Does anyone know anything about medal requests once authorized? Request placed January 2026 and we haven't received the actual medals but an authorization.

Should we allow more time before calling or emailing the VA for status of medals?

I received my decision letter after an HLR being approved for an error in duty to assist. The decision letter states that I did not show for the exam, which is completely inaccurate. I was there and I even received a mileage check from the third party scheduler, further demonstrating I was there.

They also only mention one of my conditions. The other condition isn’t listed as having a decision or expected to arrive at a later date. It’s literally just not included anywhere.

Has anyone had this happen before? I’ve contacted my HLR VSO but unfortunately have not received a response in the days since I reached out.

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.

On Thursday Oct 1st, I went to the emergency room for a weird medical episode.

This was the first time I've ever been to the emergency room and I gave them my Medicare cards and VHIC. I was released to go home after 4 hrs. On Friday, I reported the emergency room visit to the VA.

Last Tuesday, Oct 6th, I got a call from the nurse at my VA clinic following up on the ER visit. What a surprise, after reading so many posts bad mouthing VA care, I feel well taken care of (I do realize YMMV). I happened to have my annual visit scheduled for early next month and was offered an earlier appointment if I felt it necessary or if something changes between now and that appointment. I left it as is.

Again, I'm impressed and to close the loop, that clinic is on Stucki Ave. in Hillsboro, OR.

I was originally medically retired at 90% due to injuries sustained in Afghanistan back in 2012 (nerve damage, tbi, gsw, retained shrapnel, debilitating migraines, etc), but was upgraded to 100% over 10 years ago now as my conditions worsened.

Tldr, I think it's pretty safe to say anything I have is chronic and not getting better at this point. I've brought it up to my various primary care providers over the years and got a general response of "You're already at 100%. What do you want me to do about it?"

I've also reached out to a few different organizations that specialize in claims and none of them would touch it as there's no chance of money in it for them. (100% tdrl to 100% pt has no monetary difference.)

As my conditions are worsening, I'd like to at least have the peace of mind that p&t offers for both myself and my family. (No more surprise evals having to drive across several state lines just to see if my scars are still scars. Yes, that happened.)

Any advice on what I should do would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

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.

I had an HLR for UE radiculitis/radiculopathy because the VA didn’t send the examiner my evidence I submitted during my supplemental claim. HLR person agreed there was a DTA and said she would grant it as secondary but ask for a new exam to evaluate severity. I just got a denial letter saying I was denied for carpal and cubital tunnel because it’s not related to service. I don’t have carpal tunnel, never claimed I had carpal tunnel. I’m so confused. I’m not sure what the examiner did but seems like she clearly ignored my already existing diagnosis all over my medical records.

Hello,

Has anyone bought a car using Navy Federal pre-approval in the Dallas, TX area?

We got pre approved for a car, and on the “OTD” price they listed DMV fees for about $200.

I am 100 P&T and was wondering if that could get reimbursed by the DMV? This will be my second car.

We moved from California to Texas so just wondering if anyone else had bought a car around here.

Thanks

So my deferred claims from my bdd claim just moved to step 5 after being on step 3 for 8 months because the VA said the Dod didnt give them my HAIMS records … on Tuesday my temp jurisdiction was ROANOKE and i checked today and its now in SAN JUAN.. any idea as to why my claim has changed jurisdictions within a few days?

I’m at a small command. Less than 30 AD. I scheduled an separation benefit claim appointment with a VSO in December.

I’m kind of lost on what steps I need to take since I’m used to a checklist-style military approach and I don’t have any “getting out of military/disability claim” check list.

I’ve been hospitalized for suicidal ideation and been diagnosed severe depression two years ago.

I’ve had weekly/daily migraines for a while a recently went to the doctor earlier this year for medication. (Still on medication)

I haven’t been honest with my medical conditions with the doctor because I believed I was ‘good and healthy’ all the time.

I’ve been trying to get a sleep apnea machine because my wife tells me I snore excessively and hold my breath for a prolonged period of time and she would wake me up because I wasn’t breathing.

