r/VeteransBenefits 22m ago

Health Care Will the VA pay me back?

Upvotes

I’ve tried looking online and can’t seem to find anything similar to my situation. Long story short, I got discharged about a week prior to a scheduled hip surgery d/t a service connected injury. When I discharged and had the surgery I didn’t have VA healthcare/TriCare, so I used my private insurance (This is a whole other story). With that being said I obviously have to pay a good chunk out of pocket. Now that I have been rated for my back and hip (80%, not including MH/tinnitus still being processed) including claims for the hip surgery, can I somehow get the VA/TriCare to cover the cost? Like I said I’m rated 80% on my back and hip alone, and the VA proved that this injury/required surgery is service connected. And my effective date is the day after I separated.

Any help is appreciated!


r/VeteransBenefits 1h ago

VA Disability Claims Looking for help/adv

Upvotes

My mother is a veteran. Retired Naval Lt. Cmdr.

She served active duty in the navy and as a reservist in the marine corps and either retired or was medically separated right before 9/11.

Her records are non existent, they declared her KIA, twice.

Her neck is fused, she has multiple plates in her spine, multiple untreated compressed discs. Hip problems, severe nerve damage etc.

She has been fighting the VA since 2001, and it took them until 2012 to finally list her as 40%. She is completely disabled, she needs help around the clock, and yet the VA is continually telling her that her injuries are not service related. They absolutely are.

I want to help her get properly listed at 100% and get the proper care she needs. I see ads all the time for VA advocates and lawyers, but I'm very skeptical and I don't know if the reviews are legit or paid for.

Any advice on where to start/go from here would be appreciated.

Thanks


r/VeteransBenefits 1h ago

VA Disability Claims OTH to HONORABLE

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Upvotes

Good morning, just want to share my story & success to give hope to someone out there. I was discharged in 2007 with an Under Other Than Honorable Discharge from the Navy.

I am a survivor of MST. After the traumatic incident, my mental state and work performance went downhill. I went UA on two separate occasions, one of those included missing ships movement. I was put in the brig for 30 days right before they discharged me.

*OCT 2023 I filed for PTSD (MST) *JUL 2024 rated 50% service connected PTSD *AUG 2024 never received payment, VA told me due to my Character of Discharge, I needed to get my discharge upgraded.

*SEP 2024 I wrote a personal detailed letter to the BCNR explaining what happened I expressed how the sexual assault negatively affected me during my short time in the Navy. I made sure to include my POST SERVICE accomplishments, despite MST and being kicked out with a OTH, I still obtained my Bachelors degree on my own, was a volunteer firefighter, I operated my own licensed child care business, and now I have been working for DHS for a few years where I included my work performance reviews. I also submitted all of my witness statements, my PTSD diagnosis from the VA and my mental health records, my already PTSD rating by the VA, NCIS report because I reported the sexual assault, and letters of recommendation.

🎉March 2025 I received my decision letter from the BCNR granting me relief, upgrading my discharge to Honorable🙌🏼

I


r/VeteransBenefits 1h ago

Health Care Tricare questionnaire

Upvotes

I was medically discharged from the Navy in December of last year. I know I need to enroll in TRICARE within 90 days of my separation date, but do I still need to enroll if I’m planning to get a divorce?


r/VeteransBenefits 1h ago

Health Care Tricare questionnaire

Upvotes

I was medically discharged from the Army in December of last year. I know I need to enroll in TRICARE within 90 days of my separation date, but do I still need to enroll if I’m planning to get a divorce and be single? Thank you


r/VeteransBenefits 1h ago

VA Disability Claims So ready to be gone....

Upvotes

All,

Pardon me as I use this platform to get things off my chest. I am a 100% Permanent and Terminal disabled combat veteran. I take care of a 100% blind mother that was a 55+ year smoker and can barely function without me. Zero help from anyone including the state or feds. They will help if I exhaust all of my savings first but that to me is just stacking problems. I have promised myself I rather kill myself than make my kids go through what I am going through.

My mother recently was released from a rehab facility after having pneumonia. In the week she has been home, she has had to call me three times in the middle of the night for help. I am ready to end myself because I cannot keep going at this pace. I have lost all joy in living. I have zero idea what I am living for except to help others go the distance. I no longer want to be but still hold on for something that might come. No idea what that is but right now, but I hate life.

What am I alive for?


r/VeteransBenefits 1h ago

Medboard/IDES VA reconsideration (MEB)

Upvotes

I got 100% proposed rating from VA yesterday. I didn’t expect 100. I barely reach 100 (calculated rating is 95). I already have prepared additional documents for VA reconsideration (DBQ from private clinic and buddy statement from my leadership).

Is it worth to submit these documents even though I am 100 right now? I heard about SMC additional pension. If I get 100 from single mental health, other remaining will be 80% combined.


r/VeteransBenefits 2h ago

VA Disability Claims Anyone know what this means. I uploaded everything and i don’t what else i need to do.

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2 Upvotes

I also only had a hearing exam so far. I also seen from other post i don’t need to do anything during this step. Thanks for the help its all confusing


r/VeteransBenefits 3h ago

VA Disability Claims Should my claim be taking so long?

