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

I was actually told to check in at my nearest VA center once I established residency while I was in out processing at Ft. Hood. So once I returned home I checked in with VA and filed a claim for my service connected disability. Out processing actually game forms to give to VA, plus I had copies of all my medical records from the Army.

41 years.

I didn't know I even had any benefits through the VA when I got out of the military. When I finally found out I did have benefits and that I was also able to file for disabilities that I incurred while in the military, I filed shortly thereafter. My first rating for military connected compensation was 20 years after I got out for 20%.

I have a non-military connected rating of 100%, and am currently on full disability. I want to get off of it and not be so dang poor, but that's taking more time than expected. Meanwhile, I'm still waiting on my original compensation claim, it's been 4.5 years so far, and I expect it will take at least another 12 months before I get a hearing. But we'll see.

My original claim was during the old VA Compensation process, while my second claim much later claim that was filed, was with the new VA Compensation process. In the new process it surprisingly went super quick, it took a total of about 3 months to get my rating, which as stated above was over 20 years after getting out (actually about 20.5 years).

During final out processing from USAF when I retired VA rep was required to sign off. Started the process then and was initially rated at 10%. Had it reevaluated every 5 years and increased as my body breaks down. Do it as soon as possible if for no other reason than to get in the VA system.

only 30years

only 30 years

SPC. Jessee T., contact American Legion to sponsor you they will do it because for them it is a duty not a "source of income" DO NOT contact a lawyer.

Have a full copy of your medical records, if you have current civilian medical reviews copy those as well..keep copies of everything. Have your significant other, family members, co-workers, and friends who may have witnessed and or understand your service related condition and how it impacts your life all write a short letter corroborating your condition.

Te VA is like an insurance company and their sole motivation is "how not to pay" they are predominantly civilian political animal employees and don't give a rats ass about you or veterans only their own advancement towards the next pay grade and $$$. They will not look at anything with an eye to validate your claim yet only look for ways to reject it or reduce it.

Do yourself a favor and contact American Legion for sponsorship, that organization is made up of US and they care about us and will help you more than any lawyer ever will because all that lawyer sees is 33% PLUS cost of filing your claim.

You owe it to yourself to contact American Legion, trust me as one who has experienced this degrading situation with the VA.

I waited more than 25 years after I got out of the ARMY to file a disability claim for my hearing loss and Tinnitus. I also injured my back, but the VA said it was due to my age. I felt for the longest time that I had not sacrificed enough to make a claim. I still had all of my limbs, and did not want to dishonor those who gave so much more than I did. I only received a 10% disability rating, but it does help and I don't feel so bad now for being a disabled veteran.

It took me 20 years to get a rating, even though I could not reenlist because of my hearing loss.

The sooner the better. Once the military is done and you get your records. Start making your claims as soon as you're allowed to.
However, making claims is an uphill battle. You are your own best advocate for that. Drag your feet and it adds more time. The government got theirs out of you but you have to fight to get yours out of them. Go through your records and make sure everything is there. Secondly anything and everything that is wrong with you, it's highly recommended you get it documented or have proof such claims. Otherwise you're in for a really not so fun time.