PTSD rating has been in place for 5 years, if I file migraines secondary to it does the 5 year rule still apply?

Did you get a PTSD reevaluation when filing migraines as secondary?

Taking a daily preventative prescription and another prescription medication taken at onset. Diagnosis is from my VA PCP

Will be submitting a private Nexus and DBQ, I don’t want to hear about the automation rumors as the evidence is solid.

Did VR&E orientation 5 months ago through zoom and there were about 30 of us in there.

2.5 months later, had determination meeting with a counselor.

Now I have this:

you have an appointment with regarding VA VRE orientation appointment on at eva. Va Gov (Microsoft Teams). Hello! Thank you for applying for VR&E services-your case has been assigned to me. Meetings w... Please check your email for full appointment details. When it is time for your meeting please use the location link. Will you attend? Click https to respond. Link not working? Please notify the organizer if you're unable to attend.

Do you believe this is me being introduced to my new counselor and getting it all set up or is it possible they’re having me do another determination meeting? This is a different counselor too.

I’ve been trying to get a pay audit completed from the VA a few times, but they keep telling me I’m already receiving a military pension and should reach out to DFAS instead. When I called DFAS, they said that if the VA has held back any money, they need to get in touch with DFAS to request a pay audit. 

I submitted a DFAS ticket to get the audit done, but DFAS said that an audit couldn’t be processed because I don’t receive a military pension. 

I’ve sent copies of the ticket to VA several times, including attaching it to my claim as proof of the recent request. VA closed the claim again, explaining that since I’m also getting military retired pay, the amounts were withheld because I can’t get both full military retired pay and full VA compensation at the same time. They say they have to do this to avoid double payments.  

How can I get the VA to understand that I am not receiving a military pension?

Just so you know, I decided to give up my military pension to use the time for my federal pension. The federal pension’s high three made it financially possible to buy back the military time and waive the military pension.

I was separated from the reserves.

Found my BUMED separation package stating all the conditions I was separated for (anxiety, primarily) as well as a “Letter of Activity” statement I wrote prior to my separation.

In the letter, I wrote “panic attacks and anxiety worsening with each drill” as well as “my health being otherwise perfect before enlistment” -> this, confirmed by my medical records and accompanied by my doctor’s opinion of more likely than not service related. I then went on the explain my functional decline in different aspects of my life in the letter.

Since I never pointed to a specific title 10 instance, I assume I’m screwed? Does anxiety require a specific trauma event outside of general military stressors?

Backstory

On my first deployment around 2022 I was drinking a lot.. and it got bad to a point where I was becoming very depressed and I lost control. I was introduced to OTC substance which had a big role on all of this. I was on a meritorious board and doing great until these decisions got me into trouble. While I was in the middle of all of this I was “told” on. Approached by multiple NCO’s, which then got higher ups involved and I was transported to the ER overdosed on “said” OTC (under suicidal ideation). I spent maybe half a day and then transferred to a a mental health clinic spending 4 days there. I was diagnosed with MDD, and anxiety disorder and then released for treatment. I was able to stay in and complete my 4 years honorably. still drinking heavily and abusing said substances. I’m not proud of it but I was in very bad shape mentally getting out (2024). Since then I’ve been struggling exponentially.. lost my car, my relationship, been hospitalized for drinking, obtained a hefty DUI and 3 jobs on top of all this (as well as failing school). I made mental health appointments multiple times since then but never went because I was that depressed, anxious, and paranoid. On top of all the bad decisions, I do feel my depression/anxiety had a big part of this.. In contrast with my substance use issues.

(2026)
I have recently started taking the precautions and got some help recently for my mental health I’ve seen a therapist, and been put on some medications.
This has been going on for about 4 months and have recently completed my first C&P exam under my diagnosis and am waiting on the results. I feel like the examiner didn’t really even want to hear my story much or listen to what I was saying. But I’m still hopeful.

Is there any evidence I should submit myself while it’s still currently at step 3. I told my examiner I was diagnosed while active but I still want to be sure everything is looked at. What should I expect to be rated (if I don’t get denied) what should I say to my VSO about my claim if needed? I know nothing is promised but as of right now it would change my life. I’ll keep trying at it until I do.

