Thousands of disabled veterans apply for Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation every year. Some are successful in getting the benefits they deserve and some are not. In my time researching and writing on the subject, there seems to be a common theme arising: lies. This leads one to conclude that either there are guidelines to excuses somewhere that Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors live by, or there is an underlying discussion between offices as to what excuses can be used to keep deserving disabled veterans from their benefits.
It reminds me of a period of my life when I spent a great deal of my recreational time researching the Bible. Living in England at the time, I used the ESV Bible, the Cambridge Companion to the Bible, the Nag Hammadi Scriptures, and a copy of The Living Buddha, Living Christ that my grandmother sent me. Over the years, scholars have found there to be such commonality between the New Testament Gospels that they came to believe there existed a fifth text referred to as “Q.” Q is believed by many scholars to be the first written gospel that contained many of the quotes and anecdotes of Jesus’ time on Earth.
In a similar way, one cannot help but speculate that there is a similar text that creates a common set of lies Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors tell disabled veterans when denying claims. Yet in my searches for it, I seem to only find regulations that support veterans’ claims for benefits — strange.
Background.The Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General (DVA OIG) ordered an audit of the VR&E program in 2007 and a subsequent survey sampling of 80,000 veterans to find out why so many disabled veterans never complete the program. While VR&E boasts a success rate of close to 75 percent to the U.S. Congress, the real number is much lower. According to the DVA OIG, the true success rate is closer to 18 percent. Most qualified veterans drop out of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) prior to developing an Individual Written Rehabilitation Plan (IWRP). Many more drop out prior to finishing the program. VR&E has not been including these cases in their reported success rate.
In Corporate America, this is called “cooking the books,” for which people have gone to jail and been sued. Lucky for VR&E, the officials of this ENRON of the federal government are largely blanketed by sovereign immunity. The government has to agree to let you sue the government. Convenient.
The following is a list of a few of most common fish stories given by Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors to deny veterans access to Chapter 31 benefits:
1. Veterans with high disability ratings usually fail to complete their training.
2. You cannot use Vocational Rehabilitation if you are Individually Unemployable (IU).
3. Veterans with families have a harder time completing their programs.
4. Vocational Rehabilitation will not pay for graduate school.
5. If you have a job, you do not qualify for Vocational Rehabilitation.
Lies – all lies. In a VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) Training Module Study Plan you can get plenty of valuable information about the program. Combined with the audit and survey linked above, the majority of truths to the lies can be found. So let’s raise the curtain a bit to reveal the great Oz.
Lie #1 – Veterans with high disability ratings usually fail to complete their training.
Truth – The survey states that veterans with a higher disability rating also have a higher likelihood of successfully completing their program. This includes veterans with VR&E ratings of “serious employment handicap.”
Lie #2 – You cannot use Vocational Rehabilitation if you are Individually Unemployable (IU).
Truth – According to the training module, veterans with a 100 percent disability rating can and do use VR&E for retraining purposes to obtain jobs, if possible. Additionally, veterans with an IU are also allowed to use the program. Further, finishing the training program does not automatically result in a reduction of IU. Supposedly, it cannot be reduced for a year following employment.
Lie #3 – Disabled veterans with families have a harder time completing their programs.
Truth – There is no significant effect on program success rates when comparing veterans with families to those without families. This includes a comparison between veterans relating to spouses and veterans with children.
Lie # 4 – Vocational Rehabilitation will not pay for graduate school.
Truth – I used VR&E for my undergrad and now have an Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan stating I can attend law school in the program. ‘Nuff said. VR&E will send people to graduate school, to include law school, medical school, dental school, and airline pilot training. It can also pay for starting small businesses and allocating in excess of $100,000 for the start up, according to participating SBA Veteran Business Counselors working with the program.
Lie #5 – If you have a job, you do not qualify for Vocational Rehabilitation.
Truth – Over 42 percent of all disabled veterans using VR&E services are employed at the time of admittance. Thirty-five percent hold jobs throughout the period of retraining. Of those, over half of them felt their current job was inline with their military and/or civilian training. So, 28,000 veterans who used VR&E for retraining were employed at the time they entered the program.
That’s the truth about the VA, according to the VA. The information is out there, but it’s not presented in way that is readily accessible. Plus, it’s hard to pick your head up to do the research when your horns are locked with your Voc Rehab Counselor.
To the quality counselors out there, thank you for your diligent efforts to support disabled veterans in their quest for purpose and success outside of the green uniform. And to those who dish out fish stories, I for one have had it up to my eyeballs with you. There will be a day of reckoning, in this life or the next. Accountability will come for all the lives that have been hurt by the renegade behavior of some Voc Rehab Counselors. Many media outlets have begun to investigate the actions of the VA, including the actions of Voc Rehab officials. To you who do harm to vets, it’s time to be on the right side of this story.
Email questions to: help@disabledveterans.org.
So here’s what Voc Rehab did to me. I applied, told them my plan, told them the specifics of my plan for Graduate School, for which I will be relocating. When they approved me they told me they would approve my plan before I left NYC. So they took the remaining 5-6 months away from my Post 9/11 Gi Bill away from me, then when I got my actual case manager he refused to approve my graduate program and told me I’d have to wait until I move and my case was transferred to a different region, which could take months. I graduate in two weeks, start graduate school in three, and I currently still have no place to live, and nobody will approve me even for rent b/c I have no proof of income other than my disability, which isn’t high enough to meet income requirement. Wife and two kids,….about to be homeless in less than two weeks.
