Disabled Vet Help with Voc Rehab

I am a disabled veteran who recently completed the Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program. The VA not only paid my way through college, but they paid for me to attend a "high cost" university. This did not come easily, however. The VA misled me, failed to cover all health care costs, and provided incomplete guidance. Fortunately, there are little known statutes the VA must follow with respect to its conduct. After holding various VA offices' feet to the fire, I was able to push through the process and graduate in the top 10 percent of my graduating class, from one of the top universities in the nation.

Following this process, I have come in contact with numerous disabled veterans who have been unable to navigate the Voc Rehab system, or have been simply unable to get accepted, in spite of a disability rating and unemployed status.

I am in the process of assembling numerous guide tools to help veterans succeed in their pursuit of a rewarding career following the completion of an undergraduate education. Unfortunately, these tools are not yet published, online or in paperback. For that reason, I have set up this blog.

Should any reader have any question regarding the process or entitlements relating to obtaining a four year degree, please ask. This help is free to all who inquire.

(Submitted by Mr. Benjamin Krause)

Comments

[James Adkins]

I agree, even though i chose to go to a local community college, those voc rehab counselors hold on to information like they work at the CIA, me and other students in the Tidewater area have had a very hard time getting things that we here other veterans get, it should not be at their discretion it should be clear and concise across the board for everyone. I am glad to see someone bringing this issue to the forefront.

[Robert L Sanders]

I also am a disabled vet. I was mislead to the point that I have to paid my entire monies back to the Ed lenders. The vet representative had led me to believe that if I went school that I might lose some or all of my disability benfits,. So, I elected to go to school but I have to pay the entire amt back. Because I was misinform concerning my options.

[carlos]

I have a hard time to get information. I have to take several test and go back and fort and I just get tire of getting no wear.

Please add me to your Voc Rehab guide.

[Jason M]

I'm interested in learning how to get into this program. I havent had any luck here in P.R. of being accepted even though I qualify.

[Al H.]

I too am interested in receiving information about your experiences with the VA regarding VOC Rehab.

[Dennis Greenwood]

I too, am a disabled veteran. I have been trying for the last three to four years to get accepted for Voc Rehab (Chapter 31) benefits. I have gotten the run around with nothing being done. I am now 52 yrs. old. How do I get to use my benefits? I have 100% disability.

[Benjamin Connor]

I was accepted into VocRehab with little effort due to the few good counselors VA has. The problem was a lack of guidance and interest in my progress by the 6 counselors I have had. The first one was great and the one I have now is great, both took the time and effort to get me in and stay in the rogram. I felt like a piece of meat at times. Contact with my counselor was difficult to nearly impossible and even though I am required to meet with my counselor after every semester, it seems that all they want is my report card and attendance report which I dutifully mail in via email. As long as I go to school and pass my classes there seems to be o problem, I admit I am weak in math yet only one counselor offered and informed me that I could have a tutor provided by VA. I am happy about the way thngs are going now but it has not been a cake walk. I was mislead by VA concerning employment as well. I had a good job, good pay and I was informed that I should leave my job to avoid jeapordizing my VA benefits, so I reluctanlty left a good job with a management opportunity to be in the ranks of a Temp or contract employee which puts me in a position of unemployed with no benefits and a bit fustrated. VA does do some good things but as in used cars buyer beware.

[Eric]

I have been enrolled with the Voc Rehab program for a couple semesters now. I am very pleased with my counselor. The only problem I have had is with the VA rep at my school. Everytime I try to keep her informed about any changes, or my progress I am blown off. One piece of advise I do offer is ask for the employment coordinator at your voc rehab office and ask him or her to put you in for positions at the VA. Be patient, it took me 11 monthes but now I finaly got a job in the regional ofice helping veterans like myself. Stay persistent and dont let yourself get discouraged.

[SSG Jason Smith]

I am very much interested also and if there are some other things that you would like help with, please feel free to contanct me also. Now that I am beginning this VA land nav course, I am noticing things also.

