EDIT: I understand this isn’t an entitlement. And yes, I have chosen to not list all my disabilities for privacy. I am simply looking for the best way to plead my case to my VRC.

Hello fellow veterans,

I’m a 100% Permanent & Total (P&T) disabled veteran, and I’m exploring the possibility of using my CH31 Vocational Rehabilitation benefits to start my own corporate travel agency. Due to my mental health challenges and sleep issues, I’ve found it increasingly difficult to pursue traditional 9-5 employment, and self-employment seems like a more sustainable option for me.

I have a background in public relations with the military, which I believe has given me a solid foundation of transferable skills, but I’m looking to build on that to launch my business. However, I’m a bit uncertain about the process of applying for the self-employment track and what I can do to increase my chances of having my plan approved.

Here are my main questions: 1. What steps can I take to maximize my chances of having my self-employment track approved by the VA? 2. How can I best present my case to my Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) to demonstrate that my plan is viable, and that it will benefit my long-term health and financial stability? 3. Are there any resources, programs, or advice from other veterans who have successfully navigated the self-employment track that you can share? 4. I am utilizing my Post-9/11 GI Bill to earn my business certificate at a local college, which is already giving me knowledge to get my corporate travel agency up and running. Understanding I cannot utilize my Post-9/11 and CH31 benefits simultaneously, is there a chance I could finish out my certificate under CH31 once I start the self-employment track?

I’d appreciate any insight or advice you all can provide to help me on this journey. Thanks in advance for your time and support!

Or tips to prepare for going back to school in my thirties?

Got moved into my new apt, gi bill taken care of, va appts made, veteran id designation paperwork, etc. what can/should I do for the next two months to set myself up for success while I have the time?

I feel so isolated.

If I could sum up my military experience in three words: grueling and camaraderie.

Before I joined the military, I had no direction in my life. I come from a broken home that shortly deteriorated and withered away not even three months into my service. When I first joined the military, I fantasized about making it a twenty-year career and leading people, but those dreams quickly faded in one- or two years. My rate was an aviation boatswain mate equipment. That job entails arresting gear, catching aircraft with a wire pulley system and catapults, a launching a system that propels the aircraft off the carrier. I was in the arresting gear, arguably the worst work center. The amount of toxic leadership, lack of sleep, and poor coordination I witnessed would make any CNO's head spin, of course, only after he wrapped himself in his fine robe while inside his stateroom.

I can easily recall countless nights when I finally was let out of work and went to my berthing, which was similar to a can of sardines. Only the sardines were eighteen- to twenty-five-year-old men who didn't know the first step in keeping a hygienic lifestyle; I would take my shower in our stainless steel rectangles that had moldy plastic curtains from the 1960s, then move to my rack, which was more of a coffin than a bed, set my alarm and see a daunting one hour and thirteen minutes until alarm staring back at me.

My job from muster at 0800 most days was manning up for twelve hours straight and then one to two hours of pre and post-op, depending on how experienced the crew was. We had to man up thirty minutes before the go, and we were there until every bird in the timeframe came back, even if they were running late. Now, manning up equipment is easy, especially if you're knowledgeable and know what you're doing; The hard part is the fifteen to thirty minutes you have in between goes to do whatever you need to do. That means piss, shit, eat, study, things of that nature. The flight schedule some days was so bad that I wouldn't eat a proper meal all day and only had a few pop tarts and monsters to keep me moving for the day; yes, the Navy's weight loss program is second to none.

On top of these long days, sometimes, depending on how much manpower we have, a group would have to stay up and complete maintenance on the equipment. Sometimes, the maintenance went by fast, and other times, it went by less. On top of our already tired and hungry crew, the higher chain constantly berated everyone on how slow we were going and that the Airboss would "come down our throats" if we didn't complete the job in time. This was my life for the four and a half years onboard the Ronald Reagan, but this isn't about the hardships. It's about the camaraderie.