I requested my file to be transferred and another VR& E counselor The VR& E officer denied my request. He also threaten to dis-enroll me for non-cooperation if I did not work with the counselor and employment counselor.. I am in the same commuting distance to Philadelphia and New York. Is there a regulation stating you can not transfer your files or to another counselor.
Ben Krause deserves applause for his efforts here. I’ve applied for VocRehab 3 times. I was denied 3 times. I’ve requested an administrative review. I’ve gotten my State Senator involved. I’m in Law School now, and used the skills I’ve learned there to write my request for administrative review. My initial meeting with the VocRehab Counselor lasted less than 15 mins. I went straight to the M28, the CFR and USC to point out that the counselor didn’t take the appropriate amount of time to evaluate me or my conditions. The point in all of this is use what Ben has supplied here to make a stand for your benefits. You earned them. The counselor told me that since I had not applied for a job in the time I was in law school that I didn’t qualify for VocRehab, and that I had transferable skills that made me employable. I pointed out that the definition of suitable employability must include the veteran’s interests. I was interested in being a lawyer that owned his own practice. When I asked to speak with another counselor, he told me that I couldn’t and even if I could that those counselors would tell me the same thing. I’m pushing back, hard, and even I’m not successful, they’ll know they were in a fight.
Mike I have a JD and years later applied for VA benefits and received a 70% rating. I applied for Voc Rehab and was accepted via the New Orleans VARO. I moved to Florida a few months later and decided to pursue my LLM last June.
2 months ago I was approached by an LLM Professor and was asked to apply for the SJD program as I only have a thesis to complete the LLM program. I contacted my Voc Rehab counselor and asked him about the SJD funding via me changing my Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plan.
My God you would have thought I spit in his coffee. He swore that I could not change my plan. I then quoted him the statute under 38 CFR § 21.94 Changing the Plan given the fact that I still have 30 months left.
He then said well I am only to be “rehabilitated to the point of employment” but left out that as that may be true the law also says:
(a) General. Rehabilitation to the point of employability may include the services needed to:
(1) Evaluate and improve the veteran’s ability to undertake training;
(2) Train the veteran to the level generally recognized as necessary for entry into employment in a suitable occupational objective. Where a particular degree, diploma, or certificate is generally necessary for entry into the occupation, e.g., an MSW for social work, the veteran shall be trained to that level.
But the above law is referencing my goal or objective. So IF I have 30 months left and I can accomplish my SJD within the 30 months then essentially it is my business if I want to pursue a SJD. Even if I could NOT obtain the SJD in 30 months I could apply for an extension because I have a severe disabling service connected rating. In this instance I only need 30 more hours!!
When a Veteran has been accepted into a program do NOT exit the program until you have maximized your rehabilitation to OBTAIN and REMAIN employed. The law clearly states:
38 CFR 21.70 – Vocational rehabilitation
(a) General. The goal of a vocational rehabilitation program is to:
(1) Evaluate and improve the veteran’s ability to achieve a vocational goal;
(2) Provide services needed to qualify for suitable employment;
(3) Enable the veteran to achieve maximum independence in daily living;
(4) Enable the veteran to become employed in a suitable occupation and to maintain suitable employment.
(ii) In the case of a veteran for whom achievement of a vocational goal is feasible, such needed services include assisting the veteran to become, to the maximum extent feasible, employable and to obtain and maintain suitable employment;
(2) The term also includes the monetary assistance authorized by Chapter 31 for a veteran receiving any of the services described in this paragraph.
A GOAL is defined as:
A vocational goal is reasonably feasible when the following conditions are met: (1) Vocational goal(s) has (have) been identified; (2) The veteran’s physical and mental conditions permit training for the goal(s) to begin within a reasonable period; and (3) The veteran: (i) Possesses the necessary educational skills and background to pursue the vocational goal; or (ii) Will be provided services by the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop such necessary educational skills as part of the program. 38 C.F.R § 21.53(d) (1995).
In closing he allowed his true intent to come out when he said that my LLM has cost the VA a lot of money and time. Yet it is all to reflective of the mentality of many at the VBA (Veterans Benefit Administration). We as Vets have served our Nation with honor to include combat vets as myself and have to deal with this constant B.S. rhetoric. What a shame.
Regardless I have my case law and statutes in line to deal with this guy. What a wast of energy this tug of war with the V.A. can be.
my thoughts on these articles is that they are spot on as i have been going to school since January of 2013 and have yet to receive any money from the VRAP what a big SNAFU
Have you been calling in every month to certify your attendance
It generally takes a full month before you receive any money just so yow know.
What can the Vocational Rehabilitation Program pay for? Examples, computers, printers ect.
They pay for any tools needed for your field. I received a computer, printer, and an expensive calculator for my computer science field. What I did with the calculator was purchased it without asking, then emailed my voc-rehab counselor and told her I bought it because I needed it and didn’t know if they paid for it. I emailed the receipt and got reimbursed within a few weeks. If you need something ask, but have a reason and a backup as to why. What I have learned is be nice to them under every circumstance.
I have a 10% disability, and I am still waiting for the outcome of my other service-connected application. My initial VA Voc Rehab told me that it is very difficult to get in VA Voc Rehab with simply a 10% disability. I don’t know how VA count the value of each organ, but I got a liver disease. That makes me feeling extremely tired most of time. Is that true with only 10% should be treated like it worth nothing in VR&E application?