[Mark Davis]

I am a disable veteran and have been out since 1992. When I wanted to go to college I called VA and they told me that there was nothing that they could do for me. About five years ago I knew that I had to do something so I went ahead and signed up myself. I got my associates, but had to quit before I got my bachelors because of money. Now I am starting to pay back the student loans and I can not afford them because the job market is not there. So, by the looks of it I will be losing my house and everything all for a better education that I thought the government would help me with. I have nowhere to turn. I am presently working one job and I am looking for a second so that I can hopefully earn enough money to pay my house payment and student loans for the next fifteen years.

[Jason Thompson]

I have been using the VOC REHAB for the past year and I agree that there are some issues. Trying to get a return phone call from either the VA counselor at my school or at the regional office if I have any questions is like pulling teeth from a dinosaur. It took me 3 months to finally get the ok that I qualified after taking a IQ test and a occupational assessment.If the VA feels that you would not be good for a occupation based on your occupational assessment, they do have the option to deny you benefits under this program. There were some other factors that went into play in regards to my VOC REHAB. If I had benefits at my current job then I would have not qualified for the program and I didn't have enough money in my GI Bill left to finish. I had already received an Associates degree by this time but since my degree was general, nobody wanted to hire me and so the degree was getting me nowhere. One thing I learned about the program is that not every disabled VET qualifies. I ahve tried to help some other VETs out through the program but they didn't qualify. You have to have a service connected disability that interferes dramatically or prevents you from doing what you have the most experience in or are trained to do. Meaning if you were a construction pretty much all your life, then you joined the service and blew your knee out jumping out of a helicopter and it will never be the same, it would be difficult for you to return to that type of work. Thats were VOC REHAB comes in. I do know that it is almost impossible if you have a service connection rating of 10% to be accepted into the program. I have been also told by people who have worked in the program for years that are VERY supportive of the VETs is that 30% is the magic number. I received my VOC REHAB at 20%, and then later recieved my 30%. Listen up VETs if you feel that you are getting screwed, shake the cage a little bit. Every state has a veterans representative in congress, try to google it if you don't have a name. Let someone know whats going on, and be presistent. I hope this helps some people that mey read, and GOD bless all of you who have served the Red, White, and Blue. I salute you.

[Brad]

I knew I had pain in my back, all day, every day, but I didn't know I was a disabled vet until the man at the unemployment office told me, 6 1/2 years after I got out! But I'm not considered in any need, because I can pick a quarter up off the ground! Remember this, if a doctor drops a quarter and tells you to pick it up, tell him you can't!

[Jeff]

I am a disabled veteran with a 10% VA disability rating and I am very blessed to have the Voc Rehab program to help me through school. I have also had issues with having numerous councelors and I wasted a lot of credits obtaining my associates degree(poor guidance). I am now pursuing my bachelors degree but my Voc Rehab benefits are almost all used up. I just received an extention but I am worried the VA will not help me finish my degree. In february I started a VA work study which helps but it is almost impossible to contact the work study unit. It seems like it is trying to contact a radio station during a contest to get ahold work study personal.

[Matt Bills]

Listen up people, VA Vocational Rehabilitation is like any other government program. There are a lot of opportunities for misinformation and miscommunication. I am a 30% SC Disabled Veteran from Persian Gulf War era. During Navy pre-seperation counseling in 1995 I filled out a Power-of-Attorney form for the VFW. It was the smartest thing I ever did, as within a couple months of getting out I had a decision for a 10% disability rating. In 1997, my condition became aggravated and one of my health problems previously rated as 0% disability had worsened to the point that I was quickly granted 10% for it to give me a combined 20% disability rating. Later, in 2005 my disability rating was increased to 30% due to asistance from Disabled American Veterans - NSO in Milwaukee, WI. At that point, my Montgomer GI Bill benefits had been exhausted and applied for Voc Rehab which was granted within two months. My point is simple, none of the people that posted comments about problems they are having indicated that they worked with a Veterans Service Officer from American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars. This help is free and you don't even have to join, if you don't use this assistance then you are ignorant.

[Allan Read]

After spending a year and a half of getting this done, I finally got into school with the help of Voc Rehab. Now the counselor I had wasn't a very pleasant veteran himself(I actually filed a complaint against him with the VA) I got into school. Before I started school the counselor(not the one I filed against) gave me more information in that meeting than the previous meetings. My case manager now is great, he has returned my calls or picked up when I have called.

