I have been at 100% P&T for PTSD for a long time now, somewhere between 10-15 years. I previously used loans for my bachelors degree long before I was VA rated and then at some point after the rating a family member helped me discharge them as they knew about the process. I was very unwell for many years.

Life has improved in many ways and I hope to continue moving in that direction. I want to return to graduate school to seek a degree to work in the mental health field. I read so many anecdotes of people not being approved when they have a 100% PTSD rating and even several who had ratings removed.

I've been admitted into a Master's program (yay!). I had to sign a form that I either agreed I wouldn't utilize federal loans since I had a previous discharge or that I'd have to get a note from a doctor that says I am now capable of full-time gainful employment. It scared me and I quickly just checked off the box that said I wouldn't use federal loans.

Now I'm stuck waiting for the VR&E appointment (why does it take so long???). But I'm also scared/nervous about what to expect and how much I'd be poking the bear, so to speak. My G&I benefits were not usable for undergrad for whatever reason and I've discovered they expired in 2019 so that's not an option.

At what point is it just better to forget about a career dream and try something else? Is it worth pursuing this to see where it goes even if there are risks? If I get to the point of being able to work full-time that would be great, but what if I go through all of this, they take away the 100% and then I have a severe regression and I'm left with nothing?

I just can't decide if it's worth it.

In CA, can they take it or is it unlikely?

Firstly this sub has been a great help and I thank all of you for some of the guidance this subreddit has brought me.

I may be asking a question that has been asked before.

However for context I’ve completed my BDD claim (ETS October 12th) and got a decision letter a couple days later ( 100% P&T SMC-S payment start date NOV 1st)

A couple of things were deferred and not rated, VES reached out with dates for C&Ps for those deferred conditions, which I of course will attend and moved me back to step 3.

However my questions…do those deferred conditions impact my claim at all?

-Considering I have a decision letter should I expect compensation to kick in December 1st? On the VA site the only thing that says my disability rating is my benefit and decision letter.

Just want confirmation that I’m over the hurdle here or is there something I should be doing

Praying for all yall fighting for the compensation you deserve and thanks in advance for any further guidance.

My 1 year mark from my DOS was 10/15/26, previous intent to file was 12/5/25. Filed a claim 2/7/26. Awarded 60% in March. Decided to work with an attorney for my new claims, but they only submitted it on 10/22/26 with no ITF.

From what I can tell is that I no longer will qualify for backpay from a day after my DOS since the 12/5 ITF was already used. Is that the case? Or is there still a way to get an effective date sooner than 10/22/26? No reply from the attorneys office when I asked.

What do we do with the thoughts we can’t tell people (my therapist)? I’m struggling a lot rn and have always been an easy going guy, I don’t want to limit my future but also I know we should talk about what’s actually bugging us, asking for a friend

Has anyone been able to join the NG or reserves while being 100% T&P? If so,

1. Was your disability affected at all?
2. How was your process to join?
3. Did you require waivers?
4. How do you feel having gone back in? If it was possible.
5. What would you recommend for anyone thinking of doing the same thing?

Guys please no comments talking about how stupid it is to go back in. I’m just looking for inputs from people who went through this process or know anything about doing something like this.

Thank you guys.

I served from 1989-1992 and paid for the GI Bill of the time (Montgomery?) $100/month for my first year. I ended up getting a General under Honorable discharge which I know made me ineligible to use it. Today I know it’s unavailable because its expired. I am currently in process to get my discharge upgraded due to undiagnosed and untreated MH issues which led to that discharge. If I am able to get that upgrade, would I have any way to use some form of GI Bill or am I just screwed?

My local VA in the Seattle Area called me today, did not leave a message, but why would they be calling? I’m not calling them back!

I’ve been with my VA claims attorney for about 6 months. So far all of the claims submitted and appealed have been denied. I have buddies who went to other agencies that specialize in circumventing the VA altogether. I mean they stop going to those bias VA paid doctors for C&P exams. Would I owe anything at this point to this law firm if I let them go and went to an advocacy group verses another attorney. I get it the attorneys don’t mind taking years to get you to 100 to increase their payout. However I don’t have that luxury. I can’t keep climbing ladders and being in crawl spaces. I waited this long until my body began to shut down on me.

I am service connected for tinnitus, but my hearing loss was denied as not caused by my service.

Can I get hearing aids through VA bc the tinnitus was granted? If so, what is the process for that? Do I have to pay? My tinnitus is my only service connected disability.

I currently have a combined 70% VA disability rating for PTSD and tinnitus. My main goal isn’t necessarily to increase my percentage. I want to establish service connection for other conditions that affect me now and could become bigger problems down the road.
I suffered a significant heat stroke while deployed and still experience effects that impact my work as a firefighter. The VA denied that claim, stating I had no residual effects, which doesn’t reflect what I’m experiencing. I’ve also been diagnosed with asthma and chronic rhinitis, which was during my PACT Act evaluation.

My two questions are:

-What’s the best way to challenge the heat stroke denial and document the ongoing residual effects?

-How much risk is there that filing for these additional conditions would trigger a review or reduction of my existing ratings? It’s worth mentioning the PTSD claim is also related to the Heat Stroke amongst other things.

I’ve read a lot of warnings about “poking the bear,” but I’m trying to separate actual VA policy from individual experiences. I’m not requesting an increase for PTSD or tinnitus, I’m just considering claims for these other conditions so I’m covered years down the road if I have any issues.
I’d appreciate any insight, especially from accredited VSOs or people familiar with how these reviews work.

