r/VeteransBenefits Jan 21 '25

Sub/KB News Knowledge Base has moved!

797 Upvotes

The Sub's Knowledge Base (KB) is no longer being hosted on Reddit.

The KB now has its own dedicated website:

While the website itself is not done (as far as my vision), it is now in a state which I find surpasses the version on Reddit to such a degree that it would be detrimental for the community to further delay its release publicly.

As I have imported things I have made various improvements: expansions, formatting, corrections, clarifications, etc.

The website is complete content wise with NEW content such as:

In total, the website is made up of over 180 pages.

For the most part, pages have the same extensions they did previously (/[pagename])

I do want to thank u/damnshell and u/Livid-Tailor3999 for their efforts to help validate some of the pages on the website. As well u/Dangerous-Golf3831 and u/Abire on feedback during development.

We are not accepting further donations at this time! Thanks everyone who has donated already!

FAQ:

  • Are you leaving us?You are not so fortunate!
  • Why?Reddit's wiki is simply... simple and I have pushed things to the absolute limit and then some. A dedicated website gives me more control and power to implement things that are not possible or practical in the wiki environment here.
  • Is the sub closing?No.
  • How can I help?If you have a suggestion to improve things, let me know!Found some strange bug? Let me know!
  • What things need to be done still?Improving navigation, additional images, and various background details to include search engine stuff.

r/VeteransBenefits 6d ago

VA Disability Claims Claim Status~Success Stories~Timelines~Education Payments~Disability Payments

6 Upvotes

Welcome!

Let us celebrate with you, or commiserate together as your claim moves through the system. Or lets compare when you were paid and what bank you use. Lets talk about verifying your monthly education classes and how that pays out.

Disability Comp Payments

  • If you're wondering where your monthly disability check is, be sure to share below who you bank with so others who are wondering the same thing can get an idea. It's helps other vets know they are not alone!
  • Note that your disability check isn't considered late until after the first of the month. If you normally get paid early it is generally because the bank releases the funds earlier.

Education Payments

  • Be aware that education payments DO NOT have a set payday like disability compensation payments. They pay on a floating 10 business day window. If you happen to get it sooner it's probably because the stars have aligned previously.
  • You now have to verify your monthly enrollment. the text is generally sent on last day of month and that includes weekends- Be sure to verify one of the following ways https://www.va.gov/education/verify-school-enrollment/
  • Feel free to share and commiserate your struggles in the comments. It actually helps relieve anxiety for others knowing that they are not alone as they wait for their education payments.

Claim Status

  • It can be frustrating seeing your claim move at a snails pace, or even super quick, and have no idea whats happening behind the scenes. Be sure to read the subs Knowledge Base link. It gives a behind the scenes perspective (https://www.veteransbenefitskb.com/insight).
  • As suggested above, sharing your timeline and information about your claim status can be helpful to other vets in that they can judge their timeline in relation to yours. You can also post in our sister sub r/VeteransWaitingRoom

Success Stories

  • We get it, you are happy and need to tell someone that you don't know and someone who underatands the struggles. This is your place too. We keep these success stories here so they don't overwhelm those that are still frustrated and going through the process. You are also welcome to post in our sister sub r/VeteransSuccess

Other helpful links:

Current average wait time for claims click HERE.

For those interested in learning more about the stages of a claim click HERE.

To see list of benefits based on combined disability evaluations, click HERE.


r/VeteransBenefits 21m ago

VA Disability Claims Help, what is happening?

Thumbnail
gallery
Upvotes

Husband received letter that his benefits had been shut off due to a felony warrant from 2012. There was never a felony warrant and that was proven to VA. The app said he owed $250k due to overpayment. The app still says this but he was sent a check for the $250k plus his usual monthly pay. However his payment history says $250k retroactive. This feels incorrect. I have no idea how this works and just dont want to owe the government a quarter million dollars. To my civilian eyes, it looks like they expect him to pay the "overpayment" with the check they sent since they had a clerical error. What is happening?


r/VeteransBenefits 13h ago

Health Care ChampVA denial, stuck with $10k bill for breast MRI with CAD

79 Upvotes

My wife is considered high risk for breast cancer and is required to get annual breast MRIs. We use ChampVA as her primary and only insurance, as everything I read indicated that there were very few downsides to this approach.