[Jeff]

to Matt Bills- Bravo, good advice, I second everything he says. Get a VSO, then stop complaining.

Also, I have to be critical of some of you. You do not show the rudimentary writing skills a college student should have. It may not be simple goverment bureaucracy that is putting you on hold. In fact, it may be an example of gov. efficiency. Some of you simply are not ready for the rigors of academic life and I am glad the taxpayers are not saddled with the burden of sending you to college.

Jeff

[Terry Campbell]

I just applied for the Voc Rehab... Boy I hope that I do not have as many problems as some of the rest of you. Although, I have found that no one is ever informed of all the benefits you are entitled to being a veteran and especially a vetern with a SCD.

[Brian Simcoe]

I fully agree with Matt and Jeff. I had absolutely no problems being approved twice with the use of a VSO. It is up to you to make things happen. You can't just sit back and expect the VA to work for you, you MUST be proactive. If you have the time to complain about not being spoon fed then you have the time to make things happen for yourself.
Brian

[Jason Thompson]

Well I guess you have to have a few bad apples in a barrel. How about instead of calling your brothers and sisters in arms INGNORANT, we EDUCATE them on the (American Legion, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars). Maybe they have never been educated on this source of help. Did you know about before someone told you?

[Dan Ingersol]

I am currently enrolled in ch 31 program and just started my 3rd year. When I first applied for the program, I was told I wasn't able to be in the program because I was working. The problem with the job was it aggrevated one of my disabilities. So, after awhile, I applied again and was assigned to a counselor in Seattle who made the process very easy. She got me into the program and I started school with 2 months my first meeting with her. Since starting, all of my VA counselors have been outstanding, except one who I only knew her name, but that was short lived. I shameful that vets are experiencing this problem with there benefits. Hopefully, everyone who applies can get in and get the education that will make them employable again. Anyone in the Puget Sound area who needs help, feel free to contact me, I will help as much as possible.

[Tony]

First, my hats off to Mr. Krause, it's long overdue and as many of the comments show, desperately needed.
Now, to those few knuckleheads that think they are superior to their fellows who have some problems with grammar and spelling, you're no better than anyone else. You got lucky, they didn't. It's as simple as that, and no amount of crowing will change that.
I was discharged in 1986, and back then I went through the VA for a disability claim. It took a while, it wasn't easy, and I had to take it through the appellate process. I persisted and received a 30% SC Disability rating. No one told me about benefits, services or anything else, and while I was quickly employed, making the transition from military to civilian life was much more difficult than I anticipated.
After losing a decent job I decided to check back with the VA to see if I could get employment help, things like writing a resume, how to interview, just basic stuff. What I found was the VA would send me through the Voc Rehab program, because my disability kept me from doing my previous line of work. To make a long story short, I didn't get all that I should have, my counsler didn't do a good job informing me of my options, and after a year and a half of making a pain in the rear of myself was finally accepted and placed into a college for Computer Science. I thought life was great, but, in the middle of the spring semester I started getting notices from school that my bill wasn't being paid by the VA. It escalated from there, my phone calls were never returned, I ended up having to go to my Congressman to get the VA to pay the bills they were supposed to pay. As you can guess, that ended my advanced education.
So, the stories here aren't new, these problems that you all have expressed date back prior to my time in service over 20 years ago. So rather than beat up your comrades, open your hand and stretch it out to your brothers and sisters. You got lucky, they didn't. You never know when you'll need a hand, and God forbid you go through what others have.

[Dennis]

I am a 60% s-c veteran it took me the americam legion a congressman,and 2 senetors along with a ton of faxing the VA copies of my lost file, 2 years to get voc-rehab. I have taken all the tests what else should I expect to go wrong or change in this program? Thanks
Dennis

[Nilsa Barnes]

I am my self in the same situation with the exeption that I want to complete a four year degree and they state Vocational Rehab. doesn't pay for Masters degree.
In my situation I started off just needing 23 credit for the undergraduate degree and I am completing the Bachelors. in a comple months and will like to finish with amaster. In addition wont pay for Internet even when classes are all online other things wont pay.

