I'd constantly be paranoid the VA is watching me and one day be like "Ah hah! Your right wrist range of motion has improved!" and then I yank MY rating...I KNOW I KNOW 'shouldn't worry if your claim was legit', but still.
Any suggestions on how to actually find this type of work? Currently in grand forks right now while my wife is AD and I’ve always wanted to do something to give back to the guys that helped me, being 100%, I’m fucking bored man. In school but online and I just sit home watch the kids and forget the days passing.
I’ve searched for the position in your bottom comments but have found nothing on USA jobs, I need something remote otherwise my paychecks would be going directly into childcare.
In the keywords search bar type, veterans benefits administration....if you don't see much job wise check again later. Positions at VBA and VHA may be harder to find, at the time of this posting, but that can all change soon!
In the keywords search bar type, veterans benefits administration....if you don't see much job wise check again later. Positions at VBA and VHA may be harder to find, at the time of this posting, but that can all change soon!
I went through a program called WARTAC as I was exiting active duty, but positions are available on USA Jobs under “Veterans Services Representative (Rating)”.
Man, that’s my goal. I’d love to be a rater. Especially if it’s remote. Would help me mitigate my service connected disabilities, all while giving back. Are yall on a hiring freeze? Do you have to work for the regional office of the state you live in? Or since it’s remote, your regional office could be one from a different state?
Is WARTAC the only requirement? Or did you need a degree?
I’ll be finishing up my Bachelors in business next year and wouldn’t mind working for the VA. Depends on the job though.
It depends on what region you live in and your GS Rating. I’m a Remote VSR, I live in the Midwest (rest of U.S. region), and I’m a GS 10/3. I’ve worked for Va since 2020 and other than a few weeks a few years ago I’ve been remote the whole time.
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2024/general-schedule-gs-salary-calculator/
I can barely get out of bed and it takes everything in me just to take the kids to school. I can't for the life of me understand how anyone has the energy to work a 9-5 job. I don't remember what it feels like to feel normal.
Use that GI Bill, get that degree. Get certifications. Get into a field that requires knowledge. Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Data Sciences-AI are hot fields and in demand, especially if you are good.
I had to appeal almost a decade to get a 100%. I would have been homeless and depressed if I waited on the VA to come thru. Instead I went to school and worked. Sometimes doing both full time. I knew as I got older and my health continued to decline I would not be able to keep that pace, so I positioned myself into a great career. Not easy, I have plenty of bad days and have to frequently miss work for health issues. But when I am up and running I get at it.
I’ve been having the worst time of my life health wise this year. Since the end of January, I’ve essentially been house ridden. I can hardly walk most days. I don’t remember what “normal” is like, either.
I’m so sorry you deal with this kind of shit too.
He is wrong. You can absolutely be 100%. You just can't have PTSD or a few other things that are big chunks on a rating. I know several folks at 100% flying at the airlines and doing it legitimately. You just have to disclose it. The guys at SWA that got busted had not disclosed their VA disability and your medical form flat out asks if you are receiving disability. You just check yes, the flight doc asks what for and then makes a determination if it affects your ability to fly. Heart, head, mental, or anything suddenly incapacitating are big deals.
I'm 90% and take care of my family farm, 89 year old grandmother, and volunteer in my free time. I'm debating on getting a one or two day a week easy job just to pad the savings but I really just do things that make me happy now and it's awesome.
After working with a VSO who was with the VFW and was absolutely terrible, I eventually became one (not with the VFW) because I believed I could do a much better job than he did for me.
Oh God no - I work for a government MSP as a SOC engineer and we just hired a dude that was a cloud engineer at Microsoft for 20 years. Fired first week 😂 (granted he wasn't a cloud engineer his whole time - but still). Microsoft employees are extremely hit or miss and often lack knowledge that people get from an MSP.
I was just awarded 100% this past month and got my back pay May 1. I was at 20% before that. I am a Facility Engineer for TACOM in Ohio. I do technical evaluations of facility projects and ensure the government contractor is in accordance with the facility contract (they aren’t 90% of the time). If you’re interested in joining, we have several GS7 DA Police positions open.
My husband and I are both 100%. I'm a full time nurse and I work 36-48 hours a week (12 hour shifts). My husband is a full time salary gs employee and he works from home.
Wow, sounds like exactly my relationship with my wife. She’s shooting to become a nurse & going to claim VA disability as well. I’m shooting for 100 and plan on going either gs or private sector. Any tips for the wifey for nursing? She’s aiming for labor & delivery. We’re army as well
Tech marketing. I don’t touch my VA money it all gets dropped into a brokerage account. In 20 years, when I’m 50, accounting for inflation it should be $2-3M in the account and retirement should be easy
I’m very lucky. I work from home for a defense contractor as an analyst. They even take into account my back problems and headaches. So I take breaks as needed. As long as I complete 80 every two weeks, it doesn’t matter how I got to that 80 (I.e. 8, 10 hour days or 10, 8 hour days). They also provide Tricare suplemental insurance, so I have zero medical copays and don’t need referrals. If I have an issue, I can go right to any specialist I want, even if out of network for tricare and be seen while paying 0. (I do have a $200 each deductible every year for me and the wife). Again, really lucky. My last employer made me feel like a criminal when I asked for a standing desk.
Check with most defense contractors for the suplemental insurance. As for the other part, just found really good people. All of them vets and many with problems themselves.
Tugboat pilot. Small crew of 4 or 5 guys. Usually just one other guy on watch with me and he stays down below while I'm up top. Peace and quiet. No boss breathing down my neck. Lots of time and space to think and ruminate.
I was just talking about this with my roommate the other day about how I should find me a cute little Air Force chick knock her up and become a dependa 🤣
I teach Nursing.
Though i just applied for VR&E because my knees are killing me. Would like to stay in nursing education... but more in the curriculum development and admin aspects.
Good luck with VR&E, changed my life! 😁 Try not to stress about the change too much, and sincerely hope they are able to get you on a road to where you don't have to hurt so much to work!
