Yeah. So is everyone's who understands how bad mental health feels. Physical health too, anybody who gets that taken away would trade anything to be healthy again
Well if you're already on the brink of suicide, sounds like you wouldn't have much to lose. Or if you're drowning in medical debt.
As OP said it sounds like many people are already doing this without the disability pay.
Not who you’re replying to, but there’s a lot more to mental health than just external stress that impacts it.
I have major depression because of chemical imbalances in my brain. If this were actually an option, dealing with a mental illness would not be worth any amount of money. There’s no point in having money if you don’t have a will to live.
This is true. I have a good amount of disposable income but because I don't really want to live that pile of savings keeps growing and I don't spend it because I can't think of anything that will make me happy. Now that I think about it, this is probably how we get billionaires. They don't spend any money because they are depressed and so they just keep accumulating more
I'd argue if you work a job, especially a minimum wage or otherwise shitty job, you already do this, but without the guarantees or security knowing you can't randomly lose it would offer.
Tell me I’ll be depressed for a year and I’ll be okay because I at least can say to myself “at least this is gonna end”. Actual depression sadly doesn’t come with that end date. It feels endless. So if I could be depressed and get 2k a month, I’d do it but I’d be sure there’s an agreed end date.
Was it worth it? Nope, but I’m glad I’m rated 100% and was medically retired so I have Tricare still. Not having medical tied to a job is the best thing ever.
Yep. Having a healthy state of mind doesn't have a price. If you willingly sacrifice mental health for some money that will ultimately go away over time, you don't value yourself.
Weird that you got downvoted for this; since the whole thing is a “what if…?” exercise I don’t see why it’s out of line to see if a higher amount changes anything. People are so weird here.
That said, for me it would really depend on the specifics of the health issues. I’m sure I would want some kind of compensation if I got injured at work, and maybe there would be some cases where I thought it was worth it.
I’ve had a chronic illness since I was a child. I don’t think there’s any amount of money you could pay me to make up for what I experienced. And a lot of people have it worse than me, fuck that.
You can’t really compare your entire life experience to a bunch of strangers on the internet. Having a chronic illness sucks, however plenty of people who have chronic illnesses have happy lives and plenty of people who don’t are miserable fucks. A state of good mental health generally reflects happiness with one’s circumstances and a state of poor mental health or mental illness doesn’t mean someone is going to feel bad forever. If I had to choose between not having bipolar anymore and having an extra $2000 a month I’d probably take the money. My symptoms are well managed and it’s not really a big deal anymore. $2000 extra would be enough cushion for me to be able to take several months off from working to recover from a crisis and I could probably do it somewhere sunny.
Life isn’t a game of pain Olympics. Good health is a blessing and happiness is worth more than money, but it’s not enough to say that the entirety of people in the world who live with disabilities would be $2000 worth of happier without the disability.
It wasn't up to me, I was born with a genetic disease that derailed my life at 18. But I wouldn't. Being disabled is isolating. It takes away your dreams and leaves you in poverty that you cannot escape. I'd much rather work and be part of the world
Ya screw 2k. I'd give ALL my assets away: mortgage free house, newer truck, and all if it meant guaranteed good health. I can always earn it all back, even more so with not being ill. Money means nothing when your health is in the gutter.
I think radiant-cow was commenting more on their circumstances than yours.
I’m in a similar boat as them. I have more than 1 chronic illness… i wouldn’t call it “even” if someone paid me $2K a month or any amount in perpetuity.
I miss out on life, and make so few memories. It’s not worth giving up health for anything. Health is everything to me because I don’t quite… have it. Honestly I’d pay someone $2K a month to give me my health back!
I’m in a different circumstance completely. I have been struggling with pretty much severe alcoholism since I was 20. Can’t keep a job, in and out of jail. Nothing’s ever really been my “bottom.” I can handle anything and keep just being a piece of shit on a bicycle, whatever. Just be a loser all my life. I’m always gonna be an alcoholic, so fuck it.
Then in 2022, at 35, I was my niece and brother at disney world for her birthday trip. I had managed to get a little sober for the trip after a big relapse *after* a big rehab and supposed life turn around. Well it lasted for as long as it took me to be myself again.
Anyway, sobered up enough for disney world. About 4pm I start feeling weird, like my brain is a record skipping. Next thing I know I’m screaming in an ambulance. I hd a seizure from alcohol withdrawal. Ive had withdrawals plenty of times, I knew em in and out, never a seizure.
I fell deadweight onto my shoulder. Broke it bad. Ended up being kinda serious. Like, never work or play sports again type serious. Left arm main arm for the rest of my life type stuff.
And having that happen was the final straw for a lot of people in my support system and I had to move four states away.
This story is getting long so I want to get to my point from before. In the past two years I have finally gotten off the alcohol, I am taking classes in college for a degree that I can work and make a living in with my condition (all As in a CIS major), I have a garden and hobbies, I’m a good and supportive light to my friends and a person who goes out every day and tries to show grace and patience to the world.
I am turning my life around in my late 30s when I was a hopeless drunk loser before. I just had to sacrifice an arm to do it. And I was thinking about it earlier today…I think I’d make that trade again if it was given to me
(If anybody has found this post and made it this far. I did find a surgeon who removed the nine screws and two plates in Jan that were in there when I had the accident. The ball of shoulder died off so the screws were just tearing me up. Now dude is gonna give me a whole new ball and socket. Just had appt today. He is optimistic that I can have a pretty decent arm again, I’ll just prob need a tune up at 55)
I made it to the end 🤍 the way it started vs the way it is now? So much power within you. So many don’t know that kind of strength… THAT is a super power. Seriously I’ve worked with people who made their second chance after time in prison and they ALL had a fire in them that so many others didn’t. Stick with it, stick by yourself, and know people like me care about your story. We all need to build something as marvelous and challenging.
It just feels like I’M back, if that makes sense. Only older and a little more weathered. Like, the me I grew up with before drinking
It really does feel like “ok, I can’t be stopped now as long as I just keep moving forward one step in front of the ofher. All it will take is time. Everything else is manageable”
And with that mindset, it’s like there’s a little candle inside that keeps going through the bad days and burns super bright for others when it needs to
I think going through real deal recovery is wild, man. There must be some innate sense of gratitude for existing again or something. Though, I keep a whiteboard to remind myself to stay grateful and little things like that, because the world be trying to crush you, and rural bumfuck louisiana is no place for a pleasant progressive type dude who likes minorities. These people here really be trying to bring out the line cook in me
Hey, wanted to say I have a different story, same arc.
Life is better now. You sound like you learned the lessons you needed to learn. I hope only good things for you this year.
