It should really be workers comp but if we're still able bodied to work then, we work for some extra income. But posting in r/Money showing how much you get from VA yearly ontop off a full-time job makes all the other vets who arent able to work but are also 100% p&t, look bad.

Hey I know there are a lot of Va claims representatives and veterans here. I’ve had different % through the years and filed all my claims myself. I just wanted to say thank you to the Va. The Va has always taken good care of me and has always come through for my family when we needed it the most I see a lot of bad post and complaints about the Va so I wanted to make a good post for once. Whether you have 10% or 100% there is no veteran benefits like this in the world and I’m thankful for the veterans that sacrificed for this to be possible. So thank you very much! Stay blessed everybody! Airborne all the way.

I am rated at 90% but have TDIU. I'm grateful for it but to be honest, with my current rent/bills/etc, it is really hard to save money and I know you need some decent cash upfront when house buying, even with the VA home loan program. I am really worried about the future and don't know how to get ahead and feel like I'll always be stuck, and when thinking about a house, I feel like my income being fixed and not that much will get me turned away or things will be outrageous. That said, there have to be plenty of vets who only live off their fixed income and manage to get a house right?

I also know moving would help of course but I was hoping to stay close, I am in the Philadelphia area. Also if it's relevant, I'm 34 and have pretty good credit (it was like 750-something last I checked). I apologize if these aren't appropriate questions, this whole thing is just really confusing to me. But thank you very much for any help!

I recieved a 40% rating back in May 2020, for Vietnam service/Diabetes/peripheral neurapathy. I did the intent-to-file in August 2019, didn't get my C&P until nearly Dec 2019, and then finally in May 2020, recieved the 40% rating. That whole claim cycle took nearly 9 months..

Fast forward to now: I put in a Tinitus claim in early July of this year, within a couple of weeks, I was notified for the C&P, and within days after the C&P, I got the decision letter for 10% Tinitus. Though due to the wacky VA "math" I got zero $$ increase there.

Since my hearing is shot besides the tinitus, I decided to put in a hearing claim around the middle of September. Again, I was notified of the C&P exam within less than two weeks after filing, and yesterday, I got the decision letter... 20%, putting me now at 60%.. Impressed..

I was recently approved for VR&E after exhausting my Post-9/11 GI Bill completing my bachelor’s degree in 2022. Since my degree hasn’t been useful for employment, I decided to return to school for cybersecurity after having two children.

My counselor said his supervisor approved a 24-month extension and that I’d receive the highest monthly stipend rate.
I’m starting October 19, 2026, taking 16 credits fully in person in Miami, FL.

My questions:
1. Does the 24-month approval mean I qualify for the Post-9/11 housing allowance rate despite having 0 GI Bill months remaining?
2. How much should my prorated October stipend be, and when should I receive it?
3. Does VR&E offer emergency financial assistance for rent or living expenses, preferably assistance that doesn’t require repayment?
4. Are there additional benefits available for veterans with dependent children?

I’d appreciate any insight from anyone who’s experienced something similar. Thanks!

I'll be having a major surgery soon that has a low risk of death, but you never know. My wife is concerned of course.

I'm a 100% Disabled Veteran. What happens if that actually happens? Do the surgeons carry insurance, for malpractice? Or would my wife have to potentially sue?

This isn't a surgery that should cause issues, I'll be under for just a couple of hours.

Hi everyone,

I'm a veteran with a 100% P&T VA rating, considering a career change to airline pilot. Before committing, I want to know if a First-Class medical is realistic. I know the FAA looks at diagnoses, not the total percentage.

**My main concerns:**

- **Migraines (VA 50%)**: well controlled with OTC acetaminophen/Excedrin as needed. Keeping a headache diary.
- **Chronic adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood (VA 50%)**: no medications and no current therapy.
- **Obstructive sleep apnea (VA 0%)**: on CPAP with consistent use.
- **Ventricular septal defect (diagnosed in childhood)**: heart murmur, no symptoms. Cardiology follow-up every 2 years. Recent echo, and my VA cardiologist cleared me with no concerns.

I also have musculoskeletal and peripheral nerve ratings (back/IVDS, right radial neuropathy, bilateral sciatic radiculopathy, joint strains). No pain meds. I'm fully functional.

**My plan so far:**

1. Neurologist appointment coming up for a letter on frequency, no aura, OTC-only treatment, and stability, backed by my headache diary.
   
2. Sleep medicine follow-up to get a 90+ day CPAP compliance report and a letter confirming effective treatment.
   
3. Psychiatric evaluation to document current status and explain the "chronic" adjustment disorder label.
   
4. Cardiology letter and echo report. I know the FAA wants cardiac testing within 90 days of the exam, so I'll time it accordingly.
   