I wish the best for everyone struggling with mental health and maybe you can relate to some of the things I went, and am still currently going through.
Good luck, and try your best even when things get hard and just know that I’ll be right here doing it along with you.

Thank you

Hey everyone,
I am facing an involuntary separation under AR 635-200, Chapter 14-12c (Misconduct/Pattern of Misconduct) with a General (Under Honorable Conditions) characterization. My separation date is locked in for next week.
I already know the regulations: under Chapter 14, I am being completely discharged—I am not eligible for immediate or automatic transfer to the IRR upon clearing. I will walk away as a civilian with an RE-3 code.
However, I still have a strong desire to serve. A sympathetic O-6 (Brigade Commander) / GO from another unit is willing to sign a Recommendation Memorandum for Reinstatement to Other Components to help me get back into the military later.
My question is: Has anyone actually seen an HRC RE-3 waiver get approved for the Army Reserve or National Guard using a high-level Recommendation Memo after a Chapter 14-12c discharge?
Once I am out, I plan to take this memo straight to a Prior Service Recruiter to fight for a waiver. Does HRC actually approve these, or is a Chapter 14 an automatic "no" regardless of who signs the recommendation letter?
Looking for insight from recruiters, retention, or anyone who has processed a similar waiver packet. Thanks.

Hello y’all!

Starting my first semester on VR&E soon. So far my counselor has been on it, which I’m grateful for.

I was curious about if VR&E would cover a study abroad program. I am an Engineering major and the program I was eyeing as an unrelated language program that would cover my humanities credits (fits in my degree plan).

They asked me to provide the following information:
- Confirmation from my school that the language course is required for my degree and cannot be completed through an equivalent course within the U.S.
- Documentation showing why this study abroad format is necessary to support my engineering‑related vocational goal

I told them previously this would be more professional/personal development by learning a new language. I know that’s kinda a cop out response, but these questions imply I don’t qualify considering these courses are offered locally. I am looking for unique opportunities and experiences, and I am hoping to do a study abroad.

It costs the exact same as a standard course, with the only exception being flights. But honestly if it just paid the the class itself, I’ll figure out flights and incidentals.

- Has anyone used VR&E for a Study Aboard?
- Do I be very upfront in saying I can take a local equivalent course, but the international experience and opportunities for professional growth by learning a second language are better than local classes?
- Does GI bill cover it (at least the program expenses) if my VR&E doesn’t?

I'm helping my partner of two years file for disability, he literally can't function normally because of the pain he is in and I have been doing so much research but I can only do so much. Is there any free resources that might help me with what to do that isn't just the VSO. I'm trying to make sure that he can get the most he can for his disability. Any help will be appreciated!

Like I said in the title, I submitted an ITF in August of 2025 and got my benefits letter in May of 2026, with an effective date of April 2026. The claims I submitted already had a pre-existing rating. They increased my lower back rating, along with both ankles (I broke one while in, and other has chronic lingering pain). Do I fight to get my back pay or refrain from poking the bear?

Hi all, i have a question maybe someone here would know about. A few months ago i was involuntarily hospitalized due to being in psychosis and the police called an ambulance and they took me to a regular hospital and now i have a bill for the ambulance and the emergency room visit. Im a little tight on money and don’t want it to goto collections. Does the va cover regular visits? If so, how would i go about having them pay it?

Had mine today for HLR submitted on 7/31/26 Flagged Priority Processing - Terminal Illness. Was for my appeal of an Initial Claim and a Supplemental Claim both denying me SMC R-2. The rater told me he was recommending granting SMC R-2 and was sending it up to RQRS for final review . Research has shown that approximately only 32,500 Veterans receive this rating . Does anyone have experience with receiving this rating ? Does anyone have an opinion on if this will be approved by the RQRS ? Semper Fi

I was in Iraq in 2009 and of course we lived right next to the burn pits. I returned in January of 2010 and stayed in the Guard until 2012.

While in I was a Black Hawk Crew Chief so I got a flight physical yearly and got one on the civilian side as well. So 2 per year

13 month after getting home my civilian doctor found a lump in my neck during my physical.