Cuntinued : If any one can tell me how or wear I might look for those medical records for August 1969 or what I can do to prove the injuries and wounds did happen please tell me. I gave VA dates and place and when they found the records showing the dates and places they could not find my medical records for those injuries, this part of my life is so very important to me cause I feel like I should have received a Purple Heart like so many who did not. so if you were there with the 9th infantry or the 191st 1969 Dung Tam give me a shout. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
Sgt. Simmons, when I filed for an increase from 20 to 70%, I had to appeal because the VA could not find the majority of my medical records — and this is the reason they used to deny me. However, when my case went before the Board of Veterans Affairs, they simply said that it is not up to the veteran to find their records, it’s up to the VA regional office — Therefore, they had to find the records themselves or award the claim. They awarded the claim. I hope this helps…God Bless you too!
I just wanted to say thank you to Sgt. Roberts, I will let you know how everything turns out my claims are still pending.
Sg
Sounds like your files may have been lost in the 1970 fire. VA bears the burden of producing the files. As Sgt Roberts, prior email reply noted, VA would have to award.
Hello Everyone I’m Ernest Simmons Jr. Vietnam Vet 1969 – 1970 191st AHC Dung Tam and Can Toe Airfield. my first 14 days in country we went thru three rocket mortar attacks I was hurt jumping off top of the bunker hitting my back and head on the door and was knocked out I was pulled into of the connex that was use for the bunker, I was given doavon for pain and sent back to work the second attack a round hit so close to me that the blast threw me and my entire right side of my body seem to be on fire and the pain went thru me, I was just 18 years volunteered for service and Vietnam at 17 years at NYC times square recruiting. none of this new about keeping records none of us though about how we would feel thirty fourty years later we were just glad as hell to be alive. it took 33 years for VA to finally find my records even though several request were made by myself and others, VA borrowed my records from St Louis in 1979. when I received them more than half my records were missing including the records of the wounds during those two attacks, no one can find them and believe me I have search. all of those years that I did not have my records I was denied and there reasons for denying my claims was NO MEDICAL evidence, those when I received them some of the medical conditions I told them about was there. I’m still fighting with VA about some of the conditions concerning my back and head and now Peripheral Neuropathy, I have just been given 70% rating PTSD and I was recently given 100% temporary for Cancer. in the pass I have tried to take my life for many reasons and most of those reasons come from my military service 6 years 4 months. It is a all up hill fight for your rights and your benefits but do not do what I use to do GIVE UP fight until you die.
My Vocational Rehab counselor told me that I had seven months left in the program. I enrolled in school to complete my Master’s degree in education. I will complete this program in one year. I have been in school since September. I plan to start teaching in the 2013 school year. Recently I spoke with my counselor. Now she says that her supervisor has denied my Vocational Rehab because of my disability. She states that because I have Fibromyalgia, I will not be able to teach school. However recent tests have indicated that this diagnosis in incorrect and I am within normal limits medically. Can she make this decision? Who can I appeal to?
Mona, I do not think they can deny your benefits like that. Get the denial in writing and then just appeal it. You have the right to appeal ANY decision that the VA makes. The last time I saw a Voc Rehab counselor, she asked too many questions about my disabilities. It got really annoying because I do not think she’s qualified to assist me with my conditions. I felt she really overstepped her bounds..
I’m not a Veteran, but I am disabled. They do this test thing for the government I scored 4 out of 5, meaning I’m extremely disabled, but not enough for the government to put me on disability, I’m just -EXTREMELY- unlikely to find work on my own. Voc Rehab offered to pay for graduate training to make me more desirable, as long as I completed it in -ONE YEAR- yeah, you heard me right, do four years of college in a -single year-. Because of my disabilities it took me -10- years to get an AA. That’s a two year degree in 10 years. And despite the fact I have Advanced Access Training, they won’t get me the means to keep my skills from rusting but hey they will help me get a McDonald’s job even though they -know- that it puts me at risk of a fatal mental break down. They need a serious overhaul of the system. I’m not even working with a local agent because the only guy ‘allowed’ to work for them in my town caused me to explode in public (something that doesn’t happen) due to his constant lies and horrible treatment of me.
Thank a lot people, I have learned a lot from you and the website… Much appreciated and God bless all the Vet..
i used voc rehab to get a bachelors degree. however i was told that they would not pay for my masters which i had to pay for myself. wish i knew now what i didnt know then. i am unable to work in my degree field. i have recently recieved an increase in my disability from 30 to 80% percent. so my question is this. can i use voc rehab again.
Of course you can. You simply need to tell them of a career choice that requires a degree. Whichever job you choose that requires more work, is usually the safer bet. I had to fight tooth and nail to get my master’s in international affairs because the first counselor said that an undergrad degree was enough. However, if you say you want to be a lawyer, then how can you be a lawyer without a law degree, or a doctor without a medical degree. If the first lady says no, then speak to her boss. Don’t ever give up. The VA is just lazy and needs to be prodded in order to get what you what.
It took me just shy of two years to receive my disability rating. I am 50% disabled and I have already been attending under graduate school. My plan A is to apply to medical school. Plan B is to go all the way to earn a PhD in biology and do research and teach at a university. I have just been approved for the voc rehab but they said they probably won’t pay for anything above a bachelors. I am already classified as a junior. I am very glad I came across this article. Thanks for the valuable info and I will make sure that I am able to receive benefits to attend medical school and or grad school.
