| Compton: Job will not change disability rating By George Compton Q. I was recently medically retired from the Army with a 50 percent disability rating. If I get a job, will my disability rating be decreased? A. You can certainly work, and your rating will not change. You should also file with the VA for the condition that ended your career and any other conditions you have from your service. One of the benefits you would have from the VA is vocational rehabilitation so you can be trained in an occupation that will not be in conflict with your disability. You need to come to this office so we can help you with other possible benefits. Q. I have a disability rating from the VA, and my wife is having medical problems. Is there any additional compensation in this case? A. Vet-erans rated 30 percent and higher can receive an additional amount of monthly compensation if the spouse is in need of aid and attendance. The amount increases as the veteran’s disability rating increases. Even with 100 percent disability, this is not a lot of money, but I am sure any additional compensation helps. If you are rated 100 percent, your wife should be receiving medical care under CHAMPVA. Q. I was recently rated 40 percent by the VA. Will that have any effect on getting a VA home loan guarantee? A. Your rating should not hinder you in getting a loan, and any veteran with a compensable rating is exempt from the funding fee. With any home loan question, I always recommend contacting CalVet first at 866-653-2507. Q. I am interested in applying for the new veterans’ home when it opens. What is the cost to be a resident? A. The home in Ventura will have residential care only, and the cost is 47.5 percent of income or $1,200 a month, whichever is less. The system has higher levels of care, and the costs rise as the levels increase. Those levels of care will be available at the Los Angeles campus. — George Compton, retired Army colonel, is the veterans service officer for the County of Ventura, Human Services Agency. Send your questions to Veterans Service Office, 1701 Pacific Ave., Suite 110, Oxnard, CA 93033; phone number: 385-6366; fax: 385-6371; or e-mail: George.Compton@ventura.org. —— MilitaryConnection.com is a portal of all things military. We have thousands of pages and hundreds of databases of valuable information and resources. There is something for everyone. All of this is provided free to users. Additionally, we feature all types of Press Releases like this one to keep you informed. We will post your press releases, special events, newsletters, professional conferences and seminars, reunions, job fairs, and videos to help organizations get out the word. One of the areas of our focus is connecting candidates from the military community with outstanding government and civilian employers. We are well aware that candidates from the military community across the board have a work ethic second to none. They make highly valued employees. MilitaryConnection.com has a multitude of employment resources including a Directory of over 30,000 employers, Job Tips, Columns, our Job Board, Virtual Job Fair and much more. We understand the importance of education. Please check out our new Scholarship Directory featuring thousands of scholarships. When the next tour is back home, it’s on MilitaryConnection.com. |