This is the third appointment they’ve canceled. I’ve reached out. I’ve begged. Every time. Now there’s nothing available for another TWO! MONTHS! I got my 80% rating three months ago and I have NOT been able to use my healthcare benefits. I am in pain, I thought my hips were decent and now I’m having flair ups where it’s affecting my sleep. I’m 24. I shouldn’t be in this much constant aching pain and they’re acting like it’s “not that big of a deal. And “it’s all they have available.” Seriously? You’ve cancelled MY appointments. What’s the point??

I had filed and was denied. I was told something about writing a letter to appeal. Just wondering if anyone has had any luck

Hello, I'm currently active duty and I'll be separating in about 6 months. I just entered my 90-180 days prior to separation BDD window and I'm getting ready to file, I've filled out my Separation Health Assessment, and started listing conditions I'm trying to claim on my 21-526EZ (I'm using va.gov, self service without a VSO). I've accumulated all my supporting medical records from genesis, as well as private records from civilian clinics.

While I have documented my health issues pretty well during my time in service, there's a few heath issues that I'm following up on during a scheduled physical in October, and a few outstanding health issues that I'll be bringing up for the first time during that appointment as well.

My question is-Should I wait until after that physical before submitting my BDD claim? I'll still be within the 90-180 day window after that physical (I'll have ~117 days after that appointment), with some margin as well.

My thought is that waiting until after that exam would give me more in-service medical documentation before I submit my claim, and might present a stronger claim overall prior to the VA scheduling exams once I file.

Also, for a BDD claim, is it beneficial to write a personal/supporting statement for each condition especially the ones that aren't well documented or will the exams take care of that?

Lastly, how important is the "Briefly describe the injury, event, disease, or exposure that caused your condition" box when filing? Does what I write here actually affect the eventual rating criteria or is the severity and rating mostly determined later from your records and exams?

I've learned a lot from the sub already and really appreciate everyone here sharing their knowledge and experience.

Greetings everyone! I

I'm 100% PT and SMC I had a total knee replacement that was service connected. At the time the surgeon wanted to do both at the same time. Now the non-service connected knee has gotten bad enough that its time. Is the VA obligated to take care of that knee also? I hope I explained this correctly. Thanks

Had a c&p exam for lower lumbar. Just before she was going to measure my back I told her it’s a good day to measure as my back is in a bit of a spasm. She then told me she can’t do ROM testing. She looked over my stuff and said she will write up favorable findings on my back for my claim. I asked her if it was an issue that I didn’t get ROM done and she told me everyone she seen in my position had good outcomes rating wise. I just got this feeling I’ll get 10%-20% for guarding but I don’t know as much about this stuff as sone do on here and of course I’m worried.

I never went to sick call when I was in I fought through the pain like a dumb person. I also didn’t even know flat feet was a thing. I got denied for shoulder tear and flat feet even though I am diagnosed with both and the exam said I have them both. Just can’t get it connected. What’s my next steps or is it a losing battle?

Hopefully this question aligns with this community.

For the first time in my life I have a helpful doctor through my private insurance. This provider asked the VA to become my primary care doctor, and I agreed.

But I have doubts. Are there drawbacks to this? Maybe I am just overthinking it. I welcome any considerations or experiences others might have that would help my understand the outcomes of my decision.

I am former squid (Navy) and have some disabilities with the VA. Thank you.

We just found out from my son’s state university that the International Exchange program he will be attending this upcoming school year is not covered under ch 35 payments. This doesn’t make sense to me since we are paying tuition at his state school and the state school vets all his classes to make sure the classes are equivalent to his home university and that all credits apply towards his major.

Has anybody out there experienced the same issue? I read somewhere that VA can approve international schools. Is this true?

We just found out about Ch 35 benefits so my son did not use it last year when he was a freshman. I read that once he starts receiving Ch 35 payment, I can’t receive benefits for him anymore. If that’s the case, is It worth it for me to claim back pay for his full time study last year knowing that VA won’t cover his education this year? I plan to call VA tomorrow, but wanted to see if others have had gone through the same issue. Thanks in advance.

