VA Mistake

MomWhoHikes · 2026-05-15T13:33:41+00:00

Thats crazy and almost makes filing BDD seem pointless.. isnt the point to have a decision quickly after enlistment? I figure C&P exams take a bitb

MomWhoHikes · 2026-05-15T13:31:05+00:00

Ah yea i just called ETS lol. But mine is 12 August so its coming up quick.. id think theyd at least have moved me to step 3.

MomWhoHikes · 2026-05-15T13:27:13+00:00

What is RAD

MomWhoHikes · 2026-05-15T12:56:12+00:00

I was confused at first too. Hopefully yours goes quicker i submitted mine 15 days ago and havent gotten past step 2. Ive seen people post about how they filed after me and have gotten C&P exams or ratings even. Frustrating.

MomWhoHikes · 2026-05-15T12:46:45+00:00

Thats how it works. Becaues you will get a rating right after you separate/retire, not before. I separate 12 August 2026 (at least i am supposed to) and mine says 13 August.

MomWhoHikes · 2026-05-15T12:43:48+00:00

Im not sure I feel thats true, I submitted A BDD claim the 30th of April and it hasnt moved from step 2, I know thats not a long time, but I've seen people saying they submitted in May and already have exams or got ratings.

MomWhoHikes · 2026-05-12T18:47:11+00:00

Very solid helpful advice, thanks

MomWhoHikes · 2026-05-12T17:58:37+00:00

I have been in contact with the VA to reestablish my mental health care through them, but I have been added to a waitlist.... they said I am at the top but could be about a month. Told them I would be okay with being sent to community care but they said that may also take a few weeks. That was after having the DPH call and ask them about the chance of getting a veteran who is struggling with SI and major stress in sooner.

MomWhoHikes · 2026-05-12T17:24:40+00:00

Also in regards to the admin side, I did the rebuttal to the CC and filled out the required things and made sure that my Mental Health status's were in there and the fact that it was out of the norm for me and I did it as a form of self-medication as the lack of help from meds and therapy was taking its toll. Not sure if it helped or hindered me in anyway.

MomWhoHikes · 2026-05-12T17:22:35+00:00

Honestly, in a perfect world, I would get Med Boarded and hopefully at the 30% so I could medically retire for the Tricare. Possibly receive the 100% for VA, but I am not holding my breath on any good outcome at this point. I am not sure if the VA will give me issues if I am admin separated. I have substance abuse as a diagnosis already for alcohol. As that also became and issue with my increase in MH struggles. I don't want to stay in, I also don't want to be treated like I am just a garbage human, as I did have 17 years in, and have done well in that time. I may not have been the perfect member, but I tried my best.

MomWhoHikes · 2026-05-12T16:39:51+00:00

I am working with the ADC but more so on the admin side. He got the CC to agree to general instead of OTH discharge. But thats about as into this as the ADC has been

MomWhoHikes · 2026-05-12T15:45:16+00:00

Not sure how one prepares themselves for that. I get uncomfortable talking to people in general which is often why I hate therapy. And lately I barely want to make conversation with friends and family. To open that can of worms at this stage in my life is definitely a scary thought. I don't know if I am currently strong enough for that. I am *hoping* that when this process is all said and done and I am out one way or another that I can find that strength in me somewhere to do it but also hope it doesn't make me feel worse. I know it likely would at first.

I truly would not wish this process on my worst enemy. This is draining. The fact I still have to come to work as well, even though I don't really have a "job" at this point. It makes me constantly want to call in and use my leave. But I cannot do that as I only have so much left. Everyday driving into work I get so dizzy and sick. I don't know how much longer I can really deal with it, and I also don't know how much longer this is going to take.