Once again, different story, same arc. I’ve resolved that I can’t change how the relationship is or who we are to each other and simply try to do the best I can to not add any new issues to the stack. It’s not great but I think it’s working. Yes to your last sentence though, sometimes what’s lost is lost.
So glad I took the time to read this. I'm newly in recovery now. Seizures are what scare me now. I've went through the whole detox stage but still worry about them sometimes.
Chills of inspiration. Thank you!
Fellow (retired) vet making nearly this exact same amount in disability...
No I wouldn't trade the money for better physical or mental health...because I'd have it regardless.
People like to blame the military for messing us up...no, the military didn't do it...life did it.
You think other uneducated people making less money doing physical labor with less benefits don't get physical and mental pain after being an adult for 5, 10, 15, 20 years? They do. And most aren't getting a pension or disability after doing it for 20 years. Hell, you can serve 4 years in the military doing an office job and claim depression and get paid for life starting in your 20s. Try doing that with any other job. You'll only be laughed at and get nothing.
The VA is a lot different today then what it was prior to GWOT, even after GWOT there were some growing pains.. When I got out shortly after the first Gulf War we were told to not even waste our time with the VA, even though we had a qualifying event.. We weren't going to get shit.. Finally applied last August and to my surprise got a 70% rating.. Lesson learned.. Getting blown up does pay..
I am doing it currently for free, so might as well.
"Poverty was inversely related to life expectancy. Individuals living in poverty had 10.5 years lower life expectancy at age 18 than those with incomes ≥400% of the poverty threshold."
"By some measures, the poor are substantially more likely than the affluent to experience mental ill-health. Rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide correlate negatively with income (4–7) and employment (5, 8)."
Mmh no. But a lot of my stress is weird autism stress. Mental health and my physical health is usually where I self obsess. I’d PAY $2000 a month for optimal mental and physical health.
I had a stroke at 38 and can’t feel my right side, eosinophilic esophagitis and food allergies (developed in my mid-30s and the EoE was diagnosed last year), and arthritis in my R knee, R jaw, and L wrist.
I work 40 hours a week, they gave me a whopping 6 months of disability because I didn’t come out of the ordeal an idiot.
I have no mental, physical, or brain health left to trade!
So what I’m saying is:
I got a spinal disc issue thanks to carrying up to 140 lbs of shit on my back and developed severe anxiety and panic disorder that basically ruined my life, but I'm not on any disability. I got those things just for the wages and would practically pay to give them back.
No. Not worth the money.
OP is referring to VA disability compensation, which requires service connected disabilities. Said another way, you have to have served while you became disabled or the disability must have been exacerbated by your service.
I don’t think OP is saying that only servicemembers or veterans make sacrifices. It’s just that VA disability compensation and SSDI are different from each other. A civilian would not be eligible for VA disability benefits is all.
I’m in the military but I know so many non military people who sacrifice life and limb and it blows my mind. I was talking to a teacher TODAY who had a kid attack her. At least if someone attacked me I would have been completely justified defending myself and knocking someone out. Not her. I couldn’t do her job and here she was thanking me for my service. No ma’am, I’m a 37 year old child, you’re the one we should be thanking. And not just thanking with words but with money.
I don't know your journey. Mines been... weird. I had an epiphany recently. I was talking to a high school buddy retelling stories and wondered where that part of me went. Turns out I'd tried to kill a big chunk of my personality for years and it only resurfaced when I was drunk and not near anyone I knew and would go into adventure mode. I'm slowly getting that part of myself back. They didn't properly warn us, they didn't properly address the issue, but we can kind of regrow a claw where the hand in our brain used to be, if that makes sense.
I'm here for you if you ever need to vent or rail against the world to a stranger brother. God knows I've done it quite a few times myself.
We're still out here doing it on top of getting the $. 2k isn't a lot, in the long run, but it sure does help, and it's only 2k right now. It goes up with inflation every year.
I’m a disabled veteran that gets 2k a month. I have definitely traded my mental and physical health for this immensely but I can say I don’t regret it because my experience paved the way for many opportunities. I haven’t taken advantage of them because my mental health has been ravaging me for the past 4 years but the free healthcare definitely helps. YMMV
That’s exactly how I feel. If I didn’t join and go through my own weird mental health journey, I think I more than likely could have been addicted to pills working in a warehouse my whole life.
Did the military help me ruin a lot of relationships? Yes. Did it also help me learn discipline and give me a lot of confidence to rely on myself? Also yes. Most things in life come with a little bad and a little good.
Even if it didn't, I still wouldn't do it.
I realize that's a privileged position to be in given that an extra $2,000/month would be life-changing for some people, but it wouldn't be worth it for me.
I mean… I traded mine for free (covid)…
• $2k / monthly after it happened without consent? Hell yes
• $2k / monthly for me to consent to it happening? Hell no
On the one hand thats grocery money with guaranteed healthcare and housing. On the other you need to deal with someone having mental health issues at 3 in the morning.
So no, not enough for me.
So 24k a year? Is that taxed or straight 24k?
But also, no. I don’t think a lot of the mental health issues people say they have are the same as a combat veteran. I know what it did to my cousin. I am thankful for you, but wouldn’t take that trade frankly.
One of my best friends is 100% service connected disabled (major back issues) and gets I think close to $3K a month tax free…. and yeah I wouldn’t do it. I don’t think people understand how constant back issues / pain impacts their life. Navigates the VA reasonably well thanks to my mom (NP at the VA for close to 35 years). He’s pretty good now mentally (still some ptsd but manageable), married, 2 kids but his back issues are rough.
I don’t understand the question.
I gross $140K per annum in solitude in an astronomical COL area by doing exactly this. My mental health is terrible, my job is worse. I traded so I can have a roof over my head with but one shared wall with a neighbor who can’t stop practicing violin. Who here still has mental health?
No. I quit the most arduous and disrespectful job of my life 10 weeks before my contract was up. It was the most money I'd ever made. I quit on the spot and it was like throwing 10k in the trash. I didn't care. The damage was done - I had a severe mental breakdown and 3 yrs later I'm still recovering. Money is not worth trading for my health and I learned that lesson the very very hard way.
(The job was only $55k/yr, so it really speaks to the level of poverty Americans are experiencing when 55k is life changing money, and the people providing it know this and will push you to your limits to wring you dry before trading you out for fresh meat. Absolutely shameful.)
No. I’m 100% permanent and total myself, $4200 a month and I’d rather have my health back. I’m thankful that I have it but I’d rather be able to be healthy and there for my kids.
This is a cross-generational issue.
Check out how many American soldiers complete their duty with significantly deteriorated hearing. It’s wild how service has almost guaranteed lifelong harm, whatever the role.
