need some advice

[lonecoaster]

I need to find someone to talk to. Found a job I'm pretty sure I can do, but need to find out what happens if I take it. I joined the D.A.V., life time member, but really don't know who to contact. I called yesterday to see if I could volenteer at the local V.A. hospital but haven't recieved a reply.
Same goes for the V.A. vocational rep. Called her and left a message, no reply. When I got my determination they sent paperwork for voc. rehab saying something like even though I'm a 100% without review it would be good to fill out the voc. paperwork so I did. Haven't heard anything.
I would like to go back to school next year. I'm also still under workman's comp, so that adds more confusion. Just don't want to make a bad decision. Some direction would be great....thanks

[SCI-Nurse]

Just wondering why you joined the DAV instead of PVA? In my experience, those with SCI/D are much better served by the programs run by the PVA. The PVA has their own vocational rehabilitation programs/counselors...in fact at our SCI Center we have stopped using the hospital program (much more focused on those with mental health issues) and now refer all our Veterans to the PVA program instead. She has gotten a number of our SCI Vets into programs, actual jobs, and private business start-ups.

The PVA also offers sports and social activities, at least if there is a chapter near you. If there is a local chapter, they may also need volunteers for their programs. Getting active is an excellent way to find other Veterans with SCI/D you can talk with, and make new friends.

Who did you call at the local VA for volunteering? There should be an office of Volunteer Services. At our hospital, all volunteers for the hospital must go through one day of volunteer training, and then they assign you to something that is needed. Peer counseling is not part of that program.

(KLD)

[lonecoaster]

I guess I don't really know what I'm doing. A few days after I came home from the hospital a DAV field service officer called me. He had met my sister in-law at the DMV where she works. She told him about me, i didn't think the V.A. would be helping me because although I'd hurt my back a few times while in service, I also hurt my back various times in regular life and really didn't have a story to tell. Well he sent me paperwork and told me to just sign my name. I was blown away when I got my determination, not expecting anything. So awhile back I got a thing in the mail for DAV membership, felt like after all they did for me the least I could do is join. Really don't know anything about the PAV. I will do some research. As far as volunteering,
I looked at the gov. website. They did have an application online to fill out but stated they were overloaded and it might be better to apply at a local facility.
So I called our local V.A. hospital and got to the voice mail of the volunteer service rep. and told him I would like to vounteer and would like more info. Been a couple of days, hadn't heard back yet, I'll call again Monday.

[SCI-Nurse]

If you signed with the DAV NSO to be your "agent" with the VA, you can easily retract that document. A PVA NSO can tell you how to do that. If you have a SCI/D, you should belong to the PVA, and then can sign up with their NSO to be your advocate. Here is the PVA website: www.pva.org . Membership is free for eligible veterans. You can find local chapters and NSOs on their website. If you have a problem, let us know here.

Give the volunteer office a few days, and then call back if you don't hear anything. Many are only staffed part-time (esp. at smaller hospitals), and generally there is no one in the office at all on weekends.

(KLD)

[lonecoaster]

No I don't believe I signed anything and have no agent. Not sure what nso is? don't understand what SCI/D is either. disabled? I will go to the pva website to learn more.
Thank you for your time.

[Oldtimer]

I have used both DAV and PVA over the years. Deffinately prefer PVA!

[skippy13]

VA voc rehab is a crapshoot. You either get really good help or have to fight for every little thing including callbacks from the rep. It is possible that they will try to put you into what is called their independent living program (ILP) rather than school that you want. You have to be firm with them and maintain your goals rather than whatever they try to slot you into.

If you want to go to school or the ILP for that matter, fill out the form online at http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/vre/

I will warn you that this is really the only way to get through to the VA that you want to get involved with the voc rehab unit in your area and it can take years to get your plan together and you and the voc rehab counselor working together to complete your schooling or training plan. As you know, the VA works in their own way. Learn the ropes or get hung by them.