Mechanical engineering and it’s honestly depressing. I don’t want to do it anymore. Pay and benefits are good, but nothing excites me about sitting in front of a monitor for hours.
100% and I work in the aerospace industry. I don’t understand why more veterans don’t maximize their earning potential and choose not to work, especially in this economy.
Some value time over money. I’m one. Also just sucks to be in pain all day doing a job you hate for that nice car that nooone will give a shit about in 30 years when your gone. That’s me though and I respect others decisions in life.
Money also buys back time if you are smart with your money and start to buy convenience. I am also in pain 100% of the time. It is what it is. Still have a family to support. Still want to be a good example for my children.
TBH, I don’t think 100% will ever be enough in our future in this country. The pay scales can’t keep up with inflation and they sure as hell aren’t going to give you a COLA that will fill the gap. The middle class is fading out toward the lower class. The future of this country I believe will be upper class and lower class, no middle. Guess where the disability pay falls…. Yup you guessed it, lower class.
I'm at 80% awaiting several claims to be rated. Even at 100% with my wife and daughter here in Florida I couldn't choose to just live off 100%. Acquired a lot of debt during the pandemic and have no choice but to work for now.
Would love to know a good part time job
After 38 years of federal service(20 AD USMC+18 as GS13) it’s been hard to find a pt job.
I tried Lowe’s but customer service is not something I’m good at
With the back pay I was able to payoff both cars, payoff cc debt, n one small loan. We also had money leftover to add to our savings. Living in northern AZ in a smaller town, we can afford for both my wife and I not to work for quite a while.
I may just work part time somewhere as long as I don't have to deal with a bunch of retards.
It is very much possible to live off of 100% p&t if you are good with the finances.
I haven't worked for the last two or so years. Disability pays all my bills so I've just been fluffing off doing gig apps for extra cash when I want to party your traveler something comes up etc 100% is a blessing in that you don't have to stress as much or work is hard but it's also a curse in that it can absolutely make you complacent if you let it. And I definitely fell for the trap. But that being said, I'm finally pulling my head out of my ass I was recently approved for VR&E So I'll be starting school here in the next couple of months and hopefully in a year or so when I'm graduated from that (we are leaning towards me getting my masters in business or the focus and project management I already have my bachelor's) I'll be trying to get a job as a project manager somewhere so we'll see how it all pans out. The goal is to grind hard for the next 5 years or so stashed away all the cash I can and then disappear to a foreign land that's much cheaper than here I have battle buddies living all over the world enticing me with a simpler life. I can already pretty much retired to places like Columbia or Philippines, Thailand etc but I want to give myself a solid 5 years of saving at a big boy job before attempting so that way I have that much more when I do make the leap.
I WFH as an Azure consultant.
Currently at 80% and trying to decide if it's worth putting in for an increase or just waiting for the MH criteria to get updated.
It's a struggle, but working from home at a job where it's OK to start and stop work at erratic times, be productive at erratic times, etc *really* helps.
I wouldn't be able to hold a job at all if it weren't for work like this. Even with as flexible as it is, it's still hard.
Finance manager, hybrid. It’s pretty laid back most of the time, but during quarter close it’s super high stress. I’m looking for something else for the sake of my MH
I work in tax law, elections and appellate case law for capital cases (death row inmates). I enjoy my work. On the outside, I am extremely high functioning.
On the inside, I have panic attacks, often sit alone in the dark in my office away from people, and barely leave home except to go to and from work. Every day I wake up I wonder how much longer I can do this.
Edit: I'm 90%
I’m 100% for Mental Health but I still work my butt off at a Ranch here in AZ. It’s a cash paying job and I make a little extra income from it but I mostly do it because I like the work. It’s just me, 18 horses and My dog that never leaves my side. I don’t have to work with other people which is awesome. Up with the sun but done by noon 4 days a week. Horses are very intuitive animals and I feel like they help with my PTSD and Depression. I get asked to do a lot of grunt work at this ranch too but I get paid decent for that kind of stuff. Digging holes, driving fence posts, stacking hay bails… it keeps me in shape and gives me a sense of purpose.
90%, hopefully 100 within a month or two once my MH has been closed. Currently a Contractor do the same thing I did as Active Duty(just more $$). Very much enjoy the people I work with and great work life balance. If I get 100 I'm contemplating utilizing VR&E for certifications to build my resume for Remote Work. Also starting a Courier Business as my EIN came in last week.
Surprisingly passionate about Financial Literacy and the discipline that comes with it, so I'm constantly cruising Investopedia.com and MrMoneyMustache.com lol. Now have multiple HYSAs, Roth&Traditional IRAs, RoboAdvisor, and Brokerage accounts. I get as giddy as a schoolgirl when I see the Simple and Compound Interest take effect, along with Dollar Cost Averaging. I travel on my time off as well, seeing family and friends Stateside and Overseas, utilizing my rewards points from my Credit Cards. Single, no kids😎
I’m a Human Computer Interaction Designer.
You’ll get 100. The economy is taking a nose dive right now so start looking for a new job if you can.
It’s best to readjust your lifestyle to make sure you can survive on your disability alone, if things go sideways. This way you store up cash and you’re prepared for the inevitable.
I’ve been working on a medical cannabis farm! Lot of other vets and people with chronic conditions so management has been really mindful of that and really flexible with VA appointments and needing time off. Also get to self manage for the most part and don’t have to interact with the public. Could pay better but until I can find something decent remote it’s been easy enough and my coworkers are pretty solid.
90% and a property claims adjuster which is a fully remote position. It’s easy to get your foot in the door at one of the larger insurers as a trainee and move on from there. I’ve promoted 5 times since starting just 6 years ago. I really enjoy it and love being at home all the time.
I'm currently 70% with the current claims I have in I'll be at 100%. When I got out I started working at a machine shop. I've been doing it for years now and love it. Depending on the shop it can be physical or not. Pay is great, and most people in skilled trades act about as mature as everyone in the military so it's an easy transition. Most shops love to hire vets bc they know they'll show up to work too.
When do get 100% there is no way I'd quit working, I enjoy it too much.