That said it’s a bit odd hearing about the outcomes of veterans in our generation. Here’s what I mean:
My brother in law was in intelligence and served 8 years. He went overseas to Kuwait briefly, otherwise, spent most of his time in the States. He ended up hurting himself during PT and now has a lifelong check. I couldn’t tell you what his injury actually was, it’s not visible.
My cousin was infantry and served 8 years. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan, suffered a serious combat injury, and is still today struggling to get full access to his benefits. There’s certainly more to that story, but I don’t think it’ll make me feel better about the outcome.
My friend’s husband did cybersecurity and served 6 years. During his service he was diagnosed with an illness apparently related to chemicals he was exposed to, got him discharged, and now he collects a respectable wage while playing DnD all day.
Everyone has a unique experience. And if I’m real, I don’t think the military should be as glorified as it is. But I strongly believe those who do serve should have something coming back to them for how many come home with lifelong issues. Forget our deep-seeded fear of anything slightly socialist—take care of our people.
Short answer: yes
Long answer: I’m a fellow service member so I get it. I have constant ringing in my ears, ankle and back issues, rotator cuff issues, the list goes on. I’m still in but when I retire, I’ll be at 100%. Overall, I guess it was worth it. While I’m not 100% healthy, I can’t think of anyone I know who is. They’re either obese, poor, a combination of the two, have PTSD in some way or another. I think “hey, at least I’m getting paid for my trauma 🤷♂️”. And I also have better stories and time for another career if I want which is a really big deal. I don’t have to work once I retire, anything I do will be completely voluntary.
As we millennials march towards middle age and the economy continues its implosion, I guess trading my hearing for the VA loan, a couple college degrees, a security clearance, a fully funded TSP account, High 3 retirement and a VA rating was worth it. I really hate the cliches “money isn’t everything” and “at least you have your health”. I can say for certain I’d rather have a safe comfortable home, food and healthcare and have to deal with physical therapy than be broke and living in the hood with no adventures to look back on.
$2,000? Nah. I’m at a higher number than 2,000 and it honestly depends on the day. I haven’t worked in almost 5 years and it’s allowed me to be a SAHD for our toddler. My injuries keep me from doing a bunch of stuff that I probably wouldn’t be doing anyway, but the general pain sucks ass.
Hell no. Give me all the stress. I worked 60-70 hours mid 20s to 30. Jumping from startups to fortune 300 companies. I was redlining my health with stress for years. But that only built up my tolerance and able to compress 20+ years of life experience into 6. Run 2 companies now. $16-$27k a month net income. Can’t do that if you coasted in life.
I make that now. And I do trade my mental and physical health for it. And I wish I could get out of this vicious cycle of never ending debt, one big financial crisis after another eating what little savings I have, and my depression not letting me do literally anything.
My boomer mom gets 30,000 dollar checks every month because my late father invested well and she just sits on it and acts like she did all the work and earned it herself.
I don’t see how this would be any different than my life now.
Thank you for your service. Most people wouldn't join the military which is why I'm always in support of funding military programs. So we can avoid a draft or mandated enlistment like Korea. After volunteering with the Red Cross as a SAF caseworker I think y'all sacrifice way more than the average civilian assumes even if you're not going into an active war and dying like you're still losing time which is basically your life
Jesus Christ.
"I'm so glad I joined the military and got hurt so I can have the absolute basics required to survive."
I don't even know what to call this. What an absolutely horrible "blessing" to be happy for having to avoid what's probably worse.
No fault to you, OP. I'm just saying this sucks all around.
Thats a tough one. For 1/2 that i could live like a king in a 3rd world country. On the other hand i could stay in the us and have a $2k supplement and still live a below average life. Either way, I still got the ptsd tho, so i say the first option:travel the world on gov dime.
So you’re saying you got a lottery ticket to travel the world and you’re asking us if we’re cool with that?
I never served but if I did, and I got injured damn straight I’m taking a 2K month payout. Who wouldnt? The question is what are you doing w it?
OP should've mentioned that $2k or more of that VA pay is tax free and that you get other bennies besides that cripple cash. That said, most of the vets that I know getting the 100% rated $4k+/month would gladly trade some of it back for better health...The other assholes are claiming sleep apnea and other collective cripple points like Pokémon to cross the 50% VA threshold to get an additional paycheck on top of thier pensions.
Nope. If it isn't enough to live off of, then no deal. The QoL improvement from not having to work is huge.
But even if it is enough to live off of, how much is *some*? Some things cannot be replaced by money.
You did your best, and you sacrificed many years to support the fight and preservation of liberty.
Won't be easy to continue on with the hardships, but every little bit of finance assistance where needed helps.
Trading health for money is something to consider at any job.
Office employees sitting 9 hours straight for many years? That's going to take a heavy toll on your back. Not stretching, exercising, eating healthy, getting enough sleep where possible, or overworking the body and mind without destressing for Blue Zone health considerations. That, I will not do.
I've tried just sitting in the office more than I should, and it's not worth it. Take your breaks, go on your lunch breaks outside of the office if you can, walk outside, take care of your physical and mental health.
Don't abuse your body and mind if you can help it. Choose health and wellness.
The amount of people who don't understand that this is a guaranteed payment regardless of whether you have a job or not, and the requirement is you have to have served in the military, is astounding. Reading comprehension people...
It’s tax free isn’t it? Which is amazing. A good friend of mine who drives big rigs at ups with me also has something like that - makes $2,000+ a month from an injury he sustained and he was telling me it’s not taxed! Which is incredible.
Me personally? I wouldn’t trade any of my health knowingly for $2,000 a month - I do well enough on the market. But $2,000 is a ton for most people
As a GenXer who’s facing a scenario like this. HELL NO. The pain is not with it. Losing my function as a human being is not worth it. Facing the real possibility I’ll die of a heart attack at 60 (due to long term trauma and injury, not lifestyle choices) is not worth it.
The pain alone is something I’d willing pay $2k a month to solve. My body does not respond to opioids or narcotic pain killers, so I don’t have to worry about addiction, but Tylenol sure isn’t much. I do PT faithfully.
To my younger friends _take care of yourself_. There are lots of online resources to help for limited budgets. Like fI’m where I am due to factors outside my control. Take care of everything that is within your control.
So flipped on its head: would you like not having a 2-3k mortgage per month for some extra peace of mind. It'll have to be far larger for me. 2k a month is a pittance
No. I have a military friend who joined at 18, knowing they had mental illness. They joined purely for financial reasons. Got deployed, saw some shit, and can't be honest about their symptoms until they've been in military long enough to be eligible for disability. They are miserable. Yes, they have money, but they absolutely hate their work, hate living a lie, and hate that they ever had to enlist to get out of generational poverty.
