Primarily, this channel consists of short videos to help service connected Veterans navigate some of the red tape that blocks our Voc Rehab (now called Veterans Readiness) benefits. Almost all my videos are under 10 minutes because my goal is to educate Vets for free - not to make money off Vets or waste time.
Ive Heard about counselors telling vets they can’t keep 100 pnt if they want to pursue vocational rehab. I guess it’s not true until you get a job? Is what you’re saying?
Unfortunately not☹ but there is a civilian vocational rehabilitation program available in every state in the United States. I don't personally know anything about it, but it exists. You may want to look into that. I hope it works out for you.
You can't have two tracks at once and they very rarely will approve two concurrent tracks but if that's what they told you then I would go for it but make sure you get it in writing.
@@iamnicthevet for sure ! thanks for the guidance, I definitely enjoy all the info you've put out ! it's much appreciated from all of us vets. thank you ! doin the lord's work!
I have a cyber security bachelors from Vr e i have not been able to find a job. After - year now I applied and was denied the masters program in cyber security. I was denied how can I get approved
If you have a degree in cyber security, but you don’t have any experience, getting another degree in cyber security is not going to increase the odds if you’re getting hired. Video # 37 explains how to get approved for a masters degree.
Just found this. I’m scared. I’m 1 year over the 12 years mark and at the mercy of the VRC’s decision. I’ve been unemployed for 3 years and having difficulty finding a job. I’ve decided to pursue a masters, which led me to your video and resources. I’m terrified of having to front the full cost of tuition myself when I don’t have a way to pay for it and I’m barely scrapping by with my disability income. I hope this works!
Look at video #’s 16 and 37 to understand if you meet the entitlement criteria, and if you really need a masters degree based on their guidelines. If you find that you do then just look at the entitlement playlist to understand how to present your case. No need to be afraid just educate yourself on the rules and the process and then execute.
Hey I am trying to apply for education benefits. I sent a lot of information on why. Like why the current career field exacerbates my injuries. Had 16 jobs in the last 5 years. I resigned due to my disabilities being exacerbated and they are documented. I was unemployed and homeless Which exacerbated injuries sustained in military Explained that the skills I required which were all exacerbated disabilities, in each job Quoted EEOC, ADA and the Rehabilitation Act in my numerous emails as well as retaliation Explain why cybersecurity and law will be more beneficial and the only option Took onet It confirmed that cyber and law and other interesting fields align with me Came up with an education plan for this Long term benefits And market analysis Explained why state funding is not helpful and that is circumventing legal responsibility Explained me being entitled due to being a veteran Also filed an internal complaint. My question is this viable information and what other source of info do I need?
Sure, it seems viable. The entitlement playlist on my channel is really the only source info that you need. They also reference the M28C guidelines that justify what I communicate in the videos.
@@iamnicthevet thank you for all of this viable information . I watch 25, 3, 17, and 15. I am going to watch more. But after watching those videos I am even more prepared on how to handle the conversation. Is there a way we can video chat between now and my interview to evaluate all of the information? Or do you think I will be fine?
@@Kingbrandon290 I wish I could but I get about 300 of those requests along with about 1000 emails a month & I just don't have the time that's why I made so many videos, so I answered all the questions you guys could possibly have. I promise you if you look at every video in the entitlement playlist, you're gonna be prepared. Once you've watched those, if you do have any questions that you feel were unaddressed, you can always reach out to me
@@iamnicthevet I just watch all of the videos and I am prepared but I did however email my counselor a lot of information on my justification. This is my conversation after denial. I do have a eh/seh ; eh due to me having under 12 years of service and seh due to me being homeless among all of the criteria to be entitled. Although I have new information after watching your video am I screwed for sending all of the evidence?
@@Kingbrandon290 it's not that you're screwed it's just that you revealed your hand and you gave her an opportunity to pick apart your justification. At this point just wait and see what she says. You have the information to argue your case accordingly if she says no.
You can email the VR office directly or the VREO and ask for another appointment. If you don’t have that information, look at video #41 and then email me and let me know which VBA you’re assigned to and who your VREO is and I’ll send you their email address.
I am so grateful that you made this video Ma’am. If this situation had happened to me, my mind would have gone blank or I would have gotten upset and taken the denial. It is so thoughtful of you to actually give us a full example of a back and forth like this. I can’t thank you enough!
Could this person be reported for lying and be made an example of so other counselors learn to do their jobs? Serious question bc the evidence is recorded. @iamnicthevet
I did report her. She still sitting in that same position today. Her boss and her bosses boss were both forced to leave, I don’t know if they got fired or forced to retire, but they’re no longer there. But I don’t really think the VA cares either way and until somebody way up the food chain cares and pulls the cover back on all these lies, I don’t think anything‘s gonna change.
