How an Army Veteran rated for Individual Unemployability took control of his life and now holds the title Doctor
Josh Kosola, a self-described “small-town kid” from rural South Dakota, never envisioned earning a doctorate. Through relentless determination and strategic use of VA benefits, this Army Veteran transcended barriers to achieve his dreams, proving that with the right support, any Veteran can reclaim their future.
Kosola joined the Army as a combat engineer in 2000, deploying around the world, including Iraq in 2003 as part of the first wave of forces. After leaving the military in 2006, he faced mental and physical challenges, prompting him to seek VA assistance. He turned to VA for health care and eventually applied for disability compensation, receiving a rating for Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU), a benefit for Veterans unable to sustain employment due to service-connected disabilities.
Pursuing education against the odds
Undeterred by his IU status, Kosola pursued higher education in 2012 through VA’s Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program. Transitioning to academia was daunting, but the Rapid City Vet Center provided critical support. Its Mobile Vet Center (MVC) visited Black Hills State University monthly, offering group counseling that, alongside the campus Veterans club, fueled his success. “Sometimes the path feels tough and isolating, but it’s OK to seek help,” Kosola said, crediting the Vet Center as a cornerstone of his journey.
With the help of VR&E, he earned a bachelor’s degree, followed by a master’s. Inspired by his professors, Kosola set his sights on a career in teaching. He worked with his VR&E counselor to pursue a doctorate at National American University. On July 4, 2024, his published dissertation earned him the title of Doctor Kosola. “This is my greatest triumph,” he said. “I wanted to contribute to society again, and VA made it possible.”
Navigating VA benefits for a brighter future
Aware that IU imposed income limits, Kosola attended a VA 1-on-1 Veterans Assistance Expo in Sturgis, S.D., in August 2024. Despite advice from his Veterans Service Organization representative, he chose to drop TDIU, accepting a potential reduction in monthly compensation. At the expo, a Sioux Falls VA Regional Office (VARO) staff member encouraged him to file claims related to the PACT Act, which resulted in a 100% permanent and total (P&T) rating, thereby maintaining his financial stability.
In 2025, Kosola returned to the Sturgis expo. Though already at permanent and total status, the unemployability marker lingered; the Sioux Falls VARO team removed the lingering TDIU marker and discovered an unapplied 2012 Special Monthly Compensation entitlement. Within 24 hours, they corrected the oversight, awarding retroactive payments dating back 13 years—an outcome Kosola called life-changing.
A Guiding Light for Fellow Warriors
Doctor Kosola’s journey from a rural upbringing to academic excellence showcases the power of perseverance and VA support. His advice to fellow Veterans: “Challenges persist, but don’t let past trials define you. With the right support, anything is achievable.” His story inspires others to tap into VA resources, overcome obstacles and forge their own paths to success.
Ready to advance your education?
Learn more about what VR&E can do for you at www.va.gov/vre or explore GI Bill benefits at https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits.
Recent legislation extends Vet Center eligibility to Veterans or service members pursuing a course of education using covered educational assistance benefits. Curious if it applies to you? Check out www.vetcenter.va.gov for details or online at services and eligibility.
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Look at all this negativity. “Success is a choice” Coach Cignetti. Goggle him. Congrats, sir!
Nobody hates veterans more than other veterans…
This is the kinda stuff that actually just pisses Vets off. They paid for a PHd program in Education? What a massive waste of tax payer funds. The last thing we need in any more money place into the hands of the department of education.
Hey, we actually need more money in the Department of Education so we don’t end up with people as dumb as you saying things as dumb as that… do you understand how much money a PhD from National American University costs compared to the virtually unlimited budget of the VR&E? There were, in total, about $295,000,000,000 allocated for VR&E benefits in 2024 alone, so how about you try to get an education using those benefits too, so you don’t have to say stupid shit on the internet to make yourself feel good, you fucking loser.
The same VR&E program denies these benefits to Black veterans like myself. I have exhausted all efforts to get them to help me, but they say my mental health was the issue I call bullshit this one department of VA that need to help to help black veterans.
Good for him, lots of salt around here. It’s neat to see the South Dakota National Guard patch being worn overseas.
Good for Doctor Kosola!!!!
For those individuals who left their negative comments below remember life is what you make of it!!!! Stop focusing on feeling sorry for yourself and blaming others for your own failures!!!! The VA is there to help those who help themselves!!!
So grow some cohones and learn to live a better life!!!!
Good for doctor Kosola!!!! But
For the individuals who left their negative comments below just remember life is what you make it!!!!! So stop feeling sorry for yourself and stop blaming others for your lack of cohones!!!!
Another useless person who cant hold a job but has 3 degrees go college
Good luck finding a job with a degree from this disreputable degree-mill. He would be better off NOT having a doctorate and not associated with this dismal online school
National American University? Good luck finding a job with a degree from that no-name degree-mill. With all the quality universities in the US why would anyone get a degree from this place no one has heard of, for very good reasons
He didn’t earn a PhD, he got an EdD from an online school.
So, because he chose to attend college online, you don’t think that he did the work to obtain his PhD?
Naw….Me thinks he gamed the system as many do. Weekly across America somewhere…. someone is arrested for scamming VA years after applying.
There are many truly needing VA help though….
Kudos on this important milestone. If you got the the chance to soar, then dodge the eagles and kick it hard, Bro.
Doesn’t TDIU mean that he is unable to maintain gainful employment? He had the ability to get a PhD?
You mean, he didn’t WANT to work since the VA would pay him the equivalent of a 100k civilian salary at 100%. Yes. 100k when all of f the tax benefits, loan benefits, healthcare benefits and education benefits are taken into account.
How are people doing this when the VA VR&E Refuses to help me with a new career following my lose of flight school, and again after at my own expense managing an MBA with a 4.0 out of 4.0?
MajorWeed
Contact the VA Hotline in Washington, DC, and file a Congressional Inquiry through your local Senate office. Thank me later.