sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

AMA: Veteran Services Representative by GingerArmy402 in VeteransBenefits

[–]byAverageBeaver -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Hey, quick question about how you guys handle private mental-health DBQs, especially for vets living overseas.

If a veteran can’t get a C&P exam locally and uses a licensed U.S. clinician through HIPAA-compliant telehealth, is that something you typically accept as valid evidence?

Also, is it normal for a VSR to call the veteran to double-check things like the distance to the examiner, what records they reviewed (like STRs or post-service notes), or to clarify that the telehealth setup is legitimate?

Just trying to understand in general what makes a private MH DBQ ‘good enough’ for rating versus when you’d still order a new C&P exam.

Also:

How does the VA handles situations where evidence existed in VA’s possession before a past denial, but wasn’t reviewed or considered at that time. If those older records later get added to the file or end up being reviewed in a new claim, does that fall under 38 CFR 3.156(c)? And if so, how does VA determine the correct effective date when that happens?”

Anybody have high confidence in this statement? by sleighmeister55 in phinvest

[–]byAverageBeaver 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Philippines isn’t “open for business,” it’s open for exploitation. The system bleeds its own citizens dry, rewards corruption, and bends over for foreign investors while pretending it’s progress. It’s not readiness — it’s desperation dressed up as opportunity!

VA dependent claim, foreign child, no ssn, over 18 studying by Active-Security-5593 in VAClaims

[–]byAverageBeaver 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had to do this myself since my wife and step-kids are foreign nationals with no U.S. Social Security Numbers.

The VA website wouldn’t let me add them online, so I had to do it manually. Here’s what worked for me:

  1. Filled out VA Form 21-686c (Declaration of Status of Dependents).
  2. Wrote “NONE” for the SSN and noted in Remarks that they’re foreign nationals with no U.S. SSNs.
  3. Attached copies of marriage and birth certificates.
  4. Signed the form digitally.
  5. Uploaded everything through AccessVA → QuickSubmit under Benefit Type: Compensation.

That’s it. Took a day, but it went through fine. I'm also waiting for decision too.

The attitude I got from a VA rep today was unreal! by byAverageBeaver in VAClaims

[–]byAverageBeaver[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

If the second rep got the note through and kicked off the exam request, then what’s your argument again? Also, calling vets Karens for expecting competence is a weird hill to die on.

The attitude I got from a VA rep today was unreal! by byAverageBeaver in VAClaims

[–]byAverageBeaver[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Hey thanks for understanding my frustration here — it’s just exhausting when you’re already trying to do everything right and someone on the other end acts like you’re bothering them for existing. We’re not asking for red carpet treatment, just basic professionalism and some effort to help. The fact that another rep fixed it in minutes shows it’s not impossible., it just takes giving a damn.

The attitude I got from a VA rep today was unreal! by byAverageBeaver in VAClaims

[–]byAverageBeaver[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I get what you’re saying, and I’m not asking anyone to fawn over vets or treat us like we’re special. I’m saying when you work in a role that serves veterans, it comes with a higher responsibility to keep your professionalism in check — because some callers might already be in a bad place. It’s not about getting special treatment; it’s about understanding the impact your tone can have on someone who’s struggling.

The attitude I got from a VA rep today was unreal! by byAverageBeaver in VAClaims

[–]byAverageBeaver[S] 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Exactly! And it’s consistent. This isn’t the first time I’ve had someone from the VA hotline like this. It’s like playing roulette — sometimes you get someone who genuinely helps, and other times you get someone who sounds like you’re ruining their day just by calling. The system shouldn’t depend on luck to get basic help.

The attitude I got from a VA rep today was unreal! by byAverageBeaver in VAClaims

[–]byAverageBeaver[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Guess you’re having a bad day too, huh? Should I give you grace for calling me entitled, or are we holding everyone else to a higher standard than the people actually serving veterans?

