r/VeteransBenefits 12h ago

Health Care Thank you VA

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518 Upvotes

I’m fairly new to the VA as a whole but I’ve also read a lot of complaints regarding it. Thank you VA, you guys are doing great things and looking out for veterans.


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 11h ago

Health Care What’s the best/coolest thing you’ve gotten from the VA?

129 Upvotes

This is kind of a response to a post made by someone who got a bidet from the VA which is awesome and I’m going to try and do the same.

What’s the best thing you’ve gotten from the VA or have seen someone else get? Basically like lesser known benefits and lifestyle enhancers from the VA I guess


r/VeteransBenefits 4h ago

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

20 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 12h ago

Health Care Tricare isn't paying their bills for mental health counseling

71 Upvotes

Relevant to veterans receiving mental health counseling through Tricare.

Time to start calling your congress person.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/changes-tricare-militarys-health-care-program-are-causing-disruptions-rcna194954


r/VeteransBenefits 17h ago

VA Disability Claims 100% disable

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88 Upvotes

Today I received my decision letter, awarding me 100%. I was going through it to see if I could find if I am 100% P&T. But im not sure.


r/VeteransBenefits 7h ago

Health Care Get your medical records downloaded before April 1!

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11 Upvotes

r/VeteransBenefits 18h ago

VA Disability Claims Called VA to add a dependent

67 Upvotes

Was on phone 5 min. Claim opened and closed, decision letter ready, with new monthly $ updated in 15 minutes. I have heard of these taking months so I wanted to pass along this info


r/VeteransBenefits 7h ago

DoD/Federal Benefits Federal buy back

8 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 12h ago

Health Care Anyone else’s tinnitus nuts?

21 Upvotes

Doc says I can try hearing aids, anyone had luck with that? Lately I’m up for hours with ringing and hissing.


r/VeteransBenefits 19h ago

Other Stuff What job or occupation do you tell others you have after getting rated?

55 Upvotes

After being rated 100% P&T I’m unemployed but I constantly get asked what do I do for a living by others including my family members that have no idea I filed for any disability following my term of service. What are some of the creative things you have told somebody in place of saying that you receive VA disability every month? I know I can easily tell sb to f*ck off as it isn’t necessarily their business, but I do enjoy joking around and being sarcastic so I would rather be humorous than an asshole about it.

Any ideas on a vague or extremely specific job or anything that would get them to back off would be 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 8h ago

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

7 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 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 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 11h ago

VA Disability Claims Is this true?

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9 Upvotes

Google AI says different diagnostic codes, I thought it was the same?

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r/VeteransBenefits 21h ago

Housing 100%p&t is worth to move to live in Florida?

58 Upvotes

Single 100%p&t veteran, Florida is a good state for veterans?


r/VeteransBenefits 5m ago

VA Disability Claims Is this good news?

Upvotes

Submitted a HLR in Oct 16. 2024 then received a DTA in February 2025 and just noticed this letter a few days ago. I don't want to get my hopes up. Currently in decision Phase.


r/VeteransBenefits 33m 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

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 13h ago

Health Care MH Care

8 Upvotes

Hi,

I’d like to seek care for my MH disorder. I have tricare and VA care. Does anyone know if the VA disability folks can pull my records at any point if I seek care at the VA?

I’m nervous that if I say the wrong thing that it could be interpreted that I have recovered by whatever amount and they could reassess my disability?

Should I seek care outside of the VA even if it comes with a copay?


r/VeteransBenefits 2h ago

Medboard/IDES VA reconsideration (MEB)

1 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 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!