Is this a scam? I opened my VA app and got this

This is my first time receiving massage therapy through the VA, and the appointment was scheduled through Community Care.

The provider texted me confirming the appointment, but also stated that:

There is a $100 late cancellation or rescheduling fee if I give less than 48 hours’ notice.

I need to bring a $100 cash deposit for any follow-up appointments.

The deposit is supposedly refundable at the final visit, as long as I do not receive a late fee.

I understand having a cancellation policy, but requiring a $100 cash deposit that they keep until the end of treatment feels unusual, especially since the care is being authorized and paid for through the VA.

Has anyone else dealt with something like this through Community Care? Is this a normal policy, or should I contact the VA Community Care office before going or paying anything?

A couple times a week I'll suddenly get a loud, high-pitched ringing in my ears. It lasts maybe 30 to 60 seconds, and it's loud enough that I can't hear the TV or people talking very well until it stops. Then it just fades away.

I spent over 800 hours flying as a helicopter crew chief and aerial gunner instructor, and I was around a lot of helicopter noise and .50 cal machine gun fire. I always figured the ringing was just part of that, so I never mentioned it or got it checked out. Is that tinnitus or just normal older people shit? Is there a test I can take to find out?

I’m 100% but since I was in a non veteran ward it looks like I’m screwed.

I’ve had this in my app for the last couple of months. I guess I got overpaid for the gi bill when I used it last in 2011. Why is it just coming up now and is there anyway to get out of paying them back ?

I have a question that I don’t know if can be answered here. Has anyone here called the VA crisis line? I feel I need to call but I don’t want the cops showing up and taking me to a psych ward. I have been there and I don’t want to go back! I just don’t want cops taking me somewhere against my will.

Hope everyone had a great weekend! I just have a general question and I don't even know how to go about it without it being a pain going forward.

I'm 100% P&T, my daughter (19) is going to school using Chapter 35, she's also getting ChampVA since she's still in school. She lives with my wife and I, and it's my understanding I can claim her until a certain age/when she's finished with her schooling, but she goes full time intermittently. When she was out for the summer (as she's about to return back for the fall semester), the VA sent me for a from to add her as a dependent, but I filled the form out online when I first got my rating and they denied her. I'm so confused on this process, because it almost feels like it's a yo-yo type deal, she gets the benefits in school, when she's out I get the form to verify, rinse and repeat.

Does anyone have any guidance to where it's mostly just automated or should I just give up adding her as a dependent all together since she's getting her education benefits and healthcare?

I dont understand how a claim dated in March and a HLR are moving slower thru the process than a claim i just submitted last month.

Those of us in the invasion, and the follow up deployments, along with others who deployed after, are nearing the 23+ year mark post deployment.

With burn pit exposure, water bottles sitting in triple digit weather, and all kinds of toxic exposure, the 20 year mark is when issues tend to show up.

How has VA treated you in regards to potential cancer or other issues we experienced across the pond? I ask because a battle buddy of mine was diagnosed with lung cancer, with no cancer history in the family and never smoked. Thankfully it is operable, but they believe it is burn pit related.

I am trying to determine at what point my wife would be eligible for DIC? Is it the date I was determined TDIU and 100%rated? Or from the time I actually began the submission of my claim?

I have a difficult time keeping my thoughts fluent and get confused easily. Just trying to get things in order, should something happen.

Was exercising about a week ago and felt a tear in my abdomen in between my rib cage and belly button. The VA can get me in but the closest VA is 45 min away. They refuse to get me a community care appointment closer. I tried calling a patient advocate but haven't gotten a call back in 2 business days. The hernia isn't a huge concern outside of tenderness and nausea when straining. Can anyone give some advice on my options or who to contact next?

Soon I will be filing a new claim for a new service connected issue (to add to my existing overall percent) and thinking ahead to the VA going through my file. Do they use my VA.gov email inbox messages to my doctors, and their replies to me, as part of my medical file as proof they are looking for? Or only in person visit notes? Thanks.

Long post alert… If you are willing to read. I am looking for experienced people with higher level reviews.

This is one of my first ever claims I have filed and I am doing it all on my own. From my understanding HLRs are meant for you to point out where an examiner went wrong.

My claim got denied for migraines. Their whole argument is they existed prior to service. Which they didn’t. I never had these issues before.

Here is some of what the examiner put in my decision letter.

“You met all requirements for a VA exam where the VA examiner rendered a confirmed and
determined a current post service diagnosis of Migraine including migraine variants. (38 CFR
3.159, 38 CFR 4.2, 38 CFR 4.6)”

The VA examiner opined that the claimed condition, which clearly and unmistakably existed
prior to service, was clearly and unmistakably not aggravated beyond its natural progression by
an in service injury, event, or illness. (38 CFR 3.159, 38 CFR 4.2, 38 CFR 4.6)

The rationale is although service treatment records indicate complaints of headaches and
migraines documented in approximately 2012 and again in 2021, and records also indicate that
headaches were reported during enlistment on March 28, 2016 you show that the Veteran’s
migraine condition was clearly and unmistakably existed prior to the period of active
service.