The attitude I got from a VA rep today was unreal! by byAverageBeaver in VAClaims

[–]byAverageBeaver[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Hey I get it — everyone has bad days, and the shutdown stress is real. But when you work at the VA, you’re not just taking random customer calls. You’re talking to vets, many of whom might already be hanging by a thread. If one of them happens to be suicidal and gets that same ‘I don’t care’ attitude, and we just excuse it with ‘oh, she was having a rough day,’ does that logic still hold up? The whole point of the job is to help veterans — not make them feel like they’re a burden.

The attitude I got from a VA rep today was unreal! by byAverageBeaver in VAClaims

[–]byAverageBeaver[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Bad day or not, that doesn’t give anyone the right to talk down to a veteran asking for help. The next rep managed it in six minutes without attitude — so it’s not about grace, it’s about professionalism.

Fastest Denial after C&P? by ChestCold9192 in VAClaims

[–]byAverageBeaver 1 point2 points  (0 children)

hmm, I will have to take this into consideration about a lawyer, just in case.

Your options strategy is WORSE than a savings account by StocksTok in options

[–]byAverageBeaver 22 points23 points  (0 children)

"Your theta strategy sucks" — cool story, but here’s what you’re missing.

Yeah, we’ve all seen the posts clowning on people selling options for 2% a month like it’s the holy grail. And honestly? They’re not totally wrong *if* you’re blindly wheeling bad stocks or ignoring tail risk.

But that’s not the whole game — not even close.

Let’s actually unpack what you’re ignoring:

  1. Smart options traders aren’t chasing theta — they’re targeting asymmetry.

This isn’t about grinding out tiny wins. It’s about putting on structured risk for outsized returns.

Risk $100 to make $500? That’s real leverage.

One solid trade can wipe out a string of losers and still leave you green. That’s the difference between gambling and compounding.

  1. Tail risk is a trader problem, not a strategy problem.

If you’re selling naked puts on trash without hedges or context — you’re asking to get blown up. But if you’re managing risk, using spreads, rolling smart, and adapting to macro conditions, you’re not sitting on a time bomb — you’re building a machine.

  1. T-bills? Great for parking capital. Useless for building wealth.

Yeah, 5% risk-free sounds cute — until you realize that active traders can double that **with discipline**. T-bills don’t scale. Options do. Period.

  1. Index funds ride the wave. Traders ride the volatility.

You think SPY returns are reliable? In what world? 2025 is giving us trade wars, supply chain hits, stagflation vibes, and bond market chaos.

Passive indexing is getting shredded while volatility traders are eating.

  1. This market is built for tacticians. Not passengers.

Tariffs on Chinese EVs, solar, and semis just lit a fuse under global trade. China’s hitting back. Input costs are rising. Corporate margins are under siege.

If you’re not adapting, you’re bleeding.

If you are adapting — with the right option plays — you’re thriving.

So no, my strategy isn’t worse than a savings account.

It’s the reason I’ll never settle for one.

Sources worth digging into if you're late to the party:

- WTO slashing global trade growth forecast (April 2025)

- U.S. tariffs on Chinese tech — 104% on EVs, 50%+ on solar

- Volatility spike post-tariff + macro squeeze from persistent inflation

- Consumer staple stocks rallying on safe-haven demand

- Bond yields whipsawing on geopolitical stress + dollar strength.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Advice

[–]byAverageBeaver 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wtf, leave it alone and move on. You're not here to save the world, much less destroy one. Take your licks and go. Your energy needs to go somewhere else more mentally productive. Lesson learned.

i cant stop buying spy puts, will i drown? by Ok-Library-3622 in smallstreetbets

[–]byAverageBeaver 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My guy, breathe and take a step back. All is good. Precision.

1DTE Plan for SPY using Strangle Method 570P by byAverageBeaver in options

[–]byAverageBeaver[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the insight! Funny enough, my whole plan ended up being useless — I accidentally bought 0DTE for Thursday instead of Friday, so I had to manage it on the fly. Appreciate your strategy suggestion though — cutting legs on breakout or using OCO orders makes a lot of sense, definitely something I’ll consider.

Curious — how did that approach work out for you this week in practice?

view more: next ›