Can I claim disability if I’m getting involuntarily separated?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 May 2019 21:54:38 -0400

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made May 6 at 2019 10:08 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Mon, 06 May 2019 22:08:46 -0400

Depends on your discharge type, I'd imagine.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made May 6 at 2019 11:00 PM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Mon, 06 May 2019 23:00:53 -0400

If your discharge is anything but dishonorable, you may file and suggest you do so.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 6 at 2019 11:06 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 06 May 2019 23:06:20 -0400

depends on the separation and what the VA says, you should be able to see them before separation.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 7 at 2019 2:23 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 May 2019 02:23:14 -0400

I am just curious if you are viewing this in the right capacity. I am assuming that you have been in about a year. Is your separation anyway involved to a factor that may lead to disability? What kind of chapter is it? Some of them say in regulation that you can't claim any disability. I am not trying to pry but how has the Army led to you being disabled?

Response by 1SG Eddie Smith made May 7 at 2019 10:03 AM

1SG Eddie Smith — Tue, 07 May 2019 10:03:22 -0400

Yes, you can. However, the first thing the VA will do is establish service connection, that is to say, is the health condition on your disability claim caused by military service.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 7 at 2019 11:57 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 07 May 2019 11:57:06 -0400

What kind of discharge? I don't know all the acronyms.

Response by MSG Robert Conrad made May 8 at 2019 7:51 AM

MSG Robert Conrad — Wed, 08 May 2019 07:51:31 -0400

Yes. If you are being referred to the MEB, the claim will be submitted at the same time the PEB requests a rating from the VA in the IDES program. If you are under an adverse separation you will need to submit prior to seperating under the Benefits at Discharge Delivery (BDD), which has a specific timelime, I think it has to be submitted within 180 days of separation, but check on that because it's important you meet the window.

Response by SFC Jimmy Arocho made May 20 at 2019 3:21 PM

SFC Jimmy Arocho — Mon, 20 May 2019 15:21:29 -0400

https://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/serviceconnected/Compensation.pdf

Compensation.pdf

Response by MSG Robert Conrad made May 20 at 2019 10:06 PM

MSG Robert Conrad — Mon, 20 May 2019 22:06:12 -0400

Here is the link to the website that will answer your basic questions. https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/when-to-file/pre-discharge-claim/#ways-to-file You are going to want to file pre-discharge because it removes one of the three legal requirements for service connection. All you need is a diagnosed chronic condition that is attributed to your service, that did not exist at enlistment. Start gathering your medical records and schedule an appointment with a service rep, they will get the ball rolling. They are normally co-located at the processing site for incoming and outgoing personnel.

VA.gov

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