5 Things You NEED to know Before Your 1st Voc Rehab Meeting - Episode 7 

You are changing lives Nic! The most helpful veteran I've come across on all platforms over the past few years and I've seen them all!

These definitions are so helpful. Especially since the VA has their own definitions, which are not the same as what we commonly know them as.

You are a blessing!!! I watched pretty much all the videos and used the criteria from one of your videos to get an SEH with the 9 points you made. I was deemed entitled 45 minutes into my meeting. Thanks for all the information and assistance!!

You are a queen! Thank you! I just had my initial evaluation and got entitled. I scrambled around looking for information then found your page. Literally just watched your videos and got entitled after a 30 minute virtual meeting. I was a bit worried your information could be a bit dated since the program rebranded, but not at all! Mine wasn't really a simple case either. I already had a bachelor's degree in economics from an Ivy League, had a high-paying job in Investment Banking, and decided to quit to pursue law enforcement given everything going on (hoping to try and make some positive change from inside). In case helpful to anyone else: I explained how my SCD was exacerbated by the job and harped on the lack of interest in the job and fields related to economics. I mentioned that I quickly realized econ wasn't for me, but had to just keep pushing through it because military taught me to complete the mission and because I was already in too deep. One tip: don't overplay disabilities that could get in the way of your desired career field. E.g. I had a physically disability listed at 10%. She got a tad hung up on being able to be a cop with physical ailments like that (I just explained that it gives me pain and issues here and there, but that it is totally manageable and that I still work out, do MMA, and run several miles a week).

"but I do not have suitable per," i love it this absolutely no exaggeration of dealing with VA. Thank you so much.

15 min meeting and got approved. Thanks for all the great info and help

I'm so grateful for you! I mentioned to a friend when I submitted the initial application and he said "you won't get approved; they told me that I needed to be homeless or have a narcotics problem." Well, one of your videos came up as suggested when I had to watch the VA's orientation video. I finished their required watch then started clicking through yours. I had my initial meeting today and was approved. Bless you!

Nic my brain hurts after my first meeting, great videos thank you so much for the information.

This is so helpful. I have a disability and I am going to be going to a meeting with my Volk rehab. I am glad that you are covering these topics. I am blind and physically handicapped. So this is good power and a half. Thank you.

You are amazing! Right to the point!

Thank you! I just finished my orientation/assesment. Within 20 mins of the appointment the counselor told me that I made her job 1000% easier and that I was found entitled! Your information is very informative and to the point. I felt prepared and ready for this appointment

NIC !!!!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you 🙏🏾. Did exactly what you said and got approved first time go !!!

I absolutely loved your videos. I just got off the phone with my VRC - first meeting - and she found me entitled without so much as an objection. I can't thank you enough Nic!

Just had my initial appointment and I got into Voc Rehab with your advise. Thank you soo much !!!!!!!

You do a great service to Vets, Nic. Thank you for what you do. It’s your calling.

From day 1 all of this has been hurdle after hurdle. Say the right thing or they deny you, etc… Exhausting. I work with a fellow vet that won’t even start the process. Can’t convince at all because he doesn’t want the headache. I told him that’s what they want…for us to not even try.

I just found your channel I have an appointment at the end of the month and this information is really helping me prepare. Thank you so much.

Thank you for making this. I am starting my journey into voc rehab and this helped a lot!

Thank you for your great content. You helped me get entitled and approved for a Bachelors, even though I am a GS11. Your advice on what gainful vs Suitable employment actually means helped me prepare for my initial and whats next appointments. I was feeling backed in a corner and trapped not wanting to lose my family’s quality of life. You have opened a door for me. And at a perfect time of me needing dental as well. Thank you for your life changing advice. God bless you and all your followers.

Man I am learning a lot from your videos. I have my first appointment next week to see if I qualify. Based on what you’re said here, hell yea I qualify!

I just wanted to say thank you so much for your videos. I am grateful you took the time to put this much effort into helping the community and being passionate about it. I was found eligible today and it is due in no small part to you.

Omg Nic this is great information ❤🎉😊 Thank you so so much!!! I am 100% P/T since 2003. I served in the Army from 1990 to 1995. My apt is June 20th and looking forward to it. I found a job in a hospital as a Inventory Analyst. I have been working this job for the past 5 months and the only reason I went back to work is the inflation affecting everyone 😢 and all i have been doing for years is be in pain and not doing anuthing. Ita the only thing i can go back to is Inventory Management. Here is why i signed up for the V R & E. The position i have is to aggressive to my body. I cant do it anymore. Trust me it pays 21.00 an hour but i just cant. Standing for more than an hour kills my feet., knees and back. I would love to work for the VA and that is my goal. Thanks again Nic for all this valuable information ❤

Thank you for still serving, and being great.