[John Ravenscraft]

I am a veteran rated at 30% or more disabled. I have been enroll in VA VOC Rehab chapter 31... They have put me through college and I have earned a degree in computer science, but now I am having problems finding full time work, I have added experience and professional computer certifications since I have graduated from college, but I cant get my foot in the door for full time employment. I would love to work for the VA or other federal agency, but I feel the federal hiring managers are not giving veterans a chance even with a veteran hiring preference. I believe some federal hiring managers do not want to hire qualified veterans because the veteran service time can count toward seniority and civil service retirement. Even though no one will admit it, there is also an age discrimination in the air.

John R. USAF RETIRED Disabled Vet

[Mike Laures]

I am also a Disabled Veteran. I was enrolled at college under chapter 31 benefits but due to health issues, I disenrolled. Now it seems that I have been dropped from the system and my health is now WORSE than ever. I struggle to just WORK a 40 hour work week and Dream of going back to school. Does anyone know IF I am able to re-enroll into Chapter 31?

[Jess]

Mr Krause;

High Cost College? All colleges tend to be high cost these days. But unless its a specific vocational school, the Voc Rehab will only cover a State School. So, if you have a loophole, please share, I'd love to know.

As for the V.A. Voc Rehab, it can be a lengthy process and full of bueracracy which makes it seem all the longer. Plus evaluations and follow up evals argh!!!

The biggest hurdle I have seen are two actualy both stemming from the same problem. Understaffing. I had one counselor who was mental and she had an attituide, she was beyond a stress monster always trying to get the numbers so she can report to her boss. She had issues. Her replacement was a bureacrat who again did alot of twisting of words to duck blame and issue.

Another counselor, contract her attituide was "good enough for government work" litteraly. That got me dropped from the program. So, keep coppies, document things in writting. And, if something is incorrect, or they say "close enough" well the V.A.'s motto is, "Good isn't good enough." So ask for them to correct it so your papperwork doesn't get kicked back and you end up SOL in the middle of the semester.

The folks I have now, are sterling. These folks are from a different regional office, the bad folks were out of the San Diego Office, the ones now are out of L.A.

They have dropped the ball a few times. But, they have not tried to pen fudge things to make it my fault. Sadly, my counselor is in the basement of the V.A. without even a file cabinet to store his files. and he has stacks of files all over. Much much more than he can handle or should handle. But he tries. The contract counselor is pretty good. Again they have dropped the ball a couple times but when I let them know it is biting me in the you know, they do everything to make good. A few times they have failed to pass the word, like summer school isn't covered. I got that happy news yesterday, its a nasty blow but its already done, so I can hang. It would have been nice if they followed through and told me prior to the session starting however. Again, this is more a result of them being understaffed which is a result of under funding because the gov is trying to cram 10lbs of stuff in a 5 pound sack, trying to do more with fewer people, alas, the end result it is the folks the system is supposed to help end up taking it in the shorts, whereas those who are supposed to help us either they loose the quality people, or those who do care are between a rock and hard place at being unable to do their jobs.

So, these are some of the pitfalls of the V.A. Voc Rehab system, know them, watch out for them, and remember get it, no matter what it is in writting!

Good luck and

Semper Fi

[Jess]

Laures;

YES YOU CAN!

I have left and returned four or five times. 2 for administrative purposes. Missed the 7 day response window by 1 day. Dropped. Contract Counselor submitted the wrong info on the career plan from her data base and said "it was close enough" the powers that be said otherwise and dropped me. 2 for injury/surgery and once recently do to family illness and death.

Contact the V.A. either through the 1800 number or online and resubmit asking to be readmitted to the program. They should send you a form, fill it out and in a less than 2 months they will call you in for an assessment and breifing where you will get more papperwork and a breif interview. And the counselor he will help you fill out the papperwork, then you submit your program.

You may have to do an initial evaluation, that is where I am at right now, kinda of a trial or probation period studying for what feild you want to go into. You will also have a an evaluation from one of the contracted evaluation services to see if you have any other issues that would prevent you from going into the field you are wanting to try.