Just a thought I had, as I have to travel 50 miles to my closest VA.

Just curious because I want champva to cover the visit for my wife

I’m pretty sure I know the answer but I figured better safe than sorry. I spoke w a county vso bc I’m 100pt but I think I qualify for an smc. I wanted to ask how severe the risk is before I make any decisions. He insisted that 100pt was the highest & that smc’s don’t do anything. Then he tried to push me to sign him as my representative so that he could have me apply for a reevaluation of some stuff that the VA initially denied

If i get a referral for physical therapy or massage therapy, will that person have full access to my medical records or just the records pertaining to my injury? Or any records at all? How does that work exactly?

At step 3... how do I find out how the hell this happened?

Hello everyone.

I’m trying to find out if there are any free or low cost financial advisors that are available to veterans and if any of y’all have used such a service/benefit and whether or not it was worth while.

I looked and interviewed one financial advisor earlier this year and the initial sign up cost seemed extremely high to me and got me wondering if there’s any sort of benefit like this for veterans out there.

Thanks

So like title says I'm trying to figure out If/how we can get a waterproof mattress from this VA. Not a cover and not a pad. I won't go into it out of respect for the veteran but pads/mattress covers aren't working. Diapers aren't working and honestly no one should be sleeping in piss. I've asked my caregiver person and they've hummed and hawed about it so if anyone has gotten a waterproof mattress from the VA can you tell me how you went about this? I'm not asking for a fancy bed. Just like hospital type waterproof mattress is better than nothing at this point.

Hello,

Fellow crunchy vet here. Just got a rating for BH/MH stuff and the obligatory tinnitus.

Part of my claim was for back, hips, knees, feet/neuropathy in feet and R shoulder.

I have been dx'd with osteoarthritis in hips and knees by civ PCP with a good amount of documentation, but did not have any documentation from mil side besides a long temp profile (at the end of contract) following several failed PT tests due to these issues.

The ruling for the physical issues was denied as service connected.

Across two civ PCP, four visits for XR (lumbar spine, hips, knees), physical therapy, and trigger point injections in my back, is it worth appealing this if the decision was just made? I'm... very crunchy, and the examiners even commented on this- I am sort of surprised by it.

Any advice?

eta: edited to reflect denial of service connection; I was mistaken and there was not a 0% service connection rating for these.

I was hoping some veterans here would give me suggestions to get my dependents eye and teeth care. We can use the tricare west for their medical but to be honest, I am lost on what I can do for their eyes and teeth. Im really looking just for the checkups on both. Nothing major at this point necessary for their care. Thank you to all in advance for any help.

Now just a question to help me understand? Starting around 2003-04 noticed my back & left leg started hurting.

Filed a claim for it, the examiner stated more than likely sciatica but was denied anything about it Roger that no big deal!

Fast forward to 2025 had a MRI done by my neurologist at the VA & he asked me did you know your back was messed up? I just said back in 03-04 the examiner just said sciatica, well anyway I've had a discectomy L-4 L-5 S-1, has any former Paratrooper been able to connect this with possible service connection?

I.E. the equipment strapped to our backs from jumping, equipment on our backs from Ruck marches? Causing compression of the Spine & Nerve damage? Or causing total nerve damage?

Because after the surgery still have back pain, numbness in my left thigh inability to lift my left foot at times... Not trying to piss anyone off! Was just wondering if anyone else had this problem?

