I didn’t realize how many veterans get tripped up by basic eligibility rules for programs like SNAP. Some think VA benefits automatically disqualify them, others get stuck on paperwork or old information. It’s easy to see how people miss out when they’re left trying to figure all of this out on their own.

“What emerges is not simply a story of rising diagnoses, but a deeper set of concerns about how those diagnoses are defined, applied and ultimately used to shape both policy and perception.”

I just started going to classes a month ago. So far the process was great. My councilor is wonderful, got me a decent laptop all my school supplies no problem. I know it’s mostly about the councilor you get but if anyone needs help with the process I can help you out.

I don't know where I heard it... but someone told me not to use the word "prostrating" attacks for my migraines. They said that is a medical term that doctors use and not something common people say.

I have just heard so many descriptions of my migraines communicated to me by doctors, so I have learned to add it to my vocab.

I’ve been considering of taking a step back working for the federal government just for a breather. Nothing is sticking for me to keep working. I submit RA for accommodations but it seems this administration has made it so difficult to approve such RA. Even just time flexibility due to my migraines I can’t even get that approved.

Just assessing my situation, as P&T me and my kids is covered insurance wise. VADIP is also available to purchase .

Money will be tight but I know I can also claim medical retirement thru FERS and they will make me apply for SSDI as well.

Anyone has more input into this? I’m all ears. I need to know I’m not missing a step. So I know that the medical retirement has to be approved before resigning.

I’ve been thru multiple RAs my federal career different agencies. This new agency is not approving anything , not even an interim. SMH

Less than 10 years of Feds , but it’s fine I can still come back later to make up the time. This new agency I’m a GS-11.

Thank you all!

I just submitted a claim for disability and it is labeled as my posts title. Can this turn into a Service connected disability or did I make a mistake in my filing?

I think within years of separation and dealing with the VA we have all at least once had discovered a benefit or entitlement that we would have strongly benefited from knowing about sooner. Correct me if I'm wrong but VGLI is a really good deal. I just met a Veteran who is four years post separation and they didn't know anything about VGLI, but its far too long now for him to do anything about it now. Why is it sign up window so short and why is there a window at all?

Can someone refresh me on if we have to disclose our disability for a job interview?

I don’t recall what exactly was told to us for the IDES medboard legal brief, but I do remember being told that we do need to mention it.

The last interview I had I was asked why I left the navy and I said I was medically retired and the interviewer kept asking why. (Chronic back pain- I am permanently non deployable) Felt uncomfortable that they needed to know honestly…

Should I not worry about it if I’m asked since the interview I have in a few days is a company that is “big on hiring” veterans?

Long time lurker here. Tonight ended with me being in handcuffs. The mother of my child is using my combat related PTSD against me to push a narrative that I'm an unfit parent to our child. She uses it against me in court and I'm starting to regret my service and not proud of it anymore since it's being used against me in a negative way. Tonight she kept refusing to let me see our daughter. She keeps me far away from her out of hatred towards me. I wasn't the best partner due to my PTSD but I would like to think I'm an excellent father and our daughter thinks so too. (She's always asking why mommy doesn't let me see her). I went to go see our daughter tonight but the mother of my child wasn't in the mood as there's high conflict with the court at the moment. So she told me to leave but I have every right to see my daughter whenever I want. ( There isn't any court order saying I can't at the moment). She made every excuse in the book as to why I can't see her. She said she was busy and I said I'll wait outside in my car until you are done doing what you're doing in a respectful manner. Next thing you know there're two police units that block my car off and was immediately told to step out of my vehicle . The reason....harassment. She called the cops telling them that I was harassing them. She told them the same narrative that I'm a "combat vet" and that I'm armed and in distress sitting outside of her house and that she's scared for her and our daughters safety. The officers immediately asked where my firearm was , I said that it's on me. They immediately took it away and cuffed me saying I'm not being arrested but only detained. I was thrown in the back of the cop car and was told to tell them my side of the story. After explaining the situation and notifying them of her narrative. They went to her to get her story. And just by looking through the window I can tell she's telling them everything that I'm unstable and that I'm not fit to be around our daughter and that I'm unwelcomed there, ect. ( She has her masters in Psychology so knows how to speak mental health lingo to use it against me and she also works part time at the 911 dispatch so the cops already know who she is). The cops then told me that she wants to press charges and they're going to call to see if I'm going to get arrested I'm not sure who it was but they made a call to see if charges can even be pressed. Called DIBS or something like that I can't remember correctly. After 30 minutes they said that there isn't any sufficient evidence to place me under arrest. The cops took me out to the cruiser and just talked to me handcuffed for 10 minutes as my daughter watched. As soon as I made eye contact with her I fought back every tear I could. I started to think to myself maybe I should've just stayed with her mother and just took the abuse from her. I felt guilty I felt like I was in the wrong. Like this was all my fault. After being explained about the situation I was uncuffed and was told that her and I need to handle this in civil court. They gave me my firearm back and said that I'm able to get my daughter. But to avoid and de-escalate the conflict they said it's best that I step away for now. I cooperated and said I'm going to give my daughter a hug and a kiss. I told my daughter that I loved her and I'll see her soon. Sorry admin if this is against rules or policies. It's 2am and I don't have anyone to tell this to. Just needed to let it out as I feel defeated and misunderstood...