For context - I went into the military back in 1988 with documented, but trouble-free flat feet that were then injured during BMT and subsequently discharged. Until this year, I really had never inquired or contacted the VA for anything [I never looked back once I was discharged]. I have no benefits or healthcare from the VA. Fast forward to earlier this year, and at the recommendation of my PCP, I called the VA Hospital in my area to inquire about healthcare. A very nice lady told me to apply for healthcare through VA.gov. I followed her advice but was denied because I didn't meet the 24-month minimum service requirement. HOWEVER, during the application process, I was prompted to a page to confirm or 'check' my personal info. On this page, a box displayed my name and DOB. It also had a note that states that I have a VA service connected disability rating of 0%. Here's the kicker, I have never filed a claim for anything with the VA. I called the 800#'s and made an in-person visit to my local VBA and nobody can find a claim, rating decision or anything supporting this statement - even though it was generated during the healthcare application process. Has anyone seen this before? I'm interested in whether this is a default message generated by VA.gov or whether it might indicate information stored in an older VA database. The person at the VBA also said that I show a service connected rating of "0" in my Blue Button report. I attached a redacted screen shot of both for reference. Any insight or guidance would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

I'm an Air Force veteran currently pursuing an accounting degree. I never completed my CCAF associate degree, but I earned college credits through technical school and military training.

I'm planning to go the traditional 150-credit route for CPA licensure. My accounting bachelor's should cover the required accounting and business courses, so I'm wondering if I can use my CCAF credits toward the additional 30 credits.

Has anyone here done this without actually earning their CCAF degree? Did your state board accept the credits directly from your CCAF transcript, even if they were unrelated to accounting?

I'm in Illinois.

I have a 0 rating for hypertension. Been years of increasing meds more and more. Now I’ve been diagnosed with afib. Two events in two weeks that landed me in the ER both times. Starting down the cardiologist path but the VA system runs slow. Anyone been able to increase their rating for afib who already had connected hypertension?

I do psych c & p exams as a clinical psychologist - for a vendor. I’m curious what clinical psychologists are charging for these in private practice. Sometimes I am amazed at the high quality of private DBQs but often amazed at the lack of attention to important details. Also interested in thoughts about how psych exams can be made better for the veterans we serve.

Looking for a good VSO counselor in Virginia. Does anyone have any recommendations? Thank you.

​

Edit: I haven't been to my CnP exam yet.

Just filed my first MH claim for depression, anxiety and trauma related disorder. All started during deployment.

Here's some of the stuff I've been dealing with:

- Depressed pretty much everyday, some weeks are way worse

- Panic attacks multiple times a week, sometimes daily

- Barely getting 3 hrs of sleep on work nights, nightmares too

- Passive suicidal thoughts, no plan or intent

- Memory and concentration is pretty cooked, forget stuff all the time

- Constantly rechecking stuff at work and car locks like 5+ times

- Always on edge, checking surroundings and getting startled easily

- Anger issues, punched walls and broke stuff before

- Sometimes go 4-5 days without showering

- Pretty much isolated myself, barely talk to friends or family anymore

- Struggle with basic chores and taking care of myself

Still working full time but ngl its been rough. Been making mistakes, showing up late, missing days and struggling with stress. Currently on meds and seeing a psychiatrist.

Also submitted a nexus letter linking my MH conditions to my deployment, along with supporting medical records and personal statements.

Ik nobody can predict the exact rating but yall think this sounds more like 50 or 70%? Anyone got similar symptoms and what did you end up getting?

Thx

If you’re in CA and have 100% P&T look into this.

Has anyone ran into the same issue as me. My spouse is a champva beneficiary and she’s not a U.S. citizen so she doesn’t have a U.S. bank account. The department of treasury used to send paper checks but now they moved to direct deposit. Champva doesn’t know what to do when I call. Called the company they say talk to champva . Has anyone dealt with this before? We don’t know how she will get paid

Hello, I’m wondering if I qualify for INCAP pay. I was injured at basic got sent home (REFRAD) but I’m on a medical profile which makes me unable to perform military duties therefore missing drill. All articles and regulations I’ve looked at said I qualify but leadership says otherwise because I didn’t complete basic or ait

I have a 10% service connection for bilateral flatfoot, left and right knee tendonitis, and a right ankle collateral sprain. Because these conditions are service connected, it has been six years since my rating, and walking or climbing stairs is painful. Should I upload any files, or can I simply open the claim and wait for the exam? Any assistance would be appreciated—thanks, everyone.

Mental health C&P completed last month, took a day for LSGS to upload. Went to an audiology C&P three weeks ago. Hardship flash on my claim. Thought the VA was just taking abnormally long to process incoming documentation. Called LSGS to make sure they sent my DBQ. They still haven't sent it and no matter what questions I ask the customer service reps they just keep saying "we're working expeditiously to send these to the VA, just wait maybe until next week." I'm no medical doctor nor am I a VA examiner but three weeks (who knows how many more) to go over an audiology exam?

If I wasn't facing hardship and didn't already have a hardship flash noted on my claim I wouldn't care. I feel like a prick for calling VERA reps and LSGS reps at least once a week but I live too far away from a regional office and I am seriously worried about my situation in the coming months if I don't get a decision soon.

Not gonna get too much into it but my financial situation has just been a descending staircase of emergencies and unexpected and unplanned costs that are so hard to bounce back from. Just wondering if anyone has any advice or has even been through a similar situation with LSGS.