Some interesting fallout from John McCain's release of his tax return and other financial disclosures: Ralph Vartabedian of the LAT reports today that McCain receives a tax-free, 100-percent disability pension (nearly $60,000 last year) from the US Navy.

McCain would be the oldest man to enter the White House if he is elected president, and questions have been raised about his health. McCain has twice developed melanoma, a potentially deadly form of skin cancer.The fact that he is legally designated with a disability pension may raise further questions.

"It is a legitimate question to ask about the commander in chief: Is he fit to serve," said Robert Schriebman, a senior Pentagon tax advisor and tax attorney who recently retired as a judge advocate for a unit of the California National Guard.

If McCain can hike across the Grand Canyon, then why should he be getting disability payments from the government that are tax-exempt, Schriebman asked.

McCain shattered his knee and broke both arms when he was shot down over North Vietnam in 1967.

---

Comments on the site:

Steve Perry :: LA Times: A president who's 100 percent disabled?

      
that's interesting...
considering that a number of returning vets with TBI and torn limbs are receiving a disability rating of 10 to 40 percent.
Here's how 100 percent disability is defined, according to the Military Times:

At the other end of the spectrum, the military may not exceed the rating ceiling for a specific diagnostic code under the VASRD. However, the VA can award a 100 percent disability rating for the same condition if it finds that the severity of the condition rises to the level that the veteran is incapable of being trained for any type of gainful civilian-sector employment.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

by: Molly Priesmeyer @ Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 14:51:01 PM CDT
[ Reply ]


   
The smoking reg
Molly, a great and pertinent find. So there you have it: The US Navy opposes John McCain for president on grounds he is not capable of being trained for any type of gainful civilian-sector employment. Or else the Navy thinks Senator and President are not gainful civilian-sector employment.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

by: Steve Perry @ Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 19:59:34 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]


   
Just to clarify
the DoD and VA have different disability ratings: If a soldier is rated 30 percent disabled by the DoD, he/she qualifies for discharge and VA benefits. Then, the VA applies another rating to determine what those benefits are. However both the VA and DoD define 100 percent disabled as the inability to maintain gainful employment due to service-related injuries.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

by: Molly Priesmeyer @ Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 20:29:33 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]


   
Clarification Needed
What's not clear to me is whether a 100% tax-exempt disability pension (as is the case with McCain) means the recipient is 100% disabled.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

by: Michael Blaine @ Tue Apr 22, 2008 at 20:34:55 PM CDT
[ Parent | Reply ]


   
yes, it means that he has a 100 percent disablity rating
what the article doesn't make clear is how much he receives in medical retirement (VA) and severance pay (Navy). However, pensions are paid by the VA. And either way, with a 100 percent rating, both define it as the inability to hold a civilian job.



(Minnesota Monitor.com)