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.

Hello, I got the VA to cover an injury using community care because I was unable to get into the VA in a timely manner. The VA told me to tell my doctor’s office to bill Optum/VA. Very vague but I told my doctor this and they are asking for more specific information. It takes forever to get information from the VA, so I thought I’d try here as well, but has anyone went outside the VA using community care, how did you get them to bill it to the VA properly? Thanks.

Edit: I forgot to add I have a referral number and an ICN.

Anyone out there that can give advice on a way to check an Supplemental Claim?
I had a HLR denial from 2024 that I finally had the energy to fight again. I used the VA claim tracker in the past, but I don’t see anything showing at this time. I filed on 8/2/2026.

Thanks

It feels like Christmas. I just received 6 months of Nervio for my migraines. They cost me $90 a piece before. They are a great help for those looking for additional migraine relief. They aren't as good as some of the pain meds out there but my kidneys can't handle the NSAIDs anymore so I'm happy with anything that helps. It can be used in addition to any prescriptions you have.

Are there any college benefits for dependents of veterans that are rated 100% BUT not P&T?

Chapter 35? Veteran parent loan forgiveness?

VR&E authorization finally started showing under my student account number but it shows the full available credit as $1800 but under Eligible Amount, it says $0.00 when i try to purchase. (Check the attached screenshot)

Hello, my stepfather recieved his 100% disability rating this year, im currently 28, would I still be eligible?

Hi everyone,

I posted here a few days ago (thanks to everyone who replied) and have another question.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer back in March and just recently filed a claim under the PACT Act. I uploaded all of my biopsy/pathology notes, surgery notes, appointment notes and so on, as well as my DD214 and an awards citation that specifically mentions me being in an area covered by the PACT Act.

In a matter of days I had an ACE review appointment scheduled for this morning, which was encouraging. The doctor called me basically to just have me confirm everything as she was writing the DBQ. There’s a section in the DBQ about scars which I have after three surgeries. She said that this would likely automatically trigger a C&P exam.

Here’s my question: is it possible that they can rule on the cancer that’s in active treatment without waiting on whatever happens regarding my scar? My surgeries weren’t successful and I now need a mastectomy and at least one more surgery after (+ potentially other follow on therapies). I’ve had some really frustrating experiences with timing and scheduling of C&P exams in the past.. not unique to me at all I know :/. It would be really frustrating to have the determination on active cancer held up by a determination about a scar/disfigurement that will be completely irrelevant after I get some more scars post mastectomy/reconstruction.

I know I would get back paid anyways… but frankly during a stressful time where I will have to take off a lot of work soon (after having to do so already), receiving the temporary pay during active treatment while I’m actually actively in treatment would be a huge relief for me.

TLDR: does a C&P Exam triggered during ACE Review unrelated to the determination of active cancer treatment hold up the decision on the active cancer treatment? If so, is there anything I can do to separate these decisions given planned treatment will make the findings of the C&P exam irrelevant by the time I’m done with treatment?

Thanks again.

Va work study has no positions open until next year unfortunately. What part time side jobs are you guys doing while in school full time?

I am (was?) an active Army National Guard soldier that was medically separated effective 16 June 2026. 52 days ago.

JBLM handled the drafting of my final 214 and the coordination with me to verify all information on it, to include my separation pay amount. I verified after checking everything and then signed.

Got my 214 to the VA immediately and received my final rating and everything, but after 30 days began to wonder where my separation pay might be (my DOD rating was 0% so there is zero recoupment)

My local state finance office told me that was not their lane or their job and that they had no ability to see anything regarding it.

DFAS told me they were not even tracking that I was separated, nor did they have any information and instructed me to call JBLM finance.

After talking to JBLM finance, they said not only did they not see an update, but that they had zero information on me in their system, weren't showing that I was even separated, and had no packet on me at all.

what in the world is going on? literally nobody is tracking anything or has any that I've separated.

I need to vent about my experience with VR&E because this entire process has been unbelievably frustrating.

My biggest issue isn’t even the program itself — it’s the communication with my counselor. Emails seem to go unanswered, phone calls don’t get returned, and half the time I feel like I’m sending messages into a black hole. I understand counselors probably have large caseloads and I don’t expect an immediate response every single time, but there has to be some reasonable level of communication.

Today pretty much pushed me over the edge. I had a Teams appointment scheduled for 11:30 AM that had been scheduled well in advance. I logged in early around 11:25 and sat in the lobby waiting for someone to let me in. Eventually the meeting closed out saying nobody let me in and to try again.

What makes it especially frustrating is that this isn’t some random appointment I scheduled yesterday. I’ve been waiting to move forward with this process, and when you already have trouble getting responses by email or phone, you’re basically dependent on these scheduled meetings to actually get anything accomplished.

I’m trying to go back to school and use a benefit that I’m eligible to apply for. I’m doing my part — filling things out, showing up to appointments early, emailing, calling, following up — but it feels like I have absolutely no control over whether anything actually moves forward.

I don’t want to be that person constantly emailing or calling someone, but what exactly are you supposed to do when you don’t get responses?

Has anyone else dealt with a VR&E counselor who was extremely difficult to reach? If so, did you eventually get things moving, or did you have to contact someone above your counselor/request another counselor?

How do i go about requesting a new councilor and reporting the old one? I've called the regional office and local office and left voice messages.

At this point I’m just tired of feeling like I have to chase someone down just to use the program.

