It is official: I am disabled

Part of the process involved with retiring from the military is an physical evaluation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. All of us who served received an entrance physical when we joined the military, which is used as a baseline for when leave the service. As the saying goes, "Navy. It is not just a job, it is an adventure." Speaking from personal experience, this is true. There were a lot of times during my career that it was a little too much adventure and not enough job, as I was exposed to loud sounds, explosives, fuels, hazardous chemicals, ionizing radiation, nuclear fuel, etc. I also subjected my body to all sorts of physical stresses and events that, well, affected my hearing and joints. Before I retired, I entered the VA medical system, where I was seen by a host of specialists who poked and prodded me to see the affect the 22 years I spent on active duty had on my body. Well, this afternoon Jane from the VA called to tell me that my disability rating had been determined. She told me that I was 30 percent disabled. I will get the official letter in a few weeks, but she called me to let me know what my disability rating was going to be. Wow. 30 percent. I wonder if I will need a walker or a wheelchair anytime soon...