In the Navy, and the military for that matter, you are exposed to many people from different parts of the US and the world. I have met lifetime friends I would have never met if it wasn't for the military. And that's the sad part about the military. I know what you're thinking "Meeting lifelong friends is the sad part and not the horrible work life and living conditions," and to that, I say fock yes. Because the military gives you these people by chance, you bond with them through the grueling work, through the bullshit, you laugh your way through everything, and shit talk anyone and everyone. The military gave you something to bond and grow with someone who had zero of the same interests as you, but you still consider them a brother. Even in the most depressing scenarios, somebody has a banger of a joke that will make your gut sore. You'll never forget and always cherish them.

When I decided I was leaving the military, I was happy—knowing that I was finally getting away from the toxic environment and horrible conditions. My friends had long been gone, and I had a few on my shore command. I thought that when I got out and started college, I would find myself happy and overwhelmed with a sense of freedom, but now I'm missing my connections with my brothers. Sure, I stayed in contact with my friends from high school and still am great friends with them, but they are missing something. My jokes don't land as well with them, they can't handle my level of shit talk, and I'm left thinking, "Damn, that would have soared with my military friends.”

They view me as the same person seven years ago, but I'm more than that. I was an airman, an engine operator, a second-class petty officer, a mentor, a work center supervisor, a CDI, a Topside PO, somebody that the higher chain could effectively rely on and know the job would get done in an appropriate amount of time. My military brothers knew that, but my civilian friends don't care, or they can't relate. I'm still the same immature high schooler they last saw, and it leaves me with an unsatiable reality of isolation.

I know it’s not their faults but I just wish my brothers were here or in closer proximity to me and I could hang out with them again, even for one more time.

I'm not trying to complain with this post; I just wanted to write and express my feelings to people who can relate. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Im currently getting out of active duty and the recruiter had hit me with an IMA assignment. For those who have done it what are you guys experience doing IMA assignments being gone from family for 45 days etc. Just want more information and second opinion besides what the recruiter is telling me thank you.

Hey all. So a little background this is the second time I've been referred to the Med board because I have many issues that are service connected through the VA (already 100%P/T).  I've initial medboard was for asthma I got in Afghanistan and was rated at 30%.  I applied and was approved for a COAR so I could get to my 20 yr mark for time in service ( at 19 yrs now).  Now I am getting referred to the Non Duty PEB because I broke my back in Afghanistan as well and had to get a spinal fusion. No xray's in Afghanistan and the doc we had there thought I had only sprained it. Worst pain of my life for about a month or so and then it healed wrong and started slipping forward. Fast forward 5 yrs it slipped about half an inch forward and I couldn't sleep in my bed anymore and all the nerve pain meds never helped and the injections would help for a couple weeks ( when they're supposed to last a lot longer than that). I got the surgery and I am still recovering from it ( 6 months now) but I also got a complication from the extensive damage to my nerves. I have dropfoot now and have to where a brace now all the time to help prevent me from falling hard and injuring my everything more. I can't run or jump and can't walk well. But no more extreme chronic pain so that's good. Anyways no LOD was ever done for my back but it was all service connected in the VA. I've been through a regular medboard and know what to expect from that. But this non-duty version has me worried. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I'm a fully retired veteran and I would rather have a different signature on my discharge paperwork. I have heard there's a process to do this. If this is true could someone direct me on the instructions for this?

I’m planning to transition out in July 2025 and have a surgery scheduled for mid-November, which is already noted in my records. Should I go ahead and file for my records now, or would it be better to wait until after the surgery and follow-up appointments? My current plan is to file in early December—does this timing make sense to get my rating back while still in?

I started the first semester of a four year degree this year and after to use my MGIB to cover the tuition. Not long after taking classes I come to find out that the tuition is costing more than a MGIB can cover so I had to take out student loans and pell grants as well. However, I have been blocked from my classes (online schooling) on multiple occasions because the school was wanting the full tuition paid. I explained to them that the VA does not pay all at once and that is on a monthly basis, and they try to make me set up a payment plan with them that would end up costing several hundred more in total at the end of the semester then if they would've just accepted the VA payments as they came.

