Military retirees often ask can you get military retirement and va disability at the same time, and the short answer is yes. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pays disability compensation for injuries or illnesses tied to service, while the Department of Defense (DoD) pays retired pay for a completed career.
These are two separate federal programs with different rules, so they can run side by side. The catch is that the money does not always stack the way people expect. For decades, retired pay was reduced dollar for dollar by the amount of VA compensation received.
That changed for many retirees under the Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) program, but eligibility depends on your retirement type and disability rating. This guide explains how the two benefits interact, who qualifies for full concurrent payment, how the VA waiver works, and the steps to confirm your own situation.
How Military Retirement and VA Disability Pay Work Together
Can you get military retirement and va disability paid at the same time? The two programs are funded and managed separately, which is why a retiree can receive both. Military retired pay comes from the DoD based on years of service and final or high-three average pay.
VA disability compensation is a tax-free monthly payment from the VA based on a service-connected condition rated from 0% to 100%.
The key friction point is the VA waiver. By law, retirees historically had to waive an amount of retired pay equal to their VA compensation. In practice, many retirees now keep both payments in full, but only if they meet specific criteria.
- Retired pay is generally taxable at the federal level (most states exempt it).
- VA disability compensation is tax-free.
- The VA rating drives the compensation amount, not the length of service.
A common scenario is a 20-year retiree rated at 50% who receives full retired pay plus full VA compensation under CRDP. A retiree with fewer than 20 years typically does not qualify for that concurrent payment.
How to apply this: pull your latest Retirement Account Statement (RAS) and your VA decision letter, then compare the two dollar figures to see whether a waiver is being applied.
The 5 Key Facts About Receiving Both Benefits
Here are the five facts that decide whether you collect both payments in full. Each one changes the math, so read them against your own record.
Fact 1: Concurrent Receipt Depends on Your Retirement Type
CRDP restores retired pay that would otherwise be waived, but it applies to specific groups. These include retirees with 20 or more years of service, certain medical retirees, and those under the Temporary Early Retirement Authority (TERA). A regular 20-year retiree rated 50% or higher generally qualifies. Someone who separated at 15 years does not.
This is the first filter that answers can you get military retirement and va disability in full.
Fact 2: The 50% Threshold Matters for CRDP
For most longevity retirees, CRDP requires a VA rating of at least 50%. Below that, retired pay is still reduced by the VA amount, though the VA payment itself is unaffected. The VA compensation is never reduced — only the retired pay side is adjusted.
That distinction explains why can you get military retirement and va disability is really a question about the rating level, not the length of service alone.
Fact 3: CRSC Is a Separate Path
Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) is a different program for retirees with combat-related disabilities. It can restore retired pay regardless of the 50% threshold, but the condition must be tied to armed conflict, hazardous service, or an instrumentality of war. You apply through your branch of service, not the VA.
Retirees weighing can you get military retirement and va disability often overlook this route because it does not run through the VA at all.
Fact 4: Taxes Differ Between the Two
VA disability compensation is not taxed, while retired pay usually is. This means the effective value of your VA dollars is higher. The IRS explains that certain military benefits are excluded from gross income, and VA disability payments fall into that category. Check the IRS guidance on military and veterans tax issues for the current rules.
When you calculate can you get military retirement and va disability in after-tax terms, the VA side is worth more per dollar.
Fact 5: Survivor Benefits Follow Different Rules
Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) premiums and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) interact in ways that can offset each other. A surviving spouse may see a reduction in one benefit based on the other. This is a frequent source of confusion, so confirm details with a accredited representative.
Families asking can you get military retirement and va disability after a retiree passes should review these offsets carefully.
How to apply this: identify which fact applies to you, then request a benefits audit from a certified Veterans Service Organization (VSO) such as the VFW or American Legion.
Comparing Retirement and Disability Payment Scenarios
The table below shows how the same retiree profile can produce very different outcomes. Figures are illustrative, not quotes.
| Scenario | Retired Pay | VA Rating | Concurrent Pay? | Action to take |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 years, 50% rating | Full | Full | Yes (CRDP) | Confirm CRDP on RAS |
| 20 years, 30% rating | Reduced | Full | No | Consider rating appeal |
| 15 years, 70% rating | Reduced | Full | Usually no | Check TERA/medical rules |
| Combat-related, any | Restored | Full | Via CRSC | Apply through branch |
| 100% P&T retiree | Full | Full | Yes | Verify dependents added |
The pattern is clear: the length of service and the rating level drive the outcome more than anything else. Notice how can you get military retirement and va disability plays out differently in each row, even when the rating is identical.