Another thing I can recommend to you is that you go to this website
http://vets.yuku.com/ (http://vets.yuku.com/) and sign up. Similar to Care Cure in arangement, it is run by former raters and experts in VA culture and many of the people who staff the site are still working for the VA or had for many years. Go to the forum entitled

VA Education, ILP, Ch 31, Ch35, GI Bill
VA Education and Training Programs

Read a bit until you have a working grasp of what and how the VA works as far a Voc Rehab goes.

I don't think that a DAV rep or a PVA rep can do anything more for you than you can do for yourself in this pursuit of yours. All they can do is fill out the form on the VA website asking for VA Voc Rehab services and file it for you. You can do the same on your own at the VA.gov website. The response is not immediate, and there is a backlog at most VAROs, so expect about a month or so to get the acknowledgement of receipt for Eligibility for services. You will then be given further instructions about how to get an initial evaluation of eligibility for services appointment from your local VA Voc Rehab center. Mine took about a month and a half to get to this stage. Then comes the waiting for the appointment to talk with a social worker who will help you develop the plan that you will follow. Months and months, but don't get frustrated. Remember...Learn the ropes. Hold them accountable.

If you have any more questions, you can PM me or whatever. I will point you to the people you need to talk to at least.

[skippy13]

No I don't believe I signed anything and have no agent. Not sure what nso is? don't understand what SCI/D is either. disabled? I will go to the pva website to learn more.
Thank you for your time.

If you have signed a power of attorney with the DAV when they filed your original compensation claim, you have to nullify it if you no longer wish to have them represent you. Everyone signs a power of attorney when they file an initial claim because it enables the VSO/NSO (veterann services officer/national services officer) to file papers of a personal/confidential nature on your behalf.


You are lucky enough to live in a state where there are county VSOs. go to this page to find out where the representative of your county is located.

http://www.macvc.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=4

[lonecoaster]

Thank you for that giant batch of info. It gives me alot to work with. I didn't know the DAV was representing me. I will call and find out if thats the case.

[skippy13]

One of the reasons to use the VA Voc rehab is that they PAY you to do it. Under the chapter 31 plan, you get a monthly stipend that is pro rated when there are school breaks, and no payment during say a summer break. At 100% are you rated permanent and total?

If you are you may have recieved a pamphlet from the VA in your decision that gives Chapter 35 benefits to your spouse and dependents. They get somewhere in the neighborhood of 950.00 per month from the time they are aged 18 (your dependents) to 10 years for your spouse after the decision to grant 100% to go to school.

If your kids are already in school and are your dependent and have started before the age of 26 and have already paid for college that they are still attending and after you have been granted 100% P&T, then they can be reimbursed for tuition already paid in the form of the monthly allowance.

Lots and lots of complicated rules. You have to do the research and get familiar with all of the different facets of Voc Rehab and the Education Chapters 31, 33, and 35 as they apply to you and your family.

[SCI-Nurse]

No I don't believe I signed anything and have no agent. Not sure what nso is?

NSO = National Service Officer. This is a paid position for chartered veterans' organizations. Their job is to be your advocate with the VA. If you sign a limited power of attorney for them, it gives this person access to your VA records, and the ability to complete and sign VA forms, file claims, and file appeals on your behalf with the VHA. A good NSO will also educate you about your rights and benefits through the VA.

http://www.pva.org/site/c.ajIRK9NJLcJ2E/b.6468249/k.D475/Michigan.htm

don't understand what SCI/D is either. disabled?

SCI/D = spinal cord injury or disease (or dysfunction).

Here is some information on the PVA's voc rehab program:

http://www.pva.org/site/c.ajIRK9NJLcJ2E/b.7750849/k.36C/Operation_PAVE_Paving_Access_for_Veterans_Employme nt.htm

(KLD)

[lonecoaster]

Thank you both for all your help. Part of my problem is that we recently moved into a new house. Alot of the info I received is still packed away in boxes. Alot of the info skippy gave me was familar so I started digging out boxes and found most of what I was looking for. I really have been focused on recovery for the last 18 months and am now just starting to figure out what I'm suppose to be doing from here. I did find in my determination that the DAV was representing me. I will call Mon. to see what I need to do. I can't thank you enough for the help. Mark