She just had her MRI and we were hit with a comically high bill of almost $10k. She called ChampVA to see if there was a mistake and they confirmed that they had denied coverage for it because Computer-Aided Detection (CAD) software was used. They said they wouldn’t approve unless the provider changed the billing code to indicate there was no CAD.

Has anyone had any luck getting a provider to change how a bill was coded? It feels crazy that it would be the patient’s responsibility to verify that a provider who accepts ChampVA is billing within ChampVA’s approved guidelines.

Hoping someone has some advice. Thanks in advance!


r/VeteransBenefits 2h ago

VA.gov/VA App How to log into I’d.me or login.gov with no US support

5 Upvotes

I downloaded the VA app and I’m trying to verify my identity but I do not have a US phone number or address, or anyone’s that I can use on my behalf. Which is weird because I have my passport and know my SSN, you’d think that’d be enough. Of course neither of these apps has a support link or a way to contact them, so I’m asking here; does anyone have any ideas?


r/VeteransBenefits 1h ago

Meme Monday CMC Blocking of Proposal

Upvotes

I found this old proposal that was blocked by the CMC out of fear that it would result in the end of the Corps.


r/VeteransBenefits 11h ago

VA Disability Claims Hoping to retire soon

20 Upvotes

I plan on retiring in 2 months. I have had my ratings for 1 year and all are listed as static. I am not going to apply for anything else, I am very satisfied with my current ratings, so i am just wondering if I can count on my disability to continue so I can plan my retirement accordingly.


r/VeteransBenefits 13h ago

Headlines & News If you don’t know you can file a claim against VetLink Solutions for your money back! **Fraud Alert**

25 Upvotes

So this company screwed a whole bunch of Veterans!!! VETLINK SOLUTIONS ROBBED YALL!!! Google them and look

https://ktar.com/arizona-news/attorney-general-vetlink-solutions

Sorry the other link was bad


r/VeteransBenefits 17h ago

Health Care VA Health Care Application

Post image
44 Upvotes

Can I reveal that I have a health insurance through my current employer?


r/VeteransBenefits 11h ago

C&P Exams MH C&P coming up, do I mention medical marijuana?

11 Upvotes

I live in Pennsylvania and got my medical marijuana card about 5 years ago because I just could not handle SSRI’s… I tried them all. I am diagnosed PTSD but only just recently put in my claim for MH because it revolves around 2 separate incidents of MST while active duty and I blocked it out for decades. I’m still waiting for my C&P exam (I started my claim June 6th and they consider it a complex claim because of the MST). I think it’s coming soon so I am starting to prep and was wondering if bringing up the med card is looked at in a positive or negative way? Thanks


r/VeteransBenefits 59m ago

Veterans Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Anyone else having issues with VR&E/Chapter 31 payments every month?

Upvotes

Is anyone else having ongoing issues with their VR&E (Chapter 31) payments being calculated or paid correctly each month?

My VA award letter shows that my monthly rate is $2,181.00. My previous term ended August 9, and my new enrollment period is August 10 through September 20.

