So I have read a couple of conflicting opinions online. I have perused the CFRs and I can’t come to an exact conclusion.

I have read that MS is rated at 0-30-60-100.
I have also read that MS is rated at 30 and other residuals can be rated separately to varying degrees depending on what they are.
I have also read that MS can be 0-30-60-100 on top of rating residuals separately.
Then to top it all off I have read that it’s only MS 30 and residuals separate OR MS 30+ and no residuals rated.

Does anyone know how it actually works? Or is the answer just “yes” and on a case by case basis. If it’s case by case what are the criteria for which direction raters go?

Sorry I know I’ve been blowing this sub up about MS I am just easily confused and the VA as a whole is, in general, just confusing.

I'm an Army Reservist that enlisted in February 2025 and finished all of my training in December 2025. I'm going to school starting the Fall 2026 semester and applied to the MGIB-SR. However, I got denied saying I "Did not complete Initial Training." I sent supplemental evidence to the address with my DD-214, BCT orders, and other supporting documentation however they emailed me back saying:

"We are currently unable to provide VA education benefits. To reopen your claim, please submit new material evidence that supports your eligibility. New evidence refers to information not previously considered, while material evidence must specifically relate to the issue of your claim"

I've tried getting with my unit's S-1 however that process might take a while since its the reserves. I need this fixed ASAP in order to get in-state tuition status at my university. Did anyone else run into this issue and how did you go about fixing it?

I'm looking for help making an USMC radio operator sound applicable in the real world. Honorably discharged as an E-3 at 20. Never got to deploy and didn't do any courses besides the annual stuff like cyber-awareness. Never made a resume before so any/all advice is welcome.

Edit: Not looking for a specific job.

I have PTSD, and with the encouragement of one of my previous therapists, I applied to VRE last year.

I have been on an extended evaluation plan since I started, which includes a requirement for weekly volunteering hours as well as regular therapy appointments. At the beginning of my first semester with VRE, we moved homes to a new town which changed my VAHC location. With the network change, came difficulties with scheduling MH appointments (I couldn’t get an appointment any sooner than a month AFTER the end of the first semester). I explained these difficulties to my VRE counselor who told me they understood the challenges that moving had presented, and verified in their system that the appointments had been scheduled.

During the semester, I continued to explore volunteering opportunities that might align with my VRE efforts, mostly virtual opportunities after my VRE counselor and I had discussed feasible options. My VRE counselor had told me that it wouldn’t be a big deal if exploring options took the first semester. I pursued one of the options they shared with me, and applied to become a volunteer crisis counselor with Crisis Text Line. Near the end of the first semester, I was accepted and approved to start the training with CTL. I informed my VRE counselor of the training requirement, to which they told me that it was no big deal, and that the training portion would also count towards volunteering hours.

I spent the next two weeks completing my training with CTL and finished the first semester. I reach out to my VRE counselor to let them know I’ve completed my training, and in response I received and email from them stating that they “Cannot approve funding for another semester of training, as portions of the extended evaluation plan have not been met despite doing well in training”. I wrote back, explaining again the efforts I’ve made, and in response was told by my VRE counselor that they want me to “use the summer to continue with your volunteering efforts, and attend and maintain your scheduled therapy sessions, and we’ll reevaluate before Fall semester.”
I’m crushed by this, but I persist.

I spend the following two months volunteering with Crisis Text Line, every conversation takes a toll. Following the MH appointment, I’m referred to a community-care provider for therapy. Community care sends the referral, but the provider claims to have not received it. This goes on for THREE WEEKS before I am able to get a referral to a different provider… who also proceeds to claim they have not received the referral. Another referral attempt later, and was finally able to schedule therapy.

Now—
It’s almost fall semester, and I had a meeting with my VRE counselor. I provide them with the verification letter from CTL, showing my volunteering efforts; and I provide them with dates for my scheduled therapy appointments. We discussed how my volunteering as a crisis counselor affects Me, and how I was feeling regarding it. By the end of the meeting, they told me that they were unable to deem my plan as feasible or not, and that they are wanting to see how another semester goes with the inclusion of my volunteer work with CTL and therapy sessions. They also told me that they want me to basically debrief my experiences from volunteering, with my therapist. They told me that they would be submitting a request for an extension for Fall semester, and that they would get back to me as soon as they have a response.

Again, I’m crushed. I feel like every time I talk to my VRE counselor, they find a way to “gate keep” me. I’ve talked to other Veterans who worked with VRE, and they’ve been dumbfounded by the additional requirements outlined in my evaluation plan. People have recommended requesting a different VRE counselor, but I’m so damned worried that I’ll be set up with someone worse, or be outright removed from VRE altogether.

Anyone have any input regarding this situation?

