tdiu P&t / Tdiu And College

[cojolio]

First let me say I am not P&T or TDIU nor thinking about it . I just thought of this when browsing the forum.

I know vets on 100% P&T or TDIU are not (or should be) be working. However, if a vet doesn't just want to sit home and wants to go to college and take classes, or do online classes so he doesn't become brain dead...is that against the rules...? Will the VA come after them claiming they are "trainable" into another field....I just thought of this because if it was me, I probably will take English Lit or history to keep the brain working at least!...

[john999]

It is not against the rules to take classes. If you are P&T it is probably harder to get the VA to pay for it. Usually, if you are P&T you have been on a long road toward being permanently disabled. If you want to pay for classes and maybe use the quality of life program to pay for it then it might work for you. When the VA makes you P&T they consider you a write-off. They don't want to invest in you because you are permanently disabled and unemployable according to their and your problems. The next thing the VBA thinks is in line for you is DIC for your spouse and the cost of throwing dirt on you. You know if you are not TDIU or 100% for a mental condition you can go to school or work if you want.

[cojolio]

Thanks for the reply and let me add this.

Maybe "brain dead" wasn't the correct words to use and didnt mean it towards anyone and so forth; sorry if it does offend anyone. I was merely asking because it was something that came to mind during the day. What I meant is taking a class to stay busy / as a hobby / and what-not...so again, please dont take offense -I would edit the post but then again, noone would know what I was talking about.

John, thank you for answering. That brings another question though...what if the VA grants you P&T or IU but you are still within the 10 years for the GI Bill, you cant use it either? Sorry, just asking questions...im not in that situation or anything..just merely trying to see what the VA would do in that case

It is not against the rules to take classes. If you are P&T it is probably harder to get the VA to pay for it. Usually, if you are P&T you have been on a long road toward being permanently disabled. If you want to pay for classes and maybe use the quality of life program to pay for it then it might work for you. When the VA makes you P&T they consider you a write-off. They don't want to invest in you because you are permanently disabled and unemployable according to their and your problems. The next thing the VBA thinks is in line for you is DIC for your spouse and the cost of throwing dirt on you. You know if you are not TDIU or 100% for a mental condition you can go to school or work if you want.

[carlie]

That brings another question though...what if the VA grants you P&T or IU but you are still within the 10 years for the GI Bill, you cant use it either? Sorry, just asking questions...im not in that situation or anything..just merely trying to see what the VA would do in that case

Sure you can still use your GI bill/educational benefits.

To reiterate what John posted :

If you are 100% SC due solely to a MH disability - you can not work.

If you are comped at the 100% rate due to IU being granted - you can not work.

If you are 100% SC, scheduler (not due solely to a MH disability) you can work and make

a billion dollars a year and still receive your VA disability comp.

[cojolio]

So Carlie, being 100% for MH or IU and using the GI Bill wouldn't raise an eyebrow on the VA's end?

I thought they might say something like "well if you can take ONLINE classes then you are not 100% MH or IU"...i know going tan actual classes would be a no-go since you wouldn't be TOTAL social impairment...my question is more towards vets taking online courses such as English Lit, History, Languages, etc.....and the VA turning around and using it against them...

Sure you can still use your GI bill/educational benefits.

To reiterate what John posted :

If you are 100% SC due solely to a MH disability - you can not work.

If you are comped at the 100% rate due to IU being granted - you can not work.

If you are 100% SC, scheduler (not due solely to a MH disability) you can work and make

a billion dollars a year and still receive your VA disability comp.

[john999]

I think you could counter the VA and say that keeping your mind active helps with depression and social isolation that many vets suffer from if they can't work. Going to school is not working 8 hours a day. For young vets I think going to school is good because even if they are TDIU they might be able to learn how to do something that might help them overcome a disability. You know the best thing a disabled person can do is to find some kind of self-employment and school might help prepare a person for that.

[carlie]

IMO - if I were 100 % SC due solely to a MH disability

OR

if I were compensated at 100% due to IU

AND

I wanted to take some college level course on a campus - or on line,

I would go pay the tuition or check to see if I had state benefits

that would pay for it.