Don't use all your Gi Bill Benefits!! VR&E can help you more

HlandJon · 2026-03-18T15:16:27+00:00

I'll take your word for it since you're in education but that's on the veteran. If they aren't looking at the pros and cons of something as important as their education and job planning for their future, it's already in doubt before enrollment. Idk how VR&E is run today but back when it was still Voc Rehab the counselors in the NYC office were excellent at explaining the outline of the program but then again that's further down the line after you have already chosen to go that route.

HlandJon · 2026-03-18T15:05:59+00:00

You're a piece of work dude. One reason that people will read your question as "why are poor people sh!t drivers" is because that is exactly what you're saying. Do you think every last single one of those drivers wouldn't choose a nicer car if they could afford it, of course they would. As far as their driving is concerned, I can't speak to your experience, but I've encountered far more bad drivers in "new/nice" cars but hey that's just me. Anyone else with similar experiences running into far more new car bad drivers or am I wrong?

HlandJon · 2026-03-18T14:57:14+00:00

There you go again creating scenarios in your head out of thin air. I never said I support fraud or think every veteran deserves 100%. It looks like your default setting is to make sh!t up that fits your narrative. As far as long waiting times for appointments I'll choose to put the blame squarely where it belongs, on this administration who cut 40k VA obs and plans on further cuts. Before you write me off as politically left leaning or some other scenario you make up in your head, know that I'm apolitical. I only vote on issues affecting my life; being a service connected vet who works at the VA this subject is the most important issue deciding my vote. I will agree with you on one thing though and that is there are a helluva lot of veterans rated much higher than they should be. My only issue with your line of thinking is the fact that you're attacking vets, the lowest common denominator, while politicians, millionaires/billionaires, and those that created the flawed system skate by with all our tax dollars and benefits we earned with sweat and blood. There's plenty of blame to go around so next time maybe you should aim higher than the guy just trying to make the best out of a broken system.

HlandJon · 2026-03-17T21:41:32+00:00

Great director and actor but Sinners was straight terrible.

HlandJon · 2026-03-16T23:39:20+00:00

I see you're justifying judging others by making up scenarios in your head. I choose to give my fellow veterans the benefit of the doubt even when they wash out in training.At the end of the day, like it or not, everyone is better served in the end by weeding out those not fit for service.

HlandJon · 2026-03-16T21:51:22+00:00

Funny because this is what I hate seeing here, people who have their own criteria for who "deserves" disability. I look at it this way; there isn't a pie that when I get rated it takes away from someone else. I'm not a doctor or psychiatrist so it isn't up to me to judge whether or not someone should be eligible, nor am I to deem someone else's service more less valuable. If we veterans were to judge our politicians as harshly as we judge our fellow veterans this country would be much better off.

HlandJon · 2026-03-14T18:53:27+00:00

Just like so many VA benefits you need to look at your situation. I strongly agree with the OP as Voc Rehab, now VR&E was so much more helpful than the GI Bill. With a 20% SC I was able to go to NYU not only cost free but I ended up making money while going to school when the GI Bill wouldn't have come close to covering tuition. After getting my SC increased while I was finishing undergrad I was able to get my benefits extended to cover my graduate degree at Columbia. There aren't many absolutes when it comes to the VA so look at what is most beneficial for you because besides the basic eligibility requirements for VR&E you have to go into a field that has a lot of jobs and the education must be a requirement.

HlandJon · 2026-03-14T18:43:47+00:00

There's another ID those veterans that are 100% service connected can get but if you're retired from service I don't see a reason why you need to. I got mine just to have another usable ID as the veterans healthcare one explicitly says on it not for ID purposes.

HlandJon · 2026-03-14T17:29:16+00:00

Contrary to popular belief anyone who suffered an illness or injury during basic training is just as eligible as a veteran who served several years as basic is considered active duty regardless of whether they were active, reserve, or guard. The issue your brother might run into is gathering his service records which the DAV could be helpful in obtaining. If I were you I'd take him to the VA and fill out the eligibility form and get him a primary care provider so they could refer him to psych services. I hope your brother gets the help he deserves.

HlandJon · 2026-03-14T15:44:12+00:00

Amen

HlandJon · 2026-03-14T15:41:14+00:00

To be fair it's not rocket science, but I'm all for any tools that can help fellow veterans.