Thanks so much - very helpful!

I do not know why it is that you are so impressively educated about this topic, but I am indeed grateful for your content. Thank you so much!!!

Thanks for the info, good knowledge to have

Wow! Thank you so much Nic! You really are an awesome person, thanks for helping fellow vets! I want to hug you!

Thanks for this vid, i have an upcoming appt on the 20th of Oct 21, and didn't know about this. Very good to know. Awesome, thanks again.

Thank you so much for your videos, I have my first meeting with a Voc Rehab councilor this week. I was denied almost 5 years ago and hoping to get approved this time!

You're great!!! So thorough! Thank you!

These have been such a help I’m going in for my orientation tomorrow and I Hope following your advice I’m successful.

Super helpful, have my first appt in a week. Thank you.

Thank you for your guidance and help! Didn’t know any of this info.

Thank you

Thanks for the information.

I am in awe of this youtube content!! Phenomenal!!!

wow thank you so much this was a lot of help

Thank you Nic!!!

Thank you for your videos! I had my first meeting yesterday and it appears that the counselor is going to get the contract ready.

Thank you for this great information. God Bless!

I just met with my rep today. I didn’t have the paperwork finished but he wanted to interview me and he said that can make a case either way. In my case I have a job and I have a degree. He said on one side he can say I need the program because my employment record shows I move jobs a lot and that can be due to my SCDs and the other point t can be made that I don’t need assistance because I am employed. He also said that every job can increase my SCDs and since I work from home I have more opportunities to take breaks as needed to destress. He said for me to write up a good reason in my paperwork. I’ll keep the group posted.

This is such a concise and helpful video. Thank you so much!

1 year and got fuck all out of voc rehab. Was literally just the same job searching I did before but with extra pointless steps and being told I need a therapist when no one with friends pays $100+ a week just to talk to anyone outside of work.

Thanks for explaining this!

Thank you so much for this video!

Found you by watching other videos. Great channel! I have my meeting in a week and this really helped. Thank you!

It’s like they don’t want you to get approved

Thank you 👊🏽

THANK YOU!!!

Denied after a 15 min interview by phone because I had a real estate license regardless of the fact of not having a single sale in over a year and not steady employment nor interest or military training, explained how it aggravated my SCD and that any job in Law Enforcement of which I did for 20 years in the military I was unable to qualify for. (100% P&T). I was told regardless, the mere fact I had a license was proof I overcame. Was told the reason for denial was based on The Rehabilitation Needs Inventory, labor market research,.

My counselor said I had to be working at the time of application in order to be entitled to more benefits. So since I hadn’t found work In so long I was basically not entitled.

Thank you for the .

Information

Nic, these videos are excellent, thank you. For OVERCOME, am I required to show that I applied for jobs? I want to learn coding, but I can’t get an entry level job because I do not have the training. I would like to train how to code through VOC Rehab.

Watching your videos is already giving me anxieties. Not looking forward to dealing with the VA again

Thanh you

What happens if we left a job due to our disability ( couldn't focus, couldn't remember the rules, migranes, depression) for a new job and they throw that in my face and say "if you felt all of those things there what makes you think you wont feel all those things here once you get your degree?"

Just wanted to double check SEH is only for those who are passed the year mark?

Thank you so much for the information. Unfortunately I only have 10 percent from SCD and a handful of non-SCD I applied for and didn't get. If i worked in a physically demanding atmosphere in Deck dept. would that be any factor in considering if I have a SEH? I regret not going to medical more but I everyone was always so shamed for being sick I was always too worried to.

I’m watching this trying to get ready for the interview but I’m 90% and I’ve been unemployed due to scd for like 2 years now. I have no work experience other than military and working at a medical marijuana store less than 90 days. There’s no way they’re denying me. It would be a crime 😭💀💀💀

I am 100% P%T and interested in changing careers. I am an IT project manager but I wish to become a pilot (private charter) I am employed full time but do not have a degree. Armed with only this information, do you think I am qualified to have my training paid for?

Wow!!! This is Exactly the video I needed to see. I appreciate you so, so much miss @iamnicthevet This will help me tremendously tomorrow. After being stone walled in Feb. & denied by some random supervisor for my entitlement of VR&E benefits. You have equipped me with the knowledge to fight BACK like a champ. I have a visit at the Vr&e building near me 2mrw to go over my disdain of being denied. I will update here 2mrw of what happened & what results I took away from this visit & etc.of me fighting for mines which I know I’m eligible for fully! ✊🏾💯 Thank you!

Should a vocational specialist have access to your personal link? I know that your supposed to send them each job you apply for , should they have access to your personal link. Such as indeed, monster so on?