@iamnicthevet I discovered your channel last night. Had my initial meeting this morning. I followed the advice from your video and received my entitlement today! Thank you!
Hello Nic, I am in need of clarification please? I finished my bachelors with my post 9/11 GI bill. I got approved for a masters with CH 31. Am I eligible for retroactive induction?
I am interested in pursuing a Masters Degree in Cybersecurity… My present job is really stressful and physical… it has exacerbated my service connected disability degenerative cervical disease disease effects me performing my present job as a laborer..I am entitled to continuing my education.. Can you help me prove it to the VA. Anthony W. Green
This could have been a recording of my own conversation with my VRC and her boss 🤦🏻♀️ I felt like I was going crazy by the end of it. Thank you for sharing this.
Omg I'm literally soaking in epsom salt watching this 😩this is the first video I've watched from your page and this is the exact track I'm trying to do. My interview is tomorrow. Thank you for this!
The degree program I want to pursue they say is not feasible for me because the testing came back and my interests didn't line up with either my abilities nor my values. Even though I have already experience in the field... They want me to pursue other careers and I am not too convinced about it, but I am trying to keep an open mind. If I end up going through that program and half way there, I don't want to keep going... Will they make me repay them for those classes already taken and passed?
I'm not sure I understand your question exactly but I'll take a stab at it. Veterans readiness & employment services is a program administered by the veterans administration.
The main enemy of disabled veterans is the Veterans Affairs Administration. They want us to use a lot of money to pay a lawyers and doctors to write us a nexus letter or DBQ . Even our conditions is on our records. Including VR&E benefits they will denied to us…
My GI bill has expired (left the service before 2012). Tried to use it but had to stop school to focus on treatment. I was approved for SCD at 70% and IU two years ago. Any chance they will reenact my GI bill since I am recognized as having a SCD? Thanks!
Depends on what was up when it expired. If you were in a coma, then you probably could get it reinstated. If you simply let it expire, it's unlikely they will reinstate it. Worst they can say is no.You can plead your case to education and see what they say.
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 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!
If you go to school solely online using VR&E services and you have at least one day of G.I. bill available, you will get half of what you would normally get if you were attending on campus
They got me 😔, I started process December 2024 hey just got my paperwork I’m in IEEP 🤦🏽♂️, I’m leaving to Argentina in November and I was hopping to be on line school by than but they took there time I played nice and I’m screwed help nick please I’m heading to your website to contact you 🙏🏻
It's rare, but they can keep you in an IEEP for as little as two weeks so all hope is not lost. It depends on why they placed you in it. Email me why you believe they placed you in it (per the criteria I laid out in video #51) and let see if there's blatant justification to get out of it.
You get retroactive BAH and give you back the time? I have been out of the program because I got employment but my counselor said I’m getting back about a year. Getting another year would be great and maybe use towards masters
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.
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.
Had my appointment two weeks ago. She said she needed time to research my medical files. It’s been two weeks and the counselor won’t respond to my emails or voicemail… idk what to do. Anxiety sucks not knowing.
Is it possible to contact or talk to you regarding my situation after my interview with my counselor for VR&E. Unfortunately, I was denied and this is what I need to discuss with you and further guidelines with your expertise. Thank you and hope to talk to as soon as you possibly could. GOD BLESS.
I don't really talk to Veterans often because I get so many contacts each month and 9 times out of 10 any question you have is already addressed in one of my videos. The first thing you need to do is figure out why you were denied, is it because you did not put forth an effective presentation or because you did put forth an effective presentation but they just blew you off. That will determine whether not you should escalate up the chain or study up get better prepared and reapply. But first you have to figure out if you actually do meet the entitlement criteria. You can email me and we can configure out where things went left.
I really appreciate your videos! I have my first meeting online tomorrow morning. I'm 100% P&T with multiple SCDs. We'll see how it goes. I'm trying for some education with the endstate of self employment.
Make sure you don’t tell them that . Just present your case for entitlement and education but don’t mention self-employment, otherwise they’ll deny you.
Thank you thank you thank you. Your advice is invaluable! My initial appointment was today 3pm CT…I was entitled without any path. My situation is a little different than most that i have seen. Hopefully you can help me to move forward. I am T&P 100% not unemployable but I’m unemployed and not able to work. I am requesting SE track but right off the back was told that in over her 20yrs of working for the VA, she has never seen it approved. She wants me to get my Psychiatrist to revoke my 2016 rating so that I can work. She wants a letter saying that I can work. And she does not want a work therapy letter. I explained that I am unable to work and that would be harmful for me. I am a cottage baker. I bake out of my home for side money. She said they will not buy me any commercial equipment and that I have to apply for a loan somewhere. How do I past this? Next appointment is in October and was told I have homework to turn in to her before the appointment. She also said they only do accommodations. Could you please help!