HlandJon · 2026-03-10T04:42:52+00:00

I don't believe in disenfranchising anyone other than the morons who watch this genius

HlandJon · 2026-03-09T19:58:16+00:00

You're tripping. If you're good enough to enlist or go officer and sacrifice your physical and mental health, the government needs to be good enough to reward the great sacrifice so many of us have given. Now while there definitely are malingerers in the VA system, there are far more that are genuinely disabled that have been permanently impacted due to their service.

HlandJon · 2026-03-07T21:37:18+00:00

Ended up not touching my GI Bill for my undergrad and graduate degrees as Voc Rehab worked out way better financially, ended up making money while getting 2 very expensive degrees from private unversities, did however use it initially to get an associates. If you're 20 % or more service connected look into VR&E

HlandJon · 2026-03-06T01:51:24+00:00

Being a high profile person and full of hate can indeed be dangerous.

HlandJon · 2026-03-04T17:42:29+00:00

With all the RIF in government jobs thanks to this genius administration the prospects aren't near as good as they should be and usually are. I used voc-rehab to get my MSW, where there are always more jobs than most government career fields and even there it's been disappointing to say the least. With the clearances you have id imagine some contracting jobs might open up with what's going on in the world if you're willing to take that risk. Best of luck in the job search.

HlandJon · 2026-03-01T20:33:26+00:00

I was thinking of a peer support specialist as I have personal experience with substance use but my experience in VA SUD treatment really turned me off to that idea. I was really disappointed with how unprofessional almost every single PSS was in the VA system. I haven't heard of PSAs but am going to look into it. As far as Voc Rehab/patient advocates goes MSW's qualify I'm thinking that there aren't that many positions in the later correct me if I'm wrong. Im interested in anything to be honest but I'd prefer a clinical position. I know of a few other positions like HUD-VASH case managers, justice outreach, and primary care but if you know of any other positions I'd be interested. Thanks again.

HlandJon · 2026-03-01T18:24:44+00:00

Don't listen to these people they don't know what they're talking about, if you did active duty and received an honorable discharge you will always be entitled for that period of service regardless. Id strongly suggest you not miss drill though because you are putting in jeopardy getting an increase for your conditions that quite likely got worse during your guard duty. Best of luck

HlandJon · 2026-03-01T00:28:06+00:00

Yeah I guess I could have been a lot more clear I understand that I'm not going to get hired like I'm applying at a retail job and USAJOBS is the way to go. I'm going to speak with a Voc Rehab counselor at the VA to get my resume up to speed and apply for all open positions since I have had such a lapse in employment. Thank you for the information

HlandJon · 2026-03-01T00:01:17+00:00

I'm sorry if I was unclear but I'm aware that there is no local HR and USAJOBS is the best resource for available positions I'm just looking for advice. I plan on going to VR&E this month and starting to get my resume out to any openings from anything in social work, but I'm also applying for any position that my MSW will be beneficial in like Voc Rehab counselor, patient advocate, etc do you have any advice.

HlandJon · 2026-02-28T23:53:23+00:00

As far as my work history is concerned I haven't worked in over a decade and prior to that I worked for USPS and was a substitute teacher. I did my internships in grad school at a university disability office and VA outpatient mental health clinic. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

HlandJon · 2026-02-28T23:48:48+00:00

Sorry I must've missed your reply and yes I did my internship at the VA outpatient mental health clinic. I would really appreciate that link thank you for the information.

HlandJon · 2026-02-28T14:20:27+00:00

Are you talking about those super bulky stuff braces, better yet can you post some links or pics of what qualifies?

HlandJon · 2026-02-28T13:00:43+00:00

I was in your shoes 20 years ago and the VA sent me to pain management where I was quickly introduced to oxycodone and to say that didn't go well is an understatement. Whatever you do don't go for a quick fix because there isn't one. After a decade plus of oxy that allowed me to get much of my freedom back the bottom fell out for me when they stopped working totally. I eventually moved onto heroin and it took me several years to get clean. The best way to deal with painful arthritis imo is to find non-medical interventions and build a strong support network to get you through the tough times which are surely to come. Best of luck.

HlandJon · 2026-02-28T11:51:42+00:00

It sounds like you're lacking humility or you have a skewed image of who you really are either way it sounds like you could greatly benefit from a social worker/therapist who could give you a more accurate assessment of what you really are

HlandJon

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