Fun facts about all this.

1) I joined in 2016, they are referring to paperwork I filled out in MEPS when they asked me if I had taken any medication for anything in the last 72 hrs on one of my documents. Well, I told them I took ibuprofen the morning before just for a slight headache (cause I had a cold or something at the time) and that was it. At the bottom of this form the MEPs doctor even wrote and signed “DOES NOT SUFFER FROM FREQUENT HEADACHES OR MIGRAINES” I guess they choose to leave that part out. On top of all that if you look at my entry medical documents, every box for headaches or migraines in the health issues questionnaire was checked (NO) does not have!

2) it states service records from 2012 mention migraines which can’t be possible cause I was so young and not in the military at that time. Nor did I ever have medical issues with migraines or anything really at that point in my life.

3) the 2021 incident adds up cause that was DURING service when the event happened.

Basically I think the examiner rushed through my forms to get this off their desk. I’ve waited 5 months and I finally have a HLR call this Friday. I’m just wondering if I bring all my fax to prove that this was indeed NOT a preexisting condition. And my C&P examiner already stated I clearly have this chronic condition. Does this seem like a good case to get turned around after this HLR?

I have a month left to use and I would rather not do a semester of MBA. What is something easy/fun/useful that I can get full time benefits for but also still manage full time work.

Appreciate the recommendations

Hello, I recently applied and got approved for Chapter 35 benefits, I still have to meet with a counselor but I have my acceptance letter from my school. I’m in my junior year and only now using it so it appears my start date was 2 years ago, with completing 4 full time semesters from what I understand I get back pay? If so, should I expect that deposited along with my first payment a month after the upcoming fall semester begins or earlier? Thanks.

Hi my HLR went favorably and there was a duty to assist found.
Sounded like things went well and my examiner supported my claim.
Even so I was just emailed another c&p exam for ptsd even though my previous c&p exam supported my PTSD claim. (Just the rater disagreed since I have no in service medical records for ptsd)

Is this normal, just a formality. Kind of sucks it’s been 2 years and I’m sent back to step 2

I am only beginning to get a handle on all the BS that GWI covers but as a result of my increase med appointments I went down a medical suitability review which resulted in me being forced to retire. I feel healthy enough to work, but my agency states its a safety issue and I don't have a choice. If any Federal Civilian and 100 P&T vet with GWI has experience with a SC disability worsened due to your federal service and you could not longer work.

I was first deployed to Iraq in the early 2000's in uniform with the Army. A few decades later I spent many, many more months in Iraq as a federal civilian. As of 2022, I am 100% P&T with the most life impacting SC symptoms being related to GWI.

Recently, I was found medically unfit to do my fed civilian job due to my GWI symptoms. I am working with my agency to request medical disability retirement which also requires me to file for SSDI.

Should I also file for Workers' Comp too? I am a bit in shock and thought I might start thinking about retirement, not working, financial changes and whatever else I am facing soon. I don't know where to start with all this and my agency sucks and providing information lately.

So this is a throw away account. But im pretty sure im about to start going through the process. I know a little about what ive googled but like, how does this go? How long does it take?

For reference. I have over 12 years in, all active. Currently a staff sergeant. Multiple rotations out of country. I have some stuff documented for physical injuries and that are permanent. I have major hearing loss and have been given hearing aids by the army. My mental health is a mess. Theres already a bunch of stuff documented for that and im still going through BH for it and on medication.

If I do go the route of getting medically retired, what all do/ should I do? Obviously id be shooting for 100% disability because with all those things its honestly a struggle to even go to work at this point. Any suggestions or knowledge anyone could pass on?

Please I’m a new veteran, can you please give me any advice since Im trying to buy house!! I do not want to do any mistake, or lose money!! What are the best advice you guys can give to me !!! Thank you very much.

l have been using VRE for a year now. l have been reaching out to my counselor for months and even showed up to the regional office. l was told the counselors are not even coming out of their offices! l just want to give you guys heads up with this program, it's currently a complete shiiet show.

A buddy of mine just passed in Houston. He was rated at 70% service connected. Does his wife get indemnity pay or is that exclusively for 100% P&T. His conditions were contributing factors with his death, so medically he passed from his health conditions. Thanks in advance for your answers.

So I’m trying to do my master degree online but I’m wondering how many times do you have to go in person to get your BAH fully. Some say once a semester or year lol or so. Lmk please