How to apply this: find the row closest to your situation and confirm the corresponding detail in your VA and DFAS records.
How to Confirm Whether You Qualify for Both Payments
Start with your official documents, not internet forums. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) issues your retired pay, and the VA issues your disability compensation. Each has a portal you can check.
- Log into myPay to review your current retired pay and any waiver amount.
- Check your VA decision letter for the combined rating and effective date.
- Compare the waived amount on your RAS to your VA compensation.
- Contact DFAS or a VSO if the numbers do not match your expectation.
The DFAS website provides detailed explanations of CRDP and CRSC eligibility. According to DFAS, concurrent receipt rules are applied automatically once eligibility is established, so most retirees do not need to file a separate CRDP claim — but verifying the waiver is still worthwhile.
A frequent mistake is assuming a rating increase automatically restores retired pay. It does not always, especially below the 50% threshold. If you are unsure whether can you get military retirement and va disability applies to your case, a quick records check settles it faster than any forum thread.
How to apply this: set a calendar reminder to recheck your RAS after any VA rating change.
Common Mistakes That Cost Retirees Money
Even eligible retirees sometimes leave money on the table. These errors are avoidable with a quick review.
- Ignoring the waiver line. Many retirees never look at the waiver amount on their RAS, so they miss an incorrect reduction.
- Missing the CRSC deadline. CRSC applications can be filed retroactively, but documentation of combat connection is easier to gather sooner.
- Forgetting dependent updates. The VA pays additional compensation for dependents, and failing to add them delays payment.
- Assuming state tax rules are uniform. Most states exempt military retired pay, but the details vary.
A common scenario involves a retiree who received a rating increase but never updated their direct deposit or dependent information, delaying the higher payment by months. The lesson is that can you get military retirement and va disability is not a set-and-forget question — your answer changes as your rating and family situation change.
How to apply this: review your VA dependents and payment information once a year, ideally in the same month you file taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions About can you get military retirement and va disability
Can you receive both if you retired with fewer than 20 years?
Generally no, unless you qualify under a special program. Retirees with fewer than 20 years usually have retired pay reduced by the VA amount, so concurrent receipt does not apply. The exception is certain medical retirees and TERA cases. If you separated early for medical reasons, check whether your retirement falls under a category that allows concurrent payment.
The rules for can you get military retirement and va disability differ sharply by retirement type.
Does a VA rating increase automatically raise my retired pay?
Not always. A rating increase raises your VA compensation, but it only restores retired pay if you cross the CRDP threshold or qualify under CRSC. Retirees below 50% may see no change to retired pay.
Review your RAS after any rating change and confirm the waiver amount matches the new rating, since can you get military retirement and va disability hinges on that threshold.
Can I get both if I am a military reservist?
It depends on your retirement qualification. Reserve retirees who complete 20 qualifying years for retired pay at age 60 can receive both, subject to the same CRDP and CRSC rules. The timing of when retired pay begins matters. Confirm your points and retirement eligibility with your branch.
Reservists often assume can you get military retirement and va disability works differently for them, but the same concurrent receipt tests apply.
How does the Survivor Benefit Plan interact with VA benefits?
SBP premiums are deducted from retired pay, and DIC from the VA can offset SBP in some cases. A surviving spouse may receive a reduced SBP annuity when DIC is payable. The interaction is complex, so consult a VSO or financial counselor before making elections.
The answer to can you get military retirement and va disability for survivors depends on these offsets.
What if DFAS and the VA show different amounts?
Discrepancies usually stem from a waiver, a dependent update, or a rating effective date. Start by comparing your RAS to your VA decision letter, then contact DFAS or the VA directly. A VSO can help you file a correction request if the error persists.
When can you get military retirement and va disability figures do not line up, the waiver line is almost always the culprit.
Conclusion
Receiving both military retired pay and VA disability compensation is possible, but the rules are not one-size-fits-all. Keep these takeaways in mind:
- The two benefits come from separate agencies and can be paid together.
- CRDP restores retired pay for many 20-year retirees rated 50% or higher.
- CRSC is a separate path for combat-related conditions.
- Verifying your RAS and VA letter prevents costly errors.
The next step is simple: log into myPay, pull your VA decision letter, and compare the numbers. If something looks off, contact a certified VSO for a free benefits review. Understanding can you get military retirement and va disability is the first move toward collecting everything you have earned.
