Truckers Report Jobs

Find Trucking Jobs

Company Driver Company Driver Dry Van Dry Van Flatbed Flatbed Refrigerated Refrigerated Specialized Specialized Owner Operator Owner Operator
More Trucking Job Searches ⌄ Fewer Trucking Job Searches
⌃

DOT Physical and VA Disability Claim (Veterans HELP)

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by BuffTruckalo, Dec 12, 2023.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Dec 12, 2023 #1
    BuffTruckalo

    BuffTruckalo Bobtail Member

    12
    7
    Aug 28, 2023
    0
    So here is the situation. I am looking to get into the trucking industry, and I know I can pass a DOT physical. I have a back injury that is service connected at 10 percent and I'm currently fighting the VA for better percentage since the pain is getting worse but this injury really only causes pain if I crouch for a long period of time, or put too much weight on my one leg. I can walk, climb, sit and I'm pretty okay. Pain does happen here and there but its all barrable.

    My question is for veterans. Have any of you went for a DOT physical during a claim process to get a better percentage for an injury and failed? I can pass the DOT physical but would the DOT know of my VA claim(not sure if they have any connection with one another) and would the VA know if I pass a DOT physical which could possibly cause my case to not be winnable?
     
    BuffTruckalo, Dec 12, 2023
    BuffTruckalo, Dec 12, 2023
    #1
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Dec 12, 2023 #2
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    73,297
    164,764
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Many truckers have disabilities, including missing limbs. I wouldn't disclose anything to the VA or DOT physical.
    If you're on pain medication, that could be a problem with a trucking drug test.
     
    Chinatown, Dec 12, 2023
    Chinatown, Dec 12, 2023
    #2
  4. Dec 12, 2023 #3
    BuffTruckalo

    BuffTruckalo Bobtail Member

    12
    7
    Aug 28, 2023
    0
    No medication just soreness here and there. So the VA wouldn't know if I pass a DOT physical? I'm currently in the claims process thats why
     
    BuffTruckalo, Dec 12, 2023
    BuffTruckalo, Dec 12, 2023
    #3
  5. Dec 12, 2023 #4
    dave01282000

    dave01282000 Medium Load Member

    353
    742
    Jun 16, 2021
    Ohio
    0
    I use the VA for everything and I have to relay everything from them when I do a DOT physical. As far as I can tell they're not connected at all.
     
    dave01282000, Dec 12, 2023
    dave01282000, Dec 12, 2023
    #4
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  7. Dec 12, 2023 #5
    North Pole Nightmare

    North Pole Nightmare Heavy Load Member

    816
    1,594
    Dec 15, 2021
    0
    A lot of places hire disabled vets,like chinatown said,medications would probably be the only issue.You can still work with VA disability.DOT might ask about prior surgery.
     
    North Pole Nightmare, Dec 12, 2023
    North Pole Nightmare, Dec 12, 2023
    #5
  8. Dec 12, 2023 #6
    BuffTruckalo

    BuffTruckalo Bobtail Member

    12
    7
    Aug 28, 2023
    0
    Do I have to tell them or can I just not say anything about it?
     
    BuffTruckalo, Dec 12, 2023
    BuffTruckalo, Dec 12, 2023
    #6
  9. Dec 12, 2023 #7
    drh72

    drh72 Light Load Member

    163
    273
    Aug 19, 2012
    Northeast Minnesota
    0
    You only have to disclose what is asked...they don't ask about VA disability, so no need to tell them.
     
    drh72, Dec 12, 2023
    drh72, Dec 12, 2023
    #7
    Puppage Thanks this.
  10. Dec 12, 2023 #8
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,642
    12,111
    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
    0
    You're probably OK, however, this is the 21st century, very high tech, anything on the internet is sharable. An example, my vehicle (2023) has some app which notes the vehicles condition, mileage, etc etc. And I get my "report" monthly. It is spot on with the current mileage. And guess what ? My insurance co can read the same report ! I can't fudge on my mileage. The report even tells me the air pressure on all 4 tires. I mean, the police authorities can check cell towers and see whose phone "pinged" and at what time ! High tech, right ? I love the ring doorbells, you can be 1000 mi away and answer your doorbell VIA your cell phone !
     
    Allow Me., Dec 12, 2023
    Allow Me., Dec 12, 2023
    #8
  11. Dec 12, 2023 #9
    Frank Speak

    Frank Speak Road Train Member

    4,479
    13,670
    May 3, 2016
    0
    What’s the problem with being honest? I mean, you’re not trying to commit fraud against the VA or anything, are you?

    Here’s something for you to ponder. You can disclose or hide whatever you want and no one will likely ever know. BUT, if you happen to be that “Oh that’ll never happen to me” person that it DOES happen to and you’re involved in a crash with fatality, or similar, just know this.

    You can count on, with absolute certainty, some personal injury lawyer is going to find out everything there is to know about you from the time you learned to tie your shoelaces to the last time you took a dump, and everything in between. And, when they figure out you lied, or failed to disclose a condition that would’ve disqualified you, you’re not just going to lose a lawsuit, you may very well find yourself in prison.

    Just food for thought.
     
    Frank Speak, Dec 12, 2023
    Frank Speak, Dec 12, 2023
    #9
    REO6205 Thanks this.
  12. Dec 12, 2023 #10
    DannyB

    DannyB Medium Load Member

    327
    543
    Apr 13, 2008
    Jackson Mi
    0
    I'm also disabled at 10%. Have been for years. DOT physician never asked, VA never asked. Never had a problem. VA system doesn't talk to DOT system.
     
    DannyB, Dec 12, 2023
    DannyB, Dec 12, 2023
    #10
    Bud A., drh72 and Chinatown Thank this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

    • Page 1 of 2