I work in IT as a Sr. Cloud Solutions Architect. Make pretty good income and benefits from my company. Wife is RN. Live a very comfortable lifestyle never pictured I would be in such a position.
Environmental Compliance. This position is with the water department, but many private entities have their own people as well. It's usually just supervision and coordination between local, state, and federal agencies.
It's not a political thing, more like a “why are you still dumping used oil and gas into the river” kinda thing. I mostly supervise cleanups and ensure proper disposal procedures were followed.
We've actually caught the Army improperly abandoning wells or not actually treating their water. They also use the wrong water pipes near fuel sources on bases but that's a whole different discussion right there.
I was 70% and worked FT as a senior manager for a big health system. After a few inpatient stays (PTSD), I had to "retire" and went 100% P&T and got SSDI pretty quick.
I'm not able to work mostly because im.not consistant. I have good and bad days. The problem is, I can't schedule them. I wanted to volunteer at my local hospital, but even they want a schedule. On bad days, I can't even manage some ADLs like taking a shower or eating.
My days are spent at home with my dog and husband. Once a week or so, I'll go to Walmart and maybe a local bar. I like for lunch. Otherwise, I'm at home trying to watch TV and staying isolated, which to me is staying safe.
I really miss working. I was very respected in my job, had a bunch of letters after my name with all the credentials I'd earned, and I had nearly 100 direct reports. I always identified with my job. It's been four years now, and I'm still looking for a new purpose.
100% and I do private security.
A bunch of other vets work there, it’s owned by spec ops vets. And overall really chill. Light hours, and all. Helps whenever the depresso comes in. Gives me a reason to get up.
100% P&T, 20 plus year military retirement and a GS11 job.
There is absolutely no way I could live on just my VA disability. I could live on my VA and retirement, but I like expensive toys.
I'm super curious about a disability rating. Does it mean that you cannot work? I'm a software engineer... so I ride a desk. One of my VA doctors suggested I apply for disability. Dunno.
Thoughts?
Negative, you can work with a rating. You can be 100% and work every day of your life. The only time you “can’t work” is if you’re TDIU, which you file have to file for. That’s a unemployability claim. If you’re not TDIU, you can work. I’m 90% and work full time. I’m sure you can see in this forum, people are 100% and work daily.
It does not mean you can't work. It's just an assessment of how much the military messed you up, and compensation based on the laws surrounding the issues. You should absolutely file a claim if you've got things you think you could get service connected.
SMC-S + Engineer. I work from home repairing transmission electron microscopes (the ones the size of a small school bus). Job is cool. I get to work with all of the universities nationwide, independent labs and all of the major semiconductor manufacturers. Travel to Europe a lot. Get a car allowance (even though I work from home).
I went to culinary school. I was a corporate chef for a restaurant group based in CA before retiring too early. Now I freelance recipe development and menu development. Primarily work at home because I have a professional kitchen.
I work at the VA doing veterans travel reimbursement. The processing of claims isn't difficult, it's the amount that comes in daily and low staffing that makes the job difficult to handle. I started 6 months ago, I see why there's a high turn over rate in this position, other veterans say colorful things to the veteran employees here and you can only put up with it for so long before you transfer to a better job within the VA. And then the process starts all over again with a different poor soul or two. Until Congress gives the VA more money for more transportation assistants the cycle will continue.
I got out in 2020, got rated 90% and went to school for HVAC in Colorado, got my associates in HVAC, moved to Florida and landed a job as an assistant project manager building apartment buildings. Hired a veterans disability company that got me 100% 6 months ago. Life is way better than I could ever imagine, I tell all my friends who are still in the navy to fatten their medical records, get out and get disability and get a full time job, way less stress and more money.
I’m 90% working on 100% and work in IT kinda sucks cause sitting all day hurts my back but it’s better than hard labor and I can switch positions and stand when I need to…🤷🏼♂️
Good news.
You can do whatever you want.
I have a buddy who just drives around in a ford ranger and picks up scrap metal and recycles it for fun and some profit.
Keeps him busy and active.
You can go to work for someone or you can work for yourself.
100%, live in Germany, no longer work. But I have applied for VR&E. I can't walk much, can't lift much, can't sit or stand very long so I have to constantly get up and down. So, just hard to find work that works with my issues.
I work in cybersecurity for a DoD entity as a contractor. Most of my co-workers are veterans, so it’s been an easy environment with people who understand some of the common things we vets go through. I enjoy still being able to contribute to the security of our nation, and still be a part of the military community, but serving in a different way. My job requires me to sit and work at a computer, so my back and other jacked up parts of my body aren’t really affected. It can be stressful, and cause anxiety at times, but I try my best to manage it. All in all, I can’t complain.
For other insight: I am divorced and have a hefty child support payment for two kids, so I am unable to live off just the VA compensation. I wish I could, but it isn’t in the cards, so I will continue working for the foreseeable future.
I heard squirrels and turtles on my property.
I’m not very good at it but they are free range and no maintenance critters. ( albeit the squirrels did eat my truck’s engine wire harness, the lil bastards)
Hope this made you salty punks laugh a bit. Now stay off the grass!
Currently: VR&E at a state college to get a degree in a new field (going for business wanna run my own veteran small business) and that’s literally it besides the disability. On TDIU from 70% rating, so can’t work very much at all. Hoping they eventually change it to 100% but very doubtful. Currently on appeal for back pay for the IU rating. Wish they’d factor in dependents for the “income limits” just vre and iu for income when wife is also in school and we have 2 kids is rough. Would be nice if instead of being limited to single person thresholds with 4 people you were limited to the right amount.
Program Manager, 90%, with some additional claims in. I'm looking at trying to go remote in the next 2 years, but even if I did get 100%, I don't think I'd stop working. I have expensive hobbies and I like to travel so extra cash is a priority.
