Did you wait till you were out to get your disability rating? If so, how long before you made your first claim?

I had been hit by high voltage while active. When I was discharged, the dog sit to keep an eye on it and report to the VA if I had problems. 30+years later, I had pain and numbness issues. Initially rated 10%,then rated 30%. All they can do is some pain relief with Lidocaine 5% patches. Doesn't do much and they tell me there's nothing more they can do exploit if i

Still active duty and I highly encourage you to take care of this before getting out.

Of note, however, are consequential personal finance implications connected to your medical diagnosis, so if your life insurance vehicles aren't in place, this is a big consideration ahead of medical diagnosis.

Reach out to learn more.

I knew I was flucked up but, I couldn't find out exactly what was wrong with me so, I just decided that the VA would take care of me in the event I couldn't work any longer. Twenty years later, I finally filed a claim because, I just couldn't take it any longer...the stress and pain had done me in. My wife left me and I had to get to the bottom of what was wrong with me...the VA helped me solve the riddle and for that, I am grateful. There are some good doctors at the VA and some, not so good. The good news is, most of the people working at the VA really do care for you. I think the BONUSES VA employees receive can hamper the treatment one gets. The VA prolly gets bad reviews and I understand that but, IMHO, you have to do your homework...you have to be your own doctor, you have to have private doctors and you need the VA's help as well. Life is a constant battle between good and evil...never give up and fight the good fight...fight to win! Never believe anything you hear and only half of what you see. There must be a reason for this question and I hope I've been of some help...if you want to know anything else, just ask. Peace be to all and God Bless...Sincerely Ken

2000

I filed my claim while I was still on AD. They didn't start looking at my file until after I ETS'd and didn't get a verdict until a few months later.

I filed before I got out and it took about a year to receive a rating, this was 8 years ago. I recently re-filed for an increase and it took less than 5 months to receive an increase. I filed my new claim on VA.gov, I would recommend starting there or contact your local VFW or Military Order of the Purple Heart for guidence with filing.

I filed with the VA about 20 years after I retired from the USAR, after I heard a presentation from my county's Veterans' Service office (each county in Indiana has one) to a group I belong to. With the claim, I was awarded a monthly disability allowance. I made my first claim almost immediately, for hearing aids.

40 years

I was medically discharged in 1990 with degenerative joint disease in my lower spine. I applied to the VA for my disability rating. I received a rating of 0%. So I asked to be reinstated in the Army and was "permanently medically refused further active service" so I appealed the decision as being medically discharged, there had to be something wrong. My appeal resulted in a in person hearing where I was granted a new evaluation due to numerous complaints by the doc. After my eval, they awarded me 10%. I appealed that decision as well and they came back with 30%. That took 3 years.

Fast forward to 2019. After numerous procedures on my back to include implants in my spine, I applied for an upgrade to my rating. I received another 10% and from the time I submitted, physical eval etc, was under 90 days.

So I would say that the length of time for a decision has greatly improved.

Make sure you have your entire medical record and everything you want in there documented. Do not leave anything to chance or guess. You can never have to much paperwork when dealing with the VA. It is completely different then active duty.
Moreover you should have all your orders where and when on active duty. Get names and contact information from your buddies as you can help each other by what is called "NEXUS LETTERS AND BUDDY STATEMENTS"