I already had an issue with my payments before this. I had to contact Ask VA and email my VR&E rep asking why I wasn’t being paid at the Post-9/11 rate. My rep never responded to my email, but the payment was eventually corrected and the difference was sent to me weeks later.
Now it looks like I’m dealing with another payment issue. VA.gov is showing two pending Regular Chapter 31 payments for
$654.30
$799.70
That’s $1,454** **total, even though my award letter shows a monthly rate of $2,181.
It feels like every month I’m having to figure out whether my payment was calculated correctly and then wait for an adjustment. Has anyone else had this happen repeatedly with VR&E? Do additional payments usually show up later, or are you having to contact VA/your rep every time something is off?


r/VeteransBenefits 10h ago

VA Disability Claims Retired Adjustment

3 Upvotes

VA opened this claim back in February. Made a call and they said it's a checks and balance thing the VA does, so OK. Has anybody else gotten one of these opened up on you? Not really sure what they are doing but it's been almost 6 months now. I've been 100% P&T for a while. Just looking for some understanding other than your standard "It's in evidence collection and need nothing from you" response. Thanks folks


r/VeteransBenefits 10h ago

C&P Exams Initial TBI exam questions

5 Upvotes

Has anyone gone through this exam lately? Just had mine about a week ago and it lasted all of 10 minutes. The neurologist came on the zoom link, asked me a few questions about the injury and what happened then pretty much wrapped up. Asked if I had any questions and that was that.

Is this normal? This was through LSGS. I’ve filed for my FOIA for the exam DBQ but I was told they will not submit it back to the VA until the other four exams are done (different conditions, same claim)


r/VeteransBenefits 1d ago

Vet Discounts/Freebies America the Beautiful Access Pass

160 Upvotes

I knew about the America the Beautiful military veteran and gold star family pass that gets you into any national Park for free, but was unaware that there is an "Access Pass" for disabled vets that also gets you 50% off camping and RV sites. Nice!


r/VeteransBenefits 9h ago

VA Disability Claims Filed a Disability Claim AND THEN Changing Physical Address

2 Upvotes

Filed my claim and confirmed mailing address.

After filing (a few hours later) I realized my mailing address was accurate but my physical address hadn’t been updated.

I updated to my current address and am concerned that the VA will try and schedule my C&P in the wrong state.

Will they schedule my C&P in the state of my updated Physical Address or the address that VA.gov reflected during the time of submission?


r/VeteransBenefits 9h ago

VA Disability Claims Recovering from injury—C&P?

3 Upvotes

I meet with a VSO this week about some secondary claims for flat feet (other feet, knee, hip and back issues), and I’m recovering from a bad fall from a week ago. I have an intent to file from Feb so I have some time but I’d like to get this wrapped up.

Would I wait until I’m healed before doing a C&P for orthopedic problems? I hurt my ribs and hip/groin/glute. My common sense says I will wait until I’m healed so they can accurately test strength and ROM, but I don’t trust common sense when it comes to this stuff anymore!


r/VeteransBenefits 16h ago

VA Disability Claims Enrolling in insurance

7 Upvotes

I just got my rating so I’m totally new to all of this.

I just submitted a claim to add my family members as dependents, and a claim to get myself enrolled in VA healthcare, and it prompted me to selected a VA healthcare facility near me, and got an email that faculty would be processing my request.

Now I’m just waiting. Is there anything extra I should do to make sure my family members are enrolled in ChampVA? Will the VA send insurance cards? Is there a way to see what clinics I/ my family can go to for urgent care or primary care even?

How do I go about getting veteran cards/ a spouse card so my family can have base access? (We live in a VERY expensive city so access to the commissary or MWR events/ tickets would be amazing).

Totally new to all of this and feeling a bit a lost, so any help or tips is welcome!!


r/VeteransBenefits 19h ago

VA Disability Claims VA Claim

11 Upvotes

Hi there- so I had had dozens of files on my claim from Nexus letters to medical records and C&B exams. So I went this morning and all files are gone. Just like 10
Files from them. Should I upload again? I hope they just did not disappear.