Please explain this to me. I watched your videos for the first meeting. I took my notes . Got approved. Now I am being threatened with having my case closed because I have to apply to the masters program, which requires the GRE. I have never done this test before and the case manager gave me 30 days to apply to the program or my case is going to get closed. I am trying to do things right, it’s a competitive program and my GPA is short by 2 cs and a D. Why the F*** didn’t they tell me to have my GRE taken before all of this. They made it seem like don’t apply to the program at all because if it’s not approved to exacerbate your disability then we will not cover it. Wtf? I’m so irritated because now I have to reapply to the program and submit this dumb ***again if I can’t get the test results done within a few days. I don’t even think I can schedule for the GRE and get the test results within the time frame they have given me. Please help? What should I do. I need to get a stipend now. My rent went up, my moms rent went up and my car is gonna break down any time now. I gotta bust a move and get that box rehab and I am tryna put my best foot foward but they wanna rush and stall me. This *** is so annoying. All they had to do was be clear about what I need to do in the first place. You should def do video on this because many veterans are wasting their time and it’s not even their fault. They should told us this in first place but they rather make it some secret. Please do a video on how to use the program to get a masters with a background in a useless degree.

I have a 40% service connected disability, and I am preparing for my initial Voc rehab meeting. I want to know how best to present my current work scenario. My wife is a 100 percent disabled veteran and I "work" as her home caregiver through the VA. Do you think I should list this as employment, or that I'm not employed but enrolled in the VA caregiver support program?

Hello! Are you able to explain how being rated 10% (for tinnitus only) can be explained as an EH?

Since the Chapter 31 description is so short and vague on what they pay for, is there anyplace I can go to, to get more in depth info ? example - says you get a housing allowance, next paragraph says they don't pay dorm cost ! says it pays for supplies but my coach starts rattling off supplies it doesn't pay for.

What if you are currently not working and in graduate school because couldn't overcome a vocational impairment?

I am on 100% P&T, is an EH helpful to have? I don't seem too interested in it if it doesn't do much. I don't want to annoy the counselor. I had voc rehab before for a professor route but I dropped it temporarily to stay on GI Bill because her case load was huge and communication via email was every 3 months.. But they called and told me to come back and apply. Since they hired 12 new counselors. I haven't held a job since medically retiring 5 years ago.

What if you have a master degree and you need additional certifications that would make more qualified for a job. Can I apply for Chapter 31 to get these certifications?

Is there a specific form I need to fill out to request an informal meeting with a supervisor?

I don't know what to do. My voc rehab counselor has already qualified me for VR&E, and I am about to start school. Me and my husband don't make enough just getting VA disability, and the BAH would help, but I'm still worried. If I get a job, will the VA not pay for my education?

Good day, Ms. Nic. I am a veteran who exited in 1992. At that time, a lot wasn't known or we were not as informed as the veteran post 9/11. I have been drastically suffering since since getting out but I can honestly say, the signs were there before I got out. I just didn't know what it was. In 2013, I filed for my first disability. At that time, I didn't remember any of my medical issues but I filed any how. My mental claim was denied but I have since received documentation from my two sisters attesting to the difference of the person that went in versus the person that returned. I have been homeless many times and closed off from family since returning from the military. I have my first VR&E appointment tomorrow. Since I haven't received recognition for my mental disability, do you have any advice for me as it continues to be a major hinderance and has been?

Can I use education with IU?

would I lose my VA disability compensation if I qualify?

Hey. Do you have an email. I was looking to go to school for radiation therapy. My VRE told I couldn’t because of my service connected disabilities. Is it possible that I could email you to ask a few questions

This is for military vets?

I have read the Voc Rehab handbook and I believe those counselors pick veterans based on favoritism. I do not believe these counselors are intelligent enough to have read the handbook and know veteran affairs definition, policy and terminology. I do not believe these counselors even hold a degree and/or certifications. They are low level GS employees who make poor decisions on eligibility screwing veterans over applying for VRE. All those counselors need to be fired and need counselors with Masters level degree, who have background in government policy to properly assess veterans for eligibility for Voc Rehab.

It exacerbates my STDs? What are you saying?

When the M28R put in bullets like this, the vet need to show that he/she cannot meet ONLY 1 item (not all 4) to be determined NOT Suitable, correct? I'm just not sure it's an AND or OR requirement. "Suitable Employment • Employment which is consistent with the Veteran’s expressed interests, aptitudes and abilities that can be measured and/or demonstrated. • Does not aggravate the Veteran or Servicemember’s disability(ies). • Is stable and continuing. • Requires reasonably developed skills."

Hello Nic, thank you so much for your content, I have been approved for services! Thank you so much. I am trying to change my major, how can I word my "written justification" so that they will approve the change? Everything else is in order, I just realized that this field is not for me, and I already have credits in engineering (what I am changing to). Do you know of any guidance that could help me? Thank you @iamnicthevet

Thank you.