I’m rated at 80% with 70% for PTSD I’ve had lots of difficulty including Voc Rehab sending me to truck school. My current counselor seems cool she actually looked at my situation and overturned the rehabilitated status and now I’m in. When I spoke with her she assumes that I can’t handle nursing school as this was my top choice because its stressful for most people. She had me look into other healthcare positions and the one that seems the best for me is Veterinary Medicine. I currently have a bachelors degree and would need 24 credits of prereqs before being able to apply. My concern is that she said she doesn’t think I can handle nursing school and veterinary school is harder. I’m good with sciences, I’m a total nerd that studies biological science chem and physics for fun. For me animals nature and science are theraputic. These things help me unwind from stress and that is why Ive become more focused on DVM. How can I convince her of this fact, and to get to go to vet school? I know myself, my family thinks its a good idea, but I have this person who doesn’t know me or my abilities in control of my future. Please give me some ideas. Thanks
Jeremy,
I am in the same position as you are. I have a BA in Biology and I want to be a veterinarian. Ever since I was a child, I wanted to be a vet. However, I have super low self-esteem and self-confidence and I’ve been telling myself for the past few years (because of what I read and heard from other people about how difficult it is to get in) that I would never be accepted into vet school. Due to this fear of rejection, I began looking for alternative medical jobs and requested to use voc rehab for a physician assistant degree (masters). I was denied because they said my PTSD disabilities would hinder me from attaining my goals as a PA. Nice way to boost my already low self-esteem. If the VA thinks that of me, what would they think if I asked to go to vet school?? my goodness, they would probably laugh at me. Anyway, after reading this article and others by Ben, I think I want to pursue my dream with a career in vet medicine. It’s probably gonna be a fight, but I think I need to do this. I don’t want you to give up either. Let me know if you get any advice from anyone and I will do the same.
Good luck!
Sarah
I recently graduate and my sorry counselor have not made contact with me overr a year. My degree was supposed to been in high school English, but I did not pass the state teachers exam. Therefore, I could not finish the education program and graduate with an BA in english. I cannot find suitable employment. I requested to go to school to get a MPP or MBA so I can work at the the college level with students and I was told they do not pay for a master degree. Please help with advice.
I’m an 84 year old veteran with a 70% service related disbaility. I have started several manuscripts for stories and books and need help with transcription and typing. I was told that there is electronic equipment available that uses voice recognition and can be used with Ipad or computer . I’m wondering if my veteran’s status would qualify me to receive aid in the purchase of this equipment . Who to see and where to buy??? Thanks.
get a doctors order….and it is tax deductible
I am 80% disabled veteran and I have applied for Voc Rehab to get my BA. they aprove, I also still have my GI bill .Question : where can I find out if VA will reduce or cancel my disability after finish my school program, somebody told me, they will and I worry about it.
Thank for your attention,
Your risk of losing your ability has nothing to do with school. Whenever you go above 70% in disability, the VA reserves the right to have a follow-up visit to make sure you are still 80% disabled, unfortunately that is just the way it is. If you get down to 70% you never have to have a checkup visit again, but it makes sense. If you were to be 80%, improved, and then they were just throwing money away, they would look pretty foolish.
i am currently working with voc rehab , im in school now tryining to transfer to a 4 year college but im being told that va will not pay for a bachelors they will only pay for an associates but i live in san diego and there are no jobs under voc rehab guidlines that except only associates degrees. so they are going to deny me any way just on that alone . they want you to put together a program for your success then they say they wont pay for that so yes you fall through the cracks because they will say that im the one who failed to adhere to the program
They are lying to you. I am currently a senior in my bachelor’s degree program through the VA Voc Rehab program. I had problems with my first VA Counselor, so I went their office and insisted on being assigned a new counselor. The first one told me that I couldn’t go to an online school unless it was for a business degree. My 2nd counselor (in the same office) approved an online program for a degree in Psychology and Christian Counseling. Don’t take just one person’s answer! You have to fight for your rights with the VA so keep at it and you will get what you need. You can always write to your Congressman as well…they usually get things to happen quite quickly. Good luck.
That is not exactly true… When you apply for VR&E benifits, part of the intiial application is an apptitude test, if you do not score well enough they will not pay to send you to a 4yr or graduate college. It would not be in the VA’s or the Veteran’s best interest to send someone to school, when they are not capable of understanding and thus completing the degree requirements. I am in the VR&E program currently, I scored well enough that my individual program plan is worded to include Undergraduate/Graduate/Ph.D./Clinical Certifications, it is all in there. The right thing to do is be honest and firm with your counselor and tell them what you want up front, it can be very difficult to change the plan later on.
I am going to undergradute school. I was interested in studying aboard; however my Voc Rehab Counselor told me I couldn’t because the program wasn’t covered under chapter 21. Well another veternan using his GI bill was allowed to study aboard!? I told the counselor what I found out and she told me it was different coverages between us both? I thought Voc Rehab was using our GI Bill to cover for our classes therefore we should be able to use Voc Rab to study aboard! What do you all think?
My understanding is that when using the GI Bill, that if the program of choice includes a necessary component of studying abroad, the VA will cover it. Here is a helpfull link;
http://www.gibill.va.gov/resources/education_resources/foreign_schools.html
I will complete my Undergraduate degree this spring, and start studying in the Winter semester 2013 in Berlin Germany, at a Graduate Uni (Using VR&E benifits)
I had my first meeting with my V.R.& E. Case Mgr. last week, I am interested in the A.G.I. Gunsmithing course. She reviewed my paper work & files & said that I was entitled under the Chapter 31 Program. She also said that I could do anything I wanted except gunsmithing, when I asked her why not she said it was because I have P.T.S.D.
