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FAA 1st Class Medical & VA Disability FAQ

🩺 FAA 1st Class Medical & VA Disability Disclosure Gouge

Q1: Must I disclose my VA disability ratings to the FAA?

Answer: YES. Question 18.y on FAA MedXPress Form 8500-8 explicitly asks: “Have you ever in your life received or applied for medical disability benefits?” Failing to disclose VA disability benefits is a federal offense under 18 U.S.C. 1001 and will lead to revocation of all airman medical certificates.

Q2: Will having a VA disability rating disqualify me from holding an FAA 1st Class Medical?

Answer: NOT NECESSARILY. The vast majority of military pilots with VA disability ratings (including 100% scheduler or combined ratings) hold unrestricted FAA 1st Class Medical Certificates. What matters to the FAA is the underlying medical condition, not the disability percentage rating itself. Conditions such as tinnitus, joint pain, surgical repairs, or sleep apnea (managed with CPAP) are routinely approved.

Q3: What is the correct sequence between getting my 1st Class Medical and applying for VA disability?

Answer:

  1. Consult an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) FIRST: Before submitting your official VA disability claim, schedule an informal consultation (without opening a MedXPress application) with an AME experienced in military transitions.
  2. Obtain your unrestricted FAA 1st Class Medical.
  3. Submit your VA disability claim via Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) between 180 and 90 days before separation.
  4. Update MedXPress Question 18.y on your next medical renewal by listing your VA disability conditions and claim decision letter.

Q4: What medical conditions require Special Issuance (SI) from the FAA?

Answer: Conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), history of kidney stones, hypertension requiring medication, or major orthopedic surgeries require a Special Issuance letter from the FAA Aeromedical Certification Division (AMCD). Providing full medical documentation from your military flight surgeon will expedite your Special Issuance approval.

Q5: Does a military flight surgeon waiver automatically transfer to an FAA medical waiver?

Answer: No. Military flight waivers and FAA medical clearances operate under separate regulatory standards. You must provide your military flight waiver documentation and medical records to your civilian AME to determine FAA compliance.