Hey guys,

I’m not exactly sure how to frame this question so I’m going to just lay it all out there.

So I broke my arm when I was younger, around 8th grade and it never healed correctly. My arms carrying angle is off which makes my arm crooked and it cracks and sometimes hurts when I move it. I saw a specialist, he gave me an X-Ray and an MRI and he recommended surgery but he’d have to grind off part of my arm and I was too scared at that age and I didn’t want to fix it then because of sports and wanting to join the military and then I didn’t want to fix it in the military because I wanted to do my job and I could do everything just fine. The means didn’t justify the ends considering I had no issues.

Now I’m out, I have a 60% rating, and VA healthcare. Recently whenever I bend my arm, I get really bad nerve pain. I did some research and I’m pretty sure I have cubitus valgus and I’ve already been told by a specialist years ago that I need surgery. My question is, does the VA cover surgeries like this or am I better off doing it myself? Money is tight and I do have insurance through my employer but I still haven’t reached my deductible. Thanks guys.

TL;DR: broke arm as kid, hurts now, want surgery. Will the VA help?

lol my first post but, I feel lost. I was med board from the Air Force for PTSD a year ago and have filed for an increase since then. They denied me.. I am working on gathering new evidence and I have no idea what new evidence to include. I get all my care through the VA. I am barely able to work a job, How many counseling sessions do I need to prove that. I’m currently at 90% VA, 70% Air Force.. My goal is 100% VA. Any help is great.

Just wanted to update on my post here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Veterans/comments/118jc5v/pact_act_asthma_denied_37_fvc1/

Recently got approved to 60% after 90 days and a discussion with a senior reviewer. You'll see through the comments a lot of people saying 0% is totally fine and that's what it is. Obviously that wasn't the case as here, and much like the military, there's a lot of shithouse lawyers. Keep on fighting and good luck to everyone in a similar situation.

Hello Everyone,

This past week has been a major struggle mentally. I’ve been seeing the VA consistently for the past year after giving up, because I thought it has been useless. But tried to give it another go, but honestly feel like I’m in the same place I have been since I’ve gotten out of the military back at the end of 2019. I’m really at a crossroads and don’t know what to do anymore.

This month is mental health awareness month, and I feel I always see on social media people encouraging to seek therapy because it makes everything better. Though it is something I just can’t relate to whatsoever. Has therapy at the VA been helpful for you guys? Am I just falling into the social media trap?

I’m currently not working, I’m in summer classes on VR&E but it’s online so I’m not socializing so I’ve just been dwelling in my room thus far, and have no clue what to do when that wrapped up.

I have NFCU Active Duty Checking and savings. I just had my first Direct Deposit and instead of being released immediately like my old Bank did , it’s Pending till June 1st. Does this happen to everyone and is there a way to get it released earlier or No???

When I was in the military I injured my right shoulder. At the time the entire shoulder and arm went numb. I couldn't even move it had to have a friend drive me to the hospital. When I got there they said it was probably a strained ligament and gave me some ibuprofen. Since then I've had a deep aching pain around my right trap and behind my right shoulder for years. A few years ago the pain started to spread into my left shoulder blade, left arm. I finally went to get this checked at a private doctor. I didn't even know the pain on the left and right were related. Thought theyde just give me a cortisone shot or something in my shoulders and it would go away and ide be done with it. They immediately took an xray of my neck before I saw any doctor or spoke to anyone. Went into the office and the physician assistant asks me if I have trouble walking or falling. I'm like wtf are you talking about , I just have shoulder pain make it go away. They said it's not going to go away because I have serious arthritis in my neck that is pushing on nerves making my shoulders hurt this whole time. Either learn to live with it or get my spine fused. Anyway, I submitted a claim to the VA for my right shoulder because that's what I went to the hospital for when i was enlisted. I'm sure this is when the neck and shoulder problem started showing symptoms. And I just want them to pay for it if i need to pay to get my spine fused or something. I don't expect them to even accept the claim because I know how it goes. Anyway I submitted the mri of my neck and the notes from the private hospital. Now the VA wants to do a C&P exam. Does anyone know why? They have the documentation and either they believe they caused my neck spine disease or they don't. Why do they need me to drive 55 miles to go talk to a doctor about it? Can someone explain this to me? I have full range of motion of my shoulders it's just I have wicked neuropathic pain constantly. How can they even check for that?

How did y’all afford college, once y’all got out? I got 4 weeks left in the Army and that’s one of my biggest concerns. Already, got the Pell Grant and did BDD, but feel like that ain’t enough.