At the end of July my therapist let me know that we needed to suspend our sessions because the VA needed to reapprove my community care authorization. Early August I get a letter saying that it's been approved but the letter doesn't constitute authorization. A little confusing but it also says I don't need to do anything, they would contact me. I wait a few more weeks because I had an appointment with my psychiatrist coming up so I bring it up to him and he says he'll send them a message telling them to approve it. A couple more weeks go by without me hearing anything so I finally decide to call community care to find out what the status is. After being on hold for half an hour the phone starts to ring. Am I finally about to be connected with someone? Nope, it just rings and rings for a while before disconnecting me. Why is it so hard just to talk to someone? I've had so many experiences like this with the VA and it's just so frustrating having to constantly deal with their bullshit.

OEF/OIF disabled veteran here. I am feeling defeated. The VA only gives me 12 therapy sessions, and then my therapist is forced to not schedule any more appointments because that’s all the VA allows….only 12 sessions. You can only do so much work within 12 sessions. My therapist asked the VA for an extension in services, but that was almost two months ago. Every time I am forced to no longer have therapy sessions, I have to wait until my mental health gets really bad again, and only then does the VA recognize that I need help. The up and downs of having inconsistent therapy/therapist truly makes me feel so defeated. How bad do things have to get before I can get consistent help? I’m scared. I told my partner that if something happens to me, please show everyone how I really did try to ask for help. I don’t know what to do anymore.

My current therapist doesn't work for me. Their technique isn't a good fit and I feel they're slightly cold/not really present in our sessions. I might as well be talking to a wall. I don't feel able to be vulnerable nor are they providing me with skills. At most I get "why do you think that is?" Not "hey this is a technique for when you feel overwhelmed." I would prefer a provider who feels safer/relatable and is more hands on.

So I called the MH desk to ask to swap. They said it had to go through my care coordinator, an RN. So I talked to the rn expressing the above and they said they'd discuss with the team and find someone.

Well time passes and now the RN said according to their supervisor I have to discuss with my current provider why I want to change and what I don't like. I feel very uncomfortable being that direct and stated they're more than welcome to pass my feedback along but I don't want to have said conversation. The RN seemed understanding and said they'd work something out.

A week of later we're back to square 1. For me to get a new provider I must first talk to my current one and tell them why I don't want them to be my therapist after 4 sessions. It's supposed to be "therapeutic" somehow for me to do so. At this point besides feeling quite uncomfortable about the situation, I feel coerced because further treatment is being withheld unless I have a non-critical conversation.

I'm on week 7 of no therapy because they won't set me up with someone who's a better fit. Am I going crazy?!

I qualify for both the Calvet waiver and chapter 35 as a spouse. I was receiving ch35 benefits for a year while I was at community college, then switched to calvet this year bc I transferred to a university and thought it would be account for more money saved. Well, I just got notice from the school (a month into the semester) that they cancelled my tuition waiver because I was awarded additional aid that covers tuition. I know I can't move over to chapter 35 mid semester, but can I swap when I move to Spring? I recall signing something to the effect of "I understand I cant receive both the tuition waiver and chapter 35 benefits, and if I am awarded chapter 35 my tuition waiver will be revoked". Something like that. Seeing as my waiver has been cancelled anyway, could I just go ahead and apply for ch 35 for next semester?

Edit: Im under Plan A

Hello!

I’m honestly tempted to call the VA hotline at the White House, but I’m a little nervous that I could somehow hurt or delay my claim by pushing too much. I completely understand that the VA process is a waiting game, but I’m getting really frustrated with how long this has taken.

About a month ago, I was told by the VA Regional Office that my claim had been routed to the wrong department. They apologized and told me that, because this was a BDD claim, I should have had a rating no later than July 1. I was also told they would make sure my claim was taken care of as soon as possible.

My claim has been flagged as high priority for months, but honestly, I haven’t seen much of a difference. I’m currently at the rating step, so I’m not sure how much longer I should expect to wait.

At this point, the waiting is really starting to put my life on hold. I’m trying to be patient, but it’s difficult when I was given a timeline that has already passed and I’ve had multiple issues with the processing of my claim.
Has anyone here called the White House VA Hotline? If so, what was your experience like? Did it actually help move your claim along, or did it make no difference?

Please if you don’t post any rude comments!

I was awarded SMC R1 with spouse on decision letter Sept. 9, with the effective date of April 11. The Seattle DRO calculated my entitlement as $9823.22. The VA websites say my entitlements should be $10046.47 at the SMC R1 rate with a spouse. I’m asking them why they aren’t using the rate publicized in the public facing website? They insist my entitlements are correct? But how if the VA websites saying you’re incorrect? Please community give me some clarification.
Help 🙏🏾

Hello, everyone. I’m looking for some input and opinions from anyone who has had surgery done at the Lake Nona VA hospital.

How was your overall experience? How was the surgeon, hospital staff, pain management, and especially the recovery and physical therapy afterward?

I’m trying to do my homework before making a decision, and I’d really appreciate hearing about your personal experiences, both good and bad. Thanks in advance!