GIJane

To shorten it: Utah is very UNfriendly to veterans. Am in Utah now and plan on moving to NV or AZ...maybe even FL - very veteran friendly states. Our fixed income has to be stretched as much as possible and your vet dollars in Utah don't go far.

Yes, it worked wonderfully. The only drawback I saw was that after I stopped taking it (VA couldn't get it to me where I lived out of the country) and started retaking it....it didn't work the second time around. If you suffer from migraines...the combo of effexor and topirimate is great. Not only did I lose weight, but it gave me energy...combated my fatigue from depression. Didn't make me irritable or hostile. Good luck. See it's been a while since you posted....how are things?

100% service connected, permanent and total, unemployable. Part of my disability is inability to gain and maintain interpersonal relationships with others. So, am single mom. My children were raised by psycho woman (that's me) who would run out of grocery stores for 'no apparent reason'....panic in the car while driving.... walking into a store and then stopping -forgetting why they were there, etc. My children (2) are in college thanks to the Chapter 35 benefit. Doesn't pay for even half the tuition/books/ect. but it helps. I provide my monthly benefit for rent and the rest goes to the college. Have 1 last child in 9th grade who is on a fast track to graduate at 15 and then head to college. So, success story - my children. Me? Due to the economy and lack of employment all these years...I am now looking into a travel trailer to live in to spend the rest of my days. Can't afford a mortgage even if the market continues to correct itself. Can't affor groceries, gas, etc. Success Story? (President Bush and upcoming administration, I gave all. Please help me at least live.)

I had similar experience on those drugs. Depression is better! Hostile, yes. Angry all the time, yes. I was almost violent...actually, I have to admit I did get voilent. I kicked my child when I was wearing a pair of boots. Stopped the drugs immediately and did some soul searching to get my prioritys in line. 10 years have passed and she still remembers that. Hate the VA when it comes to meds.

Would be nice if all benefits available were indeed available to everyone who served. My guess is that since 100%'ers more than likely can't be gainfully employed and thereby not being like others who can work and provide education for their children (or at least ability to finance)....the govt. grants this benefit to help compensate for the loss of wages.