I am rated @ 50% P.T.S.D., however it seems funny to me that I can pass an FBI background check to purchase a gun, get a C.H.L. & even get a F.F.L., but I can’t study gunsmithing because I have P.T.S.D. Personally I don’t think the Lady like guns very much by a couple of remarks she made.
My questions are: 1) Is she telling me the truth? 2) How can I get another Case Mgr. without creating more problems? 3) I applied on line initially, should I go through the DAV & let them handle it now?
Thanks in advance for you help in this matter!
John
I am currently employed as a Facilities Engineer and make a pretty good wage, but have deteriorated over the last couple of years and increased my rating from 20-30%. I am hoping to utilize voc rehab to be more competitive in my field or another field in which will decrease degree of labor intensity. What is the feasibility that my claim will be denied due to currently being employed?
I just had my second Voc rehab appointment today. I was denied. There was no doubt that I have a severe employment handicap. The problem was her opinion that I am not stable enough for employment to be feasable right now. She told me to come back in a year. She also said that I had to give up my non-service connected pension in order to be in the program. Then she started into some BS about the 48 months. My mental health professionals who are way more qualified as Doctors were the ones who suggested I apply for Voc rehab. She never even asked me what it was that I wanted to do! How can she say that I can’t be employable with proper training. I want to be a nurse and that takes 3 years in my circumstances. I am just confused. I thought the program was supposed to help veterans like me!
You can’t stop at one person. Tell her you want to talk to her supervisor and plead your case. Most of the time the people are just lazy and don’t want to the extra paperwork. Which sounds like BS, but they really try to defer more people than they accept. You should get a letter of recommendation from your mental health professionals or not even bring it up in the first place. The program is designed to help veterans but you have to play their game, but once you understand their game, its quite easy to manage. You just need evidence, and logic. Get those letters of recommendation, and settle for no. You’ll get on their nerves, but you’ll get what you want.
Hello,
It is not just Vets that VR are discouraging to go to school. I am on SS disability and I have been trying to get into the VR program for over a year. They keep putting me off with excuses then no phone calls. This is even after I have had an advocacy person helping me. She did remember some very important issues in the meeting. VR is fibbing to me and even got medical records without my permission. I am furious and I do not know who I can contact to help me. I ma tired of going to mediation with these people as they only tell the mediator what they want to hear then they go back doing the very same thing, which is nothing. I would like to know who to contact to either sue them (I could have been in school and out by the length of time they have put my life on hold) or get the fire torching under their behinds. This is totally ridiculous! I need direction as do many other people. Who do we go to for help here?
Question ::: It states above that, “Additionally, veterans with an IU are also allowed to use the program. Further, finishing the training program does not automatically result in a reduction of IU. Supposedly, it cannot be reduced for a year following employment.”
My question is regarding IU. Where can I find out that IU will not be reduced for a year following employment?
Thank you in advance
To the person looking to get the student loans dismissed. Go online and look up disabled veteran discharge student loan. You can pull up the application and began the process.
Served nearly 28 years of military service.Was AN ENLISTED GRUNT MARINE,Thengot a bs/AFofficer COMMISSION.RETIRED 97..ALL IS WELL.Taught hs for nearly 10 YEARS.Then MY world CAME apart.Son killed in iraq doing the same thing i did in nam m-60 machine gunner.Istarted having the nightmares of combat in nam, and in south americadrug contridictionprogram.GOT really suicidal and sent to ptsd program it saved my life.Got 100%P/T did not want it wanted to get healed and go back to work.See work way the form of selfmedication i used to keep mares away.every job i ever had both military/civilian i worked without pay for an additional 20plus hrs per. weel life is good. Son dies I had major set back told i NEVER could work again NOT safe for any future employer.I got so many meds i hate.got regular va psyc.In addition got tbi and lost many cognitive skills i once had.Dclared not stable enough to handle my own funds.EVERY place the VA has sent me for rehab my mind they all said i was the hardest worker on my rehab they ever had.OK fast forward MY memory is improving i can now do most things for myself i help home/ptsd veterans get help.I find i have for helping others.My question is how do i request the VA to pay for me to go back to college for Rehab purposes I got a mba way back when but now i feel starting at a ba/bs or even as/as would help me rehab what little braen cells i got left i really want to do this but can not afford it What do you recommend.
I am 100% disabled and I have all these school loans for a degree I’ll never have. I need these loans to be forgiven! Where do I turn?
I have finished with my Bachelor’s Degree and have been looking for work. I was told there is a stipend paid out while looking for work. Is this true? If so, where do I find the pay table?
I always knew Voc Rehab in both Oakland, CA. and Birmingham, AL. were full of — Horse Pucky! Yeah, I cleaned it up, but this information infuriates me! Where is this so called “Oath” they swore by?!? Or is that an illusion, too!
I received my B.A. in 1999, and though I had douche-bags for counselors, and was passed to several other Douche-bags along the way of finishing my B.A., I finally received it and was thankful. But then, due to VA doctor negligence for multiple years, which they’ll swear they knew nothing of, I lost my limb from misdiagnosis by VA doctors. That aside, I reapplied to Voc Rehab twice for grad school and denied each time being told I was “rehabilitated”.
They said this knowing I had just lost my limb! It’s hard for me to sit here and write this knowing I want to see each of them doing hard time in federal pens for these incredibly despicable crimes they’ve committed against me and far too many other veterans. Okay, why isn’t our government doing anything?? WAKE UP WASHINGTON, DC — TIME TO TAKE SOME ACTION!