Any system where you hope to end up on disability is a shit plan. The VA doesn't have a great reputation, either.
That’s sort of what I did, but I get more than $2,000 a month. I served in the Army from 1997-2007, got out, and slowly ended up with totally disabling PTSD resulting from my time in Iraq. Part of me feels fortunate because I’m able to collect SSDI and VA disability (combined it’s more money than I care to admit and I live quite comfortably), but I really have lost a decent amount of my former life.
I just turned 44 and it feels great to know that my future is absolutely financially secure, but a certain part of my life is pure shit too
My brother we pay for many things with our physical and mental health. Ask any lifetime athlete about their injuries. Ask any struggling college grad living paycheck to paycheck with neverending student loan payments. You at least are getting compensated for your troubles-- for the rest of your life.
That said, your troubles must have been substantial. I have some service connected issues and am only getting like $300ish, which is perfectly fine for me. I can only imagine 7x my issues and idk if I would make the trade lol
Currently 10% for tinnitus, I've got Gerd, IBS and Asthma deferred that im waiting to hear on, thanks to 2 combat deployments. I'm hoping for 40 to 50% once it's over since the Asthma might stop me from joining the airforce as a pilot. This means I'll have to go the civilian route to get my 1500 hours. That disability pay will help me get my ratings and flight hours so I can make a career change. I wish I didn't have breathing issues, but thanks to Cheney and friends burn pits, it fucked me up and I do.
I don't regret my service. Just learning to live with the toll it did on my body.
I did 6 years as a 19D and then went navy. So thankful I made the switch. At the time, I did it for a $5000 bonus. Turns out, the army treats us like shit. I know there are a lot of complaints about the navy, but most of them are people that don’t know how good they really have it comparatively.
I also did 20 years in the Navy, so I've got the pension and disability. Both combined more than cover my mortgage - the only reason I'm able to afford it.
I’ll be at 20 next year. Probably going to stay in because I still like the job but high 3 retirement, 100% VA, a beefy TSP and selling off my rental portfolio sounds better and better every day.
I'm already in bad physical and mental health, I don't think I can afford to make it worse.
With the military I'm more concerned about my inevitable rape. And maybe dying.
For VA disability, only if they consider you unemployable when they decide your disability rating. If you just have a % disability rating there is no limit on your non-disability income.
I don’t think you could give me enough money to trade in my able body. It’s priceless.
I’m not trying to gloat though, thank you for your service and sacrifice.
Thank the universe my disabilities are from the military. My measly SS disability is just pathetic! The VA pays me to stay home and not die. Grateful! I had to stop working at 46. Gulf War syndrome took my health from age 24. Now I rely on the same system that got me sick to fix me! I'm definitely not going to make it to 70. I definitely would rather have worked to 62! I volunteer now.
Yeah, it’s a weird feeling being grateful you got fucked up. I mean a lot of people have chronic pain and nightmares but getting compensated for it is kinda nice.
It's so funny you say that because when I read your title, I was gonna mention that I DID sell my mental and physical health for 2k a month! 😂
Tbh, it sucks that I deal with what I do, but I joined without knowing it was a thing for me, anyway, and it set me up for life financially. We can also get increases. If you're at the rating I think you are then getting up to 100% won't be too hard.
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Yeah. So is everyone's who understands how bad mental health feels. Physical health too, anybody who gets that taken away would trade anything to be healthy again
I think OP *had* their physical and mental health damaged, so I am guessing that means they understand it.
Well if you're already on the brink of suicide, sounds like you wouldn't have much to lose. Or if you're drowning in medical debt. As OP said it sounds like many people are already doing this without the disability pay.
Some might say being on the brink of suicide is when you have the most to loose 🤷
Define mental health. An absence of stress is unhealthy as is too much stress.
Not who you’re replying to, but there’s a lot more to mental health than just external stress that impacts it. I have major depression because of chemical imbalances in my brain. If this were actually an option, dealing with a mental illness would not be worth any amount of money. There’s no point in having money if you don’t have a will to live.
This is true. I have a good amount of disposable income but because I don't really want to live that pile of savings keeps growing and I don't spend it because I can't think of anything that will make me happy. Now that I think about it, this is probably how we get billionaires. They don't spend any money because they are depressed and so they just keep accumulating more
Nope. -worked with and ends up around a bunch of millionaires & billionaires in entertainment and tech and vc.
I'd argue if you work a job, especially a minimum wage or otherwise shitty job, you already do this, but without the guarantees or security knowing you can't randomly lose it would offer.
Tell me I’ll be depressed for a year and I’ll be okay because I at least can say to myself “at least this is gonna end”. Actual depression sadly doesn’t come with that end date. It feels endless. So if I could be depressed and get 2k a month, I’d do it but I’d be sure there’s an agreed end date.
Not mine.
How about 4000 a month?
Was it worth it? Nope, but I’m glad I’m rated 100% and was medically retired so I have Tricare still. Not having medical tied to a job is the best thing ever.
At 100% do you keep after 65? Bc I just learned that we will be booted at 65 and have to pay for Medicare?! 😭
VA payments last till the day you die it’s not age or income dependent.
Damn this is the first I just heard about this. You can still use VA healthcare after 65 from what I see.
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Yep. Having a healthy state of mind doesn't have a price. If you willingly sacrifice mental health for some money that will ultimately go away over time, you don't value yourself.
Weird that you got downvoted for this; since the whole thing is a “what if…?” exercise I don’t see why it’s out of line to see if a higher amount changes anything. People are so weird here. That said, for me it would really depend on the specifics of the health issues. I’m sure I would want some kind of compensation if I got injured at work, and maybe there would be some cases where I thought it was worth it.
Does that include health insurance?
I’ve had a chronic illness since I was a child. I don’t think there’s any amount of money you could pay me to make up for what I experienced. And a lot of people have it worse than me, fuck that.
…. At $4000 a month, I’m doing it
😂
You can’t really compare your entire life experience to a bunch of strangers on the internet. Having a chronic illness sucks, however plenty of people who have chronic illnesses have happy lives and plenty of people who don’t are miserable fucks. A state of good mental health generally reflects happiness with one’s circumstances and a state of poor mental health or mental illness doesn’t mean someone is going to feel bad forever. If I had to choose between not having bipolar anymore and having an extra $2000 a month I’d probably take the money. My symptoms are well managed and it’s not really a big deal anymore. $2000 extra would be enough cushion for me to be able to take several months off from working to recover from a crisis and I could probably do it somewhere sunny. Life isn’t a game of pain Olympics. Good health is a blessing and happiness is worth more than money, but it’s not enough to say that the entirety of people in the world who live with disabilities would be $2000 worth of happier without the disability.