It took me sending a furious email after being blocked a second time, after a phone call or I was told that waiting for the VA payment was fine. They lied and blocked me that second time, causing me to be behind two weeks, reaching to three eventually. I was called by a supervisor of the financial department, whom spoke with their director and excused me to pay as the VA sends me payments instead of their ridiculous payment plan. It wasn't until I said that they need to just drop me out and give me back the money from everything if they're not gonna comply with how the VA works, for them to even call me and allow the per month payment to be OK. they never stated this in their policy when I started, nor was I told by any advisors and they recognize that this time around.

Today I finally got time to try and catch up on classes but now it's been so long since I've been in the routine that all I do is just sit here and dread doing them, and I mentally can't get myself to come around to it even with it sitting right in front of me. I just feel a very huge sense of overwhelmed, and with my executive dysfunction from having really bad A.d.h.d, it doesn't help. I take meds for a.d.h.d and depression, but they only do so much. I'm currently sitting here having multiple energy drinks, about two drink them and see if I at least get a boost for an hour or so to get me back in the routine, but frankly, I'm debating on whether I wanna drop two of the four classes or not to at least take some of the mental stress of it off. If I was to drop out or drop classes, how can I go about doing this and what are the consequences of doing this?

So no SGT checking afterwards, just you. Are you cleaning to the point of passing a "glove inspection," or do you relent to that voice in your head that was there each time and wanted to say to your SGT "That small amount of residue behind the bolt assembly is not enough to cause a misfire!"

After a day at the range, how "complete" is your cleaning routine?

Im really pretty sad and I don’t have anyone to talk to. Like what does one do.

I don’t want to call the crisis line, I’m not at that point but like…. ?

A

Had anyone used the Hazelwood Act for school? How did it work? Was it easy to use?

This organization is all about the money.Veterans United has a very poor staffing that and when and if to want to file a complaint they will throw you out of the pooly run operation. As a Marine and retired DOD with 38 YEARS OF faithful service. I STRONGLY RECOMMEND NOT NOT TO USE THIS LENDING AGENCY FOR YOUR FINANCE OR A NEW HOME LOAN!!!!! SEMPER-FI

I just separated and am waiting on my disability claim. I have migraines that don’t respond to treatment. I somehow narrowly avoided a MEB (which I’m now sort of regretting) as although it was recommended for me, by the time it finally was, I was already almost out the door and it would’ve added more time. I don’t remember the details but that was the basics of it.

Anywho, I’m starting a new job soon and I have no clue what to expect. I’ve been through all of my VES appointments and have discussed the severity of my migraines with providers and am currently in the document review step. My migraines completely take me out for the day (if not two days) and I get them a couple times a month.

Let’s say worst case I’m missing 2 days a month for migraines per year, plus the necessary neuro appointments I’ll have. That definitely would exceed my sick day quota for the year and even though I’m expecting to be giving a disability rating, I just don’t know how that would transfer.

Please note that this is not me looking for medical advice, and of course I’ll keep working to find something that works for me. I genuinely just have no idea what to expect here and don’t know how this will work in the real world.

Hello, my mother was a veteran but passed away 1999(non service related). I turn 26 next June and was wondering how my eligibility works? I don’t understand the award rating term. Will I not qualify because of my age ?

I got a phone call from a company pretending to be the VA. The person introduced themselves as being part of the VA. They claimed to be conducting a survey to improve service and wanted to know about how my recent visit to the VA went. They had all the details of my last appointment, such as where, when, and which clinic. They asked me to verify my last 4 and date of birth. Something felt off. I pushed for more Information. Turns out its a company that has a contract with the VA to conduct these surveys but it bothers me that the VA just gives our information out like that and that we pay for it through a govt contract. What do you all think? Did you know this happens?