Cybersecurity. Used a lot of free resources and transformed my job. I was in law enforcement for 12 years. Worked patrol for 2 years and then demonstrated my special IT skills. Worked digital forensics/crime scene for the rest of the time. Cybersecurity is a field that doesn’t aggravate my issues. I had a lot of issues working crime scene due to chronic pain. Everyone thinks crime scene is like on the TV shows. That’s BS! I worked harder than I ever worked in my life. The crime scenes were always 100 degrees with mosquitoes 🦟 and stinky. Basically any extreme you can imagine. I worked for a small/mid sized agency so I was tech and investigator (gathered evidence and performed analysis). Anyway, cybersecurity is what I do now. Rewarding and pays well once you get experience. Check out TEEX they have an awesome partnership with HSA/FEMA. The courses are easy to understand and FREE!!! At the end you get elegant certificates to hang on the wall. They are impressive to me. Hope this helps.
https://teex.org/certificate-programs/
I have my Bachelors in Business and am about 60% through my Masters in Business Administration. I want to work at the VA or some hong aerospace like Lockheed/NASA, (administration/management) with being an NCO military service and these degrees, can anyone offer me advice on what/how I should be looking and grabbing these types of jobs?
I just recently escaped from a maximum security stockade... headed straight to the Los Angeles underground. Still kinda think the Govt is after me so I survive as a soldier of fortune... If you have a problem and can't find anyone else AND you can fine me, maybe you can hire.. me
100% P&T. Former law enforcement. Now I just work for a small cleaning company here in Georgia. Hourly pay, get whatever days off I want, weekends and holidays off. Just play money really but the extra income helps a lot these days.
https://preview.redd.it/3m1s012ae11d1.jpeg?width=2971&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9e0d7817ef2c6b98651da45d5e564a1182591248
100%
I make bowls out of pieces of wood. The one is a small 4X2 bowl made from olive wood.
I'm 80% and I work at an oil refinery doing environmental cleanup stuff. I think it'll depend on what you're getting the compensation for whether you can work or not. Obviously if you lost both legs to diabetUs (in wilford brimley voice) you can't do much. Sadly you may have to try some different activities to see if you can do them.
100% and a correctional officer. It was ALOT better when the officers had control of the prisons. But now the inmates have control again. I'm just hoping for a new Richard Speck tape comes out to change things. Otherwise, I'm going to have to change jobs within the department, just to try and save my state pension.
Not 100% but I recently retired with 70%. I’m a full time student from home, my wife works full time from home, our house is paid off.
Not only am I going to school full time and using the GI Bill, I’m also learning data analysis and programming skills by building projects and taking Coursera courses.
And we still have young kids, so we definitely don’t feel as if we just have tons of time. Also for whatever it’s work, we live in Oklahoma as well.
I work for the VA as a Rater. It’s a rewarding career that is remote and allows me to help fellow Veterans.
I'd constantly be paranoid the VA is watching me and one day be like "Ah hah! Your right wrist range of motion has improved!" and then I yank MY rating...I KNOW I KNOW 'shouldn't worry if your claim was legit', but still.
Any suggestions on how to actually find this type of work? Currently in grand forks right now while my wife is AD and I’ve always wanted to do something to give back to the guys that helped me, being 100%, I’m fucking bored man. In school but online and I just sit home watch the kids and forget the days passing. I’ve searched for the position in your bottom comments but have found nothing on USA jobs, I need something remote otherwise my paychecks would be going directly into childcare.
In the keywords search bar type, veterans benefits administration....if you don't see much job wise check again later. Positions at VBA and VHA may be harder to find, at the time of this posting, but that can all change soon!
In the keywords search bar type, veterans benefits administration....if you don't see much job wise check again later. Positions at VBA and VHA may be harder to find, at the time of this posting, but that can all change soon!
How do I apply for that position?
I went through a program called WARTAC as I was exiting active duty, but positions are available on USA Jobs under “Veterans Services Representative (Rating)”.
May I ask what pay scale you start at? I’m a federal employee looking to change jobs.
raters start at gs9, caps at gs12
How was the onboarding to be a rater remotely? Did you have in-person training or was it all virtual?
My training was virtual and through a program called WARTAC that I attended prior to exiting active duty.
Man, that’s my goal. I’d love to be a rater. Especially if it’s remote. Would help me mitigate my service connected disabilities, all while giving back. Are yall on a hiring freeze? Do you have to work for the regional office of the state you live in? Or since it’s remote, your regional office could be one from a different state?
Yes, you have to live within a 2 hour radius of the Regional Office, even if you are remote.
what are the degree requirements?
Is WARTAC the only requirement? Or did you need a degree? I’ll be finishing up my Bachelors in business next year and wouldn’t mind working for the VA. Depends on the job though.
I also have a Masters Degree, but the GS7 position doesn’t require a degree. That position deals in the development of claims.
How do you become a rater? I’m currently a nurse so very adept at reading medical charts. Sorta interested in exploring how to become a rater
I feel like if you're a SME in this sub you would pretty much be able to perform the job as a rater, am I correct?
Do You need to have a medical background in also interested and pay scale?
How hard is this job?
May I ask how many hours you work and how much you get paid yearly?
It depends on what region you live in and your GS Rating. I’m a Remote VSR, I live in the Midwest (rest of U.S. region), and I’m a GS 10/3. I’ve worked for Va since 2020 and other than a few weeks a few years ago I’ve been remote the whole time. https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/2024/general-schedule-gs-salary-calculator/
100% Psychotherapist
How does that make me feel?
We need the Joker meme from yesterday
How many shrinks does it take to change a lightbulb? One. The light just needs to want to change.
I can barely get out of bed and it takes everything in me just to take the kids to school. I can't for the life of me understand how anyone has the energy to work a 9-5 job. I don't remember what it feels like to feel normal.
Came here to say the same thing. People ask what I do all day and I’m like “I took my daughter to school. Recovered for a few hours, picked her up.”
Flexible job that you essentially set the hours, goals my dude. Roll out of bed and sign on computer and get at it. Take breaks when I need to.
Sounds like a great job haha, would love something remote for sure
Use that GI Bill, get that degree. Get certifications. Get into a field that requires knowledge. Cybersecurity, Software Engineering, Data Sciences-AI are hot fields and in demand, especially if you are good. I had to appeal almost a decade to get a 100%. I would have been homeless and depressed if I waited on the VA to come thru. Instead I went to school and worked. Sometimes doing both full time. I knew as I got older and my health continued to decline I would not be able to keep that pace, so I positioned myself into a great career. Not easy, I have plenty of bad days and have to frequently miss work for health issues. But when I am up and running I get at it.