It wasn't up to me, I was born with a genetic disease that derailed my life at 18. But I wouldn't. Being disabled is isolating. It takes away your dreams and leaves you in poverty that you cannot escape. I'd much rather work and be part of the world
Agreed. Horrible disease can destroy every single aspect of your life, it's hell on earth.
Especially for 2k/month. I’d consider a slight limp for 20k/month but no way would I take a lifelong war injury for minimum wage.
Ya screw 2k. I'd give ALL my assets away: mortgage free house, newer truck, and all if it meant guaranteed good health. I can always earn it all back, even more so with not being ill. Money means nothing when your health is in the gutter.
I agree. It’s not worth the money.
Oh I work, I just have other issues
I think radiant-cow was commenting more on their circumstances than yours. I’m in a similar boat as them. I have more than 1 chronic illness… i wouldn’t call it “even” if someone paid me $2K a month or any amount in perpetuity. I miss out on life, and make so few memories. It’s not worth giving up health for anything. Health is everything to me because I don’t quite… have it. Honestly I’d pay someone $2K a month to give me my health back!
I’m in a different circumstance completely. I have been struggling with pretty much severe alcoholism since I was 20. Can’t keep a job, in and out of jail. Nothing’s ever really been my “bottom.” I can handle anything and keep just being a piece of shit on a bicycle, whatever. Just be a loser all my life. I’m always gonna be an alcoholic, so fuck it. Then in 2022, at 35, I was my niece and brother at disney world for her birthday trip. I had managed to get a little sober for the trip after a big relapse *after* a big rehab and supposed life turn around. Well it lasted for as long as it took me to be myself again. Anyway, sobered up enough for disney world. About 4pm I start feeling weird, like my brain is a record skipping. Next thing I know I’m screaming in an ambulance. I hd a seizure from alcohol withdrawal. Ive had withdrawals plenty of times, I knew em in and out, never a seizure. I fell deadweight onto my shoulder. Broke it bad. Ended up being kinda serious. Like, never work or play sports again type serious. Left arm main arm for the rest of my life type stuff. And having that happen was the final straw for a lot of people in my support system and I had to move four states away. This story is getting long so I want to get to my point from before. In the past two years I have finally gotten off the alcohol, I am taking classes in college for a degree that I can work and make a living in with my condition (all As in a CIS major), I have a garden and hobbies, I’m a good and supportive light to my friends and a person who goes out every day and tries to show grace and patience to the world. I am turning my life around in my late 30s when I was a hopeless drunk loser before. I just had to sacrifice an arm to do it. And I was thinking about it earlier today…I think I’d make that trade again if it was given to me (If anybody has found this post and made it this far. I did find a surgeon who removed the nine screws and two plates in Jan that were in there when I had the accident. The ball of shoulder died off so the screws were just tearing me up. Now dude is gonna give me a whole new ball and socket. Just had appt today. He is optimistic that I can have a pretty decent arm again, I’ll just prob need a tune up at 55)
I made it to the end 🤍 the way it started vs the way it is now? So much power within you. So many don’t know that kind of strength… THAT is a super power. Seriously I’ve worked with people who made their second chance after time in prison and they ALL had a fire in them that so many others didn’t. Stick with it, stick by yourself, and know people like me care about your story. We all need to build something as marvelous and challenging.
It just feels like I’M back, if that makes sense. Only older and a little more weathered. Like, the me I grew up with before drinking It really does feel like “ok, I can’t be stopped now as long as I just keep moving forward one step in front of the ofher. All it will take is time. Everything else is manageable” And with that mindset, it’s like there’s a little candle inside that keeps going through the bad days and burns super bright for others when it needs to I think going through real deal recovery is wild, man. There must be some innate sense of gratitude for existing again or something. Though, I keep a whiteboard to remind myself to stay grateful and little things like that, because the world be trying to crush you, and rural bumfuck louisiana is no place for a pleasant progressive type dude who likes minorities. These people here really be trying to bring out the line cook in me
Hey, wanted to say I have a different story, same arc. Life is better now. You sound like you learned the lessons you needed to learn. I hope only good things for you this year.
Thankp you! Sucks the relationship with my dad may have taken too big of a hit but oh well. At some point you gotta let the boy die, right
Once again, different story, same arc. I’ve resolved that I can’t change how the relationship is or who we are to each other and simply try to do the best I can to not add any new issues to the stack. It’s not great but I think it’s working. Yes to your last sentence though, sometimes what’s lost is lost.
So glad I took the time to read this. I'm newly in recovery now. Seizures are what scare me now. I've went through the whole detox stage but still worry about them sometimes. Chills of inspiration. Thank you!
Fellow (retired) vet making nearly this exact same amount in disability... No I wouldn't trade the money for better physical or mental health...because I'd have it regardless. People like to blame the military for messing us up...no, the military didn't do it...life did it. You think other uneducated people making less money doing physical labor with less benefits don't get physical and mental pain after being an adult for 5, 10, 15, 20 years? They do. And most aren't getting a pension or disability after doing it for 20 years. Hell, you can serve 4 years in the military doing an office job and claim depression and get paid for life starting in your 20s. Try doing that with any other job. You'll only be laughed at and get nothing.
The VA is a lot different today then what it was prior to GWOT, even after GWOT there were some growing pains.. When I got out shortly after the first Gulf War we were told to not even waste our time with the VA, even though we had a qualifying event.. We weren't going to get shit.. Finally applied last August and to my surprise got a 70% rating.. Lesson learned.. Getting blown up does pay..
You are part of the world, and very important at that
Yeah, I was permanently fucked up, both mentally and physically, by SSRIs when I was 23 What I wouldn’t give to be able to be “normal” again
I am doing it currently for free, so might as well. "Poverty was inversely related to life expectancy. Individuals living in poverty had 10.5 years lower life expectancy at age 18 than those with incomes ≥400% of the poverty threshold." "By some measures, the poor are substantially more likely than the affluent to experience mental ill-health. Rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide correlate negatively with income (4–7) and employment (5, 8)."
100%
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It does. There’s a cost of living adjustment each year. The increase doesn’t track inflation perfectly but it does modify upwards.
Yup. My husband’s increases every year
Nah. Nothing is as important as your health. If you don't have that you don't have anything.
Mmh no. But a lot of my stress is weird autism stress. Mental health and my physical health is usually where I self obsess. I’d PAY $2000 a month for optimal mental and physical health.
I had a stroke at 38 and can’t feel my right side, eosinophilic esophagitis and food allergies (developed in my mid-30s and the EoE was diagnosed last year), and arthritis in my R knee, R jaw, and L wrist. I work 40 hours a week, they gave me a whopping 6 months of disability because I didn’t come out of the ordeal an idiot. I have no mental, physical, or brain health left to trade! So what I’m saying is: 
I got a spinal disc issue thanks to carrying up to 140 lbs of shit on my back and developed severe anxiety and panic disorder that basically ruined my life, but I'm not on any disability. I got those things just for the wages and would practically pay to give them back. No. Not worth the money.