5. Pulling my full VA records so everything lines up.
   
6. Calling AOPA's Pilot Information Center (and possibly joining Pilot Protection Services) for guidance.
   
7. Pre-consultation with a HIMS-trained Senior AME before submitting MedXPress.

**Questions:**

1. Has anyone gotten a First Class with a similar profile? Office issuance, or Special Issuance?
   
2. Any recommended HIMS AMEs in the SF Bay Area?
   
3. Anything missing from my plan, or anything I should have in hand before the exam?
   
4. For the neuropathy/radiculopathy ratings, did anyone need a SODA?
   
5. Anyone with a congenital VSD go through FAA review? How long did it take?

Thanks!

I was recently found entitled and approved for VR&E. My counselor told me to research a few colleges and send her my options before applying to any of them. I sent her my options 3 days ago and still haven’t heard anything back. Is this normal, and should I just continue to hurry up and wait? I’m just trying to get the process moving so I can get started with school.

Last month I checked into the ER with the worst stomach ache of my life. I walked out a week later with three feet less of intestine and a chunk of liver missing.

I was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer of the small intestines. Fortunately it's grade 1, well differentiated so it's still a very slow growing cancer with survival rates measured in years and decades.

I've already filed for disability under the PACT Act, but I've only ever dealt with the VA for depression and tinnitus (the rare win on that), so this is all new territory for me.

I understand cancer is only 100% during active treatment and six months after and then it gets re-evaluated. I am going to be on a monthly shot to slow the growth forever, but nothing like chemo or radiation so I don't know how that is gonna play out. I got a scar on my gut from crotch to sternum that's already showing its going to be coarse and lumpy. What other residuals are they going to look for and cover long term with a cancer like this?

Has anyone done a an ACE exam lately for ED?

A veteran filed for it on 10/5 got notification that it is ACE exam on 10/12, today shows schedule on website through optuserve on 10/28 8am

Thanks

I have been diagnosed by a therapist. Will this hurt me during exams? Or does it not matter who it comes from as long as they are licensed?

She told me to breathe in and out, 2 mins a day. and come back next month.

She hasn't asked me about anything really...except the anger issues. She doesn't know about my hygiene issues or anything, because she didn't ask.

Is this common? If there's a better reddit forum to ask this question, please let me know. She's not a therapist..and I can't remember what she said she is. But she acts like a pre-school teacher and I'm the pre-schooler.

My wife got a call from (877)717-7581 claiming to be "Jack with VA benefits". I'm assuming it was a scam caller. Has anyone ever been called by the VA? Also I have a Law firm representing me over my VA claim, so I'm sure the VA would have reached out that way.

Hey are the any veterans that have attended Schools through the G.I.Bill abroad? Seems pretty difficult even to contact people and go through the whole Visa Process, while not knowing anyone at the university or country. Any information helps

Credit to: https://veteran.com/va-disability-rates/

Official increase rate is 3.6%. Biggest in a few years. Due to the recent oil price increase.

This is just my opinion but I do believe the inflation has been more than 3.6%. Feels more like 5~6%. They usually make this number up based on how they feel like. It's not even possible to audit this made up CPI figure either.

Say you sign up for VA healthcare and your first VA appointment set three weeks distant, but in the meantime you need to visit an urgent care where there are no VA facilities, and you would like the VA to cover the cost. I see there is a stipulation in order to use urgent care you must have received VA healthcare first, and within two years. Couple questions:

Does care received mean any type of care received via the VA or Community Care? Meaning if you only have had mental counseling, would that satisfy the requirement for needing urgent care treatment for a physical injury or illness?

Should you obtain short-term medical insurance for this three-week gap until you can be seen at the VA for your appointment?

I submitted a VR&E application on September 8th, 2026 and still havent heard back. I am located in Northern Virginia. I called the VA and they told me the application was submitted but theres nothing they could do as they were waiting on a case manager to be assigned.

Is there anyone I should reach out to to hopefully push this request through quicker?

Is it possible to be receiving GI Bill benefits, going to school, and drawing a monthly housing allowance without any document existing that substantiates all that?

And what would that document be, the Education Verification Letter? How do you get it?

Has anyone experienced this that they can offer additional insight??

I was granted community care for my GI’s office like 2 months ago. (I get monthly remicade infusions)

And for some reason they keep billing the appointments to my account. I’m here at my doctors currently and the front desk told me i have an outstanding balance on my account for like 3k and i’m not understanding why when they were given the community care referral beforehand and i haven’t maxed out on my visits yet?

Also i made an appointment with a GI through the VA so this can go a lot smoother but their earliest appointment they have for me is in February 🙂 so im stuck using community care till then 😪

FYI
Friendly reminder that even though the increase becomes effective Dec 1st, since compensation is paid a month in arrears the first check where you’ll see the new monthly amount will be January.🫡

Submitted my supplemental claim today for some feet conditions. Got a nexus letter and more medical records. Let the anxiety begin...

I have a question tho, I got denied in Feb 2026. The claim was started in January 2026. Will I have to do another C&P exam and xrays?