But it doesn’t take away the fact that these scum-buckets already hurt many veterans and their families. Enough with threats of “days of reckoning”. It’s time our government held these “criminals”, yes CRIMINALS accountable. It may sound like ranting, but these are things needed to be said and by not only myself, but the thousands of veterans who’ve been hurt and those that are still being dismissed by these same JERKS!
Now I’m sitting on a mound of debts in school loans and the actions that my government should be taking to assist me with getting out from all these debts is far and away taking way too long and always held up by ridiculous actions in our legislature. Now I’m trying to contact the folks at the VA Loans Forgiveness dept and all I’m getting are fax ringings. Can anyone assist with a number to this place for me to actually speak with a representative? Thanks!
I have a 10% disability. I have been searching for something better than my $8/hr job. My Voc Rehab counselor, who rarely responds to my emails or voicemails, insists that since I already have a Criminal Justice BA degree: KEEP looking on USA jobs website and KEEP making “cold calls” to get an internship! Now is that what Voc Rehab Counselors get paid to do?
They have a jobs coordinator at the office. If the Voc Rehab counselor is not mentioning this, then you need to tell him you want a new voc rehab counselor or that you want to see their supervisor. In addition to being disabled which gives you a 10 point veterans preference with federal employment (which pays back your student loans if you want a little extra cash, like i do), you should be placed on a “Select A” job listserv. Once again, the counselors are lazy and just need to be prodded. Threatening to need a new one is a good way to remind them that you aren’t going to take their shit.
First off, thank you for your time and great information.
My scenario is this; Marine Vet, I was out a few years and in the middle of radiology tech school before my disability rating of 20% was approved. I was using my GI bill while attending school at that time in 2002. I met with a Voc Rehab counselor who informed me of two things; It would be who’ve me to use the Voc rehab program instead of the GI Bill, yet in order to use the Voc Rehab, I had to repay the GI Bill that I had already used that year, which I did. The other issue he mentioned was that had I applied to Voc Rehab prior to the start of school, they would have NOT approved the Radiology Tech program due to my back condition which they would feel that it would aggravate my condition…. Fast forward 7 years and my condition has worsened and recently increased my disability to 40%. I currently have an appointment to reopen my Voc Rehab claim at the end of the month. I have been attending school (a bridge program for my B.S.) but had to stop due to unemployment and school is too expensive. I probably have another 2 semesters of school. I would like to go for a Physician Assistant program which requires me to get a BS then at least 2 years of additional schooling. Is there any advice you can give to me about attaining this goal through the VR Or any advice about what to expect they may tell me that I should fight them on. They are already stating that I have been rehabilitated in 2004. Ugh
Go to the D.A.V., Congressman, senator, and get an advocate
I guess the most important thing to do now, is pray that the doctors, workers, are put into the same situation as we are right now. Then perhaps there will be some compassion.
My problem is that I am rated 60% and I am attending school via the chapter 31 program, but I am trying to get Individual Uneployability my counselor tells me that I can’t file for the IU. I get good grades only because the instructor passes pretty much everyone. I am not learning anything from this course (Graphic Design) because I cant concentrate. Please help!!!
I’m a 60% SC disabled Marine VietVet. I am ssigned up with Chapter 31 and, thanks to it, will receive a BS this coming January. Halfway through my courses, I obtained a job, earning less then half of what I used to earn and completely out of the field I came from and wish to return to. I believe that a Masters degree will help me reach my goal. Will my current employment disallow me from pursuing the Masters?
Ben,
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!! May you continue to be successful and blessed!!!
Chalena Mack — I am sorry to learn of your condition and poor treatment. When one veteran suffers, we all suffer. As this is not my web-site, I need to ask if it is OK to post comments to each other here. I am more-than glad to recommend education that would meet your needs, and also that of an organization and position that you would like to apply for.
Sincerely,
JMB
I am a disabled veteran rated at 70% for Retinitis Pigmentosa. I was denied my educational benefits under chapter 30/34 as I had a break in service and then the VA reduced my time for receiving my education benefits under chapter 30.
I then tried to get educational benefits under Vocational rehabilitation only to be denied in writing because I have part-time employment (17 hours a week)
I recently called the Voc Rehab counselor and ask if I could re-apply and he stated I would have to go to my employer and asked for a letter on their stationary that states my disability is not allowing me to live up to my full potential at work and then maybe they would reconsider.
My concern: How ridiculous is that. I work for a well known international shipping company as a material handler. In other words I move boxes. It is a fast pace environment and this particular employer would not write a letter of this sort as it would place them in an uncompromising situation. They would be admitting that my employment may potentially create a safety hazard for me and my fellow employees. Although I do OK at work (no major accidents in my 1st year) as I am overly cautious, I know for a fact if I were to ask for such a letter I would become unemployed. They truly can get other employees with the current unemployment rate. They are skilled at letting people go.
I am asking for your help to rectify this concern. I did revalidate my employment status to disable veteran recently. I have time to appeal their decision.
I would like to finish my degree in Public policy Administration with an emphasis on non-profit. Any help you can recommend would be greatly appreciated.
