records.

  • Repay the VA in full or set up a payment plan (up to 5 years).

    
    

• Pro Tip: Set aside your daily VA rate for each active day into a High Yield Savings Account to earn interest and prepare for repayment.

 Now the long version:

Myths About VA Disability and Serving in the Air National Guard

When I was making the decision to leave Active Duty and join the Air National Guard (ANG), I encountered a flood of myths. One of the most common misconceptions was that I wouldn’t be able to collect my military disability while serving in the ANG. After two enlistments in the military, I knew better than to rely on rumors. Instead, I dug into the research myself.

Since joining the ANG in 2018, I can confidently say that you can collect your disability while serving in the ANG. However, there are important caveats to keep in mind. Let’s break it down.

Myth 1: You Can’t Be 100% Disabled and Serve in the ANG

Fact: It is possible to have a 100% VA disability rating and still serve in the ANG, provided your medical conditions allow you to meet the physical requirements for your military duties.

Many members in my unit have a combined 100% disability rating from their time in Active Duty and have served in the ANG for decades. However, if you have been awarded Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU), you cannot serve in the ANG. TDIU is specifically granted when you’re deemed unable to work due to your service-connected disabilities, which conflicts with the ability to serve.

Myth 2: You Won’t Get Your Disability Pay While in the ANG

Fact: You will receive your VA disability pay while serving in the ANG, but there’s a catch: you must pay back the VA for every day you drill, participate in annual training, or take Active Duty orders (e.g., deployments, TDY, or attending a schoolhouse).

Here’s how it works:

• Tracking Your Active Days: At the end of the fiscal year (October 1 through September 30), the VA will send you a letter detailing the number of active days you’ve served. It’s crucial to keep track of your drill weekends and orders yourself, either on your phone or written down, to ensure the letter’s accuracy. If there are discrepancies, you can correct them with the help of your commander.

• Repaying the VA: Around April, the VA will notify you of the amount you owe, allowing you to either pay it back in full or set up a payment plan. To avoid surprises, you can calculate your debt ahead of time using the VA’s daily rate formula:

  
  

VA Daily Rate Formula: Your monthly VA payment ÷ 30 (the VA uses 30 days for all months).

For example, my monthly VA payment is $2,297.96. Dividing that by 30 gives me a daily rate of $76.60.

• Planning Ahead: To manage this, I recommend setting aside your daily rate for every day you serve in the ANG. I deposit this amount into a High Yield Savings Account so it earns interest until it’s time to repay the VA. This simple system prevents financial stress and ensures I’m prepared when the bill arrives.

  
  

• If You Can’t Pay in Full: If you don’t have the ability to pay the VA back in a lump sum because you need every penny from your drill paychecks, that’s okay! You will take on a debt with the VA, but it will be considered a non-penalizing debt as long as you have a payment plan set up. You will still be able to use your VA loan or your GI Bill while having this debt. To set up a payment plan, you’ll need to call the VA. The maximum repayment term they offer is five years.

For example, let’s say I only do my drill weekends and annual training (AT) for the year. That’s 34 days on orders. Using the above formula, that comes out to $2,604.40 of payback. I can call the VA and arrange for them to take $43.40 out of my monthly VA payment, which would pay this debt off in five years. My monthly VA pay would then go from $2,297.96 to $2,254.56.

Of course, over the years, you would likely add more debt, so it’s a good idea to pay it off earlier if possible. As someone who once owed $16,000 in back pay to the VA, I can assure you there were no negative effects on me. I was able to use my GI Bill to finish my master’s program and buy my house with my VA loan.

Key Takeaways

Don’t let these myths deter you from exploring opportunities in the ANG. With proper planning and understanding, you can continue to serve while collecting your VA disability benefits. Always verify information and consult reliable sources—your financial and professional future is worth the effort.