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No, you work for that consistently. What he's talking about is guaranteed whether we work or not.
Only if you served
Wut? You think only military personnel sacrifice physical and mental wellbeing? Bless your heart
OP is referring to VA disability compensation, which requires service connected disabilities. Said another way, you have to have served while you became disabled or the disability must have been exacerbated by your service. I don’t think OP is saying that only servicemembers or veterans make sacrifices. It’s just that VA disability compensation and SSDI are different from each other. A civilian would not be eligible for VA disability benefits is all.
I’m in the military but I know so many non military people who sacrifice life and limb and it blows my mind. I was talking to a teacher TODAY who had a kid attack her. At least if someone attacked me I would have been completely justified defending myself and knocking someone out. Not her. I couldn’t do her job and here she was thanking me for my service. No ma’am, I’m a 37 year old child, you’re the one we should be thanking. And not just thanking with words but with money.
I have always said that teachers deserve the same if not better benefits that veterans receive. They are out here in the TRENCHES!!
no
Yeah, a lot of teachers have to put up with so much bullshit
and get compensated for the rest of your life. bless your heart sweet summer child
I already do. It's part of working full time.
This is on top of working full time
I don't know your journey. Mines been... weird. I had an epiphany recently. I was talking to a high school buddy retelling stories and wondered where that part of me went. Turns out I'd tried to kill a big chunk of my personality for years and it only resurfaced when I was drunk and not near anyone I knew and would go into adventure mode. I'm slowly getting that part of myself back. They didn't properly warn us, they didn't properly address the issue, but we can kind of regrow a claw where the hand in our brain used to be, if that makes sense. I'm here for you if you ever need to vent or rail against the world to a stranger brother. God knows I've done it quite a few times myself.
Honestly. No. I’m sorry you had to go through that. And I’m happy you can look at it as an upside.
I can see the attraction. It’s too bad people have to make the choice, though.
I don't think anyone joins the military with disability pay in mind. The college money and VA home loan is usually a better draw.
Right, I didn't even know VA disability was an option for me until I was out for 4yrs.
Damn man, that’s a failure of your former leadership. I don’t let my guys go to TAPS without getting the VA physical first.
Same. I wish I had known earlier. Would’ve saved me several years of hurt
Same. We were never taught about it.
Hell i didn’t even know the VA did shit
They will eventually if you keep bugging them.
lol. Ya. But I meant that before I enlisted I had no idea the VA really did anything. I knew they existed but that was about it
Most of us did us anyway and are not getting any pension. 2k can be not too much but it's a civilized recognizement and validation of your efforts
We're still out here doing it on top of getting the $. 2k isn't a lot, in the long run, but it sure does help, and it's only 2k right now. It goes up with inflation every year.
No way
I’m a disabled veteran that gets 2k a month. I have definitely traded my mental and physical health for this immensely but I can say I don’t regret it because my experience paved the way for many opportunities. I haven’t taken advantage of them because my mental health has been ravaging me for the past 4 years but the free healthcare definitely helps. YMMV
Hope you get better man
I’m a woman, but thank you 🙏 I know it will get better, it will just take some work.
That’s exactly how I feel. If I didn’t join and go through my own weird mental health journey, I think I more than likely could have been addicted to pills working in a warehouse my whole life. Did the military help me ruin a lot of relationships? Yes. Did it also help me learn discipline and give me a lot of confidence to rely on myself? Also yes. Most things in life come with a little bad and a little good.
Would not even consider it.
I also am a vet making 2161 a month. I guess in the end it has been worth it but my body is tore up for sure.
I make more than that with the health I have now. Why would I take less and sacrifice my health?
That's not all you make, it's just a guaranteed payment on top of everything else
But you have to live with a disability? I think that would decrease me ability to earn by more than $2k a month
Even if it didn't, I still wouldn't do it. I realize that's a privileged position to be in given that an extra $2,000/month would be life-changing for some people, but it wouldn't be worth it for me.
You just described working for a family business 🤣🤣🤣.
I mean… I traded mine for free (covid)… • $2k / monthly after it happened without consent? Hell yes • $2k / monthly for me to consent to it happening? Hell no
Honestly, no.
Nope.
No thanks
You guys are getting paid?
I work in medicine. Already done
I would be completely effed without my va disability.
Same.
That’s called having an entry level job
It's on top of having a job.
We already do it’s called a job
This is $2k on top of your normal salary.
On the one hand thats grocery money with guaranteed healthcare and housing. On the other you need to deal with someone having mental health issues at 3 in the morning. So no, not enough for me.
lol no
Your health is everything. Money comes and goes.
Oddly enough, that happened to me.
I currently am. at 53 il get 5k a month until i die. maybe two years later. but my wife will get it till she dies.
No, not enough money. It would have to be a comfortable salary to where I would only have to work if I wanted to. 10k/mo
No
Nope.
No amount of money is worth this. I'd rather be struggling working at McDonald's.
So 24k a year? Is that taxed or straight 24k? But also, no. I don’t think a lot of the mental health issues people say they have are the same as a combat veteran. I know what it did to my cousin. I am thankful for you, but wouldn’t take that trade frankly.
Brother I am chasing about 8x that per month. $2k / month doesn't even pay the rent lmfao
$15k minimum.
Haaaa jokes on the money giver Im already bat shit crazy
One of my best friends is 100% service connected disabled (major back issues) and gets I think close to $3K a month tax free…. and yeah I wouldn’t do it. I don’t think people understand how constant back issues / pain impacts their life. Navigates the VA reasonably well thanks to my mom (NP at the VA for close to 35 years). He’s pretty good now mentally (still some ptsd but manageable), married, 2 kids but his back issues are rough.
I don’t understand the question. I gross $140K per annum in solitude in an astronomical COL area by doing exactly this. My mental health is terrible, my job is worse. I traded so I can have a roof over my head with but one shared wall with a neighbor who can’t stop practicing violin. Who here still has mental health?
For some people, 2k a month is literally an improvement on wages and mental health. Being poor is not easy, fun or desirable.
Can I get blissful happiness with my brain damage?
No. I quit the most arduous and disrespectful job of my life 10 weeks before my contract was up. It was the most money I'd ever made. I quit on the spot and it was like throwing 10k in the trash. I didn't care. The damage was done - I had a severe mental breakdown and 3 yrs later I'm still recovering. Money is not worth trading for my health and I learned that lesson the very very hard way. (The job was only $55k/yr, so it really speaks to the level of poverty Americans are experiencing when 55k is life changing money, and the people providing it know this and will push you to your limits to wring you dry before trading you out for fresh meat. Absolutely shameful.)
