Voc Rehab & Weed/Alcohol/Infeasibility - Episode 32

[@ianpatrick23]

This is such valuable information about things that can disqualify you from VR&E. Thank you for sharing!

[@lpmazariegos1996]

Hey Nic, is there any wiggle room, if you have a medical card. Especially now that it got rescheduled to class 3? I downloaded my entire medical record and I noticed its disclosed a couple times. Is there a way to justify it or explain it?

[@Elnahmain]

This is great info! Thank you! I’m also curious about just going in for my initial health appointments (I just got awarded 100% P&T, but haven’t signed up for health or been to any appointments) and if I need to be clean from THC beforehand? I was told they drug test you and will use that to deny your voc rehab?

[@iamnicthevet]

I have no advice on this section, I'm just sharing information, you've got to do what you feel is best for you. If you're acting wonky in your interview and they ask you if you use anything and you say no but then they find it in your records, you will be denied. If they ask you, and you say yes, and it's not in your records, they'll start digging, and could deny you based on what you tell them. But if you act/look normal and don't say anything untoward and there's nothing in your records to suggest you have substance issues, they won't know anything, and they certainly do not drug test you.

[@Elnahmain]

@@iamnicthevet thank you. Absolutely nothing in my records. I was solely worried about drug testing. I’m glad to hear that do not do that.

[@DeannaJones-f2j]

i got a friend who smokes recreationally as self-medication for a neck injury; that pain medicines aren't curing. should they be honest about this? the injury is the whole reason the cant work, they only recently discovered how helpful thc was for their specific case.

[@iamnicthevet]

I can't give you any advice as to what you guys "should" do regarding weed, but I will say, if there's no documentation of this usage with the VA or their civi medical records, VA won't know it exists so whether or not they choose to volunteer that information is up to them.

[@OrganicallyYahs]

What if alcohol use disorder is apart of my scd but under mental health team at the Va getting regular treatment?

[@iamnicthevet]

You should be fine in that instance

[@OrganicallyYahs]

@@iamnicthevet ok thanks for all your help 🙏🏽

[@geechie-don7157]

Good day! Thank you for the videos; not only are you pleasant to look at, but you know your stuff. I was approved for VR&E within the last few weeks and have a awesome counselor. I feel your information prepared me well. At this stage she has me reaching out to colleges for masters in education counseling programs 😊

[@iamnicthevet]

Geechie-Don that’s awesome, congratulations!!!!

[@eshepard89]

This is bullcrap, I had a problem once and I have gotten treatment and I'm better, I don't know if I should tell the counselor this or not, this was because of my service connected disability but you're saying it can be used against me, I don't know what to do now

[@iamnicthevet]

If you had a problem once and you got help and now you're better, you don't have to share that with your counselor. And even if it's in your medical records, you'll be fine because you got help. I'm talking about people who don't get help and get high or drunk on a regular basis AND it says that in your medical records.....those people could be denied.

[@eshepard89]

​@@iamnicthevet Thank you, for your quick response, I'm in the midst of filling out my form, and it's a stressful time trying to become eligible, you are an angel keep up the good work.

[@sgtv1229]

thank you for your videos! i am in the process and wow. this is harder than i remember. your videos are on point

[@iamnicthevet]

Glad they are helpful. Not every VRC is the worst but these vids will prepare you just in case 👍🏽

[@usmcoth]

Would infeasibility apply to business ownership for someone who has syncope (passing out)?

[@iamnicthevet]

I'm not really 100% clear on the situation you're describing but a Syncope diagnoses in and of itself is not justification to be found infeasible for any of the VR&Ee services tracks.