First and foremost, I must admit to attending school (off-duty education). Secondly, I accumulated much education… I am rated at 100%. I have four eye-conditions documented by the VA stemming from active duty. Vision in the right eye = 800/20. Everything is documented — all testing done by the VA. In fact I have had such problems with my eyes, that I have receieved 10 pr of eyeglasses in the last year…
I went to Voc Rehab in hopes that I would receievs assistance to continue in my field. After immediately being told that,” you are not qualified because you work and have an education.” I started to leave…over the next proceeding hour and a half, the “counselor” found me “qualified.” He gave me his card and I was told I would have a follow-on appt. 3-months later I receieved a letter have an appt with him. My wife attended both meetings with me, and we are still asking what the point of the whole thing is/was? On my second appointment, the “counselor” sent me a website to the cerebral palsey foundation in San Diego. Evidentally, I am supposed to rent equipment from them, try it out, and report back to him at some unknown distant future place and time.
I am a college prof, served 20-years on active duty, and things like the computer, cell phone, TV, I “see” in 3-D and through bleariness. The amount of disingenuine help is a shame…You just cannot make this stuff up…To further the point; the “counselor” also told me he had no access to my records, VA disabilities…which I was supposed to send him copies of my rating and decision boards, to include marathon eye exams. When I saw my primary care provider last week, I asked her for a copy…she turned the computer screen around and pointed to the commendts the the voc rehab counselor had left on my electronic chart. He had access the entire time….absolutely pathetic…
After being told I qualified for voc-rehab, I asked to be allowed to pursue a masters degree onlone. I was told, “no.” The “counsellor” then offered me a B.A. degree from a local university. I told him I already had a B.S. degree but needed a masters to succeed in my field (Management Information Systems). After a couple of months he called to offer me an associates degree from a college 2 hours away. I restated my case that I needed a masters degree and asked hom what he was going to offer me next, a GED? He closed my case and that’s the last I ever tried. Now I’m trying to start a business but I figure I’m probably better off doing it without the VA’s involvement.
This article is so on point! They told me that my disability disqualified me from Voc Rehab; limited my hours and added the stipulation that I would be kicked out of the program if I made less than a ‘C’ in any course. They tried to force me to take a major in a field that they wanted. I had to sit out an entire semester because they did not pay the university after I attended classes for two months! Test scores, papers, time all lost. They never paid for my eye glasses, dentistry, computer and other essentials. After I graduated Magna Cum Laude. They told me that they did not pay for grad school. They refused assistance in obtaining employment and waited two years after graduation to offer me an internship at $400 a month! When I refused, they closed my case and labeled my program as a failure. They have never paid me for my last two months of school. They are horrible people and had I listened to them, I was ‘set up’ to fail my program.
I was told that I cannot continue to pursue my Criminal Justice degree which I currently have 49 credits with (before I became Voc Rehab approved). Per the Dept. of Labor “The outlook for future Employment of private detectives and investigators is expected to grow 22 percent over the 2008–18 decade, much faster than the average for all occupations.” My counselor said that the outlook for employment is not good….then why have me do the research if they are going to dispute the facts? I have been getting job interviews for work related to police/investigation, but lack the degree. I have proven to my counselor that I am able to find work in this field. I could have finished my AA degree this year but instead the counselor wants me to enroll in a local university and get a BA in IT related work which I am not that interested in. The graduation rate of the online school I was attending is almost 21% more than the local university. Nonetheless, I have made the effort to obtain an internship with the local police department and have enrolled with the online university and applied for financial aid. I’d rather be working at the end of this year than 3+ years from now.
I just filled out my application today to use the VR&E benefits. I’m a young woman who was going into nursing but I will be unable to persue this career due to lifting requirements. I have back, knee and hip issues, so I did a little research and Surgical Technologists don’t deal with lifting at all and are about the same line of work that I wanted to be involved in.
I spoke to someone on the phone today and the way she explained it was, they are going to have to decide if they think it’s necessary for me to work in that field so if they deny it…what do they do next? Give alternatives in my chosen field? I’m very nervous about the entire thing. How long is the application to first appointment process?
I had originally entered the Voc Rehab program working towards a nursing degree. I had to stop that program due to an increase in my injuries, which in turn led to a 100% P&T rating. A few years later I have returned to try and use my Voc Rehab benefits to attend culinary school. My counselor told me that they would not approve the program because I have back problems that would not allow me to stand for long periods of time, and they felt that I would be unable to work in a kitchen environment, even though I told them that my goal was to work out of my home making cakes for individual events (weddings, birthdays, etc.). They told me that the Voc Rehab program would not pay for something like this, as they felt there was too large a margin for failure. I would really like to go to patisserie and baking school, but the VA rep at my Voc Rehab office is basically refusing to submit a package for it…Is there anything I can do? Thanks for your assistance, and I hope to hear from you soon.
we were told if my husband increased his disability from 70% – 100% he could not finish is training that he has started at alocal school and he could never work he wants to go back to work and we are really suffering
i have the skills to teach phys.disabled how to make from chair , i have been disabled 44years i would love to assist anyone who would like to learn how to be self sufficient , i will show you how get over the hump the old fashion way you do not have to be smarter than are, just ambitious & make your future # 1 priority . I GOT HURT BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL, & never made it thru the 9th grade, i am a real person who can help, former alcohol & drug attic , there is no exact way to get where u r going , just GET R DUN i will help u if u let me, bob or art 520-744-7382
I need to get my packet to another counselor my counselor won’t let me even finish my BA Degree. I need help He says counseling alone is enough for me because I have marketable skills. I need to get my packet to another office/counselor…
Ben,
You have given a lot of D/V some hope, it is a shame all Voc Rehab counselors are not as helpful. I am a 40% service connected and my condition is deteriating. 10 months ago Voc Rehab sent me to school to help me get some sort of desk job. I live 4 hrs away from their office so we have done a lot of the paperwork by fax, etc. as they do not want to pay travel. anyhow I recieved a phone call from my counselor telling me that my stipidend contract was only good for 1 year and had run out therefore I would not be getting any more and that to continue schooling I would have to take out a loan or something. Luckly I was able to find a little work in my old trade but it is really interfering with my schooling. Is there anything I can do to get the subsistance reinstated? I have a 4.0 average so far but this term is getting really tough.