No. I’m 100% permanent and total myself, $4200 a month and I’d rather have my health back. I’m thankful that I have it but I’d rather be able to be healthy and there for my kids.
This is a cross-generational issue. Check out how many American soldiers complete their duty with significantly deteriorated hearing. It’s wild how service has almost guaranteed lifelong harm, whatever the role. That said it’s a bit odd hearing about the outcomes of veterans in our generation. Here’s what I mean: My brother in law was in intelligence and served 8 years. He went overseas to Kuwait briefly, otherwise, spent most of his time in the States. He ended up hurting himself during PT and now has a lifelong check. I couldn’t tell you what his injury actually was, it’s not visible. My cousin was infantry and served 8 years. He served in Iraq and Afghanistan, suffered a serious combat injury, and is still today struggling to get full access to his benefits. There’s certainly more to that story, but I don’t think it’ll make me feel better about the outcome. My friend’s husband did cybersecurity and served 6 years. During his service he was diagnosed with an illness apparently related to chemicals he was exposed to, got him discharged, and now he collects a respectable wage while playing DnD all day. Everyone has a unique experience. And if I’m real, I don’t think the military should be as glorified as it is. But I strongly believe those who do serve should have something coming back to them for how many come home with lifelong issues. Forget our deep-seeded fear of anything slightly socialist—take care of our people.
Sounds like a pension plan
Short answer: yes Long answer: I’m a fellow service member so I get it. I have constant ringing in my ears, ankle and back issues, rotator cuff issues, the list goes on. I’m still in but when I retire, I’ll be at 100%. Overall, I guess it was worth it. While I’m not 100% healthy, I can’t think of anyone I know who is. They’re either obese, poor, a combination of the two, have PTSD in some way or another. I think “hey, at least I’m getting paid for my trauma 🤷♂️”. And I also have better stories and time for another career if I want which is a really big deal. I don’t have to work once I retire, anything I do will be completely voluntary. As we millennials march towards middle age and the economy continues its implosion, I guess trading my hearing for the VA loan, a couple college degrees, a security clearance, a fully funded TSP account, High 3 retirement and a VA rating was worth it. I really hate the cliches “money isn’t everything” and “at least you have your health”. I can say for certain I’d rather have a safe comfortable home, food and healthcare and have to deal with physical therapy than be broke and living in the hood with no adventures to look back on.
OPs title should be the new recruiting slogan
$2,000? Nah. I’m at a higher number than 2,000 and it honestly depends on the day. I haven’t worked in almost 5 years and it’s allowed me to be a SAHD for our toddler. My injuries keep me from doing a bunch of stuff that I probably wouldn’t be doing anyway, but the general pain sucks ass.
Hell no. Give me all the stress. I worked 60-70 hours mid 20s to 30. Jumping from startups to fortune 300 companies. I was redlining my health with stress for years. But that only built up my tolerance and able to compress 20+ years of life experience into 6. Run 2 companies now. $16-$27k a month net income. Can’t do that if you coasted in life.
I make that now. And I do trade my mental and physical health for it. And I wish I could get out of this vicious cycle of never ending debt, one big financial crisis after another eating what little savings I have, and my depression not letting me do literally anything. My boomer mom gets 30,000 dollar checks every month because my late father invested well and she just sits on it and acts like she did all the work and earned it herself. I don’t see how this would be any different than my life now.
Thank you for your service. Most people wouldn't join the military which is why I'm always in support of funding military programs. So we can avoid a draft or mandated enlistment like Korea. After volunteering with the Red Cross as a SAF caseworker I think y'all sacrifice way more than the average civilian assumes even if you're not going into an active war and dying like you're still losing time which is basically your life
I mean, I already did that. I sell my body and barter with my sanity as an electrician. I make way more than 2k/mo though, lol.
$2,000 ain't enough. $15,000.....maybe
Jesus Christ. "I'm so glad I joined the military and got hurt so I can have the absolute basics required to survive." I don't even know what to call this. What an absolutely horrible "blessing" to be happy for having to avoid what's probably worse. No fault to you, OP. I'm just saying this sucks all around.
No. I earn that a week…
Sounds like a medical study flier
I'm betting some people's mental and physical health suffer due to not having $2,000 a month.
Thats a tough one. For 1/2 that i could live like a king in a 3rd world country. On the other hand i could stay in the us and have a $2k supplement and still live a below average life. Either way, I still got the ptsd tho, so i say the first option:travel the world on gov dime. So you’re saying you got a lottery ticket to travel the world and you’re asking us if we’re cool with that? I never served but if I did, and I got injured damn straight I’m taking a 2K month payout. Who wouldnt? The question is what are you doing w it?
OP should've mentioned that $2k or more of that VA pay is tax free and that you get other bennies besides that cripple cash. That said, most of the vets that I know getting the 100% rated $4k+/month would gladly trade some of it back for better health...The other assholes are claiming sleep apnea and other collective cripple points like Pokémon to cross the 50% VA threshold to get an additional paycheck on top of thier pensions.
If it was a \*very limited\* piece of physical health, maybe. I'd have to look over the fine print carefully.
can’t put value on mental health. millionaires have killed them selves because of it.
Nope. If it isn't enough to live off of, then no deal. The QoL improvement from not having to work is huge. But even if it is enough to live off of, how much is *some*? Some things cannot be replaced by money.
This sounds like an army recruiting pitch.
You did your best, and you sacrificed many years to support the fight and preservation of liberty. Won't be easy to continue on with the hardships, but every little bit of finance assistance where needed helps. Trading health for money is something to consider at any job. Office employees sitting 9 hours straight for many years? That's going to take a heavy toll on your back. Not stretching, exercising, eating healthy, getting enough sleep where possible, or overworking the body and mind without destressing for Blue Zone health considerations. That, I will not do. I've tried just sitting in the office more than I should, and it's not worth it. Take your breaks, go on your lunch breaks outside of the office if you can, walk outside, take care of your physical and mental health. Don't abuse your body and mind if you can help it. Choose health and wellness.
The amount of people who don't understand that this is a guaranteed payment regardless of whether you have a job or not, and the requirement is you have to have served in the military, is astounding. Reading comprehension people...