Hi everyone! As the title says, I’m wondering if anyone overseas has used BetterHelp and managed to get reimbursed through the Foreign Medical Program (FMP). I’m currently in Japan, and my mental health is really struggling. Unfortunately, the local therapists here haven’t been able to provide the support I need. Any advice or experiences with FMP reimbursement for teletherapy would be really appreciated.

Anyone else receiving a evidence letter from evidence intake today? I got notification from the post office I'll be receiving a letter from them.

Let's show the world we understand punctuation!

Friendly reminder to keep a good image this weekend and on Monday. Don’t act entitled to anything - companies don’t have to give you anything for free, and (most) of you voluntarily joined the service for reasons other than getting a Veterans Day discount.

Don’t throw a hissy fit when things aren’t going perfectly, don’t berate the waitresses, don’t berate the Home Depot worker. It’s not their fault.

Last year, this sub had some awfully cringy posts with people questioning why they’re not getting everything for cheaper. One in particular - “if they’re going to offer a discount that low, they may as well not even offer it because it feels like they don’t care enough” - yeah don’t do that. It’s a bad look.

Be cordial. It may be “about you” this weekend as a veteran, but remember why you’re even a veteran in the first place.

Hello everybody!

I wanted to start by saying that this anxiety medication, has changed me completely, but in a very positive way, I don’t want to give any negative condemnation because I wouldn’t be able to.

Before taking guamfacine, my whole body was in fight or flight mode which would make me feel some intense anger, and I would be able to feel my body temperature rising literally.

However, since taking the guamfacine, I have really calmed down, and feel like I can think like a normal human being for once.

I also notice that I get a lot less angry to certain situations and things that would normally get under my skin bad, which is a huge positive!

I do have some side effects however which include a severely dry mouth, and also gastrointestinal issues, however in all honesty, I would trade intense panic attacks for an upset stomach and a dry mouth because the feeling of those were extremely unbearable.

I thought of sharing this because I wanted to give credit where it belonged with the VA genuinely fixing a long term problem I had that was getting worse and worse over time.

I couldn’t be more thankful for this medication I was prescribed because it feels like a huge reset for me, and I am very happy I’m on the road to recovery.

Big win for me!

?

Does anyone know what the amount would be if you were to get CRSC at 100%? It seems like there could be a calculator for this but have not found one yet. Thanks

Significant other received a letter in the mail back in September with a scheduled hearing (Nov 6) with a veterans law judge. He waited until the last minute to cancel this meeting. It should have been cancelled in writing at least 2 weeks prior to the hearing (if they don’t want it). He got a call from the VA last week asking about it and he asked to cancel it. He was assured it was cancelled but received another call about it a few days later. He requested a cancellation again over the phone and then online. All he got was a text saying it’s been cancelled, yesterday.

Will his rating be affected by this? Is there anything we should worry about? He’s been 100%P&T for 4 years now.

I can't find anything answering this particular question but: what happens after you complete VR&E Ch31 but you can't find a job after?

I just got my decision today. They increased my Evaluation of scoliosis of the thoracic and lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease, which is currently 10 percent disabling, to 20 percent, effective November 20, 2023. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted with an evaluation of 0 percent effective November 20, 2023. Service connection for tinnitus is granted with an evaluation of 10 percent effective November 20, 2023. Entitlement to special monthly compensation. Evaluation of bilateral plantar fasciitis, which is currently 10 percent disabling, is continued. Service connection for the left hip condition is denied. Service connection for radiculopathy left lower extremity is denied. Service connection for radiculopathy, the right lower extremity is denied. Service connection for the right hip condition is denied.

So, should I fight to increase the ones that were denied? Or should I wait?

Check this shit out shitbirds! (I say that in a loving way)

https://benefits.va.gov/benefits/character_of_discharge.asp

Y You may be eligible for benefits in some circumstances for those who OTH discharges and thise discharged for simply being gay. It's dense but it's worth a read.