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!...

[cojolio]

John and Carlie, thanks you both as always for your input.... makes sense that attempting school could help with MH issues and stuff...I think im biased about the VA "system" and always think "they are out to get you" in a way...But what got me thinking about this was that on my PTSD appt when the doctor gave me the pill that gives the "zombie" effect....I told him I was trying to go back to school and finish my Masters but that X reasons just wouldnt let me...then I thought...well maybe online classes wont be so bad i thought...well tried it and didnt work out too well...but I did tell him that I still want to try it...because its something I always wanted to do (earn a masters or PhD even if I never thought a class in my life)....well before It gets too long...I thought, mmmmmm maybe the VA will reduce my 70% PTSD rating if I do go to school...so they basically promote to just stay in the house and so forth...

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.

[john999]

I don't think I would discuss my future plans for education with a VA shrink because that may go into your medical records and you don't want to look like you are improving for the sake of your rating. When the VA reviews you for any sort of re-evaluation they look at your medical records. You don't want to show something they might think was a better disability picture. Next time you see your doctor tell him you are just too disabled for a MA or PH.D course. Take classes if you like but don't talk about it to the VA medical staff. I would try and keep a low profile with the VA. No harm done.

[cojolio]

John, but wouldnt they find out anyways (if you use the GI Bill?)....or is the VA so disorganized that they dont cross-reference like that?...thanks for the advise. Ill make a mental note of it...

I don't think I would discuss my future plans for education with a VA shrink because that may go into your medical records and you don't want to look like you are improving for the sake of your rating. When the VA reviews you for any sort of re-evaluation they look at your medical records. You don't want to show something they might think was a better disability picture. Next time you see your doctor tell him you are just too disabled for a MA or PH.D course. Take classes if you like but don't talk about it to the VA medical staff. I would try and keep a low profile with the VA. No harm done.

[carlie]

John, but wouldnt they find out anyways (if you use the GI Bill?)....or is the VA so disorganized that they dont cross-reference like that?...thanks for the advise. Ill make a mental note of it...

You don't HAVE to use the GI bill for it - if it's something you really want

to do.