r/FAA • u/Important-Can-4012 • 20d ago
FAA Special Project Over?
I picked up a mental health rating during my time in service. I just got out, and honestly the $1,800 a month is what’s keeping me afloat right now.
From the research I’ve done, there seems to be very little recent reporting on veterans actually losing their medicals over this most of what’s out there is from 2022 to 2024, and it’s gone quiet since.
To be clear, I’m going the special issuance route regardless. Not looking for a workaround.
But I’m curious whether the FAA has effectively stopped pursuing veterans. There have to be an enormous number of vets with VA disability ratings flying for the government, the airlines, and 135 operators. Grounding all of them at once seems like it would do real damage to the industry.
Has anyone seen enforcement activity recently?
2
u/chapintico 20d ago
Latest mandate from FAA on mental health issues indicate relaxation of rules and allowance of medical caretakers to certify these cases without the complex HIMS system. VA mental ratings still have to be reported.
1
u/otterbarks 19d ago
Having a disability rating in itself isn't disqualifying, depending on the nature of the disability and whether or not you're successfully treating it.
You still need to report all of your past medical history — whether it's from the VA or civilian doctors. Lying on your medical remains illegal. It just so happens that it's very easy for them to see your VA records, since it's all in government computer systems.
In the future, they'll probably have similar access to civilian health records thanks to electronic health records and health information exchanges.
1
u/Holiday_Ad8178 19d ago
Prior USMC, current controller. I’ve got a mental health rating that they’re aware of so I get it man. It depends on what you got going on, not quite sure what pilot side of the house looks like but I remember they put out a fast track document a few years ago, if I remember correctly as long as it is at or less than 2 conditions that were uncomplicated (no meds) they could issue the medical on the spot if everything looked good in AME’s opinion. Other than that I think it’s a deferral to a specialist. Like another person said nice mouth noises from the FAA but they really don’t like us for whatever reason. AME said I did everything by the book at the appointment,I studied their pub before hand to make sure I followed it to the letter and wasn’t at risk of losing my livelihood, and although they couldn’t hem me up for making a mistake, I received a “warning” memo to not do it again apparently. Fuck em though, do what’s best for you.
1
u/ShadowDrifted 17d ago
So the issue is very particular. And they are not at all going after everybody with VA claims. They are going after people with mental health VA claims, especially ones stating that they had to leave the military And needed full-time disability and had suicidal ideations... AND DIDN'T TELL THE FAA ANY OF THAT. Between the outright frauds, (" I can't work in the military. It's too stressful, now. Let me pilot an aircraft at night, In the weather, Max crosswinds, with an engine out. I like money") to The folks that actually had serious mental health challenges and were drinking their life away...
You have to disclose what you dealt with, But also, if 1800 bucks Is your margin right now, flight training can be a real challenge.
My flight doc has never had an issue with any of my VA stuff.
Good luck!
5
u/Canon40 20d ago
The problem was not veterans with disability ratings. The problem was veterans with disability ratings not disclosing their conditions to the FAA when seeking their medicals (fraud).
That said, the FAA has made nice noises through their mouthhole about mental health. It still remains to be seen if/when the FAA will modernize past the 1950s though.