Last term I had just shy of a 4.0 which had me stoked.

Go for it and good luck!

[Hardy Mills]

Im a 100% permenetly disabled through the VA if I went back to work would I ever loose my disability?

[Johnny]

This is so overwhelming. Im a 30% scd vet and I just got out of the army. I'm from New York and am moving to NC because NY is to expensive. By reading this I am worried about being able to get work not to mention help from the VA. It seems that what is said at the preseparation briefings turn out to be not accurate (from what im reading here). Does the VA help with finding a job? Im really worried now!

[Jason Thompson]

BRAVO TONY, BRAVO. Thank you for you comment about the knuckleheads.

[Jason]

I would like some info on ch 31 i haven't started with ch 31 but i will soon. Thank you

[William Pinckney]

I have tried to get assistance with no luck. I am a 85 percent disable vet and have been unemployed for 2 years and its exhausting trying to get ahead with no positve light in sight. Please Help.

[Dalia Cox]

Definetly need help, have been denied benefits by my new counselor for a year now, and now only eligible for independent living, but continue to deny school and other benefits. Currently 60% with VA, and 40% TDRL with Army, fresh from Iraq with 3 tours. Nedd whatever u got

[jeremy]

I am a disabled vet i was accepted into the chapter 31 program but was told that due to my disabilities they would rather not put me into the school program or even help with employment problems. I have called them several times about the situation but as always never heard anything back. IF ANYONE HAS SOME INFO PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW TO GO AROUND OR DEAL WITH THIS CHAPTER 31 ISSUE...

[bobby baker]

i am a double amptee and the va are a pain the ass when you need them i am tryingn for an ibot wheel chair all i hear is you cant have it i should have told them the same when i was moving agent orange,welcome you fool .

[Frank]

I'M a 100% disabled vet and have been informed that if I work I will lose my benefits.
It seems stupid for them to have put me through voc rehab when I was 90% and then tell me I can't work with out losing benefits.

[John J Reardon]

Hello
I agree fully with you. I am at 80% soon 100% discharged honorable but with lots medical...misled...mistreated...disrespected...all that goes with VA...signed up and was trounced and mistreated by Ft Lauderdale office. I have a new college have been accepted but cant get any help to get the class enrollment VA is unavailable and full of arrogance racial biased people...few good mostly bad...send some help
if you can thanks
mrrear111@aol.com
772-475-1593
John J Reardon III
retired US Army MSG

[15D,13N,92Y]

Hello, fellow veterans my name is not important at this time, I do want to share with you my experience with chapter #31, I had some of the same experience as some of you did but this is the best information I can give you seek out other vets who has gone though the process, and remember the councilor are under a mandate to get you though the process as quick as possible so yes we are just a number and by the way Mr. Matt Bills we are all ignorant to some degree!!

[15D,13N,92Y]

Hello, fellow veterans my name is not important at this time, I do want to share with you my experience with chapter #31, I had some of the same experience as some of you did but this is the best information I can give you seek out other vets who has gone though the process, and remember the councilor are under a mandate to get you though the process as quick as possible so yes we are just a number and by the way Mr. Matt Bills we are all ignorant to some degree!!

[Rick]