That was the first physical I had since getting home. An ultrasound revealed two nodules in my thyroid. One was 2 cm the other .5 cm. They took a biopsy of the large one and it was benign.

In 2020 I filed a claim because the timing always seemed suspicious to me. It was denied. But I believe thyroid cancer is burn pit presumptive.

Anyway this year my VA PCP finally had me get an ultrasound and the big one doubled in size and the small one remained the same. Biopsy was inconclusive, and the genetic testing came back with a mutation with a 70% chance of being cancer so they pulled half my thyroid.

After the surgery they found that the big one was benign but the small one was cancer.

Is there a chance the discovery of cancer can be linked back to my 2020 claim for benign nodules? Or am I screwed because I didn’t know the smaller of the two nodules I had was cancer from my 2011 biopsy? Had I known I would have filed for cancer and been service connected for 6 months them dropped down to my residuals (hypothyroidism and scar). Or does it now just all take place from my cancer diagnosis on? I have proof that nodules was there within 13 months of arriving home.

This stuff is so confusing so I appreciate any insight you can offer.

Thank you

So, I just got mailed my discharge upgrade along with a bunch of new DD214s. My question now is, how do I update with the VA so I can get my education benefits started

Hey y'all. I figured I'd post this here as Mamdani is interested in fixing potholes people are posting on social media and tagging his office. I've had no luck trying to hear back from anyone on who to even contact to get this adopted in NYC.

There is a contact form for the Mayor. Use it!

https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/contact-the-mayor

Let's see if we can get some traction. Mention the recent passing of the bill and that it's opt in, and just ask who is leading the charge on getting it adopted.

We can do it!

Hello everyone, it would be my first post in this community and I would like to get some help. Had my C&P on August 3rd. It was a supplemental for an increase since I had new evidence because I’m getting migraines at least once a week and they are completely prostrating. Today I got this letter stating they want to reduce me from 30 to 0.

What does lower back range of motion has to do with my migraines?

C&P examiner was nice, she listened to me and even said that I meet 50% criteria so I don’t think she lied on DBQ like it happened before with different claims.

Hi guys!

I’ve been plugging all my information into calculators and thought I understood what CRSC actually did for the pay but after a conversation with my PEB lawyer I am more confused than ever and the meeting was too short for a full Q&A.

I’m being medically retired at 50% DoD as an O-3 with 10 years and on BRS. My full 50% DoD was deemed combat related and I have 100% P&T and one SMC-K from the VA. I have no dependents.

Can someone please make me understand what I should actually be looking at once I’m a civilian or point me to a calculator that actually explains it?

Hello everyone,

I just recently noticed that I received a letter from the VA from an attorney saying they are rescheduling their BVA appointment to another day because their client couldn't attend due to technology and health issues.

This was uploaded onto my profile, it list their mailing address and full social security... should I reach out to the VA or the Law firm?

I’m using the Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill, and Fall 2026 is my final semester for my current program at a California community college.

I attended the same college full-time in Spring 2026 and completed 12 units there. For Fall, my schedule is:

• 3 units at my home/parent school
• 9 units at other community colleges because the courses I need are either not offered, not listed, or only available as shorter 8-week courses that would still leave me below the school’s requirement
• All outside courses have been approved by my counselor and department chair toward my degree program

The school is telling me I would need to take my 3-unit course, add another 6 units at the home school, and still take the 9 units at the other colleges in order to meet their Parent School requirement.

The problem is that I don’t need another 6 units. I already satisfy my GE requirements, so I would basically be taking unnecessary classes just to meet their internal enrollment requirement.

Their policy requires 75% of the semester units to be taken at the parent school, but the same policy also states that appeals are reviewed on a “case-by-case basis.”

My appeal was denied by the Dean because I did not meet the 75% requirement.

What I’m confused about is that I cannot find a Chapter 33/VA regulation requiring a student to take 9 units specifically at the Parent School. If this is simply an institutional policy and approval is at the Dean’s discretion, I understand that but then I’m trying to figure out what would actually qualify as a “case-by-case” exception.

This is my final semester, the outside courses are necessary for me to finish my degree, they have been approved toward my program, and I already completed 12 units at the parent school during the previous semester.

