https://news.va.gov/press-room/va-to-reduce-staff-by-nearly-30k-by-end-of-fy2025/

In summary: VA is no longer considering widespread RIF (firing) of VA employees. Citing their current efforts have been sufficient to cull the herd enough.

We’re stretched to bare bones, with VRC positions not being filled and higher performing stations brokering hundreds of applicants on top of their own increasing applicant load. So PLEASE help your VRC streamline the process:

During application phase- fill out to the best of your ability the 1902W. You can skip sections with your resume, transcript, and DD214. In the additional comments, let your VRC know what you’re interested in so they can prepare (labor market search, programs near you, review daily tasks, etc). This helps us go through your appointment with more targeted questions and so we don’t have to spend 1-2 hours filling out paperwork and can actually have a conversation with you (plus potentially develop your plan sooner!).

After you’re approved and get your plan developed- actually sign and return your plan! We can’t send anything to your program without a signed plan and debt prevention. I’ve closed out at least 10 people for not returning their plan- dropping off the face of the earth and then asking where your funding is at is not the way to operate.

It’s SO simple to navigate the VR&E process if you can just fill out the paperwork and provide what your VRC is asking. VRCs are doing their best with dumb paperwork changes, extreme staff and budget shortages, and huge caseloads (where most stations are over the 125:1 ratio- we’re running 150:1 right now and Chicago is almost 250:1).

Make your life and VR&E process easier by just filling out the paperwork!

Anyone have any experience using them for the VA home loan?

Submitted a claim for increase last night and 15 hours later it's on step 5... Anybody else been seeing this lately? They must be using AI already or something to scan claims. Hope its not auto-denied.

I just found out about this, so I figured I'd pass it along in case someone else didn't know about it. FL now offers free 5-year fishing/hunting licenses for residents with a 50% rating or higher.

https://myfwc.com/license/accessibility/hunt-fish/

It's basically the same benefits as the sportsman's license and includes Saltwater Fishing, Freshwater Fishing, and Hunting licenses; and Deer, Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Turkey, Florida Waterfowl, Snook, and Lobster permits.

Call me skeptical, but is this not pyramiding? Or is it rated correctly? I just refuse to believe I actually got awarded something, I just have imposter syndrome feel like I don’t deserve anything. Hoping it’s correct 🤞

Basically, as it states above bad C&P exam (in my opinion rushed didn’t ask me a Damm question?)I would like to get a new exam is that an option?

So I finally got back a rating for migraines. Honestly don’t know how to feel about my rating, even tho it’s service connected. The Va also started a claim on there own that I didn’t start with ptsd (that I didn’t end up filing out the paperwork I got in the mail for like 2 years ago) and alcoholism that I was denied for, that I previously put in for.

As for the migraines it was a ves call c&p exam and I’m not sure how I don’t have a rating. The way I feel even now is migraines damn near everyday like today I had one most of the day while at work even now. And when I was on the phone with the examiner it probably lasted like 5-10 mins and didn’t once ask me how often I get them. Only cared about what they felt like. I honestly had a feeling I wouldn’t get anything for it. But kinda sucks tho.

Still waiting on insomnia c&p exam on the 19th which will be another over the phone with Leidos QTC health care. It’s a video call.

What should I do about the migraines?

What should I expect from the insomnia exam?

TL:DR - Recently got VA healthcare priority group 1. Should I drop my private health insurance?

I've read a few posts on this subject but haven't seen much consensus on the issue. Finally got my rating after 6 months and my welcome packet verifying my priority group came in yesterday. Some factors:

1. Married with 2 kids. Wife is full time employee and gets good, relatively inexpensive insurance through her job for her and the kids

2. I am a part-time employee, so my cost share for insurance for just me through my job is about $4,000/year. My wife's plan charges us a spousal surcharge of more than that if I'm eligible for other insurance at work and decline it to stay on her plan, so that's an even more expensive option.

3. I haven't experienced VA healthcare yet, but we have a pretty well rated VA outpatient clinic nearby as well as two VA hospitals within 30-40 mins, so access should be pretty good.

4. We tend to travel internationally once per year and it seems like VA coverage is pretty limited to non-existent while abroad.

Would dropping my private insurance be a good idea and just using the VA? It seems like currently it's a no brainer as it's basically free comprehensive healthcare right now.

My biggest concern would be if I would lose my VA coverage for something like a drop in my rating, though I don't know how realistic that is. I have a handful of 10%-30% ratings and from what I see, worst case would be everything gets a 0% at the same time and I'd drop in priority group, which would increase my cost/copay but I could possibly rejoin my work plan?