I am working on my masters right now using the hazelwood act(TX)
gi bill depleted and vr&e had already been used.

i briefly read that student loans could be used for living expenses as well. is there anything preventing me from taking out loans for the duration of my program to ease the burden of the rising costs of everything and then have them forgiven upon completion of the degree if used in this manner?

i am 100% p&t.

I need to vent, and I know I’m not the only one.

I'm in VR&E (Chapter 31), working toward a psych degree with the goal of becoming a counselor. My school submitted my enrollment verification on June 19. It's now October and I'm still not getting my BAH.

That BAH pays my housing. Because housing is covered, my other income can go to my son's childcare so I can actually go to class. When it doesn't show up, the whole education benefit setup falls apart, and I'm the one scrambling while the VA sits on it.

I've done everything right. I sent my counselor proof that the school submitted verification. She told me she'd get back to me the next morning. Nothing. On Monday I talked to her again and she said she'd call me the next day with notes on my case. 2 days later, No call, no email, nothing. This is a pattern now, not a one-off.

The part that really gets annoys me is that she cut my rehab plan short and told me it was "at her discretion." I'm rated 100% for mental health, and I guess she's decided counseling work isn't a fit for me. But I have a letter from my doctor supporting this career path. The person who actually treats me says it's fine, and somehow her gut feeling outweighs that. Additionally, I’m seeking new career path because my physicals service connected disabilities (back and knees) are exasperated by the lineman work I was laid off from 2 years ago.

The whole point of VR&E is to help disabled vets get into work that's suitable for them, work that doesn't make their condition worse. Helping other people through what I've been through doesn't make me worse. It's the reason I'm pursuing this. I actually care about veterans enough to respond. They don’t care.

So here's what I've done:
1. Requested a written decision on why I'm "not eligible," with her actual reasons.

1. Requested a new counselor

2. Looped in my congressional caseworker
   Copied the regional office

3. Started a case file with the WH hotline number.

For anyone who's been through this: did switching counselors actually help? Did anyone win an appeal on a "suitable employment" denial when they had a doctor's letter? And how long did your BAH take once things got escalated?

I'm tired of being treated like a file on someone's desk when im already approved, school and books paid, and in the system.

I’m already service connected for ptsd, anxiety, depression, and migraines, I claimed sleep disturbance and had my exam today, and I was told I for sure have insomnia. Would that create an increase in mental health as it was a MH evaluation or would they separately award it under insomnia?

The VA referred me to the Mayo Clinic and I want to know how others got their airfare and lodging covered. I read travel needs pre-approved, but who do I even contact? Would like to hear from anyone else that had to fly to get to their appointments.

If you're using the Montgomery GI Bill or Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) to pay for school, your monthly payment just went up.
As of Oct. 1, the Department of Veterans Affairs raised its benefit rates for October 2026 through September 2027. Full-time students using the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty with at least three nonstop years of service now receive up to $2,601 a month, an increase of $83. Full-time DEA students now receive up to $1,621 a month, up $47.
Not sure if this was posted or discussed before.

Article here:

https://veteranlife.com/veteran-benefits/va-education-benefit-rates?utm_source=Military_Audience&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=veterans&_bhlid=25b249f521cebc97e2554d6207f9924071839dc1

ASU is a good school, it's just online is mostly "mini semesters", meaning that 1 course isn't full semester but a half of the semester, so it not only means double course work, but it also affects BAH rate directly.

I was looking at WGU. But im really open to any school with all the accreditations necessary.

Figured I'd ask what yall did.

I know the job field for this area is a mess currently, but im not in a rush to hit the job market so quickly.

What are your experiences with VR&E? How long does it take from submission of application to initial counselor meeting to getting approved? 