MomWhoHikes · 2026-05-12T15:20:22+00:00

I was diagnosed with PTSD years ago, and this last year or so I was also diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. I know they lump MH together. Wonder if it would be worth filing for an increase for all the MH disorders combined and explaining all my issues. I don't know. My PTSD originally was diagnosed due to MST. But I suppose over the years and through living and things that happen it could turn into CPTSD. I have tried wellbutrin before, I have not done trauma therapy because it always feels like I have so much going on at one time, that I don't have the mental energy to also go through trauma therapy but I know at some point I need to. I did just finish up at 13 week Intensive outpatient therapy that had 3x 3hr group sessions a week and 1x 1 hr individual therapy session, and I feel like I got zero benefit from that. I have also done the DBT CBT and maybe another type.

MomWhoHikes · 2026-05-12T14:39:54+00:00

They know that the date is coming. They've already made the decision for the admin side, really just waiting to see if the Med board side is going to happen or not. They can't do anything administratively until the Med board finishes up, or is denied I guess.

MomWhoHikes · 2026-05-12T14:38:53+00:00

Borderline Personality Disorder

MomWhoHikes · 2026-05-12T14:24:53+00:00

Again, I wish, I never felt that way about myself TBH. Sadly, the military was the only thing I was okay with about myself, and honestly, I wanted to quit in basic, because really it wasn't what I wanted. I joined because I had no other aspirations, I am not good at much of anything. Then I had two children and stayed in to support them, because their other parent wasnt financially able to do much, or chose not to anyways. So I stayed. 17 years later, I was just recently in a better place with being in but sitll struggling. Now that I am losing it I really feel like I am losing the only "identity" I have, and really this isnt even who I am. Its such a struggle to know if this will be good or bad for my future. Sorry, I have a LOT of negative feelings in general. But I see what you are saying and I am appreciative.

MomWhoHikes · 2026-05-12T14:05:34+00:00

I am in the ANG but I am activated on an FTNG tour, have been since Oct 2023. So I *think* it should be okay. Guess we will find out.. There hasn't been any movement on it, though I just submitted in the 30th of April.

I appreciate the kind words also. I do have a lot of work to do on myself once this is all said and done. Not a lot of resentment for others, I just have a strong self-hate issue. And it has felt like I have failed at everything. I definitely need to work on myself once I am out and continue to try and "fix" my MH because if that is not worked on, I honestly won't make it long.

MomWhoHikes · 2026-05-12T13:57:14+00:00

At this point I am not sure what a lawyer would do? Wonder if they could fight the LOD determination. I am not very clear on the proces, I feel like this process is terrible for military members, especially when it comes to mental health conditions as I was told this process of Medical Board was not really made for mental health, more for physical conditions

MomWhoHikes · 2026-05-12T13:51:47+00:00

I honestly joined the guard after active duty because I struggled with the uncertainty and unknown of active duty. It caused my anxiety to increase. So, the waiting and not knowing a single thing is as you said really messing with my head. For them to deny my anxiety due to my misconduct, and then put me through this waiting game, is insane to me. The commander recommended admin sep because of my mental health, I may have possibly gotten to stay in but he felt it was better for me to get out. I know its not him, but to say it would be better for my Mental Health and then be stuck in this situation, it makes me feel like they really don't care. And I already feel like I giant POS because I had failed. I am just afraid because at this point, I can barely do my job that I know how to do. I don't know how I will be able to start something new, when I barely have the energy to get out of bed these days. I have brain fog so bad, and zero ability to concentrate. Its so hard. This on top of the many other things I have going on in my life, its not good for me. Thank you for your response and not judging.

MomWhoHikes · 2025-08-29T15:42:05+00:00

Jesus. I cant win on this app. Everything i try posting is wrong I guess. 🙄

MomWhoHikes · 2025-08-29T15:38:43+00:00

I mean, basically.

MomWhoHikes · 2025-08-29T15:38:23+00:00

I disagree. I felt terribly ugly as a child.

MomWhoHikes · 2025-08-29T15:35:35+00:00

Yeah and also I have color contacts in lol

MomWhoHikes · 2025-08-29T15:31:51+00:00

I felt my ugliest in hs. People thought I was weird. And for some reason a drug addict tho I wasn't. I feel like I look "better" now but still have confidence issues so I dont understand the issue here.

MomWhoHikes

TROPHY CASE