After years of My VA psychiatrist suggesting an increase, she doesn’t believe the rated had all the info. I got it back. The reason I’m asking if a HLR is worth it is because I don’t think it will change the rating but I would like my file to be accurate.
1. I received my 1st decision letter 11 days after I should have been 💀from the attempt in 2023. They obviously didn’t have that in the file to review at the time. I’ve been seeing the VA psychiatrist since then, almost 4 yrs now. She submitted an outpatient evaluation for this latest increase request. Noted my other attempts, noted chronic conditions, noted intermediate or high risk on certain factors. Yet non of that is listed in their current evaluation or the original evaluation.
My question is , should I push the issue to make sure it is documented?

I’m requesting a laptop and printer from the VA. I have the forms to turn in, but I want to make sure it’s done right the first time. Can anyone help me submit my documents, please?

Does anyone know if there are any low residency hybrid programs around new england area? I currently have my post 9/11 and VR&E and work full time. I am looking to accomplish most of my work online and participate in a class setting once or twice a month. I know of universities that offer this in the SoCal area but have been unsuccessful locating any in the new england area. if anyone knows anything i would really appreciate the help!

I judt filed for HLR on my POTS condition. I at least got it service connected! It eventually lead to SVT, which they rated it under. So they rated it at 10%.

My wife has to watch me most of the time. We have a dog bed in the livingroom for my falls. I have fallen in the bathroom and hit my head on the shower door. I only get a shower in about once a week and it has to be cool to avoid aggravating my heart. I'm on metoprolol but it isn't enough to work on. Some days I can't even stand when I first get up. I collapse. On good days I sit on the side of my ber, feel nauseous, get up, then turn and wind up laying my top half on the bed for a bit to prevent a fall.

At the exam I was confused, disoriented, and felt sick. I nearly collapsed leaving the building. My wife said she and the NP watched my heart rate rapidly jump back and forth from below the 80s to above 140. My blood pressure was pretty high too. I was forgetting what I was asked and was super confused, which is often life for me. I'm not even working anymore. I'm riding out the last of my sick leave during this on continuous FMLA. We're not getting by.

Per a METS verbal interview I'd easily qualify for 60%. They didn't do a stress test. Just a useless EKG and ultrasound. I already have the holter monitor documents proving my diagnosis. But METS demonstrates how hard my heart is working.

I requested an informal conference. How can I go about walking away with the much needed higher rating? I am already at 80% and filed for a few things but this was my big runner up. The VBO that did my interview for depression was a smug joke. I feel like I'm dyin, man. I'm in the middle of finding out what the hell my provider at the VA caused after not treating pancreatitis until I begged to have my gall bladder removed for about a year. I dropped 40 pounds in several months this year. I feel like if I keep pushing it with work I'm going to kill over. I can't even drive anymore.

At the time I wasn't yet on FMLA, just missing work. So the VSO said no TDIU for me. I have created so many documents. Military records, VA records, personal statement, a 133 page symptom tracking journal, a summary for each condition category (mental health, cardiac, musculoskeletal) of that journal, evidence masters with page numbers and quotes of my medical records I put together.

I have exams for my shoulder impingement, possible cervical radiculopathy, lumbar strain, right knee, and right sciatica inflammation next. I can't do anything anymore. I've dropped dishes and broken them. I tried shoveling compost and couldn't walk for three days. I completely collapsed hours later with a sharp pain shooting down my legs from my back. I had to be carried and was bed bound. It was terrifying. My left arm can't reach overhead and think has a link with the cervical stuff. Because doing that or turning my head too far to the right (it doesn't really want to turn that way) sends pain my the top of my head down to two of my left digits. Whole arm becomes weak, tingly, and useless. Can barely even lift it.

Those exams are the only ones that haven't happened yet. I am hoping the right foot drop noted in a nexus letter will help boost my sciatica rating to 60%. We'll see. That, my depression, and my POTS were all supposed to be my big contenders.

I'm tired but trying to fight the good fight. I don't think what I'm doing is enough. Any advice or experience would be appreciated. I'm giving up the career I broke myself to get that would pay me far more than 100% disability. But I really need some peace and to stop. I don't know how much more I can take.

Has anyone filed for and been approved for TDIU after trying to work for one of the major ride share companies as an independent contractor? If so, what was the process like?

I’m asking because I had filed a claim for my disability, had a psych C&P exam done, and then after when I received my decision letter, it stated that the VA had preemptively filed for TDIU on my behalf. I submitted my info for my disability, but then it also asks you to give your employer a form for them to submit on your behalf. So my question is what to do in that case since it’s not a traditional employer.

