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

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.

It’s like this. Getting the military and VA rating is challenging. Get it out of the way ASAP as it is an easier process while u r still in coordination wise. The sooner you finish your MEB, the sooner u can apply for SSDI.

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"

I retired in December and got my first check in February, but I had my ducks in a row ahead of time.
First, make sure your medical records are up to date and make a paper copy and an electronic copy.
Contact the DAV and have them do an assessment prior to getting out.
Once you go on terminal leave make an appointment with the VA.
After you get your VA rating have the DAV review it.

Start your claim while on active duty. That way you still can get your medical records while on post. Upload the medical documents that correspond to what you are claiming. Like neck strain or Achilles tendonist, foot pain, back strain, knees etc. you can start the claim 180 days before your discharge. The date of the claim will be your discharge day so you will upload your 214 into eBenefits. That is the date they back pay to when the compensation is finally approved. If you are still on active duty make sure you see a providers about anything else that bothers or was injured and add that to your claim. Once you have provided all the records for your claims you will submit your claim and then the VA will start to review it.

Look, the VA is the GOV. Start now.