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One email kicked off a chain of events that resulted in Staff Sgt. Ricardo Branch being separated from the service twice.

VA Secretary McDonald and Under Secretary Hickey better listen up to the voices of abused veterans getting hammered by unethical VA Voc Rehab Counselors nationwide. “Where do they find these people…, (NOTE: This article is long but you get proven VRE tactics below.), Problem Background, Here is a little background. Disabled veterans struggling to make ends meet have been writing in to me at a rapid pace with story after story of Voc Rehab Counselors turning them off from successful…, Voc Rehab History and Purpose, VA Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VRE) is one of five channels of Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) programs designed to help veterans succeed despite their disabilities. Around 700…, maximum independence, in daily living, and, , to the, maximum extent feasible, , to become employable, and, to obtain, and, maintain suitable employment . (emphasis added), Voc Rehab Program ‘Purpose’ Expanded, Let me draw your attention to a few of the terms and clauses used within the above VRE purpose paragraph. First, you obviously need to be entitled to the program (ie a service-disabled veteran whose…, AND, assistance necessary” – Here, I interpret “all” as meaning “all” help necessary to get from point A to point B. “to enable them to achieve maximum independence” – Maximum independence must mean “…, "AND, , to the maximum extent feasible” – This presents a modifier. It means the goal related to employment is modified in that it must be realistic. Certain people should be doctors and certain other…, "AND, to obtain ” – Here, the veteran must actually receive assistance to obtain employment, but mere employment is not enough. ", AND, maintain suitable employment” – The veteran must be able to keep that job she obtains, and the type of job must be “suitable.” The employment type is thus modified. This means it cannot merely be any…, Voc Rehab Horror Story, Here is a recent example on our Facebook group of things not going in the right direction and what a lot of veterans suggested on how to fix it based on person experience:, Carla Wiley-Coakley, Where do they Find these People that work as VRC's???? My 1st meeting with my VRC was horrific. She was 100% Negative about me qualifying for Chp.31. I'm 100% total permanent disabled by the VA. From…, Oisin Willis, That’s such bullshit, she is in no position to look down on you, she is not a doctor!!! I had the same problem with the woman who processed my claim, she marked me absent for multiple appointments (…, Oisin Willis, This makes me so angry because I feel like there are more veterans than just us two dealing with issues like these that may not be able to speak up for themselves and in turn walk away from the…, Sarah Grant, Switch! If you are being treated poorly now it will not get better. After watching my husband fight with a bad counselor for 2 years I can say it would be better to slow down the process and have…, Carla Wiley-Coakley, Oisin Willis Thank you for your understanding. It means a lot, Carla Wiley-Coakley, Sarah Grant sorry to hear about your husband. Being in this situation fees so lonely and not knowing who to contact about this makes it more frustrating., Todd Millsap, That's discrimination and I'm dealing with exactly the same thing ., Carla Wiley-Coakley, Todd Millsap, I don't understand the negative attitude from the VRC'S. As veterans we are trying to better ourselves. We aren't looking for handouts, Nancy Bryant, What's a VRC? Never heard of that?, Roy Ingram, Your VRC needs to be slapped.... Very Unprofessional, Roy Ingram, Voc rehab counselor, Carla Wiley-Coakley, Nancy Bryant VRC'S Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. They qualify you for money for college, trade school etc., Nancy Bryant, Ahhhhhhhh, I was denied services by them 3 times, was told since I'm 100% Permanent & Total that it should be assumed I'm IU even though it's a moot point for them to officially document I'm IU…, Ben Krause, Your Voc Rehab Counsel behaved in an abusive manner against a protected class person likely with the intent of causing emotional distress. It might be called IIED because she is likely trained,…, Todd Millsap, I don't get it either? From day one almost two years ago now I feel like my VRC is completely against me and other than determination of the barrier to employment and a certificate of eligibility, I'…, JM Jimenez, At VA today..gonna get MH doc to write a note in the system to tell my VRC her testing my feasibility for employment is a waste of time...and then I am walking next door to the RO to surprise the CH…, Rick Taylor, I recently went through a similar issue. I am in Voc Rehab going to college. I was reassigned to another counselor because the one I had retired. I did not know she retired until I called t ask why…, Juan D. Reyna, Do some research, as I understand it, if you're at 100% disability rating and unemployable, you might lose that rating once you complete your course of study!!!, Carla Wiley-Coakley, Juan D. Reyna I'm total permanent and don't have any restrictions on working. Now I’m really confused., Nancy Bryant, Carla, he said unemployable, not permanent and total... They are 2 different things. Don't be confused., Nancy Bryant, Permanent & Total means your medical conditions are just that: Permanent and total, for the rest of your life, it doesn't mean (for some) that you can't work. On the other hand, Unemployability,…, Nancy Bryant, I don't think they should keep it IF they successfully completed the Voc Rehab because it shows they are capable and they used a service another Veteran could have used... Just my opinion., Jerome Kelly Williams, Now I know all counselors are not the same but the stories I hear have me believing there are few that care. I have been going through a nightmare case for 4 years. My first attempt I was denied…, Nancy Bryant, I never got evaluated... I was told... "WOW, 2 70% ratings, a 50% rating, 40% rating, 30% rating, 4 kids at home and you WANT to work?" He then suggested I had too much going on medically, that it…, Ramona Alys, Carla Wiley-Coakley, if you are completely unable to work, and have no desire to work, then the program for you would be the Independent Living program. The VRC would have to determine your…, Ramona Alys, As for VRCs, they are required to have their Master's Degrees. There are some that are wonderful, and ones that act like the benefits come directly out of their pockets. I've had both, but it took…, JM Jimenez, ^^^ That's what I have been trying to convey. I just finished explaining to my MH doctor why CWT is not good option...he agrees, but realizes the protocol. I am now at the doorstep of CWT coordinator…, Ramona Alys, Besides, if you were working we'd miss your presence on here!, JM Jimenez, The only reason I need ILP is so I can get a massage chair and recumbent bike....nothing else...not given through VHA., John Dixon, From now on record your conversations. Let them know you have anxiety and want to ensure that you get all of the information that she is giving you! You'll see a quick turn around in their attitude!…, Todd Millsap, I do the same thing JM Jimenez. Lol Just a record to fall back on ., Nancy Bryant, A massage chair and a heated, jetted bath or hot tub would be like HEAVEN for me and my pain. I just wouldn't know what to do with myself!, Carla Wiley-Coakley, I've been a licensed practical nurse for 16 years I usually work part time. I was working part time when I applied for VA disability and they knew that. My dilemma is hospitals don't hire anymore in…, Carla Wiley-Coakley, Oisin Willis I'm sure we aren't the only 2 going through this. I always have a positive outlook on things but this person sucked all that right out of my soul. I have at least 50% complete but can't…, Tammie Montez Delatte, Get her name and report it there is no place that one should treat us with disrespect, Sarah Grant Carla, he is done now and at the end was switched to an awesome counselor but wow it was frustrating:), Kevin Browning, I have gone through the Voc-Rehab program and I had the misfortune of getting a new counselor right in the middle of my degree. My first counselor informed me that even if I got social security that…, Conclusion – Despite VA law, are VA benefits meant to be maximized?, After reading this, you may be asking yourself, “How can counselors be so bad in light of pro-veteran laws?” My guess is because some VA employees do not like veterans and let their bias affect their…