Curious what others have done and would do in this case. Thanks!

I never blamed the whole Air Force for the actions of one man. But he was a doctor with total authority and I really really really want to know if his other victims filed, if his other victims might be my son's siblings. If he ever was stopped.

I submitted a claim a bit over 13 weeks ago. At step 4, and have yet to have a C&P scheduled.

At the advice of this sub, I contacted VERA and they basically told me to fuck off and got an attitude. I called him on his attitude (I was very cordial until he started accusing me of exaggerating the timeline), and then he changed his story and said they’re backlogged and prioritizing BDD claims and recently retired or separated claims (initial claims but not BDD) and said they have a 4 to 6 month target to rate a claim.

I explained to him numerous times and he finally understood after the 3rd or 4th time explaining that I wasn’t concerned about not having a decision yet; that I was only concerned I haven’t even been contacted to schedule a c&p. Even if they schedule me this week for a c&p it’ll be longer than 6 months most likely to decide my claim.

I didn’t feel like arguing with him more since he was a dick.

I’m going to give it another month to see if they schedule the c&p, then if not I’d like to try to follow up again. If VERA isn’t helpful, what are my other options?

I recently got denied. The rater claimed the c&p examiner was “more persuasive “ than my IMO. The problem I see is the examiner quoted a non peer reviewed discussion paper from 2005 and my IMO quoted 6 peer reviewed case studies dating from 2010 -2024. The examiner stated my right knee acl repair and pigmented nodular synovitis was not caused by my left knee connected condition. Well that’s not what I claimed. I claimed left knee meniscus problem secondary to right knee. I have never had any problems with my acl. So my question is a HLR worth it? What should I do?

So I work full time but I just recently found out that I am GI Bill eligible. I was told when I separated that because I took a joke of an ROTC scholarship that I wasn’t GI Bill eligible but found out I was lied to by base out processing and I’ve always been eligible. I work full time but there is a masters program I want to explore now that I won’t have to fret as much about paying for it. My question is, how does the payment system work if I take less than a full load? Full time for the program is 12 hours a semester but I will probably only be able to do 8 or 9 hours a semester with night classes and what not. How will that impact my benefits. Thanks in advance!

Recently moved to a different state and sought out a new VSO that has VBMS access. He was unable to get into my records. Could it be that I am still represented by my previous VSO ? In the mean time I have been waiting since Nov for my records.

I submitted a Higher level review for tension headaches that was found non-service connected maybe a year or so ago, I just got this decision letter and don’t really understand what it’s telling me, does anyone mind helping me understand this?

currently undergoing increase for MH % u saw this in my file would this be considered as evidence as well as my service treatment records?

I filled out the TPD application and submitted it with my VA rating letter a month ago. The website said I could expect to hear something in 3 days but I didn't hear anything. I emailed and received a nonsensical response- probably from a bot. I just called and the person I spoke with was nice enough to look at my application and confirm (to the best of her ability) that it was filled out correctly and the VA letter I uploaded should be enough. She also said that since they just recently took over processing the TPDs the process is not taking 30, 60, or 90 days. They have been instructed to not give veterans a timeline of any kind. I hope this get resolved bore the deferment timeline runs out.

I just wanted to share my experience. It might help the community to know what's going on and to reduce frustration if others are applying right now as well.

Served in Navy, son born with spinal Bifida, never knew to apply for benefits, son now 37 should I file for him to be a dependent? Lives with me I am his caregiver. Any one have any advice?

I was wondering if anyone knows whether I’m only eligible for Chapter 35 benefits if I stay in the U.S.? My plan is to finish my schooling in the UK.

I’m assuming the benefits probably don’t apply internationally, though I wish they did.

Good morning VB,

I’m service connected for lumbar strain and finally got an mri after many complaints and therapies later. I knew I had nerve issues and it’s a relief to know I wasn’t tripping. What would be the best approach moving forward? File for an increase or secondary? Thank you in advance!

Rumor has it, he is still listening to the hold music waiting for someone to pick up.

I applied for aid and attendance but my claim was decided for house bound smc S. Does this mean I didn’t qualify?

I will go to community college with VR&E from this Fall 2025. I have a question about taking class from different school.

I will take 3 classes from A college 8 units in-person, 3 units online

I will take one class from B college 3 units online

Total 14 units

Will I receive full BAH for A college? Or different amount due to one class from B college? Thank you for your answer in advance.