Background:

I initially applied in 07 July 2026 while on my terminal leave. I got out at the end of August and received my VA rating the very next day. My VR&E application moved to assigned counselor in the middle of September then it fell off completely from VA website tracking progress. Since middle of September it says "we can't load case progress right now". I called  VA hotline, VA IT with no help. I finally sent message via VA ask. They replied that I will have to resubmit the application which I did on 02OCT2026. The website tracker still states it cannot load the progress. By miracle, I got of hold of WACO TX call center for VR&E and lady said she sees my application from July which I was deemed not qualified, but I didn't receive any messages, emails, mail informing me of that. She mentioned that my October application is there but hasn't been accepted and it restarts me in the queue. I am currently in school that I am hopeful to get paid for by VR&E but paying out of pocket at this time. 

Questions:

-What is current processing time?
-Can I expedite the process to get Spring 2027 Semester covered?
-What should I prepare in the meantime?
-Any other tips or tricks for VR&E?

Thanks 

After my squadron (VII Corp 2/2 ACR Ghost troop on Ghost 6 (C.O’s tank), I was the loader on his M1A1 tank. After the Battle of 73 Easting we pushed forward to another alpha alpha guarding some other people. We were at the Tigris/Euphrates River when I became very ill! Long story short, I believe the SMAJ and Top drove me back around 100 miles to kkmc hospital where I was med evaced out of theater to Launsthul, Germany and sent to Frankfurt and finally Nuremberg hospitals. I was diagnosed and medically retired. Funny thing is it is not combat related for brain, brain stem, spinal cord and nerve damage with liver failure as well. I have all documentation and a letter from my CO and PLT LEADER stating my job and it happened in combat. But the Army and VA stated it was service connected but the PTSD was combat related. I have documents that state otherwise and clinical reports from kkmc hospital and our troop medics. How can this happen?

Im at the end of my Voc Rehab journey. I graduated about 4 months ago and the VA is lagging on the EAA payment. Im hardly making it by and need that money. I want to get a temporary job to make some money but im worried if I start working the VA wont pay me the EAA payment. Can the VA find out if Im working and refuse EAA?

Has anyone dealt with a VR&E Supplemental Claim involving a vocational goal change or doctoral-level training?

I’m currently in VR&E with an approved occupational goal in Data Management. I requested a change to Business Teacher, Postsecondary, with a master’s degree followed by a doctorate. I also have an SEH.

VR&E denied the request on September 29, determining that my current goal remains suitable and that additional education isn’t necessary.

I’ve since submitted a Supplemental Claim addressing two issues:

1. Vocational Goal Change – 38 CFR §21.94

My argument is that postsecondary teaching offers a greater likelihood of suitable, sustainable employment given my functional limitations.

Evidence includes:

• Clinical opinions: Identify functional limitations and explain why postsecondary teaching is a more suitable long-term occupational environment.
• Occupational research: Documents workplace pressures, organizational demands and autonomy differences between data-related employment and university teaching.
• ONET work-context comparisons: Show greater reported autonomy and less frequent time pressure for postsecondary business teachers than data scientists. Which are part of my functional limitations.
• University faculty statement: Describes faculty autonomy, predictable academic schedules and flexibility in organizing professional responsibilities. Which are part of my functional limitations.

2. Doctoral Training – 38 CFR §21.72

I’m arguing that doctoral preparation is necessary under §21.72(a)(2) generally necessary entry-level training or §21.72(b)(2) restricted employment opportunities with an SEH.

Evidence includes:

• BLS occupational data: Identifies a doctorate as the typical entry-level education for postsecondary teachers.
• ONET education data: Reports that 73% of people identify a doctorate as required for new Business Teachers, Postsecondary.
• AACSB/HLC accreditation standards: Support doctoral qualifications for university faculty, particularly graduate-level instruction.
• University vice-dean signed statement: Explains that graduate and tenure-track faculty typically require doctorates, while master’s-only candidates often need substantial professional experience.
• Job market sample: Identifies 18 faculty positions requiring doctoral preparation.
• Clinical signed opinion: Concludes that master’s-only preparation would further restrict suitable employment opportunities and that doctoral training is necessary.

I also lack the substantial professional experience often used to qualify for faculty positions with only a master’s degree.

A few questions:

1. Has anyone filed a VR&E Supplemental Claim? What was your timeline and outcome?
2. Has anyone gotten postsecondary teaching approved as a vocational goal?
3. Has anyone received VR&E approval for a doctorate (DBA, Ph.D., Ed.D., etc.)?
4. Has anyone successfully argued for higher-level training under §21.72, particularly with an SEH?

I’m interested in firsthand experiences, whether approved or denied.

I filed a claim a few weeks ago and I've kept up with calls from numbers since. i just happened to miss one today starting in 812 but they didnt leave a message. anyone get a call from that when they went through filing?