yoshi

It's an up hill battle and you get ABSOLUTELY ZERO HELP FROM ANYONE. I've already helped you waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy more than any governmental, organizational, or individual entity has helped me. On my own, I learned how to read and understand how words are coded in the Uniform Commercial Code, job announcements, VA's terminology, general legal terms, and the list goes on. I could probably run this country. No kidding either. Useful Websites are VA's legal documents found on their website and other sources; basically, regulations, state laws, hiring directives (later come employment time) and legal institute is another website. USE THE VA'S OWN LEGAL DOCUMENTS AGAINST THEM. Just start reading boards like this or do a Google search to get the hamster wheel turning, but don't expect ANYONE to help you in the "real word." Everybody I asked either laughed at me or thought I wasn't serious. The doors were slammed in my face. Figure of speech. It pissed me off to the point of "I'll show them." And I have and currently am. You're going to get pissed because you'll have too many questions and NO ONE will know the answer to them. I've learned people, for the most part, are either stupid as all hell or like to play games at work. I think it's a combination of the two. Where to start? With yourself. Get a yellow legal pad. Leave the house, cell phone, and all means of communication at home. Get in your car and go to a quite place. Mountains work great or a country hotel. Somewhere it's quite. Then ask yourself, What do you like to do? What are you passionate about? Then, go from there and research the Web and make sure the information you're seeking is lining up with what you want to be/do in life. If you do it right and understand legal terminology so you don't look and sound like a fool, it will take six months depending on how quickly you work. I'm a slow pace learner as I like to understand how things actually work. Some people can do it blind, but not me. I've done the blind thing in the past. You're just the blind leading the blind. Not my learning style. I NEED to understand how things work. If not, I am lost and it's not going to go well. It's all on you. http://www.opm.gov/click the links bottom left, under federal employees. Get familiar with the hiring authorities or whatever lines up with your needs. http://www.law.cornell.edu/ Excellent website for legal information pertaining to VA hiring standards, regulations, laws, etc. Google search it. http://www.fedshirevets.gov/ Title says it all. Do your own research. The picture will become clearer. And I can tell simply by the delay in your responses you're not serious about making a change. Anyway, I helped you more than enough. Good luck.

VocRehab you can do almost anything in that program. I'm currently in it. It's a life changer. The most difficult part is convincing the insane counselors, in some cases, as to why your actions/degree/maybe business plans are justified. Not sure about the business plan aspect. Read up on it. Don't try to be a gym instructor knowing damn good and well your back is messed up for example. You will get shut down. Do due diligence. Have your ducks in a row. Don't go in there looking like a fool. When I went to my appointment (I'll never forget it because of a dumbass in our specific group) we were all gathered in a room. We did a survey. Afterwards, we all hung out in the room. Waited for a counselor to call us back. One guy who said he has "brain damage" stated specifically he wanted to know "about independent living." I'm not even a trained counselor but his tone and demeanor had red flags going off in my mind. He was one who milks the system in my opinion. Sure the counselors thought so too. His meeting was over in two minutes tops. Literally, it was the door shut to talk; then, the door opened. That quick. It was over for him. I could tell he didn't have brain damage. Rather, he was just stupid. I saw him at the bus stop. He asked me for money to get back home. Reality checks are given at the appointments. You go in there looking like a fool, you WILL get shut down. Do your homework. Convince them as to WHY starting a business or going back to college is beneficial to you and your disability. Even if you are shut down, ask them if they know of another office which helps Veterans start a business. As I said, do due diligence. The answers are out there. You should know the answer prior to going to the appointment. There's a program that exists for just about every Veteran's need(s). It may or may not be Chapter 31. Again, YOU have to research. Don't think it's up to the VR&E to find you a job or to start your business. IT"S NOT. IT'S ULTIMATELY YOUR RESPONSIBILITY. They, VR&E, just provides some damn good resources to get your foot in the door. Actually, I think a lot of people underestimate the VR&E Program. It's NOT an easy program. It is designed to make a man/woman out of you. One of these days, upon successful completion of my current program, I will type a thorough review. It runs deep. Just research what you're looking for. Start reading online literature FROM THE VA'S WEBSITE. NOT military.com or about.com. however, they are good for generating ideas. Use the VA's own paperwork as evidence against them if your counselor denies you. Be prepared to fight or have a VERY GOOD AND WELL THOUGHT OUT PLAN PRIOR TO ATTENDING YOUR APPOINTMENT. As a matter of fact, don't even make an appointment until you have a well thought out plan in place. YOU have to convince the counselor why you should be allowed into the program. It's not simply given to you. I can't stress it enough. Chapter 31 is NOT a walk in the park. It takes the right type of individual with the proper attitude. Yes, there are stupid counselors who seemingly HATE working with Veterans. I will write about that later. I'll give names and everything. It's not slander or illegal if it is factual. As for now, I do NOT want to be singled out, as I already was, in case they read these posts. Again, not trying to discourage anyone from applying to VR&E, but make sure YOU ARE RIGHT before you apply to the program. Needless to say, VR&E is certainly a life changer. It changed my life for the better. The programs the government implements are excellent programs. It's NOT the programs themselves that are the problem. It's the workers in the programs. That's where the difficulties come in. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS or at least a general understanding of what you're getting into.

I didn't fail but the counselor said nothing will happen. You simply retake the course.

Okay. Thanks for the response.

If I have a VA rating and would like to take self defense courses, will this affect my rating if the local veterans office discovers this information? It's rough where I grow up and I need to learn how to fight or die. Will this violate my disability benefits?