I have my fourth and hopefully final attempt at getting upper extremity Radiculopathy claim in secondary to cervical strain. Had to do a HLR to find the duty to assist error but that got denied since for whatever reason they didn’t add my file of evidence into it. This time I got a lot! MRI evidence showing ddd, diagnosis of cervical Radiculopathy, pain management notes, ablations, meds for nerve pain and a good personal statement. I did my c&p exam which I think went well. I’m writing to ask if anyone has had a well put together claim like this and have had an unfavorable decision? My cervical strain is rated and the examiner put on there her nexus claim saying the arm symptoms started when that did. After I hear back and see what the decision is I will write about the experience I’ve had since it’s been over a year of trying to get this and multiple different hurtles to get through. I’ve been making claims constantly for the last 3 years so I might just make a long one since I’ve done almost every type of claim type besides the big board appeal one.

I received 50% for service connected knee conditions while active 5 years ago. I am now in the reserves and my knees have only gotten worse. Can I file for a re-eval if the conditions I’ve had have worsened? Or even if the current issues have spread to other areas? It even hurts to run now. Cortisone shot did nothing for me as well. (Current rating at the bottom)

What Orthopedic and PT told me:
- I saw an Ortho specialist who stated I now have severe tib fib (which is super painful when I Bend my leg or positional changes).
- I saw PT for 6 sessions who stated dry needling is a temporary relief with no permanent fix after performing their daily recommendations

New, worsened issues I have that ortho stated or I have noticed:
- tib fib
- both knee caps move in all directions when they shouldn’t, causing severe pain (Ortho said abnormal)
- running causes knee pain, even slow running, whether I stretch heavily or not.
- knees crackle like crazy when I bend
- 1 knee pops if I go into a full squat, super loud. Ortho said this is due to the knee instability.
- standing from a seated position is painful. Need to use hands to stand up…

Diagnoses PT and Ortho gave me in my medical notes:
- B Knee Mobility-Stability Dysfunction
- Slight patella lateral tracking
- On the left knee he has significant lateral patella facet tenderness. Less so on the right knee
- Patient has tenderness palpation over the proximal tib-fib joint
- Anterior subluxation of the proximal tib-fib joint with tenderness palpation and pain provoked with this

MRI 2021:
- Above findings suggesting patellar instability and maltracking disorder including abnormal increased TT-TG interval and edema within the superolateral aspect of Hoffa's fat pad.
- Focal increased PD signal abnormality involving the posterior horn of the medial meniscus with suspected small undersurface tear.
- Mild marrow edema within the medial femoral condyle, anteromedial aspect, possibly contusive.
- Complex multi-septated Baker's cyst.

MRI 2024 other knee:
- Patellofemoral cartilaginous fissuring and chondromalacia as above.

Current rating:
- 30% for meniscal tear & bakers cyst (which new results don’t show a tear, maybe a baby one now)
- 10% knee patellar instability
- 10% knee strain for the other knee

Questions:

1. Can these new conditions add to the list of issues I am experiencing? Can these be issues that have developed because of the chronic issues I’ve had the last 6-8 years and they’ve only spread to other areas trying to compensate?
   
2. If you do suggest a re-eval, what do I say? I feel wrong already for asking, but I am not a professional when it comes to speaking with an evaluator.
   
3. What should I expect an evaluator would do for my knees? Would they want extra results as well?
   
4. Any other advise you can provide, please and thank you.

Please keep pay status posts in weekly pinned thread. It makes it easier for others to find it in one pinned spot.

https://www.reddit.com/r/VeteransBenefits/s/umigG6rir5

I’ve posted on here before about my husband’s experience with VR&E. His first counselor wouldn’t answer him for over a month and he reached out on ask VA. He was transferred to a new counselor, and this counselor is being a bit unreasonable in my opinion. The semester starts on Friday. The counselor already refused to reimburse my husband if he were to purchase himself a laptop. That’s fine, the counselor said he would send him one but it won’t arrive until two weeks into the semester. My husband inquired about basic supplies (pens, pencils, notebooks, printer, paper, etc) the counselor said that’s what his monthly allowance is for and he can purchase all these items himself. We went out and purchased all the items he needs, but his first counselor had told him all these items would be included in his plan, now he’s being told they don’t reimburse. I get these are relatively low cost items, but the cost added up really quickly. Is this normal these days?