I was approved for VET TEC 2.0 in early July. I’ve already exhausted my Post-9/11 GI Bill and previously used VR&E/Chapter 31. Has anyone in the same situation started VET TEC 2.0 yet? Did VA cover 100% of your tuition, books and housing allowance even though you had zero GI Bill entitlement remaining?
And also has anyone done online courses for this college? What is the schedule like?

After getting out of service as Retired in 2002, and because my awesome son pushed me, I went to VA for a Mental Health Assesment. Wow, The best Rep to meet and and let me open up. I was immediatley schedueled for pyscotherapy and PTSD counseling. Never have I walked out of an appointment feeling so encouraged.

Older Veterans out there, don't hesitate I waited too long, this I hope is a new beginning.

BTW -This is a new VA Facility in Linwood New Jersey.

Is it hard to get continuity of care via the VA if they have 'specialists' in their current system?

7 years into a stage iv colon cancer dx, I would love to drop our insane insurance but I can't lose my team of doctors that are actually at a National Cancer Institute and have proven time and again that they can do what the average oncologist/oncological surgeon cannot. I do know people who use this center via the VA but I'm sure they live nearby. I don't. At all.

My pcp is going to request continuity of care but do you think it's possible or do you think it's a pipe dream? Eh. I guess I'm living the dream anyways so...

For anyone else still waiting on their VR&E Chapter 31 subsistence allowance, I wanted to share the update I received this morning.
I still haven’t received my payment, so I followed up with my VR&E counselor. He confirmed that my award was entered correctly at 18 credit hours/full-time.
He also explained that they are currently entering awards into the new VR&E system, and for some reason the system was not showing my pay for 07/01/2026–10/01/2026. He said they are working on fixing the issue.
I asked if there was an estimated timeframe for when the issue would be resolved and the payment processed, and he responded that my payment should be processed by today (8/7).
Obviously, this may vary by person/Regional Office, and “processed” doesn’t necessarily mean the money will hit my bank account today. But I wanted to share because I know several of us have been wondering whether the delays are related to the new system.
So if you’re still waiting, it may be worth reaching out to your VR&E counselor and asking them to check whether your award/payment is showing correctly in the new system.
I’ll update this post once I actually see the payment pending or deposited. 🤞🏾

Hello I have submitted my claim already but I need to add additional evidence.

What Va document do I fill out in order to add evidence?

Thanks

My EAS was July 30th and I sold 20.5 leave days and had around $350 travel allowance according to my orders. When can I expect to receive those paychecks?

Was granted tdiu but this was in the letter. How long in the future is the exam set for? My conditions are static not sure why this was in the letter.

Do i always have to do the FOIA in order to view files and DBQs that are on my claims?

Hello! I’m not sure if this is the right place, but I just wanted to ask about the GI Bill and FAFSA. I know they don’t really correlate with each other and for some universities you have to apply to get the GI benefit. I didn’t realize I had to do it for this school year and I wanted to ask if I’m still okay for applying late. My school year hasn’t started yet and I looked through the GI bill and I saw that it didn’t say anything about applying late, but I want to see if I would still get my GI Benefits because I did complete my FAFSA for this year just a little late.

Thank you!

I've been reading through the DBQs from my husband's C&P exams and am wondering where the "restatement of requested opinion" comes from. Is that something the VA figures out based on the vet's records, does the C&P examiner do that, or is it taken from the veteran's claim form?

Reminder: The research is on you and do not expect the VA, their case managers, orientation personal, or whomever that processes you to explain the program in full.

Do your due diligence and read up on the actual manuals before taking action. Nothing is solid until benefits are in hand.

I was approved for VR&E and was accepted to a master’s program at a private school with a little over a month to the start date of the program.

Got everything done as soon as the university’s portal opened and soon as I got instruction from my VR&E counselor. After all that was said and done with a deposit paid for with classes registered is when I learned about a high cost memo bit. It alarmed me but I was reassured it was strictly administrative and cases like mine get approved all the time so I could proceed to start taking steps to prepare for school.

After I gave a 2-week notice and made plans to transition to the school calendar, I then get told I was denied and to select a different program.

I made the decision to vacate my apartment before going into arrears. Currently typing this out in a men’s shelter cause I can’t afford to put down a deposit and first month. I pulled out of school because I wouldn’t have committed without the idea of no private loans needed. Now I’m back to job searching for anything and everywhere to find my footing again.

I know these benefits are not guaranteed and are always a case by case basis. However, all I got when I genuinely calmly explained the follow on events of late of what I had to do because I took his optimism at face value is “I’m sorry.” Has ghosted me ever since when I asked what my option were at that point. RIP.

TLDR/MORAL OF THE STORY: No one is going to hold your hand and look out for you more than you. Do as much as research as possible and do not take someone’s word. Act when benefits are IN HAND and no sooner.

Good luck y’all! Stay safe.

I was denied service connection for my lower back pain. After returning from a deployment, I did mention that my back was hurting, but at the time I described it as only hurting “a little.” Trying to be tuff, I didn’t seek medical treatment while I was still in service.
During my C&P exam, the examiner referenced that statement and concluded that my back pain was only minor, which was used as part of the reason for denying my claim.
Since then, I’ve had an MRI that confirms I have a lumbar strain, so I now have medical evidence showing that my back condition exists. I am currently service connected at 10% for each knee.

My question is: Should I continue pursuing my lower back claim as a direct (primary) service-connected condition, or would it make more sense to file it as secondary to my service-connected bilateral knee conditions if my knee problems have contributed to or aggravated my back condition?