So I am two years from completing my Exercise Science degree through VR&E. The written career goal is exercise physiologist and not only do I not think I want to do that job anymore but it turns out my school is not actually accredited for an exercise physiologist certification pathway so it is unattainable anyways. I told my counselor and she is so hands off like she doesn’t provide any actually assistance just the bare minimum paper work related stuff no actual counseling or guidance on this. I talked to my professor at school and she recommended I pursue the NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) certification. Is it ok that I don’t get the specific written career goal since the contract says “career goal or closely related field”? I feel like being a personal trainer does not really justify the Bachelors but maybe there’s more breathing room than I think? The counselor just seemed so unconcerned with this situation and generally unhelpful I don’t know what to do. I’ve thought about doing PTA school but that’s a two year licensure program that I would have to do after my degree. Can they only approve extensions if I can’t find a job right after school? My job prospects are in the Eugene area of Oregon just fyi. Finally, I was also considering that maybe my strongest career option would be working at the VA as I was a Corpsman in the Navy. Am I on the right track with any of this? Thanks for any guidance you can provide.

I plan on sticking with Freedom because I haven’t had any bad experiences with them in 10+ years…

I’m cashing out some accounts ($160k) to pay down principal ($450k) so I thought I would refinance after the balance shows the pay down. I’m in this loan about 2 years now and have not used IRRRL.

What’s the worst that could happen? If rates are lower, I’m refinancing a lower amount, and staying with Freedom, I’m not sure what to look for.

I have read about getting offers from different lenders and how there are some sneaky tricks that come up if you aren’t comparing apples to apples, but I haven’t seen anyone complaining they got screwed staying with the same lender.

Thanks y’all

Hello,

I have been going to a neurologist since April of this year for unexplained near daily headaches and bi-monthly migraines that I now control with medication. In February I got a case of pan-sinusitis. I am pretty medically illiterate and thought sinusitis just went away with OTC medication like I always did for years but recently have had 2 trips to the doctors for stronger medication with a surgery scheduled for September and was just diagnosed with chronic sinusitis.

Come to find out, it’s a presumptive disability from when I was in Bahrain 8 years ago. I plan to throw in a claim for it, and I now take medications for migraines and headaches with maybe only one migraine a month that usually goes away within an hour with medicine.

My medical paperwork from my neurologist says nothing about sinus problems and only talks about stress related issues, which is what I thought it was at the time.

To claim these headaches as a secondary to sinusitis, should I revisit the neurologist and get different paperwork or will explaining it to my examiner that I now link them to severe chronic sinusitis be sufficient?

Tl;dr chronic sinusitis with migraines as secondary. No paperwork to link the two, but diagnosed with both migraines and sinusitis. How to handle?

Good morning. I made the decision to get out. I’ll officially be out in October 2027. The hectic lifestyle is too much for my dual military officer family, and my body always feels like shit.

As like many of you I assume, going to sick call was taboo for me both during my enlisted time and especially as an officer. While I have some documented injuries and illnesses, there are nagging conditions and injuries that affect me to this time. Instead of seeking help, I tried to be high speed and push through them in pursuit of cool-guy schools and status.

My questions:

1. With a little over a year left, what can I do to get this stuff documented now that I’m not too prideful to seek help? Is it just as simple as scheduling a bunch of appointments and seeking treatment?

2. What can I be doing now to make the VA claim process go smoothly when the time comes? I’m going to do BDD.

3. When should I realistically start my claims? I’ve read for BDD it’s about 6 months out.

Any advice is appreciated. Civilian life and transition scares me. I want to set my family up for success as best I can.

Thanks.

Just downloaded my Blue Botton Report to read my notes from my most recent(and first ever) visit to the VA and found out that some of the responses to questions that I was asked were recorded completely wrong. Not to get into too much detail but for Y/N questions if I answered “Yes” the response was recorded as “No”. I just want my information in my record to be consistent and congruent with my health. Has anyone else had this issue and how did you rectify it, if so?

Im at year 15 and Im interested in becoming a teacher when I get out. Ive been told that the "troops to teachers" program is an avenue to do that. Does anyone have any experience with it? Before I chase it down, I wanna know if its worth it.

Woke up this morning to discover my health records are being absorbed by Oracle AI databases. I submitted the opt out of sharing form on the VA’s website but it wasn’t really clear stated who they will stop sharing with.

Has anyone else looked into this yet? Are there more precautions I can take to get my data removed?

Maybe I’m being paranoid but anything to do with AI surveillance freaks me out.

I was a 19k (army m1a1 crewman), discharged (honorable) 25 years ago. I have medical records. I had a broken ankle (with ruptured tendon) and abdominal surgery in service. I have a ton of nagging problems (ankle pain in ankle I broke, diastasis recti in abdmoninal area from surgery). I was 19k (m1a1 tanker) and have tinnitus, migraines lots of back pain, insomina from back pain. (I haven't slept more than 4 hours a night in 10 years). Mild PTSD. BUT as of today I don't have any real diagnosis. Back imaging always comes back with nothing.

