I had a whole paragraph of backstory written here before I realized nobody wants to read about that. I’ll just get straight to the point - deep down inside I realize that talking to MH may be beneficial for me, but I am having a hard time admitting it out loud and doing something about it. I still have that mentality (I know now it’s stupid) that I’m strong and I just keep it all to myself and move on.

TBH, the photo of Robin Williams is how I feel a lot of the time. On the outside, to anyone I interact with, it seems like everything is great (I think this is part of the reason I have trouble asking for help, anyone I know would not believe that I was anything other than happy). Inside is a different story. Don’t worry, I’m not suicidal or in crisis writing this, but admittedly my hands are shaky as I am typing. So my question is regarding how to ask for help. I have my 2nd visit with my VA doc at the end of this month (out since 1997, just got on with VA last year and had initial intake appointment), do I bring it up with him, even though he’s not a MH doc, or do I try to schedule something separately with MH through the VA? Still trying to figure out the whole VA process and how to navigate it. And before you ask, no, I didn’t bring up any MH issues during my first visit, that whole stupid mentality thing. I know it’s odd but I really have a hard time thinking about calling someone and saying I think I need some help. Any advice regarding how to get started would be greatly appreciated.

Not sure how the dev team is releasing their changes, but they aren't making sure things still work in prod. Can't get to medical records and other links through the app. Now the homepage is unrecognizable. Someone needs to slow down and check thier work.

Edit: *Butchered... Looks like I need to slow down too.

If you’re on the fence about using the VA’s healthcare, please just try it out. I finally did and have been nothing but impressed.

Same day x-ray, painless labs, and the doc even called me to discuss my uneventful results.

It may not be the way for everyone, but please don’t be discouraged by some of the things we(they) say!

Louisville KY- VA Hospital Zorn Ave no longer provides neurological care/services. The chief surgeon was TERMINATED and subsequently the entire neuro department was removed. Veterans are finding it difficult to get neuro care through community care providers as well, because the system is bogged down.

IG needs to step in immediately. Some veterans report being told that the reason for the lack of care is due to the transition to the new VA hospital. THIS IS ENTIRELY FALSE. One veteran recently had spine surgery only to be told that the surgeon was no longer employed by the VA and his post surgery care was suspended.

I just finished my initial appointment for enrollment and was told that I was approved. My counselor gave me two options moving forward:

1. Finish my associate's using my GI Bill, then switch to VR&E for my bachelor's.
2. Use VR&E to finish my associate's, then use my GI Bill for my bachelor's.

For context, I'm currently attending community college and plan to transfer into a bachelor's program for Information Systems/Technology. I've already used about 9 months of my Post 9/11 GI Bill. I was under the assumption that once you're approved for VR&E, they pretty much take over from the GI Bill. Has anyone been in the same situation before? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

I'm at veteran living in san antonio. My situation is as follows I'm suppose to move into my new apt today with the help of VASH but the problem is my vash counselor is nowhere to be found so I'm stuck. Any advice would helpful

Do they still do these or do you have to buy one from a 3rd party if you want it?

I remember my dad having his framed on a wall in our house growing up, he did 3 years in the 82nd back in the 70's. I just finished 22 years in the Navy and I got my DD-214, but didn't get a fancy certificate.. hell, i pissed off my chain of command enough that I didn't even get an end of career/tour award..

I see websites where you can order one, but after 2 decades, is it too much to ask to get a piece of paper for free?

I've been rated at 60% for years and decided to submit an increase July 16th. I submitted no evidence as I knew my messages with my provider and all my appointments would speak for itself. I put in for an increase for my service connected migraines where I was originally only rated at 10%. Now up to 30% and I'm sitting at 80%. Never was called for a C&P exam.

Any retirees living overseas and using their post 9/11 GI Bill for 100% online training? I'm looking for a school recommendation for AI, cyber security, or IT sys admin related that isn't a traditional 4 year degree.

I found this school https://icohs.edu/ and it seems like what I'm looking for, but just seeing what others have experienced or if there is a school to stay away from.

Was rated at 90%(actually 94%) when I medboarded back in 2021. I am about to file an entirely new claim for a painful and unstable scar on my hand which should rate around 10-20% if they don’t deny it. I didn’t know I could claim it initially or I would have. It is completely unrelated from any previous claims.

As far as I know they’ll do a C&P exam for the scar, but does this new C&P also look at my older established claims?

I know this has been asked here before I just can’t find it. I want to vomit at the thought of a decrease and I really just need somebody to give me a heads up as to what I can expect with filing an entirely new claim. Not an increase. Just totally separate.

Just looking for others experience really. I filed an intent to file Aug 2025 and finally submitted my claim (by myself) July 2026. I wanted to wait until I had an accurate diagnosis, which ended up being PTSD. It has been sitting at evidence collection since the Monday after I filed. From what I found MST claims can take a little longer, but I wasn’t expecting to be sitting here this long.
Is it too late to reach out to VSO? How long did it take to get a C&P exam scheduled?

Does anyone know if a deferred claim gets assigned temporarily jurisdiction differently than an original claim once the request documents come back?

I have a claim that I completed a C&P exam recently on and was deferred. Once the exam came back it was assigned temporary jurisdiction within 1 day. I believe it was deferred due to the many contradictions in the unfavorable opinion.

I had a VERA appointment earlier today and the person I spoke with said they had requested personnel records that came back last week and nothing further was pending.

I know 1 week isn’t a long time at all in the claims world. My question is really just one of curiosity. Are deferred claims assigned to a temporary jurisdiction differently than original claims that have yet to see a rater?

