This is a 2 part question:
Am I a good candidate for Voc Rehab even with a criminal background?
Am I a good candidate for TDIU because my criminal background (which I attribute to acquiring through my PTSD) is preventing me from finding gainful employment?
I have applied for Voc Rehab and I am to meet with a counselor in a few weeks to go over my disability (70% PTSD) and to decide if I am to be a good fit for Voc Rehab. I want to request that they allow and pay for me to go back to the local college for my bachelors in computer science. However, one of the serious (in my opinion) barriers to employment that I face is my criminal background. A D.U.I and a Domestic Violence conviction (I threw a plaque out of anger and it put a dime size hole in my apartment wall, this was by accident, but all employers see is Domestic Violence and don't care to hear the rest). Anyway, I got these charges literally right after I got out of the military and back from my second tour in Afghanistan. Things got worse from there but I feel I'm on the upswing at the moment. I have been offered 3 full time jobs this year just to be later told, "oh you failed the background check, never mind". That's after applying to about 50 jobs, only getting 5 interviews, then receiving a job offer only 3 times, then being told all 3 times, "no, because of your background." The convictions are 3 years old (2012), the state of Texas allows employers to look back up to 7 years, I don't see myself getting around it.
At my C&P exam the examiner took an interest in my criminal record, I'm assuming she attributed my PTSD for leading into these criminal charges. That's how I feel at least; I didn't drink alcohol or have violent outbursts before I joined the military.
Look, I understand that some jobs will or may look past your criminal history. The problem is, I haven't found a job that will look past my criminal history that will pay a wage that I can live on. I feel really scared because the 70% is not enough to meet my financial obligations and take care of my son and so far I've had no luck getting around my criminal history to be gainfully employed.
So I'm thinking, be completely upfront with Voc Rehab about my barriers, and if they decide I'm a good fit than do my best to be retrained and be cooperative as they try to place me in suitable (I'm assuming that's how it works) employment. Or, if they decide I'm not a good fit, take the denial letter for Voc Rehab and apply for TDIU. Either way, I have to do something. I will be more than happy to work if they can place me in a position that pays more than minimum wage, as I can't afford to work for minimum wage. (this is not to sound better than but I'd literally blow my brains out if I had to believe that because my service led me to acquiring PTSD and acting out on that led me to acquiring a criminal record which in turn led me to never be allowed to have a respectable job again...)
My ultimate goal is to be able to pay my bills on time and take care of myself and my son. If I would have received either of those 3 job offers this year than I'd have already accomplished that. But at this point, I'm desperate. Your advice is greatly appreciated.