Thanks for all you have done for fellow Veterans.
Doug
i had a VRE counselor tell me he couldn’t do anything since even though I had some ratings, that there were too many deferred (including TBI) to be entered into a program. Took me 6 months and a couple congressmen and senators to get my case switched to another office.
I have always had a dream of becoming a Gym teacher. When I was injured, I was discharged and subsequently enrolled in the Ch. 31 program. Because of the severity of my disability (wheelchair user-Spinal Cord) I decided I couldnt be a gym teacher. I enrolled in a program to get a degree in Art and humaities, just so I could get a teaching certificate. I did… FAST FORWARD 8 years
I am now a lot more accepting of my disability. I am not happy with my job. I feel that I could be a gym teacher now. I want to go back to school and get a Masters in Kinesiology so I can get into PE. I was told just today by the VocRehab program that I am considered Rehabbed and not eligible for anything.
It is difficult to get back into Chapter 31 while unemployed. It is even harder to get back in while employed. Your disabilities must have gotten worse or the skills you learned must no longer be current for employment. There are other reasons, but these two are the primaries. My guess is you went in there and stated what you just wrote above, which is why you were denied. Check out our eGuide on http://www.disabledveterans.org/guides-appeals/
awesome stuff,
90% SC and I will be graduating from a pretty good school this fall. Sure, they haven’t finished paying the bill but I am still happy I got what I could (the education). What I learned from dealing with voc rehab and attending school:
You can do whatever you want in life
You can inspire others to do the same
Take nothing for granted
Look between the lines
Always second-guess
second guess the second guess
Show up in person
Use chain of command, it works in civilian sector too..
However, most importantly,
Never quit
I am a 100% disabled veteran and have applied for Voc Rehab to pursue a degree in Commercial Flight. The VA APPROVED me in August of 09. The contractor the school uses was not VA approved at the time so they put me in a certificate program until the approval came for the contractor. Two officials at the school were verbally promised, as was I, that when the contractor received their approval I would get my funding and put back into the degree plan.
This happened in May of this year, and now I can’t continue because I do not have a Private License, which I gave my counselor 3 times to find out whether I needed it or not, and she told me ‘No, Voc Rehab will pay 100%.” Now they’re denying me my funding after they have already approved it. What is going on here? I know there is a statute that says a Private is required for Chap. 30. However, there is one in Book G that states otherwise, and it is in Part 38 CFR; Book G; Voc Rehab; limitations on flight training, rule 21.134.
Thanks for looking into this,
I have an appeal template dealing with this type of issue within the new guide for sale on http://www.disabledveterans.org/guides-appeals. You want to focus on the 6th appeal dealing with moving. The issue is they approved your program and are now trying to deny it. For whatever reason, Voc Rehab has a real hard-on for people who were approved for flight training and now are denying those guys if they didn’t have the private license. Apparently, there was a statute change and now they are trying to reneg. Little do they know that when there is a change in a statute midway through a claim, the decision falls in favor of the veteran. In addition, once a decision is made, they cannot up and undo it without process. The issue being you need to document and then appeal under the appropriate conditions. Some of that information is in the new guide.
Hope this helps.
Hey Ben! I have a 50% disability rating and I have completed half of my VocRehab training. The second half of my education will come from a university that I must move near to attend; it is over 2 hours away. Will VocRehab pay for my move or assist me with moving? This is the closest university to me that teaches my major, and going to this school is on my education contract with VocRehab. What do you think?
Recently I wrote a letter to the Vocational Rehabilitation Dept. at the VA office in Decatur, GA., and I never received a letter or a phone call concerning mt request. Due to our economy I am forced to go back to school to receive my technical diploma as a HVAC Specialist. Don’t get me wrong concerning the Voc. Rehab. program; they did assist me with getting my Carpentry diploma, but as you know, no one is building anything at the moment. So, I decided to go back to school to get some more training in the field of HVAC… And I haven’t heard a word from them since I wrote the letter; even though I was told that they had received it. my question is where do I go from here?
Yes, you appeal the determination of “Rehabilitated” before the VA 1 year time limit for appeals passes. Check out our Appeals Guide 4.
http://www.disabledveterans.org/guides-appeals/
My VA Voc Rehab counselor told me the program wouldn’t pay for graduate school. When I basically demanded she show me the regulation governing the issue, I was magically authorized for “some” graduate school because I am 100% disabled. My “some” graduate school was an MBA. After I completed my MBA I was hired almost immediately for a job that required that level of education. I worked the job for six months and had to resign due to health problems. I guess my Vocational Rehabilitation was listed as a success because they had me fixed up with a job almost before I could finish school. The only problem is, I could not ultimately handle the job due to physical limitations. I guess now there’s no way for me to get the education I really need to once again return to the ranks of productive society.
Is there any way I can get BACK into the Vocational Rehabilitation program and continue until I actually have the skills I need to work in the long term?
I was told today, just two hours ago that the VocRehab will NOT pay for Commercial flight school. In fact the VocRehab counselor said” that who ever wrote that is a lier” What can i do? He suggested that I use the G.I.Bill, but that only covers so much. Any suggestions?