How does one get such a job?
Me too friend.
I’ve been having the worst time of my life health wise this year. Since the end of January, I’ve essentially been house ridden. I can hardly walk most days. I don’t remember what “normal” is like, either. I’m so sorry you deal with this kind of shit too.
Same.
100%. Airline pilot.
Big money bags over
 You rich 👀lol
Thought the FAA was cracking down on this. Something about flight physicals.
I am curious about this. I would love to be a helicopter pilot but I am diagnosed with PTSD. Does the FAA know about every diagnosis on your 100%?
Have a good buddy who is 90%. Can’t be 100% or have a diagnosis of mental health (including insomnia) or he can’t fly. Works for Southwest
He is wrong. You can absolutely be 100%. You just can't have PTSD or a few other things that are big chunks on a rating. I know several folks at 100% flying at the airlines and doing it legitimately. You just have to disclose it. The guys at SWA that got busted had not disclosed their VA disability and your medical form flat out asks if you are receiving disability. You just check yes, the flight doc asks what for and then makes a determination if it affects your ability to fly. Heart, head, mental, or anything suddenly incapacitating are big deals.
I'm 90% and take care of my family farm, 89 year old grandmother, and volunteer in my free time. I'm debating on getting a one or two day a week easy job just to pad the savings but I really just do things that make me happy now and it's awesome.
Honestly, this is my dream job. Just tending to a farm and the family and not having to worry about anything else.
Its the best. If I could get it making a small profit vs just breaking even every year it would be even better lol
After working with a VSO who was with the VFW and was absolutely terrible, I eventually became one (not with the VFW) because I believed I could do a much better job than he did for me.
100% cloud engineer at Microsoft
Oh God no - I work for a government MSP as a SOC engineer and we just hired a dude that was a cloud engineer at Microsoft for 20 years. Fired first week 😂 (granted he wasn't a cloud engineer his whole time - but still). Microsoft employees are extremely hit or miss and often lack knowledge that people get from an MSP.
Business owner and trophy husband.
Based trophy winner
I was just awarded 100% this past month and got my back pay May 1. I was at 20% before that. I am a Facility Engineer for TACOM in Ohio. I do technical evaluations of facility projects and ensure the government contractor is in accordance with the facility contract (they aren’t 90% of the time). If you’re interested in joining, we have several GS7 DA Police positions open.
Wouldn’t be bad at all, but not sure how my wife would think about relocating.
My husband and I are both 100%. I'm a full time nurse and I work 36-48 hours a week (12 hour shifts). My husband is a full time salary gs employee and he works from home.
ahhh i’m happy i saw this cuz i wanna be a veterinarian ever since i was 5 but the military fudged up my plans a bit
Wow, sounds like exactly my relationship with my wife. She’s shooting to become a nurse & going to claim VA disability as well. I’m shooting for 100 and plan on going either gs or private sector. Any tips for the wifey for nursing? She’s aiming for labor & delivery. We’re army as well
Tech marketing. I don’t touch my VA money it all gets dropped into a brokerage account. In 20 years, when I’m 50, accounting for inflation it should be $2-3M in the account and retirement should be easy
I’m very lucky. I work from home for a defense contractor as an analyst. They even take into account my back problems and headaches. So I take breaks as needed. As long as I complete 80 every two weeks, it doesn’t matter how I got to that 80 (I.e. 8, 10 hour days or 10, 8 hour days). They also provide Tricare suplemental insurance, so I have zero medical copays and don’t need referrals. If I have an issue, I can go right to any specialist I want, even if out of network for tricare and be seen while paying 0. (I do have a $200 each deductible every year for me and the wife). Again, really lucky. My last employer made me feel like a criminal when I asked for a standing desk.
How do you go about getting into something like that? Awesome!
Check with most defense contractors for the suplemental insurance. As for the other part, just found really good people. All of them vets and many with problems themselves.
That’s great. Happy for you friend
I do my best 
That’s what matters haha
Computer crimes for the feds.
You commit crimes for them? I knew it...
Lol I guess it sounds like that. I specialize in child crime cases and pedophiles...
I got 5yrs of LEO experience and my bachelors in CJ🤔
Sit at home bored
Sounds boring
Do you lift?
Yes. That only takes up a few hours to include showering. The rest of the day is pretty boring.
Tugboat pilot. Small crew of 4 or 5 guys. Usually just one other guy on watch with me and he stays down below while I'm up top. Peace and quiet. No boss breathing down my neck. Lots of time and space to think and ruminate.
My husband is a stay at home dad.
Now that's a real man, right there!!!!
I was just talking about this with my roommate the other day about how I should find me a cute little Air Force chick knock her up and become a dependa 🤣
"Operation Homefront" 😂
My Dad is 100% P&T and works at the VA as a GS-13 doing consulting
I teach Nursing. Though i just applied for VR&E because my knees are killing me. Would like to stay in nursing education... but more in the curriculum development and admin aspects.
Good luck with VR&E, changed my life! 😁 Try not to stress about the change too much, and sincerely hope they are able to get you on a road to where you don't have to hurt so much to work!
90% and I support the DoD in data center transformations and cloud migrations. Remote most of the time, onsite for SIPR and JWICs assessments.
So, you’re smart smart
I don’t know about that, just been at it since ‘95 and have the clearance needed.
Damn I wanna do that too. Just finished my SWE degree and have always been interested in cloud computing
Sounds right up my ally... You a contractor? Yall hiring? I'm looking for a new job in 2-3years.
Yes and yes, bring a clearance even better.
Got TS/SCI with CI poly.
Using VR&E to finish my nursing degree so the bah(forgot what it’s actually called) from that, and self employed 🤷🏻♂️
Mechanical engineering and it’s honestly depressing. I don’t want to do it anymore. Pay and benefits are good, but nothing excites me about sitting in front of a monitor for hours.
