Is it worthwhile for me to apply for VA benefits after 10 years of separation?

SPC Nate Lamphier I made the decision to file for benefits due to injury over 20 years after occurrence. And was successful. It was a two year process from "intent to file" to completion. It was quite exhausting at times; however, the disability compensation I am now receiving allows me to be financially stable and get reliable medical care. For me it was worth trying.

SPC Nate Lamphier, there is no timeframe on when you can apply for disability compensation from the VA. You can submit a pre-discharge claim when you're within 90-180 days of leaving the service or you can do a post-service claim for your service 50+ years ago (there is no time limit on a post-service claim).

As the time becomes further and further away from your period of service, the two things that will be affected are the complexity in establishing that your illness or injury is service-connected and when the effective date of your claim is.

If you intend to file a claim, the VERY FIRST thing you should do is (assuming you're not going to do it yourself online) is notify the VA of your intent to file* by mail or telephonically. Once notified of your intent to file, you have up to a year to submit the claim, but the 'claim date' is established by your notification.

If you decide to file online yourself (I don't recommend it unless it is something very clear-cut), the date of the claim is set as soon as you start the claim (just opening it .. you don't have to complete it).

You can have a Veteran Service Organization* (VSO) such as the DAV, VFW, etc. (which I highly recommend instead of going down the road by yourself) do it on your behalf, but all it takes is a call to the VA to notify them. When you meet with the VSO representative, mention that you already contacted the VA and gave them a telephonic intent to file and have them verify that "it took".

Looking at your profile, you left the service 11 years ago. What you'll have to show in your claim is that there is a service-connection for the injuries that you have now. That means your medical records (or other types of supporting records) from your time in the service that showed some indication of a 'pre-cursor' condition that was caused by your service which eventually led to what's happening now.

The stronger the evidence included with your claim when it is adjudicated and a decision is made, the more likely it will be decided in your favor.

To put it bluntly - you can't just say "I did a lot of ruck marches", "those ruck marches caused me to have flat feet", and "the flat feet led to my knee and back issues I have today". It has to be documented that A led to B which led to C.

The "B to C" should be easy (a common result of flat feet are knee and back pain). If you don't have medical records showing that you developed flat feet while in the Army, that will be the harder part as flat feet is a common issue that can develop as you age.

A VSO representative will help you through the process as well as advising you on evidence that needs to be gathered.
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* VA Intent to File - https://www.va.gov/resources/your-intent-to-file-a-va-claim/
* Getting help with your claim - https://www.va.gov/disability/get-help-filing-claim/

As the Colonel said, there is no time frame. I didn't apply for my hearing until almost 18 years after my last go round with the Army Reserve. Luckily, I had copies of my last Physical that include an H-3 PUHLUS rating and DA hearing waiver, so that one just sailed through getting rated.
Again, as the Colonel indicated again, it is much easier to get rated if you can document that you had been treated while you were Active. It is a long process to get rated for a presumptive cause without some kind of treatment record.

My knee was blown out (mountain climbers) in OCS. I still came back & finished. However, I was in denial about the injury, not wanting to be disqualified from attending Army flight school. I didn't file a claim until 8 years after retiring. Because the injury was noted in my military medical records, it was good for 10% compensation. If your injuries are noted in your records, you will be compensated. If not noted, it will be a fight with the VA. If denied - appeal, appeal, appeal.

Fourteen years after retirement, I filed a claim for tinnitus. I had experience a delayed onset of a ringing in my ears. I was denied because it wasn't reported during service. I recently submitted new evidence and was denied again. My MOS was BlackHawk pilot, and UH60 is very noisy, so this should have been a slam dunk claim - yet denied again. I'm currently in the appeal process. Hang in there. Get everything you deserve.

If you don't at least put in the application you already know the answer is NO. I'm in the disability claim application process right now after separating from the service in 1997. The initial application if you do it online takes about 2-3 hours if you have all your records needed available to you. Are you sooo.... busy that you can't spend an evening or a weekend to do the work? I'm thinking that I will probably be denied just as you fear; however, it's worth the try if you have a chance of succeeding.

Best of luck to you.

As they say in Brooklyn. Forget about it...unless you were an officer or know someone high up in the military.

I filed VA benefits for my father in 2010, he was in during the Korean War. He never initiated anything, and he was the cadre for the Airborne Rangers during his time in. That said, his body was a bit of a mess, and he lived with it. He was able to get 80% disability before he passed. He could've taken advantage of more benefits, he only wanted a wheelchair and some healthcare (which he got and more). I made sure that my dad understood that he would have to push on the process and probably go 2 or 3 times for evaluations before anything would be approved. There obviously is no time frame, and it IS worth your time to follow through with this. I felt weird about doing this for myself, but a fellow retiring buddy told me 'with all that's happened to us, try to remember how you felt 10 years ago, how you feel now, and imagine what you'll feel like in 10 years'. If you've earned it, you deserve it.

My advice is check in with Vaclaimsinsider.com. They will help you all the way through. They have the KNOWLEDGE to help you successfully get your disability. I do not get anything for the recommendation whatsoever. I just know it works.

I waited longer. I enjoy my little pittance. of course there is more to be had.

For medical purposes, I believe as long as you have your 214 and can get your medical records to submit for review. VA would want to see the medical records for proof if you documented that it occurred during your time in. I do not think you would get denied as long as you have records and your DD 214 to show for proof of service and records of medical documentation.
As I was getting out of AD, I had to get a full set of all my medical records to turn into VA for review, along with a second set of copies for myself.
You would be surprised how helpful to have some medical benefits for VA support. I am at 50% and get a dollar amount for compensation which helps will with bills and more. Though it is a pain sometimes with waiting for appointments for VA, but in the end its helpful.
I have heard from others there are orgs. and services that might help with pushing to get you a better rate. Just make sure it is all documented or can be proved issues are in direct proof from military service.e