I spoke to the financial aid office. No change will happen. I spoke to the VA Rep and he said no problems. You're awarded 3 times in which VR&E should cover it. And I'd be willing to bet $100 my VA Counselor will say, "You're going to pay for that course." I'm telling you. If there is a devil, SHE'S IT! Otherwise, I will renig and not send my Senator's office a letter. It sucks I'm not graduating as intended. I was looking forward to making some real money for a change.

I'm concerned, but more disappointed at the fact I'm not graduating in December. And as for "just be courteous to your counselor?" Yeah right. I've already spoke to her supervisor, She tells her secretary NOT to print my travel voucher for a scheduled appointment. I'm currently writing a letter to my Congressman. She's clearly in violation of Federal laws. No one is above the law. There's other things too. I'm not trying to get anyone in trouble, but Veterans REALLY need to start speaking out. It beats the alternative. I find it tiring that I'm the only one who stands up for what I believe in. Everyone else lets life wash over them like a tidal wave. So "the be courteous to your counselor" part isn't happening and I'm sure she's been itching for this day. I'll see her true colors, and thanks for the response.

What happens if you fail a class while attending VR&E? I'm supposed to graduate in December, but now I don't think so. I've never failed a course with VR&E in my 3.5 years in the program. Is there a law that regulates what happens if a Veteran fails the course, or is it up to the counselors descretion? If there's a law please post the appropriate code with your post. As of now, I don't see one.

SPAM

Looking back over time. I have to say, I had the right counselor in place. I did my homework as well. I didn't go in there looking like a fool. You have to know what you want, and tell the counselor your goals upon completion of VR&E. The VA isn't going to waste money on people who are uncertain and will figure out as they go. DENIED! I went to my appointment with all plans in place. I gathered my transcripts, had start dates, and a clear defined plan in place. Now, I know there's NO WAY in hell a counselor would allow me to enter that program. Nothing on my part, but the program has taken a turn for the worst. I have a counselor who doesn't email. We've had our talks. She's played her games. Told the lady in the front office NOT to reimburse me for travel. I've spoken to her Supervisor. I was paid. However, I was NEVER paid for my travel. Nor was I awarded travel the day I came. All they need is approval from the director. My next step is to get my Senator involved. If that doesn't work, I will report them to the Federal Government. I will dime all of them out. And equal opportunity? HA In an office environment full of blacks, I can't help but to wonder if it's some form of discrimination toward my skin or sex. I'm getting tired of their crap. I say that to say it's a long road, but if you need something it may be worth fighting for. There's level of escalations-Supervisor, director, Senators, and blowing the whistle if it's that severe. Whatever you do, don't do like I did in my "hot headed couldn't tell me anything days." If you're disrespectful, you're only hurting yourself. You never know who is listening. It could be the director behind you or maybe the Senator happened to pay a visit that day. As much as I hate the saying, "You never know,' it's true.Remain respectful even if they aren't. I hate you didn't get approved. That is an excellent program and a life changer if used correctly. It's not for everyone. Everything was in place when I went. I did my homework. I had the right counselor. We literally bumped into each other at the eatery; before our meeting. Everything lined up perfectly. I have to say luck was on my side that day. The counselors NOW are completely incompetent. If I had to do all over again, I wouldn't get approved. There's NOT a doubt in my mind.

All that mental stuff is a figment of your imagination. The only reason you believe you have mental disorders is because you constantly think about it. I bet if you stopped thinking about it, the mental disorders will go away. Now, with that said, as veterans we will NEVER receive a fair rating. I just learned to stop thinking about it. TRUST ME, I had previous issues I was NEVER rated for simply because it wasn't in my medical record. Some care. Just get over it, and move on. The VA is a mental institution designed to F you over more than when you first signed up. I keep my visits to a minimum. I try to stay away from that F'd up place. THANK GOD I don't work there, but the pay is good.

Nevermind; I found my answers.

VR&E is simple. It's the counselors you'll have a problem convincing. They want to know how your disability impairs your ability to find work. What worked for me is I provided real life examples of why my disability impairs my job prospects. They want 20% or more. Please, whatever you do. Don't go in there act like you know everything. One guy in the class was acting all cool asking specific questions about specific benefits. Primarily independent living. You could clearly see he was after the benefits. Don't be that guy. His meeting with the counselor was short lived. Then he came out there "F the VA man." We all looked at each other and started laughing. Complete idiot. Put forth an effort to find a job; then, if it doesn't work go ask VR&E for their help. They will help you, but you need to help (well for the first 3 years...LOL Another story) yourself first. I wouldn't speak to them until you have a clear defined plan for your life and you have actually tried to find work. Other than that, VR&E you're SOL. Trust me on this, if they will accept me, they will accept you. You just have to convince them that you tried and are at your wits end in the job department. My response may or may not apply to your life now, but it will in the future. Just remember what I said. Take care and best of luck. VR&E trumps post 911. There's benefits that remain hidden. Try to get it if you can, but don't BS them.

Ignore

Thanks for all the responses. I think I will go with both. I suspected Medicare would open more choices. What is the biggest difference between Medicare and Medicaid? Also, I am going to talk to Social Services soon, what are some questions I should ask them about medical coverages? Are they preset in stone? I prefer to know what I am getting myself into. I like the idea of multiple insurance coverages primarily for a peace of mind. I thought this would be a great thread for myself, and others who follow. Thanks for the responses again!