DoD medical retirement & VA Rating?

Question:

Jim, I got out of the Navy after 14.5 years on medical separation (20% DoD / 60% VA at the time) in 2010. I am now 100% total and permanent disabled. My question is if I go back and get the 10% DoD to get to 30% I need for medical retirement,  could I receive both a retirement check and my VA disability check? What would change for me? Thank you for all of your great work.

Jim's Reply:

I hear what you're saying and I think you have a steep uphill fight to achieve your goals. It's been a decade and the passage of time is never in our favor. Yes, veterans are able to receive both retirement and VA payments simultaneously but I can't see how you'd be eligible. It isn't VA you have to convince, it's DoD and they're tougher than VA when it comes to making retroactive changes.