VA Disability and VA Employment

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Hi all,

I'm a disabled veteran, and about to finish an ADN program. I was curious to know if the VA honors its commitment to hiring nurses with VA disability, like forreal?

For those of you not familiar with VA disability, you DO NOT receive it because you cannot work--rather, it is to compensate you for entering the service as a whole person and leaving with reduced functioning.

For me, this does not really impact my overall functioning as a nurse: I have tinnitus, migraines, sleep issues, and depression/anxiety which is well-managed with medication/therapy.

I am especially concerned that the documented disability I am receiving for depression/anxiety will affect my hire-ability.

So is it just lip service or does the VA actually hire disabled veterans for care roles?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I am especially concerned that the documented disability I am receiving for depression/anxiety will affect my hire-ability.

So is it just lip service or does the VA actually hire disabled veterans for care roles?

You do have to be qualified for the roles in which you are applying; if you aren't qualified, then preference doesn't help. But read this information here:

FAQs Regarding Job Opportunities for Veterans - VA Careers

Of importance, please note the part that says "It is not necessary to send documentation of what your specific disabilities are." You don't have the reveal the information, period. :)

One caveat I have found with a lot of gov/mil nursing jobs: they don't hire new grads unless it is specifically a new grad residency program, and there don't seem to be many of those. You might have to apply elsewhere (civilian) and get experience first. I would also recommend looking into a BSN program after you finish your ADN — it definitely counts in the gov sector as far as pay and grade/step.

Good luck in the remainder of your program! And thank you for reminding me that I need to get off my butt and file my disability paperwork. I ETS'd one year ago today, wow.

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I like the sound of that, thanks for letting me know.

Good luck with the disability claims process-it's a doozy.

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You do have to be qualified for the roles in which you are applying; if you aren't qualified, then preference doesn't help. But read this information here:

FAQs Regarding Job Opportunities for Veterans - VA Careers

Of importance, please note the part that says "It is not necessary to send documentation of what your specific disabilities are." You don't have the reveal the information, period. :)

One caveat I have found with a lot of gov/mil nursing jobs: they don't hire new grads unless it is specifically a new grad residency program, and there don't seem to be many of those. You might have to apply elsewhere (civilian) and get experience first. I would also recommend looking into a BSN program after you finish your ADN — it definitely counts in the gov sector as far as pay and grade/step.

Good luck in the remainder of your program! And thank you for reminding me that I need to get off my butt and file my disability paperwork. I ETS'd one year ago today, wow.

So, wait, since the VA has custody of my medical records would it really be that hard for them to simply pull up my file in the middle of the hiring process and see what all I had going on?

I mean, it would probably violate HIPPA, basic morality, and some other stuff, but it would still be feasible, right?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
So, wait, since the VA has custody of my medical records would it really be that hard for them to simply pull up my file in the middle of the hiring process and see what all I had going on?

I mean, it would probably violate HIPPA, basic morality, and some other stuff, but it would still be feasible, right?

I sincerely doubt they would do that. It would be too easy to track access to your records through an audit.

Good luck with the disability claims process-it's a doozy.

Did you have someone help you file for disability? I was debating doing it myself vs. visiting a VSO. Hopefully mine won't be too difficult, it's primarily a fairly straightforward injury from deployment, but I know logic doesn't always apply.

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I would strongly recommend talking to other veterans in your area to get an idea which local VSOs suck. If you're in a rural area like I am, you can't walk up the road without tripping over a vet, so do make use of "free" resources.

Personally, I used a well-recommended VSO from the next county over, and even though the claims forms looked pretty straight-forward I would much rather go with the guy who makes a living crossing Ts and dotting Is (logic NEVER applies lol). Best of luck.

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I am also a DV and I am an LPN. I just got a offer to work at the VAMC in SC. I applied probably 60 times this year and had two interviews in two different states. It is hard as an LPN to get a job there in Fl where I live, so I applied everywhere just so I can work there. It has been 6 months and I am still waiting for the final offer.

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Is the background check process grueling?

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You do this thing called Vetpro, that were you put all your nursing employment and the VA will verify that employment and call all your references and send them stuff in the mail to send back. You will also have to write down all your addresses and do finger prints. The hardest part is the wait. I hope I hear back soon, I think my background check is what I am waiting for. The HR already sent my paperwork to the director to sign off my salary.

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