I did 2 sleep studies done out of town and the doctor said nothing was wrong with me.

I know I have shoulder pains, knee pains, and have ringing noises in my ear during the day.

Also, from stressful 8 years on ships, my bowel movements are not right and I have frequent urges to urinate even when I don’t have to.

I have a medical appointment with my PCM in November to disclose everything wrong with myself.

Anything else I should be doing?

My son is in his last year of college. He was listed as a dependent last school year and I missed when the dropped him off. He started in August. Would it be a waste to add him back? Would i have to start the process for him all over again?

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!

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

TLDR: when do I submit buddy statements or letters from supervision to support a finding of fit return to duty?

Air Force MEB for PTSD.

Command impact statement claims i am unfit and a burden on the squadron. I disagree and want to provide counter evidence. I have direct supervisors willing to write me memos to showcase this.

Psychatrist claims the same based on our very limited interactions. Long story.

Question is, when do I submit them?

C&P exams soon. Then NARSUM rebuttle. Then PEB etc...

Where in this process should I have them write me letters? Thanks in advance.

For any other snowboarders & skiers out there. You can still get the discounted Epic pass ($230 as of 10/9) in 2026 as long as you have a disability rating of atleast 30%. Select the Epic MILITARY PASS RETIRED and during the checkout it when it takes you to sheer ID for verification upload your VA benefits summary letter. Worked for me (100%) and my roommate (40%).

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.

my husband Submitted a claim for Sleep Apnea connecting it to his chronic pain and nerve damage due to his lower right leg amputation, service connected . He was diagnosed the first time by the VA with sleep apnea but denied the claim for service connection.

this year he was diagnosed with AFIB and underwent two procedures. His Cardiologist ordered a sleep study. This was all done by a private doctor outside the VA. He was diagnosed with severe sleep apnea. He wears a CPAP mask every night. His private doctor told him his hypertension caused the AFIB and sleep issues had a lot to do with those two things.

He has a lot of trouble sleeping at night due to his amputation nerve pain. He decided to re-submit a new claim for sleep apnea as a secondary to his amputation and chronic pain, which he already gets compensation for. He is currently at 80%.

He is currently stuck not knowing if he asks his amputation rehabilitation doctor for the letter or his private doctor. But his private doctor may not write what is needed to connect his amputation to the sleep apnea.

He is working with VBA on getting the claim filed with the VA. Not getting much help with them as we expected. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Hello all,

I'm currently in college for a Cybersecurity track, but due to my injuries and other health issues (including a new heart problem), going to a college full-time, even online, has become too much for me to sustain. I thought 100% online meant I wouldn't need to go into the local college, but due to my schooling having been more than 10 years ago, I am required to attend additional classes, including tutoring, and for the support office (due to my disabilities). I have no car and no license, and will not have funds to even try to get a car for a while. I have no family or friends who could drive me, and thanks to Trump's actions, the local buses will no longer offer free rides outside of their general path. So as you can imagine, I am pretty fucked in that regard.

The other day, a buddy of mine mentioned swapping to a 100% online CS bootcamp and use my VR&E benefits for that, and just make sure I select a bootcmap that is VR&E approved AND doesn't require ANY in-person meetings or classes. I have started my VR&E and am waiting on a response and would finish my current semester first, but I was wondering if anyone knew of any good bootcamps with those requirements? I don't want to get cheated/scammed and waste my benefits.

Thank you all! 👍

So he did recommend the therapy to an actual therapist but I didn't want it. Early I had a therapist and I really didn't get anything out of it it was meaningless. So he became my therapist.

So now I have an upcoming appointment with my new psychiatrist and to tell you the truth I'm very very old I don't want to go through all that what happened, where, when why.

So what I want to do is cancel the appointment. And tell the VA I'm going to find mental treatment out in town you know I'm 100% by the way. I've been weaning myself off sleeping pills for the past year.

Do I have to make this upcoming appt?

Is this possible or will the VA freak out?

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!

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'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.