What happens when the uniform comes off, but the war doesn’t end?
That question haunted SGT Joseph “Joe” Smith, U.S. Army Infantry, after returning from his final deployment. His older brother, 1LT Jacob “Jake” Smith, didn’t make it home. Joe did—but came back with more than physical wounds. He was met with a complicated system, unfamiliar forms, and a sense of isolation he never expected.
At first, Joe struggled—like so many others. But with help from fellow veterans, family, supportive strangers, and an unwavering will to move forward, he found a path. Along the way, a nickname emerged for the messy math behind VA disability ratings: “Funky VA Math.”
That phrase stuck. And while Joe is a fictional character, his journey reflects a very real reality for countless veterans.
Inspired by stories like Joe’s, Funky VA Math and FTV|BTV Magazine were created as tools to equip, educate, and empower those who serve—and those who stand beside them. The magazine doesn’t belong to Joe, it belongs to all in and outside of the VA community. It’s about him, and about all of us navigating the challenges of coming home.
Issue #1 of FTV|BTV, titled Survivor, tells Joe’s story—honest, raw, and filled with insight that could make a real difference.
If you or someone you know is facing the VA system and feeling overwhelmed, start here.
Grab your copy of Issue #1: Survivor.
Discover what it really means to come home.
Because surviving isn’t the end of the story—it’s just the beginning.