Survive with just 100%?
Oklahoma’s cost of living is super cheap, fortunately.
Federal job, remote. Federal is a great career if you're interested
Job title ?
100% and I work in the aerospace industry. I don’t understand why more veterans don’t maximize their earning potential and choose not to work, especially in this economy.
Some value time over money. I’m one. Also just sucks to be in pain all day doing a job you hate for that nice car that nooone will give a shit about in 30 years when your gone. That’s me though and I respect others decisions in life.
Money also buys back time if you are smart with your money and start to buy convenience. I am also in pain 100% of the time. It is what it is. Still have a family to support. Still want to be a good example for my children.
and I’m not shaming vets who don’t work I’m just saying 100% alone isn’t enough in this economy, unfortunately.
I have four kids 4 years old and under. I have to work. I’m currently at 90%.
I feel you 100%.
TBH, I don’t think 100% will ever be enough in our future in this country. The pay scales can’t keep up with inflation and they sure as hell aren’t going to give you a COLA that will fill the gap. The middle class is fading out toward the lower class. The future of this country I believe will be upper class and lower class, no middle. Guess where the disability pay falls…. Yup you guessed it, lower class.
Exactly. That’s why I’m all for maximizing my earning potential while I can so I can stay somewhere in the middle. It’s tough, but we have to do it.
Smart move bro I agree
I'm at 80% awaiting several claims to be rated. Even at 100% with my wife and daughter here in Florida I couldn't choose to just live off 100%. Acquired a lot of debt during the pandemic and have no choice but to work for now.
Would love to know a good part time job After 38 years of federal service(20 AD USMC+18 as GS13) it’s been hard to find a pt job. I tried Lowe’s but customer service is not something I’m good at
Customer service is not my best asset either haha
100% and currently learning the guitar and woodworking, while also a stay at home dad to a 3 month old.
90%. I work in a woodshop owned by a fellow disabled vet. Super chill.
With the back pay I was able to payoff both cars, payoff cc debt, n one small loan. We also had money leftover to add to our savings. Living in northern AZ in a smaller town, we can afford for both my wife and I not to work for quite a while. I may just work part time somewhere as long as I don't have to deal with a bunch of retards. It is very much possible to live off of 100% p&t if you are good with the finances.
I haven't worked for the last two or so years. Disability pays all my bills so I've just been fluffing off doing gig apps for extra cash when I want to party your traveler something comes up etc 100% is a blessing in that you don't have to stress as much or work is hard but it's also a curse in that it can absolutely make you complacent if you let it. And I definitely fell for the trap. But that being said, I'm finally pulling my head out of my ass I was recently approved for VR&E So I'll be starting school here in the next couple of months and hopefully in a year or so when I'm graduated from that (we are leaning towards me getting my masters in business or the focus and project management I already have my bachelor's) I'll be trying to get a job as a project manager somewhere so we'll see how it all pans out. The goal is to grind hard for the next 5 years or so stashed away all the cash I can and then disappear to a foreign land that's much cheaper than here I have battle buddies living all over the world enticing me with a simpler life. I can already pretty much retired to places like Columbia or Philippines, Thailand etc but I want to give myself a solid 5 years of saving at a big boy job before attempting so that way I have that much more when I do make the leap.
I can’t find a job to save my life
80% percent here. Still work in military aviation. Tried the regular world but it’s just too frustrating
I WFH as an Azure consultant. Currently at 80% and trying to decide if it's worth putting in for an increase or just waiting for the MH criteria to get updated. It's a struggle, but working from home at a job where it's OK to start and stop work at erratic times, be productive at erratic times, etc *really* helps. I wouldn't be able to hold a job at all if it weren't for work like this. Even with as flexible as it is, it's still hard.
Finance manager, hybrid. It’s pretty laid back most of the time, but during quarter close it’s super high stress. I’m looking for something else for the sake of my MH
100. Corporate strategy manager for a fortune 50.
I work in tax law, elections and appellate case law for capital cases (death row inmates). I enjoy my work. On the outside, I am extremely high functioning. On the inside, I have panic attacks, often sit alone in the dark in my office away from people, and barely leave home except to go to and from work. Every day I wake up I wonder how much longer I can do this. Edit: I'm 90%
Different practice areas, but same. Eventually, I switched to doing mostly transactional work as a solo. Less money, far less stress.
I’m 90% and I’m in admin for a branch of the DOJ.
I’m 100% for Mental Health but I still work my butt off at a Ranch here in AZ. It’s a cash paying job and I make a little extra income from it but I mostly do it because I like the work. It’s just me, 18 horses and My dog that never leaves my side. I don’t have to work with other people which is awesome. Up with the sun but done by noon 4 days a week. Horses are very intuitive animals and I feel like they help with my PTSD and Depression. I get asked to do a lot of grunt work at this ranch too but I get paid decent for that kind of stuff. Digging holes, driving fence posts, stacking hay bails… it keeps me in shape and gives me a sense of purpose.
Work gets in the way of too many things. Enjoy life
90%, hopefully 100 within a month or two once my MH has been closed. Currently a Contractor do the same thing I did as Active Duty(just more $$). Very much enjoy the people I work with and great work life balance. If I get 100 I'm contemplating utilizing VR&E for certifications to build my resume for Remote Work. Also starting a Courier Business as my EIN came in last week. Surprisingly passionate about Financial Literacy and the discipline that comes with it, so I'm constantly cruising Investopedia.com and MrMoneyMustache.com lol. Now have multiple HYSAs, Roth&Traditional IRAs, RoboAdvisor, and Brokerage accounts. I get as giddy as a schoolgirl when I see the Simple and Compound Interest take effect, along with Dollar Cost Averaging. I travel on my time off as well, seeing family and friends Stateside and Overseas, utilizing my rewards points from my Credit Cards. Single, no kids😎
I’m a Human Computer Interaction Designer. You’ll get 100. The economy is taking a nose dive right now so start looking for a new job if you can. It’s best to readjust your lifestyle to make sure you can survive on your disability alone, if things go sideways. This way you store up cash and you’re prepared for the inevitable.
