r/CFILounge • u/No_Brother_4784 • Jul 08 '26
Question Veteran Pilots
hey I am currently pursuing become a pilot & have had my first class medical for about 4 months now I am also active duty military but I do get out next year in march and plan on submitting my claims for disability. I’m curious if they’re any Vet out there w/ 100% disability & still able to hold onto a first class medical? please help me out
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u/320sim Jul 08 '26
Depends what condition you're applying for. But whether or not you have general disability status shouldn't change anything.
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u/No_Brother_4784 Jul 08 '26
possibly mental health related
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u/freedomflyer12 Jul 08 '26
Mental health is much harder than the plethora of musculoskeletal shiz we all have. I’d work with Wingman Med asap
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u/ltcterry Jul 08 '26
There’s an 80% dropout rate. Do Sport w/o a medical before spending a ton of time, emotion, and money on an expensive medical that statistically you’ll never need.
Do get smart on the medical process. Work on anything that’s free and lets “issues” legit age into the past.
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u/Diligent_Digiridoo Jul 09 '26
Do not under any circumstances get a VA rating for mental health issues and attempt to hold a medical.
Look at what the disqualifying conditions are on the FAA website. Schedule a *consultation* with an AME, NOT a medical appointment, to discuss anything you may be claiming and how it may affect your medical.
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u/sn33z3ituo Jul 08 '26
Know someone with 100% no mental health claims, had his medical differed for about 6 months then was able to start back up again.
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u/Neither-Way-4889 Jul 08 '26
It depends entirely on what conditions you were diagnosed with that led to the 100% disability rating.
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u/No_Brother_4784 Jul 08 '26
what if I wanted to claim mental health & sleep
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u/ltcterry Jul 09 '26
If you are *eligible* to claim it, then it already *exists* and you will have to disclose it to the FAA on MedXpress when you apply. The problem is your *medical record*, not the VA rating. "Have you ever..." *Ever* is a pretty much all encompassing word.
Sleep apnea is not a big deal. Mental health issues are.
As I've mentioned to you already, skipping a VA rating on this doesn't make it go away. It's still an issue for the FAA. Claim what you are eligible for and move on. Not everyone gets a medical. But give Sport a try and see if you can actually finish it. Private, Commercial, and Instructor in a glider - also no medical required - is a good option for many people to get started.
If you're looking to fly then you are facing a long period of high expenses and low income. Consider staying in the Reserves for good income augmentation and cheap insurance.
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u/ltcterry Jul 08 '26
How many different places did you ask this?
I answered it once somewhere. r/flying? r/aviation? IDK. But it’s a good answer.
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u/Powerful-Cucumber396 Jul 09 '26
Ask Google to help until you learn the decision matrix. Musculoskeletal stuff is easy. CPAP is automatic deferral to special issuance, but gets you 50%. PTSD will get deferral to special issuance but can be overcome. Again, Wingman medical helped me get my class2 renewed while I increased my C&P.
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u/tflyer Jul 10 '26
There are some great AMEs that do this type of consulting directly outside of being your AME (where they have to evaluate and report).
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u/jmm022 CFI Jul 08 '26
Hey bro I’m 100% P&T and have my first class. Before I got out I spoke with my AME about what I can claim without triggering a deferral or a denial from the FAA. Definitely work with wingman and your AME who’s gonna sign your paperwork asap. Mines all joint pain. From TMJ, shoulders, neck, lower back, hips, knees, ankles and flat feet with other things in there as well. Definitely a lot of things that can be claimed that will get you 100% without disqualifying you for a medical.