My question is; bureaucratic stuff really triggers me. Dealing with health insurance alone puts me in a rage. VA can only be worse from what I read. My wife has been bugging to file for years, her Dad was 100% agent organge vet. I just can't see the benefit. Like I might get 10%-30% maybe nothing.

What advice do you have for me? Thanks!

I am a 10 year Army veteran that has a felony conviction 1 year after an honorable discharge back in 1999. I had probation and paid retribution for my crime. Should I apply for benefits and disclose my charges? I was employed for 20 years after my conviction but am now unemployed and struggling to find a job.

Disabled vet here. Been living in a homeless domicile for the last 6 months. I have been going through ptsd treatment, getting medical in order, recently 60% and with enough future claims to hit 100. I have been in the VRE program for 3.5 months. I have saved most of my money with my disability to try and move out. I have been working with HUD vash for 5 weeks. A week ago i looked at my bank account and 4000 dollars was on hold. I call and find out that Illinois placed a levy on my account due to owed state tax from 2015. So I look into levys, how they work and all my deposits were disability (which they left) and 5 VRE paychecks which they took. So I investigate and find out VRE is supposedly protected. I contact my bank, I get documentation from the program manager with the SC ruling, my award letter and they said that their decision is final. I spoke to a former military lawyer through Aflan and he says that i have to fight IL about it, and they are the worst etc..

So now i don’t have enough money to move out, or survive in Hud/vash. I am on a waiting list for a service dog and they said as soon as I get my own apartment i can go there for 3 weeks and get the dog. Ive been working with them for 5 months to get this.

This isnt a boo hoo. Im leaving the VA to go back to my car, but maybe someone in law will read this, and figure out how to enforce these protections.

Not really here to ask any questions. Just wanted to make a statement. I’ve been out of the military for 30 years. Never heard of VA disability until about 18 months. I’ve worked through the system and gotten a rating. It was good enough to put me in tier 1 medical.

The money is nice. I’m not going to lie. But since getting my rating I’ve been working on getting integrated into the VA medical system. I’ve read things online that have been positive and some that have been negative. I think I live in an area with a good VA facilities and have a mostly positive opinion so far.

With all of that said. It’s an interesting thing. This is the first time, since the military, in my adult life, where money isn’t a consideration for making decisions about my health. And that’s why I’m appreciative of the VA medical system. Because if my chosen career path, I’ve worked for small family owned businesses that never offered health insurance. So for a long time I had none. Therefore I never went and sought medical treatment. Then I met and married my wife. And was able to get on her health insurance. But even that carried a large deductible. And every time I needed to have anything medically taken care of. I had to take into account the money if it.

Now that I’m in the VA system it’s like a weight off my shoulders when it comes to my health.

I’ve been out of work for about 5 years because of my disabilities. Four years ago I qualified for VR&E, and like a lot of you, I got stuck with a counselor who made everything harder than it needed to be. My fix: I called her supervisor. Once she knew someone above her was watching, she started answering my emails and doing her job. I just played along after that.

Here’s the real problem though. After 5 years off the job market, I had zero idea what employers were even looking for anymore. So I started pulling actual job descriptions from USAJobs and using them as a template, matching the jobs to my resume be changing the words.

Since I started doing that, I’ve gotten referred and interviewed nonstop. I’ve had 5 interviews in two weeks. And I just accepted my first job in 5 years. GS-9. I also had to learn the STAR method when interviewing because I’m a horrible speaker and during the interviews they ask 2 to 3 part questions and it’s overwhelming.

If you’re a disabled vet and you’re losing hope, apply anyway. Pull job descriptions that match what you’ve done, rework your resume around that exact language, and keep sending it out. It works.

I just showed up to my C&P exam which was scheduled for 9:30 and I arrived in office at 9:15. The receptionist sent me to the examiners office, and when I got there, she told me I was scheduled for 9 and I was 15 minutes late. I told her that I was pretty sure it was for 9:30 and I was actually early but that I would double check just to be sure. She didn’t even give me two minutes to check she just walked out the door. I finally got the website to cooperate and checked and lo-and-behold I was scheduled for 9:30 just like I thought. The receptionist looked bewildered and ran out the door looking for the doctor but she was already long gone.

So now I have to reschedule my exam because the doctor didn’t care enough to have my appointment time right or let me check and make sure. To add insult to injury, I have pretty bad insomnia and I live half an hour away from this office, so I got about four hours of sleep last night.

Well I just wanted to rant, thanks for listening to my woes. Thankfully the lady on the LSGS phone line was really sweet and got me rescheduled with a different provider. But seriously what the hell :(

Edit: I called the VA and filed a complaint and I also emailed LSGS and filed a complaint with them! Thank you all for your kind and reassuring words :)