Mental Heath Ratings & VR&E - Episode 43

[@Kennethjet1]

I studied your videos for a while and got approved in like the first 15 minutes of my appointment I still want to get approved to get a masters but I’m glad you helped me prove my entitlement thank you 😌😌

[@NjD....]

I'm so glad ur doing videos again. 🙏 These are golden..

[@Miguel-USMC]

Hey Nic 100 % for ptsd here. My VRC just had me get a letter from my VA doctor stating I am Able to complete school and he approved me. I did have to change from traditional 4 year school to a certificate school since it was too much for me. Some days I am a complete wreck, and in my good days I try and do my schoolwork . Thank you for everything you do for the veteran community

[@iamnicthevet]

You're welcome. Don't forget, when you're in the program, they are required to give you whatever you need in order to succeed even if you need extra counseling or therapy or coaching to help get you through school. Don't give up unless you just want to 👍🏽

[@Miguel-USMC]

@@iamnicthevet yes thanks to your tips I was able to get a Herman Miller Embody ergonomic chair. Definitely helping me in my studies.

[@iamnicthevet]

@@Miguel-USMC YAY!!!!! That's a really nice chair. It's going to help you for years to come. I'm very happy for you 🎊🥳🎉

[@LuisSanchez-ob2ok]

Thank you for spreading the message. You are truly heaven sent.

[@commwell8738]

Thanks Nic! Also I'm 100% P&T for PTSD. Even though I have that rating if I choose to work my rating won't be lowered. I've finished orientation for VR&E and I'm going to let you know what this counselor says once I meet with them.

[@afroamasiaca]

How did it go?

[@og-greenmachine8623]

I’m 100% PTSD I qualified in Los Angeles. I had to get a form signed my psychiatrist & a consult from my counselor. It was for a job helping homeless veterans. Wasn’t a problem. But I moved from L.A.

[@SweetUareDesi]

Thank for your help👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@corvette198229]

You are amazing 👏

[@jamiebrandenburg6874]

Hey Nic Thanks for what you do!! Could you do a video on how to get ILP?

[@iamnicthevet]

Already did kzbin.info/aero/PLpUdnHIGG9K8ZFVL6jynOFtxvA6QaGocL

[@EmmAzing-Life]

Thanks Nic !! This is amazing info

[@secretmist7343]

Thanks to your videos I have been found entitled for VRE. When I went to my follow up appointment to solidify the degree plan, I was denied from pursuing a job in counseling. I want to be a military family life counselor and I want to help other military affiliated people, whether it be adults or children. I was denied based on the fact that it would aggravate my mental health disability. He said that I could not be put in a position where I would be able to hear other people and their issues because I would not be able to handle it. He said it would make my mental health worse. I have even talked to a therapist who stated it would not affect me. When I stated my mental health issues were because of the military, he said I should get reevaluated then because I no longer have the disability. That is not how that works and just because I am out does not mean that just disappears. I stated that I can cope and I am taking anxiety medication and am seeking counseling. He still denied, but in my head I thought it was because the jobs I were looking for need a masters because he kept saying we can find you a job where you just need a bachelors and you can use the rest of you GI Bill to do whatever you want. Since counseling would “aggravate” mental health in his eyes, I stated what about a professor then because you need a Masters for that, and he then said you cannot be in a position where people tell you their issues. I was shocked as all I want to do is help people and even being a teacher would be too much? I then told him any job I have, will have it’s issues and I will have to talk to people and get yelled at and be put in situations where it will make me anxious. That is normal and apart of any job. As I was defending myself, he turned and said see this is how your disability affects you and how you would deal with situations. Again, I was shocked as I was just defending myself. He still pushed the bachelors after that and I kept quiet and scheduled another meeting so my case did not close. He talked over me and would not even consider anything I was saying. I don’t know what to do and what resources I have. He said he sent the denial for counseling and I don’t know how to proceed forward. Any job I say that is going to include a masters he is going to say it will be too much for me. Any help will be appreciated.

[@secretmist7343]

I have contacted my doctor to get a letter saying that these jobs would not aggravate my disability but I’m still unsure of what else I can do

[@iamnicthevet]

@@secretmist7343 KZbin didn't send me your alert, I'm sorry I missed this. You may have already emailed me, but if not, and you still need help, please email me

[@EeveeLO6]

Thank you for the info.