Hi Vets,

I've read the comments posted ahead of me carefully and I have a few comments. I'm a CH.31 30% disabled vet and I'm working as a work-study placing veterans in jobs at the unemployment office. I've been in the program for two years and just completed my first quarter at college this summer. I strongly advise all disabled vets to work with Disabled American Veterans regarding disability related issues. Whether you're dealing with DAV or the VA or your college VA Rep, you are dealing with human beings, (often veterans) with their own agendas as well as the department agendas. Some are quality people are some are not. Be persistent, talk to other vets in the program and never give up! My experience was that I was dropped from the program twice, and threatened with being dropped more than a few times, but I am still in the program. The VA yanked me out of school and sent me to Madigan Army Medical Center for OJT promising me that I would be hired within a month or so. Then the Army told me that a hiring freeze was in effect and that I would have to continue to work ten hours per day for free for a year and a half at least! The VA had no problem with this idea at all, and threatened me with a loss of benefits if I did not comply. After four months, my knees gave out and I had to have knee surgery on both knees, which the VA still refuses to pay for. I was dropped from CH.31 for some months until my VA counselor decided to go back to the original educational plan of a BS Degree in Computer Science. I just finished the summer quarter and there was no problem the VA paying for school. If your disability rating is less than 1-year old and 30% or more, then you can apply and receive CH.31 benefits. If the rating is less than 30%, it still might be possible to qualify if you can make a compelling case about how the disability prevents you from working in your usual occupation, (like if you were missing a foot or something). If you don't have a recent disability rating, then ask your Veterans Service Organization to submit a letter to the VA asking for a medical review. My current issue with the VA is a little off-topic; they keep billing my health insurance and me directly for service-connected treatment and medications while the VA drags their feet on considering my increased ratings requests. I feel confident these issues will be resolved favorably someday, but for now it is very aggravating to be threatened with collections by the VA if I don't pay up for things that I know I shouldn't be paying for. The VA doctors are sympathetic, but keep forgetting to check the service-connected box on their computer screens every time I visit them. They said it's my fault if I don't remind them to do this. Email me for more VA horror story details if interested.

[Rick]

Hi Vets,

I'm the same guy who was sent to Madigan for OJT and then dropped from CH.31. If you want your email address to show, you need to check the "Remember personal info?" check box. Cheers, Rick

[BriGette]

ok I am only 10% but I have recently applied for an increase in compensation for service connected disability. Injured back, sciatica,fibromyalgia etc.I applied for voc rehab and was denied I was told to apply until I get it. I recently got ahold of a book called "The veterans survival guide". How to file and collect on va claims. PLEASE READ. I dont get anything from the book but help in fighting for the rights you are eligable for. Whether you work with a VSO or not this gives you guidelines as to the ACTUAL VA process and not the one that you are told "we are here to serve you the veteran". I am in the process of putting together an organization which seeks "social justice" for veterans. I see a trend in veterans not getting the total benefits they diserve. I am sure that if you got benefits with "ease" you may have missed a larger amount of benefits that you didnt even know about. In the book it talks about secondary illnesses caused by the service connected illness which ARE eligiable for compensation ALSO. Yeah I bet the counselors lined up to tell you about that. For those of you who suffered alcoholism or depression because of your service connected disability it is something to think about. My prayer is that we recieve the benefits and services that we were promised for military service to the United States of America. Please remember to look after our homeless veterans and dont overlook voting and helping others to gain entry to the voting system. If each of us helps others maybe, as with this forum, we can receive help from someone with our difficulties. veteransadvocate08@gmail.com

[Brian in Ohio]

Hey Vets!

I agree with some of you and I disagree with a few: mostly I sympathize with all of you. I retired from the Air Force in 1994. Aside from getting tax free money (due to my 30% diability rating), and a couple reimbursements of pharmacy copays, I have to admit that the programs that are available are like pulling straws out of a pile of hay looking for the needle. It's evident that the VA has always been this way; if you doubt that, google "bonus army", and see what you get. Anyway, I'm 47 at this point and I'm looking to change career fields--the one I'm in now is a young man's games, and while I'm not completely over the hill yet, it's still a dead end job. I've just completed my Associates degree in Business management--it was a LOT of work; and I missed graduating with honors by twelve hundredths of a point. Accounting was tough! Since I entered the service under the VEAP program, I have no educational benefits from the military. If you have GI Bill benefits, by all means use them! My degree hasn't helped me at all yet, and maybe it never will--but to have a benefit and not use it is like having an income and burning it every year.

At this point, I have not contacted the DAV or VA, which I need to do, so wish me luck, after reading all this, I'm sure I'll need it.

So, let the fight begin, right?

[Stanley Foreman]

Hello Vets!

I am sorry you guys are having these problems. But I have my story to. I retired after 25 years in the service,I have a MBA in business and MA in education. The job market is bad, you must get out and network.Education is great but if you do not build up a Network base you are in for a long ride. Good Luck

[Jenna Johnston]

There are stipulations to Chap. 31 Voc. Rehab. It is not an entitlement and just because you have a service connected disability doesn't mean you qualify. Check the VA website.

