There are several circumstances in which separating from service might come to be, including a medical retirement from the military. The cost of freedom comes with many sacrifices and in some cases, warfighters may have injuries or conditions caused by service, or otherwise, that make their retirement inevitable. Transitioning to civilian life has plenty of challenges, but we’re here to help you better understand what to expect when being medically retired from the military.
How Do You Get Medically Retired from the Military?
For you to receive a medical retirement from the military (Chapter 61 retirement), you are deemed to be unfit for duty. This is determined when you have a VA disability rating of at least 30%.
If you suffer a condition causing you to become unstable, you may be put on the temporary disability retired list (TDRL) for as many as five years.
After this period, you either return to duty, are discharged, or retire. If you have a disability rating of 30% or more and stabilize, you’re put on the permanent disability retired list (PDRL).
What Happens if You Get Medically Retired from the Military?
Being medically retired from the military looks different for everyone. You may take a break, get a new career away from the military, find employment within the defense industry, focus on recovery, dive into your hobbies—the list goes on and on.
However, Veterans receive retirement benefits, which include healthcare, as well as disability and retirement compensation each month for life.
Qualifying for VA Disability Benefits in Retirement
The VA’s Physical Evaluation Board will evaluate you to determine your disability rating and whether or not you qualify for retirement or separation as part of the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES).
Besides running down a VA disability conditions list, the evaluation is also going to take into consideration how much time you’ve spent in the military. Here’s how it works:
- If you have served on active duty for under 20 years and have a 30% or higher VA disability rating, you’ll qualify for military retirement. However, if it’s a rating below the 30% threshold, you’ll be deemed fit for separation.
- If you have at least 20 years of active service, you can receive a medical retirement from the military regardless of your disability rating.
In the event you suffer a disability before serving in the American Armed Forces, you will be discharged and won’t receive any benefits. However, you might end up on either the TDRL or PDRL.
Compensation
Disability retirement pay and benefits are available once you leave the military. How much compensation you’ll receive varies from person to person but follows this formula—your retired pay base X multiplier%.
Your retired pay base will be calculated using either the final pay method or the high-36-month method. This is depending on when you began life in the military.
Your multiplier percentage can be one of two things:
- The percentage of disability assigned.
- The number of years of creditable service multiplied by 2.5%, with a limit of 75%, according to law. If you are on the TDRL, your minimum is 50%.
Keep in mind that your years of service in the retired pay percentage multiplier include all of your active duty and credited reserve points, which are divided by 360.
If you are on the TDRL or PDRL, you’re entitled to various benefits that may be a part of your compensation, so long as you are on one of the lists. These include the following:
- Access to survivor benefit plans
- Voluntary and involuntary allotments from retired pay
- VA disability compensation
- For some, combat-related special compensation or concurrent retirement and disability pay benefits may be available
TRICARE After Medical Retirement from the Military
Being medically retired from the military can affect your healthcare benefits through TRICARE. If you’re going to keep your coverage, you’ll need to be either on the TDRL or PDRL to maintain your plan.
However, you’re also going to need to enroll in a TRICARE plan to avoid a lapse in coverage. You have 90 days after a medical retirement from the military to enroll in a healthcare plan. Be sure to speak with your representative to avoid lapses in coverage.
Read next:
- Your Ultimate Veterans Benefits Guide for the VA and Much More
- The VA Disability Compensation Rates (2024) Are Here!
- The Truth About Transitioning Out of the Military & Tips for Vets
Sources:
CHAPTER 61—RETIREMENT OR SEPARATION FOR PHYSICAL DISABILITY, U.S. House of Representatives. Accessed September 2024. https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?path=/prelim@title10/subtitleA/part2/chapter61&edition=prelim
Disability Retirement, DoD. Accessed September 2024. https://militarypay.defense.gov/Pay/Retirement/Disability/Qualifying for a Disability Retirement, DFAS. Accessed September 2024.