[@seanfrancis7101]

COPIED: Nick, I hate to ask, but I've been denied my transition to another school. I have gone to the Los Angeles Film School for two years all the while pushing vocational rehab to allow me to attend the New York film Academy. I was an airborne ranger in the military, where I suffered concussions that led to issues in cognition and memory. My current school holds classes for 30 days at a time. The accelerated class load has caused tremendous issues on me mentally physically and emotionally all exacerbating my service connected disabilities. I was approved originally, but was unable to attend the New York film Academy, due to their stringent policies, requiring me to be vaccinated with booster shots more than possible within the day of my start date. This unfortunately was not disclosed until it was too late. At this time I was transferred from the Las Vegas vocational rehab center to the Los Angeles vocational rehab center. And once this happened, I had long break in correspondence due to the large amount of veterans being helped and what looks like an incompetent vocational rehab counselor. Since then, the New York film Academy has sense, dropped their policies and allowed me to start again. I was approved and accepted once again by the New York Phil Academy, but this time I was denied by my counselor. This led me down a rabbit hole of trying to get back my post 911 G.I. bill benefits My previous school in Las Vegas was shut down nationwide with all the rest of the art institutes in America. All of the representatives from the VA told me this should be something they could approve, but I have been denied more than once. my next course of action was to look into retroactive induction. For this, I was also denied because I didn’t have a service connection at the time of my schooling. Art Institute has a notorious reputation. I never received a degree and my credits are nontransferable so I had to start from scratch Lately, Los Angeles Film School has been looking more and more like the profit school that the Art Institute was. Again, my service connected disabilities have been massively affected in the past months, leading to depression, serious issues in memory and cognition, and 10 out of 10 pain from my low back due to the specialized curriculum in cinematography I’ve tried everything I can to go to the school that I want to go to after risking my life and sacrificing my body for these benefits! I don’t know what else to do! I don’t know who else to call! I’m currently calling managers at vocational rehab, Congressman, and everyone, I know simply trying to get this situation squared away! I don’t know how else to contact you, but I am hoping there’s something that you may be able to say, or do to help my current situation! Thank you, Nick in advance Peace & Love, Sean!

[@deborahkim4592]

Hi Nic! Thanks so much for making these videos. I am currently going through a medical board for both physical impairments and mental illness. I am currently using the Ch.33 to pay for my MBA and was told that since I'm going through a medboard, I can exercise my Ch 31. However, when speaking to my counselor today, he told me that I'm too qualified to utilize Ch 31. My question is in regards to mental health. If my VR&E counselor knows that I am being medically discharged in part because of my mental illness, does that automatically qualify for an SEH? There are no issues of me working after my MBA. Thank you so much for all you do for the vet community.

[@iamnicthevet]

Your counselor is a big fat liar. If you're still active duty and you are med boarding, you are automatically approved for VR&E services and if you're working on your MBA, you can switch over to VR and they can pick up the rest of your degree and give you back the G.I. Bill that you've already used. As for your SEH question for mental illness, it doesn't matter because you're already approved. If he does not write your eye WRP before you ETS you may miss out on this opportunity so if he's not helping you, email me and let me know what state you're going to be ETSing into and I'll get you in touch with the VREO for that area and they can help you get this set up. Do not ETS without giving that IW RP squared away.

[@juliekirkpatrick6508]

I have my appointment this coming Thursday. I'm scared to death instead of feeling more secure. With my 100% PTSD with other issues and I'm under the total occupational & societal Impairments. My doctor I'm sure will write a letter for them that I can do this, should I try to get that letter before my appointment?

[@iamnicthevet]

I would if it were me.

[@juliekirkpatrick6508]

@@iamnicthevet I was approved within the first 15 minutes! She did try to sell me on a 2 year degree, but I used your language on how those careers didn't interest me and I was approved for my 4 year teaching degree in Elementary Education!

[@iamnicthevet]

@@juliekirkpatrick6508 excellent. congratulations 🎊🥳🎉

[@sunnykobe3210]

Wow, thank you, it’s as if you knew my situation. I’m 100pt and tdiu and am on med to help the more serious symptoms/ailments that you mentioned. I don’t share that info with school counselors or instructors bc of the stigma attached. I’ve been doing ok with online courses, since they’re not in person and done at my pace. My question, would I be able to be approved even though I don’t foresee myself being employed after a degree is earned?

[@iamnicthevet]

Because this is a jobs program, they need to be confident that you're gonna be able to work. If you think you can work now and then after the degree you decide you can't work, that's fine ...those things happen, but if you know upfront that you can't work, and you tell them that, they're going to deny it but you could always be approved for ILP if you have an SEH.

