Army veteran Josh Kosola, once rated for Individual Unemployability, transformed his life through determination and VA support, earning a doctorate. Hailing from rural South Dakota, Kosola joined the Army in 2000 and faced mental and physical challenges after leaving in 2006. He sought help from the VA, receiving a Total Disability rating for his service-connected disabilities. In 2012, he began pursuing higher education through the VA’s Veteran Readiness and Employment program, finding support at the Rapid City Vet Center. Kosola earned a bachelor’s degree and later a master’s, eventually pursuing a doctorate at National American University. He completed his dissertation in July 2024, celebrating his achievement as his “greatest triumph.”
To navigate his VA benefits effectively, Kosola attended a Veterans Assistance Expo in August 2024, where he decided to drop his TDIU status for better financial stability. Subsequent claims related to the PACT Act led to a 100% permanent and total rating. At the 2025 expo, VA staff helped him remove an outdated unemployability marker, resulting in a significant retroactive payment. Kosola encourages fellow veterans to seek support, emphasizing that with the right help, any challenge can be overcome.