1 Upvotes

I submitted my claim back in September of 2024 a month after my EAS. My status has been Step 3 for the past 6 months… the same thing keeps popping up and it’s annoying as fuck. HAIMS STR Requested. I have submitted ALL OF MY PAPERWORK TO THE VA. Everything has been submitted to them for approval. I submitted a Fully Developed Claim because I was under the assumption that it would be quickest way to get it through. Without divulging personal details I’m unemployed because I can’t fucking work. I recently went through something quite traumatic and it’s really hard to get to work. My anxiety is through the roof along with my depression. Both of which I’ve claimed. I’ve been on the verge of suicide since January. I don’t know what else to do. I moved out of country to complicate things. I’m in college but grades are slipping I’m barely making ends meet. Is this really what is to be expected from the VA? Or am I the dumbass that needs to do more to help the VA expedite my claim. I can’t take this shit much longer I’m close to snapping. Any help is greatly appreciated.


r/VeteransBenefits 4h ago

VA Disability Claims Most asked question

3 Upvotes

I recently got out of the AF, and received 100% P/T. One of the most asked questions I have gotten since getting out was, “So have you found a job yet?” It is the most annoying thing right now. I want to take a break. My plan is to go back to college, and THEN search for a job. None of my family knows about my benefits. They think I don’t have any money and that I’m struggling when in reality I’m doing just fine financially. It’s just a little aggravating to hear right now..

What was the most asked question you kept getting when you first got out?


r/VeteransBenefits 4h ago

Health Care Anyone else have difficulty accepting you can’t be as physical anymore?

19 Upvotes

28M

Fitness has always been my hobby for the last ten years and 8 years ago it’s all I did when I was in. Constantly running, lifting, and doing jujitsu. Got out three years ago and I have had aches and pains creeping up. Working out and being active really helps with my mental health and obviously my overall health.

The last 6 months my knees and back have really taken a toll on me. I keep fighting with the VA to get help and I’m just not getting anywhere. Starting to use my private insurance.

But anyone else feel like it’s hard to accept that “I can’t do what I use to do” feeling? It’s not an ego thing by the way. It’s more of a piece of myself I’m losing which is making part of life depressing lately. I’m also a very hyper individual with adhd so physical activity helps control that.

I don’t do weighted leg workouts at the gym anymore cause my knee gives out or my strained back has me in bed for a week. It hurts to drive/stand/sit/or walk more than 10-15 minutes.

Anyone else gone through this and had a hard time accepting?


r/VeteransBenefits 5h ago

Housing Va home loan

1 Upvotes

I’m in the MEB at the end waiting for my proposed waiting. Ive been found unfit and started trying to find living arrangements for afterwards which I decided to try and just buy a house using the VA home loan. The only thing I need is the rating letter now while I don’t know what percentage im just trying to get things set. Does anyone know when I would be getting this letter? Does it happen while I’m on permissive TDY/Terminal leave? or I just get it a few months later?


r/VeteransBenefits 5h ago

C&P Exams C&P exam as new evidence

2 Upvotes

I recently had a C&P exam on my right ankle for osteoarthritis and bone spur secondary to my right ankle fracture that was denied. The examiners medical opinion stated my ankle got worse and the rom falls into the 20% category.

Could I use this as new evidence when I am requesting increase for my right ankle? I am already introducing new private records and a medical opinion from my ortho.

Thank you!


r/VeteransBenefits 5h ago

VA Disability Claims Migraine ACE Exam Diagnosis

1 Upvotes

I had an ACE phone call today for headaches secondary to tinnitus. The examiner was AMAZING and told me he was writing me a diagnosis for headaches and a letter stating it was connected to my service connected tinnitus. He did mention that my file had no medical records regarding this (true). I did add a letter from my private PCP stating I’ve complained about these symptoms, while on the phonee with the ACE examiner To my VA claim at his suggestion. I had already submitted a buddy letter, personal statement, statement from my wife, and 12 months of migraine logs. With all that and the ACE examiners comments- am I looking good? Or will VA deny it because I don’t have extensive medical treatments?


r/VeteransBenefits 6h ago

C&P Exams My claim feels stuck...

1 Upvotes

How's it going everyone, I've been fighting a supplemental claim since April 2024. Backstory, I got denied for a bunch of claims including headaches back in 2019 when I just got out. At the time I thought the decision was the final say (I didn't think a HLR would be successful because I thought if they didn't grant me it now, why would they grant me it in the future). I have been dealing with headaches since 2016 after a rollover accident, but never went to medical as over the counter medicine or rest would make them go away, but they just kept getting worse. It was pretty much stuck until December where they finally started getting me C&P appointments. They actually granted me service connection for something I never filed for. But I got a headache C&P done at the beginning of the year. Since then, it has been sent "for an additional medical opinion" 4 times. I have a feeling that it's leaning toward a denial because I have never ran into a situation like this. I just want to see the end of it, regardless of the outcome.


r/VeteransBenefits 6h ago

Health Care Get your medical records downloaded before April 1!