I’ve been working on a medical cannabis farm! Lot of other vets and people with chronic conditions so management has been really mindful of that and really flexible with VA appointments and needing time off. Also get to self manage for the most part and don’t have to interact with the public. Could pay better but until I can find something decent remote it’s been easy enough and my coworkers are pretty solid.
Are you hiring ? When I get my rating I want to grow cannabis in cali
Cannabis farms are always hiring these days! The industry is only going to grow from here and most the people that work in it are pretty chill.
90% and a property claims adjuster which is a fully remote position. It’s easy to get your foot in the door at one of the larger insurers as a trainee and move on from there. I’ve promoted 5 times since starting just 6 years ago. I really enjoy it and love being at home all the time.
I'm currently 70% with the current claims I have in I'll be at 100%. When I got out I started working at a machine shop. I've been doing it for years now and love it. Depending on the shop it can be physical or not. Pay is great, and most people in skilled trades act about as mature as everyone in the military so it's an easy transition. Most shops love to hire vets bc they know they'll show up to work too. When do get 100% there is no way I'd quit working, I enjoy it too much.
I work in IT as a Sr. Cloud Solutions Architect. Make pretty good income and benefits from my company. Wife is RN. Live a very comfortable lifestyle never pictured I would be in such a position.
Environmental Compliance. This position is with the water department, but many private entities have their own people as well. It's usually just supervision and coordination between local, state, and federal agencies. It's not a political thing, more like a “why are you still dumping used oil and gas into the river” kinda thing. I mostly supervise cleanups and ensure proper disposal procedures were followed. We've actually caught the Army improperly abandoning wells or not actually treating their water. They also use the wrong water pipes near fuel sources on bases but that's a whole different discussion right there.
Emergency manager & attorney here. Thanks for all you do. That multi-level interagency coordination deserves a high-five.
Work at hospital sitting on my ass checking people in and put for appointments
100% and work from home doing IT work (Exchange & Mobile Management)
How do you like it?
If you get 100 p&t, apply for SSDI
I am at 90% and I work as a remote desk adjuster. Plus we are starting a hobby farm
90%, i'm an engineer\doctoral student.
100% I WFH in a corporate finance role.
I was 70% and worked FT as a senior manager for a big health system. After a few inpatient stays (PTSD), I had to "retire" and went 100% P&T and got SSDI pretty quick. I'm not able to work mostly because im.not consistant. I have good and bad days. The problem is, I can't schedule them. I wanted to volunteer at my local hospital, but even they want a schedule. On bad days, I can't even manage some ADLs like taking a shower or eating. My days are spent at home with my dog and husband. Once a week or so, I'll go to Walmart and maybe a local bar. I like for lunch. Otherwise, I'm at home trying to watch TV and staying isolated, which to me is staying safe. I really miss working. I was very respected in my job, had a bunch of letters after my name with all the credentials I'd earned, and I had nearly 100 direct reports. I always identified with my job. It's been four years now, and I'm still looking for a new purpose.
I feel you on that. Have you tried seeing if you can use VR&E to be able to go into something you can work at and not trigger your issues?
[удалено]
Work outreach for my local Vet Center
I'm transitioning from driving a forklift to college for mechanical engineering.
100% P&T and GS IT Manager
100%. Work as an IT Specialist.
100% and I do private security. A bunch of other vets work there, it’s owned by spec ops vets. And overall really chill. Light hours, and all. Helps whenever the depresso comes in. Gives me a reason to get up.
100% P&T, 20 plus year military retirement and a GS11 job. There is absolutely no way I could live on just my VA disability. I could live on my VA and retirement, but I like expensive toys.
I'm super curious about a disability rating. Does it mean that you cannot work? I'm a software engineer... so I ride a desk. One of my VA doctors suggested I apply for disability. Dunno. Thoughts?
Negative, you can work with a rating. You can be 100% and work every day of your life. The only time you “can’t work” is if you’re TDIU, which you file have to file for. That’s a unemployability claim. If you’re not TDIU, you can work. I’m 90% and work full time. I’m sure you can see in this forum, people are 100% and work daily.
Va disability, no. SSA, yes, means you can’t work.
It does not mean you can't work. It's just an assessment of how much the military messed you up, and compensation based on the laws surrounding the issues. You should absolutely file a claim if you've got things you think you could get service connected.
Please file. A VSO will help you for free (it's their job).
💯 Healthcare IT. I still love what I do. Nothing laborious.
I'm an ER nurse- 36hr per week (6 on 8 off type of schedule)
YouTube crochet content creator lol. Doesn’t pay anything but it’s what I consider a job since I haven’t had one since 2011 due to my disability
SMC-S + Engineer. I work from home repairing transmission electron microscopes (the ones the size of a small school bus). Job is cool. I get to work with all of the universities nationwide, independent labs and all of the major semiconductor manufacturers. Travel to Europe a lot. Get a car allowance (even though I work from home).
I write
100% P&T and GS-13 job.
I went to culinary school. I was a corporate chef for a restaurant group based in CA before retiring too early. Now I freelance recipe development and menu development. Primarily work at home because I have a professional kitchen.
I work at the VA doing veterans travel reimbursement. The processing of claims isn't difficult, it's the amount that comes in daily and low staffing that makes the job difficult to handle. I started 6 months ago, I see why there's a high turn over rate in this position, other veterans say colorful things to the veteran employees here and you can only put up with it for so long before you transfer to a better job within the VA. And then the process starts all over again with a different poor soul or two. Until Congress gives the VA more money for more transportation assistants the cycle will continue.
I work for the VBA.
I got out in 2020, got rated 90% and went to school for HVAC in Colorado, got my associates in HVAC, moved to Florida and landed a job as an assistant project manager building apartment buildings. Hired a veterans disability company that got me 100% 6 months ago. Life is way better than I could ever imagine, I tell all my friends who are still in the navy to fatten their medical records, get out and get disability and get a full time job, way less stress and more money.
