Vietnam Vet benefit eligibility

Question:

Hi Jim. A friend of mine with the 101st Airborne was wounded in Vietnam 1970. I have talked to some VA service reps and they all said something different. Need help! 

1. He was shot in the hip with a M60 and spent over 10 months in the hospital;  
2. Retired out of service with a PDRL permanent 40%, Purple Heart, rank 4;
3. Total time in service about 19 mouths;
4. Now has VA disability rating 50% for his hip and 10% rating PTSD;
5. Doesn't receive any retirement pay, signed a retirement waiver to receive VA disability because it payed more ;
6. Can he receive back pay for CRDP, CRSC, PDRL?

Jim's Reply:

I have doubts that there is any retro pay owed. Most benefits are effective only when we have applied for them if we're eligible. If we didn't timely apply, the date we do apply is the effective date of the benefit.