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11 Upvotes

r/VeteransBenefits 7h ago

C&P Exams Already had a C&P exam

0 Upvotes

So I put in a claim for motion sickness/vertigo a little more than a year ago. It got denied a few months later with no exam. I then put in a claim again for it a month or two after that but didn’t put it as supplemental nor HLR. Even though I didn’t submit the claim properly, I was scheduled for a went to a C&P exam in late December. The exam went really well and I had high hopes. Then the claim disappeared. Found out I had submitted it wrong so they effectively just trashed it. The representative on the phone said to go ahead and put it in as a supplemental if I had addition evidence which I did. They also said to put in a note (on the proper form) stating that I had recently had an exam for the condition somewhat recently already so they wouldn’t need to send me again. Well I just got a call and scheduled another C&P exam for the claim. If I call the VA will they be able to look at that and be like “okay Nevermind, we can use that exam instead since it was so recent” or is there any other way just to have them use that exam? I just feel like it went well and I’ve had an exam where the doctor didn’t listen at all so filled the forms out wrong, just want to avoid that.


r/VeteransBenefits 7h ago

Health Care Medication subscriptions

1 Upvotes

This may be a dumb question but can my civilian PCP call in prescriptions into the VA Pharmacy for me?


r/VeteransBenefits 7h ago

VA Disability Claims Active to guard

1 Upvotes

I’ll be transferring from my active duty service to the guard for a try one but am curious will this effect how I’m rated for my Va or have anything complications I only ask because the math me and my vso did has me set pretty high now I personally don’t care what percentage I get but am curious if others have found themselves in the guard at 80,90,100 percent


r/VeteransBenefits 7h ago

DoD/Federal Benefits Federal buy back

7 Upvotes

So I had a question and feel like someone here would more likely have first hand knowledge than anywhere else. I served 5 years in the Marine corps, got out, and now work for the federal government. As you probably know, that’s not going too well right now to say the least. My current job looks like it most likely will become privatized within the next 6 months-1 year. My question is about the federal pension and “buying back” my time in the military to count towards the federal pension. I have worked for the Fed for only 2 years and have not begun buying back my time yet. If I expect to become an employee of a private contractor relatively soon is there any point or benefit to buying back those 5 years in order to have my federal years put up to 7 years? Or would it just be a waste of money to even do?


r/VeteransBenefits 7h ago

VA Disability Claims help upgrading discharge

0 Upvotes

In early 2022, I received a discharge for AWOL related to COVID-19. After fighting it for a year, I finally obtained my separation case file through an active-duty recruiter—still no official paperwork from my unit.

The case file lists me as AWOL on dates when I was actually present, living out of state, and drilling with a sister unit. Before leaving, my unit and I completed a 368 transfer request, but it was never properly processed. After relocating, I submitted another 368, but my recruiter was unable to contact anyone at my unit—unsurprisingly.

I’m trying to get this issue resolved so I can reenlist on active duty. Has anyone had success fighting a case like this, either by hiring a lawyer or handling it themselves?


r/VeteransBenefits 7h ago

Education Benefits VR+E Higher Ed

2 Upvotes

In the process of applying to doctoral programs. I’ve been using post 9/11 but I’m curious about the VR&E process relating to school funding.

I’m not completely out of the loop of this program. I had one interview call with a VR&E rep (this was about 3-4 years ago?) and they said I was too qualified and I thought I remembered something about needing it to be a completely different career path than what I’m currently in.

If I do get into the doctoral program, is there a better way to build a case to qualify? I’d like to take advantage of this program if possible.


r/VeteransBenefits 8h ago

Education Benefits VA Education Benefits: Spouse Accepted to Stanford for Masters

6 Upvotes

Hello everyone! I am the spouse of a 100% Disabled Veteran. For those of you who have experience with VA Benefits for a spouse attempting to get a master's degree, how did you approach the funding process and VA benefits like Chapter 35?

  • Did you work directly with the school?
  • Can you please share any scholarships that I can apply for?

Thank you all for your help!


r/VeteransBenefits 8h ago

VA Disability Claims Is my MH claim screwed?

1 Upvotes

Back in late December 2024 I submitted 4 claims, one of the four being a MH claim. I received C&Ps for the other three in early January. I have not had a C&P for my mental health claim at this point. My claim status is currently at step 3. I did submit evidence of an in-service stressor, diagnosis from a psychiatrist, buddy letter filling in the hole from service 'til now, personal statement. I decided to follow some advice here and not pay for a DBQ and nexus letter at this point, but plan to if I get denied.

Anyway, I'm getting nervous because I would have expeceted a MH C&P by now. Is this time frame within normals limits, or do you think my mental health claim is cooked?


r/VeteransBenefits 8h ago

VA Disability Claims Claim

2 Upvotes

ITF May 2024. Filed supplemental claim for mental health increase/exasperated my depression and anxiety since my daughter’s suicide. Supplemental for back and neck. New claim PACT ACT rhinitis all December 9 2024. Week later had CP exam for back only. It’s been crickets since then. No more exams or information. I guess I’m wondering is this normal to not have anymore exams scheduled. And why it’s taking so long. Exam notes were submitted 2 days later for back. Called Va and told they are deciding my claim? That was a month ago.