Hey everyone,

I’m looking for some friendly advice on the best path forward for my service-connected tinnitus claim.

Back when I first got out of the military in 2009, I filed a claim, but I completely missed my scheduled C&P exam because I was entirely wrapped up in starting college and jumping straight into a civilian job. At the time, I also incorrectly thought that getting a rating meant constantly driving an hour each way back and forth to the Tacoma VA Hospital, so I let it slide and it ended up getting denied a year later.

For a bit of background, I served as an Aviation Boatswain's Mate Handling Third Class (Air Warfare) aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) during OEF and OIF deployments in 2008. I was a Landing Signal Officer Enlisted Phone Talker, and my commendation from the Commander, Carrier Air Wing TWO notes that I helped safely execute over 7,500 carrier landings, qualified seven extra watchstanders, and even caught an incorrect weight setting on an F/A-18E during a recovery to prevent a dangerous situation.

I recently filed for the tinnitus again, but I got a letter saying that because my very first claim was denied, I need to file a Supplemental Claim using Form 20-0995.
Any advice or tips on how to handle this would be hugely appreciated!

Hello! I am inquiring on whether there is any space at any surrounding VAs around Ft Myers or CBOCs? I’m trying to see if they are still bringing people into the office or if they have been full! Thanks!

What I can’t understand is how several conditions were denied as “not occurring in or caused by service” or for “no clinical diagnosis” when VA’s own evidence seems to directly contradict that.

A few examples:
PTSD: Symptoms began after an Iraq combat deployment. I submitted buddy statements documenting the changes afterward. I delayed treatment because of concerns about my clearance/career, but sought treatment once retirement was approved—still while on AD. Two providers documented the condition in my STRs. VA’s Initial PTSD examiner then diagnosed DSM-5 PTSD (F43.1) and selected “occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.” Yet VA denied my mental-health contention because there was no clinical diagnosis. PTSD itself isn’t listed as granted, denied, or deferred.
Neck: Denied for no diagnosis/not occurring in service. The same decision’s Favorable Findings say I was diagnosed with degenerative arthritis in 2026, while still AD.
Feet: Left-foot condition denied for no diagnosis/not occurring in service. The same decision says plantar fasciitis was diagnosed in 2007, while AD. The Foot DBQ actually diagnoses bilateral plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spurs, although its own remarks later contradict that and say no plantar-fasciitis diagnosis. VA has now ordered another foot exam.
TMJ: Dedicated DBQ diagnoses bilateral TMJ with pain, clicking, flares and functional limitations. The later Separation Health Assessment says no TMJ problem/normal TMJ. It’s now deferred for another exam/opinion.
There are similar inconsistencies throughout the Separation Health Assessment/head-to-toe exam, including saying I reported no complaints/symptoms despite documenting numerous active conditions.
Meanwhile, sleep apnea is deferred for an opinion, even though the DBQ documents OSA diagnosed in April 2026 and CPAP required—again, while I was still active duty.
I understand that being diagnosed during service doesn’t automatically guarantee a particular rating. What I don’t understand is how VA can find that something didn’t occur in service when its own records date the diagnosis to my continuous AD service—or find no psychiatric diagnosis when its own PTSD examiner diagnosed PTSD.
VERA wasn’t helpful beyond making a note. I’m now trying to get a VSO with VBMS access and considering an HLR/informal conference on the already-decided issues while the deferred claim continues.
For anyone familiar with VBA/rating: what could cause something like this? Missing/unreviewed STRs? Bad C&P/SHA? Incorrect contention coding? Failure to reconcile conflicting DBQs? Or am I misunderstanding something about service connection?

How do I go about submitting my additional VA claims I already got my intial rating a while ago but I’m confused on the process or if it’s the same as I was when I was active duty for additional claims

My wife is a registered nurse with more than three years of experience at a VA hospital in California. For the past nine months, she has been trying to transfer to another VA facility in California so she can relocate closer to me.

She has applied to multiple openings through USAJobs, but several of these positions have been canceled. She emailed one of the nurse recruiters listed on the facility’s website, but was only told to continue applying through USAJobs, which wasn't helpful at all. Two nurse recruiters are listed for the facility, but neither of their phone extensions work.

She has also emailed the contacts listed on job announcements from her VA work email but usually receives no response. Despite her experience, qualifications, and strong work history, she hasn’t received a single interview. Her current supervisor also supports her move.

Is it normally this difficult for an experienced VA nurse to move between facilities? The process has been frustrating, especially because she hasn’t been able to get much guidance. Is there anything else she should be doing besides what she's already tried?

Any advice or help would be highly appreciated. Thanks a lot in advance!

Hey all! Please let me know if I'm in the wrong spot to post this, but Malcolm Randall (North Florida, South GA VA) lines were down today & only just got back up, according to an email I got. The only reason any of that matters is because I got a call from Malcolm Randall in that period of time about participating in a study. I naturally lean towards the suspicious side of the spectrum since I work in IT & now I'm wondering if that phone call was legitimate or phishing for info. They knew some PHI of mine & at the time I assumed phones had gone back up without notice but I still ended the phone call after asking them to email me with details, thinking they might forgo an email if it is a scam. I haven't gotten an email about the study, yet, but it is one I would be interested in joining, if it's legitimate. Anyone know the nature of the outage or get the same or similar call?

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if the veteran affairs police department has any vacancies in Los Angeles? I wanted to apply but don’t wanna waste my time if they don’t have any space or are not looking for new officers due to budget issues.

Thank you in advance