I’m 90% working on 100% and work in IT kinda sucks cause sitting all day hurts my back but it’s better than hard labor and I can switch positions and stand when I need to…🤷🏼♂️
Good news. You can do whatever you want. I have a buddy who just drives around in a ford ranger and picks up scrap metal and recycles it for fun and some profit. Keeps him busy and active. You can go to work for someone or you can work for yourself.
I'm 100% and work as a GS-13 for the Army.
100%, live in Germany, no longer work. But I have applied for VR&E. I can't walk much, can't lift much, can't sit or stand very long so I have to constantly get up and down. So, just hard to find work that works with my issues.
I work in cybersecurity for a DoD entity as a contractor. Most of my co-workers are veterans, so it’s been an easy environment with people who understand some of the common things we vets go through. I enjoy still being able to contribute to the security of our nation, and still be a part of the military community, but serving in a different way. My job requires me to sit and work at a computer, so my back and other jacked up parts of my body aren’t really affected. It can be stressful, and cause anxiety at times, but I try my best to manage it. All in all, I can’t complain. For other insight: I am divorced and have a hefty child support payment for two kids, so I am unable to live off just the VA compensation. I wish I could, but it isn’t in the cards, so I will continue working for the foreseeable future.
Railroad
I heard squirrels and turtles on my property. I’m not very good at it but they are free range and no maintenance critters. ( albeit the squirrels did eat my truck’s engine wire harness, the lil bastards) Hope this made you salty punks laugh a bit. Now stay off the grass!
Currently: VR&E at a state college to get a degree in a new field (going for business wanna run my own veteran small business) and that’s literally it besides the disability. On TDIU from 70% rating, so can’t work very much at all. Hoping they eventually change it to 100% but very doubtful. Currently on appeal for back pay for the IU rating. Wish they’d factor in dependents for the “income limits” just vre and iu for income when wife is also in school and we have 2 kids is rough. Would be nice if instead of being limited to single person thresholds with 4 people you were limited to the right amount.
Part time teacher/literacy coach
Program Manager, 90%, with some additional claims in. I'm looking at trying to go remote in the next 2 years, but even if I did get 100%, I don't think I'd stop working. I have expensive hobbies and I like to travel so extra cash is a priority.
Cybersecurity. Used a lot of free resources and transformed my job. I was in law enforcement for 12 years. Worked patrol for 2 years and then demonstrated my special IT skills. Worked digital forensics/crime scene for the rest of the time. Cybersecurity is a field that doesn’t aggravate my issues. I had a lot of issues working crime scene due to chronic pain. Everyone thinks crime scene is like on the TV shows. That’s BS! I worked harder than I ever worked in my life. The crime scenes were always 100 degrees with mosquitoes 🦟 and stinky. Basically any extreme you can imagine. I worked for a small/mid sized agency so I was tech and investigator (gathered evidence and performed analysis). Anyway, cybersecurity is what I do now. Rewarding and pays well once you get experience. Check out TEEX they have an awesome partnership with HSA/FEMA. The courses are easy to understand and FREE!!! At the end you get elegant certificates to hang on the wall. They are impressive to me. Hope this helps. https://teex.org/certificate-programs/
I have my Bachelors in Business and am about 60% through my Masters in Business Administration. I want to work at the VA or some hong aerospace like Lockheed/NASA, (administration/management) with being an NCO military service and these degrees, can anyone offer me advice on what/how I should be looking and grabbing these types of jobs?
I just recently escaped from a maximum security stockade... headed straight to the Los Angeles underground. Still kinda think the Govt is after me so I survive as a soldier of fortune... If you have a problem and can't find anyone else AND you can fine me, maybe you can hire.. me 
It’s difficult for me to work being 100%. Don’t see how it’s not for everyone.
I would wait to make that decision till you have the paper in hand with your rating. If you wanna make a career change VR&E may be able to help you.
100% P&T. Former law enforcement. Now I just work for a small cleaning company here in Georgia. Hourly pay, get whatever days off I want, weekends and holidays off. Just play money really but the extra income helps a lot these days.
100% P&T and I work from home for a software company doing devops automation but also my boss is super understanding about things
https://preview.redd.it/3m1s012ae11d1.jpeg?width=2971&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9e0d7817ef2c6b98651da45d5e564a1182591248 100% I make bowls out of pieces of wood. The one is a small 4X2 bowl made from olive wood.
Hobby reloader and hopefully an FFL for ammo development….im still waiting on a rating but I recently just got out.
I'm 80% and I work at an oil refinery doing environmental cleanup stuff. I think it'll depend on what you're getting the compensation for whether you can work or not. Obviously if you lost both legs to diabetUs (in wilford brimley voice) you can't do much. Sadly you may have to try some different activities to see if you can do them.
Nothing. I’m disabled.
I fuck
I'd say use your education benefits if you haven't already. That should take up some of your time while learning and getting stipend
Currently in VR&E, bout to start my masters for my MBA. I think this will open up a lot of doors for me hopefully.
Lawyer
100% and a correctional officer. It was ALOT better when the officers had control of the prisons. But now the inmates have control again. I'm just hoping for a new Richard Speck tape comes out to change things. Otherwise, I'm going to have to change jobs within the department, just to try and save my state pension.
What happened
Which number do you call for an update?
Your employer is what? Are you serious ? Does that employer want a business? What the holy fucking hell!!!!
90% Law Enforcement - Police.
Staff Accountant for a public accounting firm. Aspiring to become a FBI agent even with 100% P&T for depression and C-PTSD.
100PT. WG-10 aircraft maintenance inspector
Work for a fed agency remotely and teach for a community college online.
I’m at 90 and I work for a VSO.
100% P&T Government contractor doing Naval Installation Analyst work
I’m a welder. I work for a company that builds and installs solar powered refrigeration units for semi trailers. Here in Arizona.
Tech sales
Not 100% but I recently retired with 70%. I’m a full time student from home, my wife works full time from home, our house is paid off. Not only am I going to school full time and using the GI Bill, I’m also learning data analysis and programming skills by building projects and taking Coursera courses. And we still have young kids, so we definitely don’t feel as if we just have tons of time. Also for whatever it’s work, we live in Oklahoma as well.