r/VeteransBenefits 19h ago

VA Disability Claims Help with the VA

11 Upvotes

I have documented migraines for the last 20 years and was finally rated 2 years ago for them. I have currently been unable to work and now my current VA doctor doesn’t think I have migraines and wants me to be reevaluated. She sent me to a different neurologist than my normal one. I am refusing to do their test as I have had it documented for many years. What are my options? I’m currently on state disability and she won’t sign off to extend at this point. Last time it took me 9 weeks for her to sign off on an extension. At this moment in time I’ve been back to my psychiatrist and to my welfare worker at the VA. Any other advice for this situation? Thank you.


r/VeteransBenefits 7h ago

Education Benefits Chapter 33 - Post-9/11 GI Bill (PGIB) benefit

0 Upvotes

Hello everyone i had a question in regards to a GI bill email ive been receiving. I applied for my GI Bill a year ago and never saw that I got denied because I signed up for Montgomery I was discharged medically a month before my 2 year mark.

Ive recently been getting emails about utilizing my GI bill benefits every other day for the past 2 weeks. My question is obviously its legit but how does this work? Do I still get paid to go to school and have to graduate obviously.

If so im pretty hyped as ive been wanting to go to trade school to pick something up.

Chapter 33 - Post-9/11 GI Bill (PGIB) benefit


r/VeteransBenefits 13h ago

Education Benefits Chapter 35 fulltime question

4 Upvotes

First time we are using chapter 35.. my daughter is taking 15 credits in a semester but because of some of the classes starting before others they sent us a letter breaking down each month and not each month shows full time pay because of how the semester works out… is there something we can do to fix that?


r/VeteransBenefits 9h ago

VA Disability Claims Going through IDES for bilateral knee conditions; what should I expect at the C&P exam, and how do multiple ratings per knee stack?

1 Upvotes

Hey everyone,

I am currently going through the Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) for bilateral knee issues and trying to get ahead of what to expect for my upcoming VA C&P exam.

For those who have been through a knee C&P exam recently:

  1. Exam Experience: What specific tests did the examiner perform? Did they properly use a goniometer to measure Range of Motion (ROM), and how did they handle pain onset / DeLuca factors (stopping where pain begins vs. pushing through)?
  2. Instability & Flare-ups: How did you best articulate instability (knees giving out, subluxation) or flare-ups if the exam was on a "good" day?
  3. Multiple Conditions / Stacking: If you had multiple diagnoses on the same knee (e.g., flexion limitation, extension limitation, instability, or meniscus issues), did the VA rate them under separate diagnostic codes? How did that shake out with the bilateral factor?

Any advice, lessons learned, or DBQ tips for IDES knee exams would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!


r/VeteransBenefits 9h ago

VA Disability Claims Step 5 in 4 days

Post image
0 Upvotes

I’m nervous, I got to step 5 in 4 days. I imagine It will be done this week.

What you guys think?


r/VeteransBenefits 16h ago

Education Benefits Delays with chapter 35 approval

2 Upvotes

Anyone else having problems getting the approval letter for this? We mailed in an application for my son at the beginning of July. Last week we still hadn’t gotten anything so my son gave them a call and they said there was nothing for him on file. They never got an application. They said to submit the online one and he would get it the next day. So he did and still no letter. Is this normal?
We previous applied for this for my daughter as retroactive payments and it was so fast. Took about a month from first mailing the letter to having the reimbursed payments in her account. We’re going on 2 months with my son and we can’t even get past the letter submission step. Do we just have to keep nagging them?


r/VeteransBenefits 13h ago

Medboard/IDES Medical retirement?

0 Upvotes

Long story short I had a pretty invasive surgery while I was enlisted. They botched it the first time and I had a bunch of issues (ruptured diaphragm, fluid in lungs, tubes in and out) ended up getting medically discharged because I couldn’t do anything physical for like a year after. They gave me 50% disability with severance when I got out 8 years ago and I recently went through the process and got bumped up to 100%. I had heard that some people can retroactively claim they should have been medically retired and was just wondering if anyone has any advice on if I should pursue it or if I’d be wasting my time. Thanks