[James H]

I am a veteran and I used to work for the Regional Office in NC. I too was awarded Voc Rehab but I have had quite a time trying to use it. I do know that if you don't use it they will consider your acct dormant and you may have to re-qualify for the benefit. I no longer work for the VA but I had a hard time just like everyone else even though I worked there. If you are an employee your file goes to another state which in my case was Virginia and I had to drive all the way up there just for them to tell me I was eligible. The bureaucacy is ridiculous to say the least because you have people that have worked in the regional offices since the 70's and they are about to retire but some are still holding on with the 70's mentality and we are almost into 2009. I have issued pending with them but I would like as much info as possible about getting Voc Rehab started.

[David B]

I am a disabled vet with a rating of 60%. I just completed the Voc Rehab program. As I read the comments, I’m surprised at the amount of problems that my fellow vet’s are having.

My experience was the complete opposite of most comments. After retiring, I went to the DAV office for assistance in challenging my initial rating. The DAV agent recommended that I pursue chapter 31 benefits (Voc Rehab) and sent me to the Voc Rehab office. I completed the initial request and within three weeks had an appointment with a counselor. After more forms and testing I was approved this took less then a month. The counselor had me conduct some research on colleges and programs offer in my area. Within three months, I was enrolled and attending classes.

There was very little contact with counsel. About every three months, I would complete a form on my progress and include a grade report. If I needed supplies, I would contact the counselor and with a couple days have the paper work to pick up supplies from bookstore of another college in the area.

I think the key was that I did not rely on the counselor for information and facts regarding what my entitlements were. I would find out from the VA website or other source and then tell then what I wanted and if needed provide the source to support my request. I developed a plan of what course I would take and when I would complete the degree and then provided this information to the counselor.

I went through three counselors while in the program and some were more helpful and knowledgeable then others. My view was that with any government program the best approach is to do the work myself and not rely on others. After all, I was the one that wanted the degree.

So my recommendation is to find out what your entitlements are. Through the VA website, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legend or any other agency that is designed to help vets. Then let the Voc Rehab counselor know what you want and how you are going to get there.

[Keith Porter]

Why is this happening to Voc Rehab veterans. This is absolutely sickening. Could it be that the so-called "counselors" are nothing more than low-paid attendants? Remove the title "counselor". The last time I checked a counselor is one who helps and guides others to successful pathways.

Retired Devil Dog (2000)

[Becky Brady]

I have read the majority of the postings in reference to Voc Rehab. I feel for each one of you. I have been in the program since 2006, and have had a few blips with counselors but nothing close to the frustration you all have experience.

When I initially applied for Chapter 31 benefits, I was rejected several times. Still, I needed it, my family needed and I went back & back - think I wore them down. No matter how inconsiderate or nasty a counselor got, I chose to behave professional and courteously, while still being firm about receiving good service. Few will qualify, but for those who have documentation (http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/vrs.htm) clearly indicating that they are eligible to receive these benefit - keep trying. I believe the deadline is 12 years after receiving disability rating or discharge. Good luck to you all.

[Edward Serpas]

Wow I thought it was just me with problems from Ch31. I will say I agree with allot of your comments.
I have gotten my BA in biology from ch 31 and no one will hire me. I feel that when I put on my application that I'm a veteran and using my 10 points my application goes into the trash lol. I'm 90 percent disabled and owe 9000 bucks to student loans, you cant live on what they pay you for living expenses its a joke. I'm going down hill fast now with out a job. SO I told my VA ch31 this and he said well what kind of work are you willing to do? I said the work I'm trained for he said well you might have to take what ever you can get. So I guess its fast food thats if they will hire me.
I will say I'm very disappointed in the support us veterans get. I meet with my VA chapter 31 guy tomorrow and I'm telling him 1500 bucks I get to support my family has put me into the soup line and I wish I never had went threw this program it just added to my problems and a divorce do to not being able to support a family and undue stress.
Good luck to you all and I still love america just look for me under a bridge or in the soup line..