Really scared about my life

I am active duty military and make good money.... But now I have a pacemaker and will be kicked out and am reading that a pacemaker is only 30% disability at best... When I can't do the things I use too or won't be able to do most things and can't live off 100 dollars a month SOMEONE PLEASE HELP......

5 Comments

Not necessarily a disability

by brushmore - 2014-09-11 08:09:03

With a pacemaker, there's way more that you can do that can't. The military and things like arc welder are out but there's still just about everything else. You're underlying issue that required a pacemaker might be a different story but if that's the issue then you'll have stronger case to get a higher rating. If that's the case then looking into getting an advocate.

For me, getting a pacemaker actually opened up opportunities for me. Sure, I'll never be able to go back into the military but there's a new world now open to me when it comes to living my life.

I am a vet and went through some tough times when I got me medical discharge (I got no disability) so I've been there. So feel free to send me a personal message if you like if you want to discuss anything.

moving on

by Tracey_E - 2014-09-11 08:09:52

I'm so sorry you're in this situation! You know to fight the appeal then fight it again, right? Heaven forbid the VA actually take care of our vets without putting them through the ringer (but that's another rant)

A few thoughts...

There are people in the military with pacemakers. They generally can't go in combat but just getting it doesn't not necessarily mean they'll kick you out. There are other discussions here about this if you search the archives.

The list of things we can't do is very short. We can't arc weld, be around industrial generators, or work the big magnet at junkyards. There are some other things, but my point is there is a whole world out there and most of us here are fully functional, leading healthy active lives, and easily supporting ourselves. Having a pacemaker doesn't make you disabled.

Fight back

by Sherlockhomes - 2014-09-12 08:09:45

Just read your post. I was 45 when I had my PM installed. Shocked (no pun intended) at first like every one but once I accepted it, I went back to doing everything I did before. I play competitive basketball with a bunch of 20 years olds, diving an banging sometimes more that before. The only injury has been a broken finger, a couple black eyes and my pride as I'm not as fast as I used to be. There are many professional athletes that have PM's.

Moral is, you should fight back and not let them force you out for what you will learn is a small annoyance that should not keep you from doing anything you want. There has to be many military jobs that you can do.

We all appreciate your service and keep it up!

Thanks guys

by Robert122085 - 2014-09-13 10:09:02

You gotta understand when flying in helicopters is all you've ever wanted to do and someone says you can't it's frustrating. I'm still scared about paying mortgage and insurance when I get out.... But I appreciate all the positive thoughts and I do keep my head up and want go down without a fight.

PM's & Uncle Sam

by donr - 2014-09-13 11:09:26

Robert: Sorry about your situation, but Uncle Sam makes essentially zero provisions for support of Active duty folks w/ PM's. Just flat out takes too many resources. For him, the risks of having you somewhere w/o proper support are just too great to take.

In my 28 yrs of service, I saw only ONE Army guy w/ a PM. He was a colonel w/ over 26 yrs of service who had it implanted at about the 25 yr point. He was already retirement eligible by over 6 yrs & they could let him go whenever they wanted. Why did they keep this man? simple - he was in an MOS that was always critically short at his grade and moist of the requirements were in the US near civilian support facilities. He was a comptroller - a money management type.

Sounds heartless, but it is reality. They will keep a man/woman missing an arm, leg, or both legs before they will keep a PM/ICD host. Each case is determined by the needs of the service, not the individual.

In the current situation, Uncle is trying to reduce forces, so there is little sympathy for people seeking exceptions.A little over a year ago we had a career Army NCO - an E-9 - who suddenly needed an ICD. He had enough years to retire, so out he went. I realize that an ICD is considerably different from a PM, but the results are the same.

As screwed up as the VA is at assigning disability ratings, here they are recognizing reality - that in the civilian world, a PM/ICD is nowhere near the disability that it is in the service. Everyone in here is essentially telling you that.

Get started NOW to find a new occupation in the civilian world. There should be a VA education/tuition assistance program that can help you - depends on length of service you have. But if you have a family, start NOW so you are prepared & working on it the day you are released. You may fight it all you want, but in the end, you will lose this battle, so accept inevitability & make the best of it.

Donr

You know you're wired when...

You take technology to heart.

Member Quotes

So, my advice is to go about your daily routine and forget that you have a pacemaker implanted in your body.