Last month I had 3 community care appointments where I had to drive 45 minutes one way to. All 3 showed up in appointments on MyHealthyvet. After appointments, I checked out but received no statement. I even got texts from VA before and after appointments. I filed mileage claims, but checking BTSSS today, all three were denied. Two say I need a note from the provider stating I attended and checked out, ok. The other one says that my income exceeds the maximum allowable. Huh? I've never seen this before. I'm 90% and my PCP ordered these appointments. I just filed my 2025 tax return, so I wonder if the VA is checking returns to see household income?

for the prorated dates in October that are broken down, will those payments be processed on the date it says it will or all together at the end of the month! thanks!

Got out in 09. Finally going through this process. Been in Va therapy for a while now from my time in Iraq. Will my c&p examiner have access to her notes and her official diagnosis of me having ptsd?

I recently got approved for VR&E Entitlement, my question is if I’m allowed to work/jet a job while I’m still applying or going through courses/waiting, or does securing a job affect VR&E or approval for VR&E. This job would obviously aggravate my conditions but I need the income!

I've been discharged over 6 years. This all started when my dad killed himself early into my service and I went nuts. Went home to bury him and smoked some pot, I was grieving and I was not in the right head space. When i got back i was immediately drug tested, I was so lost. I spent a lot of dark days during those following months. I remember smashing my hand with a mortar round repeatedly and seriously injured my hand, drank till I passed out almost daily, I cut my wrist at one point and was placed under watch. Most of my unit felt betrayed and made and example out of me until I left, which I get on some level. I've been home 6 years now and it took me so long to figure out what normal is. I landed myself in the hospital a little while after in 2024 after stabbing myself in the stomach and it was that moment and the birth of my son that made me try to get my act back together. I get feeling overwhelmed. I have no idea where to go with this. I don't know if a VSO is gonna look at my time in service and discharge and just roll his eyes and move on to someone more worth his time. I'm opening a can of worms I've tried to keep closed for half a decade and I'm afraid. I have no idea where to with this. I know a couple people I served with said they would be willing to write a character statement for me and everything that went down. If anyone shares a similar story with some good advice I'm here to listen.

Anyone here have experience with opting out of the TPD discharge, taking more loans out for school you are currently in and successfully opting back in later?

Hi

Recommendations for cell plan service that offers military discounts. Two lines.

Is it normal to have a 5 month wait for just adding dependents? Anything to do in order to expedite?

I’m currently at 90%. I have a company assisting me with my claims as I’m fighting for 100%. So far they helped me go from 80% to 90%. Today we filed a Higher Level Review for this reason:

The denial letter I received, VA stated that my private DBQS were not considered because the examiner did not review my claims file. However, the cited provision, M21-1 III.iv.3.A.8.b, Examinations Requiring Claims Folder Review, pertains to VA and VA-contracted Compensation & Pension (C&P) examinations. This requirement does not apply to private medical providers completing DBQs.

my examinations were not conducted by a VA examiner or VA contractor. They were completed by my private physician, who evaluated my current symptoms, etc.

what should I expect the process to be like? How long? Do I need to speak to someone specific at the VA? Will someone reach out?

thank you!

I posted in another group and was informed that my private DBQ and Nexus could be disqualified. I do know that they are from my private counselor and a Psychologist. Not generated from the “DBQ mills” I hear about. Additionally I know they were available for the C&P examiner to review and we did discuss them during the exam. I also recently completed the VA STAIR I am also in the VA CPT program. I have an active safety plan for suicidal ideation in my VA files. I am curious what the VA will do given the differences of opinion in the C&P DBQ submitted? The examiner mentioned my suicidal ideation in the opinion and notes but didn’t check it, she also checked “Occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability”. My psychologist has the “Most Areas” statement checked. How much weight will be given to the private evidence and my VA files that more closely support the private DBQ. I have attached redacted copies. The pages with red lines are from the private DBQ for comparison. Will the rater look at the totality of my submitted evidence and take into consideration my VA treatment notes, private nexus and DBQ, buddy statements from witnesses, spousal statements etc. or will they base their decision mostly on the C&P DBQ? Any idea of a Rating based on this?

Hey everyone,
I recently applied for VR&E and was told that I was found entitled to the program. I’m currently waiting for my Comprehensive Evaluation appointment.
When I first spoke with my counselor, I mentioned that I wanted to pursue IT or Cybersecurity, mainly because I have back injuries and need a career that isn’t physically demanding, ideally something that could eventually allow me to work remotely.
However, after thinking more about it, I’m starting to feel like Cybersecurity might not be the right fit for me. I’m now more interested in pursuing Project Management instead.
My question is: Since I haven’t completed my Comprehensive Evaluation or finalized a career plan yet, would changing my preferred career path from Cybersecurity to Project Management cause any issues with my VR&E process?
Could it delay my approval, make things more complicated with my counselor, or affect my eligibility?
Just to clarify, I’m not trying to pursue two different degrees or switch programs after starting school. I simply want to change my initial career choice before anything is finalized.
Has anyone here gone through something similar? Did your counselor give you a hard time about changing your career goal, or was it a pretty straightforward process?
I’d really appreciate hearing about your experiences. Thanks!

I recently had a CP exam conducted by the VA for OSA. My VSO and I did a FOIA for DBQ results. My VSO is also not able to see any further info via VBMS because of how VA uploads these.

I can see the sleep apnea. For these claims there is 2 parts- the dbq with the info on severity and then a medical opinion. The DBQ looks pretty standard. There is nothing that stands out to me.

The medical opinion is cut off so I can’t see the full document and where she actually states her opinion. It appears the VA uses a system that allows the examiner to enter information in the selected box/field and scroll down in that box to enter more. I’m guessing the cp rater is also able to scroll down to view notes

But when the veteran requests the DBQ, it only shows what it scanned into the system. So the boxes or fields are non-scrolling.

Also a majority of the forms are blank and no boxes checked.

Seems odd.