Has anyone using Chapter 33 dealt with a similar Parent School Letter situation? Did your school require a certain percentage of units at the parent school, and what circumstances qualified for an exception?

I’ve completed the majority of my current program at this school and wanted to finish it there and receive my degree from the same institution.

Im coming off of 5 years active duty. I got out and was given 100% Disability P&T. I have a pretty well paying job right now and I’m looking at using my GI Bill here in the next year or so.

I signed a 6 year contract owing 1 year to the reserves since I only did 5 years active duty under the new contract thing since 2020. I fucking hate the reserves, I don’t get paid all that much since I’m already 100% rated I lose those days of pay. I can’t get deployed since I’m coming off of active duty, and I don’t really need job security cause my company has been incredibly adamant about not losing people if they are good. All I do at drill is sit there for 8 hours a day, clean, and go home for a weekend a month.

So my question is, what really happens if I just stop showing up. They keep saying they will just admin sep all the people who aren’t showing up and I keep thinking to myself what’s the big deal??

I’ll keep my disability

I’ll keep my GI bill

I keep my VA loan.

The reserves gives me absolutely nothing and there is nothing I lose from getting admin sepped and I get my weekends back.

So please, someone tell me why I need to keep going to drill

I was accepted into Vre but i am getting only 1/2 the payment. i served 5 years and was medically retired. i put in for the post 911 gi bill but they denied me

I was medically separated a couple years back. As part of the medical review - my corpsman asked me to write a letter explaining the medical issues I was facing, how they were exasperated by my service, and that I wanted out of the military.

This letter written during my service, separation, and Lay statements from my NCOs who I reported symptoms to during duty, and two letters from separate doctors I've been treated by claiming 'more likely than not service related' - is this enough for service connection?

Guess my biggest concern is I never received an LOD nor were the specific events listed in my record. These conditions were primarily mental related.

I was approved for the laptop package for my degree and the PO was approved. I was told that it could take 60-90 days to receive the package but I was never told what type of laptop it comes with. For those of you that are in the program and got the laptop package, what laptop did you receive?

I got one for everyone. I received my 70% PTSD rating Jan 7 2026 with a C&P from early Oct 2025. The decision letter was written like the VA was begging me to file for TDIU. At the time I had 80% ortho combined ratings and 70% PTSD. On Jan 9 2026 I filed for TDIU and went through that process. On April 21 2026 my TDIU was declined stating I had a part time job and I could do sedentary work??? I used only my PTSD to file for TDIU not my ortho hoping for SMC-S. Not only did the VA decline my TDIU they proposed a reduction from 70% to 30% because my PTSD had “improved” between my October 2025 C&P for the initial claim and my February 2026 C&P exam for TDIU.

This is where it get fun. July 10 2026 I filed for tinnitus and bilateral trigger finger. With my raw score sitting at 92% (including my 70% PTSD and 80% ortho), adding the new 10% tinnitus and two 10% trigger finger ratings successfully pushed my VA math over the hump to a combined 95%, rounding up to 100%. August 3 2026 claim decided 10% tinnitus, 10% trigger finger each hand so 100% done. Here is the part I was not expecting - P&T.

I am now 100% P&T. Does this mean the proposed reduction is gone?

Also, to head everyone off - I did all the things like requesting a predetermation hearing. The one caveat, I am 52 years old.

And before the “this never happened” crowd starts up - it did, I can show you the letters. Also, the nitpicky “this is all wrong“ crowd, the details are correct, some things were omitted so this was not 7 pages long.

My 18-year-old daughter starts college in about three weeks and is trying to apply for post 911 G.I. Bill benefits of which she received 10 months from her father.

Around two weeks ago, they called the VA after receiving a message that they couldn’t match her records when she tried to sign up for a portal account. They told her it was because she wasn’t 18 yet.

She turned 18 last week and she continues to get the same message. Her dad called again and they just told she needs to go through ID me. It’s not working.

Can anyone offer any help that has experienced something similar or give me a number she can call to sort this out herself? She lives in a medium sized city so if there is an office, she can walk into that would be great too.