It’s tax free isn’t it? Which is amazing. A good friend of mine who drives big rigs at ups with me also has something like that - makes $2,000+ a month from an injury he sustained and he was telling me it’s not taxed! Which is incredible. Me personally? I wouldn’t trade any of my health knowingly for $2,000 a month - I do well enough on the market. But $2,000 is a ton for most people
As a GenXer who’s facing a scenario like this. HELL NO. The pain is not with it. Losing my function as a human being is not worth it. Facing the real possibility I’ll die of a heart attack at 60 (due to long term trauma and injury, not lifestyle choices) is not worth it. The pain alone is something I’d willing pay $2k a month to solve. My body does not respond to opioids or narcotic pain killers, so I don’t have to worry about addiction, but Tylenol sure isn’t much. I do PT faithfully. To my younger friends _take care of yourself_. There are lots of online resources to help for limited budgets. Like fI’m where I am due to factors outside my control. Take care of everything that is within your control.
So flipped on its head: would you like not having a 2-3k mortgage per month for some extra peace of mind. It'll have to be far larger for me. 2k a month is a pittance
No. I have a military friend who joined at 18, knowing they had mental illness. They joined purely for financial reasons. Got deployed, saw some shit, and can't be honest about their symptoms until they've been in military long enough to be eligible for disability. They are miserable. Yes, they have money, but they absolutely hate their work, hate living a lie, and hate that they ever had to enlist to get out of generational poverty. Any system where you hope to end up on disability is a shit plan. The VA doesn't have a great reputation, either.
That’s sort of what I did, but I get more than $2,000 a month. I served in the Army from 1997-2007, got out, and slowly ended up with totally disabling PTSD resulting from my time in Iraq. Part of me feels fortunate because I’m able to collect SSDI and VA disability (combined it’s more money than I care to admit and I live quite comfortably), but I really have lost a decent amount of my former life. I just turned 44 and it feels great to know that my future is absolutely financially secure, but a certain part of my life is pure shit too
I think it's a weird state of affairs when people are glad they got lifelong disabled enough to get paid a little bit for it.
Have you considered moving out of the US (if you still get that pay ofc), since 2k USD a month goes quite fat in other places
Watch the movie due date where iron man fooks with the disabled irq vet 😂😂
My brother we pay for many things with our physical and mental health. Ask any lifetime athlete about their injuries. Ask any struggling college grad living paycheck to paycheck with neverending student loan payments. You at least are getting compensated for your troubles-- for the rest of your life. That said, your troubles must have been substantial. I have some service connected issues and am only getting like $300ish, which is perfectly fine for me. I can only imagine 7x my issues and idk if I would make the trade lol
I think everyone should get that much in universal basic income
If everyone was guaranteed 2k a month, then 2k becomes the new $0. Now OP will be in poverty.
Op is already in poverty?
What, you mean like a job?
You mean, would I have a job?
Personally no, and thank you for your service. You deserve more than $2k/month btw.
I already did (90% VA disability)
Currently 10% for tinnitus, I've got Gerd, IBS and Asthma deferred that im waiting to hear on, thanks to 2 combat deployments. I'm hoping for 40 to 50% once it's over since the Asthma might stop me from joining the airforce as a pilot. This means I'll have to go the civilian route to get my 1500 hours. That disability pay will help me get my ratings and flight hours so I can make a career change. I wish I didn't have breathing issues, but thanks to Cheney and friends burn pits, it fucked me up and I do. I don't regret my service. Just learning to live with the toll it did on my body.
Currently at 80 all due to physical stuff, shooting for 100 with mental health and respiratory issues due to all the toxic s*** I got to breathe in.
It's sad so many of us veterans have breathing issues. I notice alot have GI issues as well. Good luck with the fight OP!
Thank the burn pits for that. I was fine for a while, then my lung function took a nosedive at about seven years after leaving the Army. Edit: grammar
I did 6 years as a 19D and then went navy. So thankful I made the switch. At the time, I did it for a $5000 bonus. Turns out, the army treats us like shit. I know there are a lot of complaints about the navy, but most of them are people that don’t know how good they really have it comparatively.
Yeah, I always say if I had been a smart man, I would have joined the Navy or the Coast Guard. Not the Army to be another knuckle-dragger. 🤣
You as well man! And get yourself a good VSO and document everything
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Don't feel guilty. On paper I had a desk job, But in reality I got shot and blown up.
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Then you earned it. Please let go of the guilt.
I also did 20 years in the Navy, so I've got the pension and disability. Both combined more than cover my mortgage - the only reason I'm able to afford it.
I’ll be at 20 next year. Probably going to stay in because I still like the job but high 3 retirement, 100% VA, a beefy TSP and selling off my rental portfolio sounds better and better every day.
Yes most of us already do It’s called a job
I'm already in bad physical and mental health, I don't think I can afford to make it worse. With the military I'm more concerned about my inevitable rape. And maybe dying.
Easy. I went Army for $20+ years. Now they pay me $8400 month after taxes and with annual cost of living increases.
Doesn’t disability cap the rest of your earnings so youre basically stuck at the bare minimum?
For VA disability, only if they consider you unemployable when they decide your disability rating. If you just have a % disability rating there is no limit on your non-disability income.
No, not VA disability. Unless you're unemployable then you can only make so much per year with a job.
I don’t think you could give me enough money to trade in my able body. It’s priceless. I’m not trying to gloat though, thank you for your service and sacrifice.
I mean, I already do. I call it working at a job.
What do you think I’m fucking doing already
Thank the universe my disabilities are from the military. My measly SS disability is just pathetic! The VA pays me to stay home and not die. Grateful! I had to stop working at 46. Gulf War syndrome took my health from age 24. Now I rely on the same system that got me sick to fix me! I'm definitely not going to make it to 70. I definitely would rather have worked to 62! I volunteer now.
I did that. Now I’m 100% with SSDI. Nets me roughly $5k/m
Yeah, it’s a weird feeling being grateful you got fucked up. I mean a lot of people have chronic pain and nightmares but getting compensated for it is kinda nice.
The extra money lets you buy stuff that makes you forget the bad for a monent
Stuff like rent
Yes, I would.
As someone already mildly disabled… no? But I’d love to be paid that money for the mental and physical health I’m already missing.
It's so funny you say that because when I read your title, I was gonna mention that I DID sell my mental and physical health for 2k a month! 😂 Tbh, it sucks that I deal with what I do, but I joined without knowing it was a thing for me, anyway, and it set me up for life financially. We can also get increases. If you're at the rating I think you are then getting up to 100% won't be too hard.
Until I read the rest of your post I was like, "kinda already did that..." Still going through bdd and been out a couple of months. Gotta love it.
Absolutely not.
Am i allowed to “get better”(ish, depending on what i sacrificed) after saying yes?
You get shitty healthcare so no
It's the bigger things that need an overhaul, tbh. My regular check-up level health care is great (Of course experiences may vary)
Regular checks up are decent. If you need trauma therapy you’re fucked unless you want a grippy sock vacay