You're P&T which means you are allowed to work - what do you mean when you say you can't work? And did you tell them you can't work? Because if you did and then you turned around and said you want them to help you start a business, that is why she's asking you for all that stuff. So when you say you can't work, what exactly do you mean? Feel free to email me if you wish.
@@iamnicthevet I understand. How should I put it? Im not able to work outside of my home because of PTSD, MST, MDD, Migraines & Insomnia, so I work from my home. I have a SEH. I could not even finish college because my disabilities interfered with studying. I just received Vocational Explorational paperwork to find 3 careers to go after. Is this just a formality to get to the SE track or a detour? The counselor read my file to me and knows of my SEH so Im not sure how Vocational Exploration would help me? When I tried to ask my counselor a question about SE track I was advised to google it…
My rep sent me the va form 28-1905m when I requested a laptop for school. The rep said only fill out your name and send it back. This sounded fishy to me. If I need specific quality of equipment do I fill out what I need on the form and submit it to them or do I do as I was instructed and just fill my name and send the form back? My mind tells me that if I do as instructed they will issue the basic package, which won't cut it, and I will then have to do more work at that point to request my ideal need.
That's exactly what they're going to do. Video #40 tells you the most effective way to request equipment. Once you guys have agreed on the equipment, then you would submit that form with the agreed-upon information. Or you can just write it on the form and she will deny it and then you can argue your case per video #40 & 36.
@iamnicthevet is there a better place to message you? I watched those two videos and they were very helpful. I just found out today when reading through the regs that if I still have and active post 9/11 then I could of been getting the g.i. bah rate and now the tiny vr&e rate if I request it. When I asked in my first year why it was so small she told me that all you get under chapter 31. I requested it officially through email today and she approved it. I'm wondering if they will allow back pay for the almost 2 years of school I was getting paid the chapter 32 rate?
If the VRE sent me one 3 years ago and its life span has passed up what can I do? (It was a 700 dollar laptop that was deemed good for the rest of my college career.
I'm not completely sure what you mean by "lifespan has passed up" but if it's broken, they can repair it as long as you're still in the program. If you're trying to get a newer computer, you'll have to convince them that your computer no longer can support the demands of your educational program and therefore you're in jeopardy of not reaching your vocational goal unless you get that new computer.
I just found your page about 9 hours before my meeting and I'm literally binging everything here and on your site to put together a cohesive, well thought out argument along with the letters. I feel fairly confident about it and I can't thank you enough for taking the time to help us. I will update soon!
I’m starting to to watch theses videos I was denied before I reapplied and waiting on the apt. I used my GI bill, AS BS and detoured to other jobs not aligned to my degree. If I get approved for VRE pilot training it is aligned with my degree. What videos will help me explains handicap impairment
I don't have a video that tells you how to convince someone that your SCDs are bothering you. That has to be real income from your own personal experience.
My 2nd time applying to VRE denied before the program I want is pilot the site say you need a private license which is the first one I used my GI for bachelors but no job. The site say they approve for advanced license dual engine close to the 4th license. The 2-3rd is missing from the site. and basically a pilot needs 1-4 to get hired how do I convince them my impairment and challenge them
I am having this same issue, I have been reading through the va regulations and I cannot find the verbage I need. The available dollar values. I'm in need of good equipments, for coding and CAD and more and they want to send me this $300 laptop package that is so far below the par I might as well be using a toaster to do my work. My rep talks to me wild, last time I asked she said "what are you looking at a magazine picking out the stuff you want?"
Hi Nic. I used gi bill and switched over to VRE in my junior year. I was approved for retroactive induction. Please explain how to get reimbursed? I am confused if I’m entitled to other payments directly to me? Please help!
If no bachelors or associates and have a general under honorable without GI bill? Am i golden too with an SEH? should i wait until i get my rating for my others all i have been approved for so far is tinnitus but going for others including MH
Hello again!! First off thank you again for all the help you provided me! I am finished with my 2 year degree this January and was trying to find the information/video about the additional 2 months of payment I may/may not be eligible for? Thanks again and have a great day! Greg
Hello Ma'am, my VRC sent me an email that I can't use the track #5 which is the ILP outside the US. I am TDIU and I am living outside the US. Is she telling the truth?
