Extremely Dissapointed With The Va

[socomsam]

As I said in my other post, I went to my VocRehab meeting on Sept 28th. I did qualify, took the test and that was the last I heard from them, even with repeated emails. My counselor just refuses to answer me. All I have asked her is for an idea of how long the process takes and what are my options regarding work (my job, which is a factory job, is way past unbearable because of my disability). That's it. I don't expect things to happen overnight, but to have some idea of the process would be helpful in planning for certain things.

I even contacted my State's Department of Veterans Affairs to see what I could do in the mean time and they never responded. I am 46 years old and I come from the generation that only knows the VA to be inefficient, unresponsive and uncaring and it seems like it really hasn't changed.

[pacmanx1]

I think you need to have a plan of action. You need to choose the school you want to attend and the degree that you are hoping to achieve and then go to your Voc rehab counselor and make sure they set everything up. When I started my Voc rehab my counselor did not have a clue, so I was very prepared in starting school that very semester and he got it all done fast.

Edited November 9, 2010 by pacmanx1

[socomsam]

Thanks for the reply Pete.

How long did the process take (from submitting your school information to your counselor to attending the first day)?

[pacmanx1]

If I remember correctly I think it was like 60 days or less since my semester was about to start. It has been years so I may be off a little but if you have a school in mind, you may want to contact them. I finally completed my degree and I can't even use it.

[halos2]

It wasn't too long for me to wait at all for them to do something...after months it was decided this was not the best avenue for me and was transferred to IL. Keep emailing your counselor and keep all emails and replys.

[Pete53]

You can appeal any decision or no decision. Ask if you can have someone else for your Councilor.

[socomsam]

I finally heard back from my counselor. I mentioned wanting to go to Luthier school (guitar building/repair) as I do it in my spare time, thoroughly enjoy it and it's easy on my disability. The only thing stopping me from gaining employment, or doing it as a business is getting certification from a reputable/accredited school.

She told me "only if the skill is marketable skill in our area".

So, is this the heart of the program, only allowing you to do something if it's marketable? Is the alternative the VA telling you what you are going to pursue because it's needed in your area?

I know the goal is to become employed, or to find employment that is compatible with your disability, but I'll be damned if I am going to be a janitor somewhere because it needed in my area.