[@sunnykobe3210]

@@iamnicthevet thank you, Nic. I appreciate you taking the time to answer my specific question. You’re a blessing.

[@josephshivery4956]

I am 100% P&T and 100% alone for PTSD. I have issues working around others and it's difficult for me to maintain a regular job because I never know when my depression or anxiety is going to flare up and make it difficult to just function let alone leave my house. Because of these very reasons, I have already been planning to start my own Lawn Care business so I can work by myself and adjust my own schedule accordingly by pushing yards back a day or 2 if need be due to flare-ups. I've already created a logo, ordered business cards, obtained a business and marketing certificate through a college, and have almost a complete business plan. I pretty much just need some help with funding, some equipment (I've already purchased some), and finance courses. Do you think I have a case for SE track?

[@iamnicthevet]

It sounds like you definitely meet the requirements for being approved for self-employment, you just have to convince them that mowing lawns is the best thing for you physically and mentally . I think you should leave out the part about pushing people back a day or two if you have a flareup and concentrate on the fact that you will not have to work directly with lots of people, and being outside is better for you, things like that. You don't want to put negative things in their heads to give them a reason to say no. My suggestion is to look at the video on self-employment and present your case that way. If you have any questions that were not addressed in that video, feel free to follow up. They don't help with funding so make sure you have a plan for what you need. Like if you need a lawnmower and edger some clippers trimmers, etc. have all that in mind. DO NOT give them a list of things or tell them all the things you need up front, it will scare them - just have it in mind for when you get to that point.

[@Mr.conserv]

I got my 100% while in VRE I always wondered if they’d then kick me out the program

[@iamnicthevet]

Why would they kick you out?

[@freddyfourfingers774]

Hello Nic! Thanks for the great video. I had a question maybe you could shed some light on. This is my second time using VR&E for an MBA this time. My VRC told me I only have 15 months and 30 days eligible left so I must use a grad program that falls under that time frame and I am not entitled to an extension because I have used the program before and have a bachelors degree. Additionally, that I cannot use my VRE benefits and then use my Chapter 33 9/11 benefits for the same degree using VR&E first then 9/11 because I wouldn't be able to complete the program under the 48 months. They also stated I am not eligible for extension beyond 48 months because I am not "serious handicap" even if I am 100%. I have contacted my VSO to see if they can provide some insight and also under M28R, Part IV, Section C, Chapter 7 I should be allowed since I am retraining. Any advice?

[@iamnicthevet]

She's lying about the extension, you don't have to be seriously handicapped, you have to have a serious employment handicap and those two things are not the same. Please view video #8 to understand what an SEH is because if you have one, you can get an extension. And honestly the whole part after the word 'additionally' is really confusing and I don't really know what you're asking me.

[@freddyfourfingers774]

@@iamnicthevet Thanks! Sorry for the confusion. She said I cannot use my VR&E remaining benefits(15 months) , and then use my 9/11 GI benefits to complete the same MBA program.

[@iamnicthevet]

​@@freddyfourfingers774 If they approve you for anything it's gonna be for the whole degree program (not a portion) so it's not that you can't use VR&E services for a portion of a degree and then finish the rest with your G.I. Bill because if they approved you for the program and you quit after 15 months you COULD use your G.I. Bill. What she's actually saying to you (without saying it) is that the reason you can't do that is because they are not allowed to approve you for a portion of a program. If they find you entitled and decide you need a degree, they have to pay for the whole thing. The bottom line is you need to convince her that you have a serious employment handicap, then she will have to give you the extension and you can get the degree using VR. But if you don't meet the SEH criteria, she's not going to extend you and then you will not be able to get this degree using VR.

[@JohnnyKReviews]

Can a counselor come back in removing you from VRE services once you started a degree program?

[@iamnicthevet]

only for a really good reason like you are failing or not participating.

[@tia_lenay]

Hi will VRE pay for CDL school?

[@iamnicthevet]

Hi, Yes as long as that vocational goal is appropriate for your SCD's but they won't buy you a truck.

[@Treetree-35]

My counselor told me if I continue attempting to utilize VR&E she will make sure I loose my 100% rating. I attended a semester of school with VR&E my GPA is 3.6. I don’t want to loose my pay because at this time I don’t have education to get employment. Can I change Regional Offices because they won’t let me have a new counselor

[@iamnicthevet]

What the freak?!!!???? They can't do that. Click my name then contact nic then email me and tell me to which regional office you're assigned.

[@erikcole5194]

That’s exactly what I’m scared of

[@Jc-sm5vi]

That counselor needs to be sued and fired! So awful!