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

I was a reservist who ended up with 15 years active duty due to deployments and mobilizations. I was assigned to a WTB while on active duty. I was denied the MEB because I was “too close to retirement.” I retired 01 March 2016 and started doing the disability process. By October of 2016 I was at 70%. I utilized a state VSO initially but switched to the DAV after a budget cut. It’s a hard process. If you have documentation it is easier. I had paper documents going back 30 years which helped. As I get older it gets harder to do certain activities. I know I will have to go a second round to get upgraded as the injuries and surgeries really catch up and overtake me. I’ve had 10 surgeries thus far- the last three through the VA hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan. I can’t argue with the care I have received through the VA. Fighting for the disability ratings is the grind.

Are you Reserve or Active Duty?

You should complete your VA claim as part of outprocessing. Make sure you have the cover sheet for your medical records. This lists anything you were medically treated for while in the army. Simply transcribe this onto your VA disability request... even 0% is a percentage.

I waited 50 years. I didn't realize that “Everyone” doesn't have ringing in their ears all the time. They ran me through a series of tests. They said if I'd reported this when I got out, they probably would have awarded me 50% disability. They said they were sure it was traceable to an IRT incident involving practice grenades going off within about 3’ from my head. Now, both of the other Marines involved had passed away. They both had hearing loss, both their spouses said they complained about lifelong, constant ringing in their heads, but neither had reported it to the VA. After our D.I’s at the time told us to quit complaining! “Suck it up, Buttercup!” we just figured for years, that a little ringing was normal, in ‘69, when we got out, we just figured everyone had some degree of ringing. So, in the end, I wound up getting 25%. It all really didn't matter, I was just glad that after 50 years, I was finally validated.

For my husband, his exit physical was a tuning fork against his ears. The doc asked if he could hear it. And also had him touch his toes. That was all he got. Now, we are trying to get his disability set for the problems he had from the service to include hearing loss from flightline work and shoulders shot from dragging 90 lbs radios up aircraft ladders. Went to one Vet rep that got us NO where and he was with the American Legion. So, now we are trying to get some action with a different vet rep. For hearing he was set up with a hearing exam at a VA, and the audiologist did not like my husband's response. She not only told him to press the button if he hears something, which he did when he heard it. She also took her hands and placed them on each side of his face. She said to have people look straight at him when talking to him. He told her not to touch his face. So, with that he got a DENIAL of hearing loss after flighline work for 8 years. My husband did have a comprehensive doc visit in July 2020 for a few other items that occurred to him when he was active. More than 120 days has passed with no comment or reason or disability rating yet from the VA. Guess that the VA meant 120 MONTHS for the status. Another thing, is that my husband was told that records were lost, and they were still trying to find them, and that are some of the excuses he has received.

Never ever apply for disability or an increase in your rating without using a VSO. Otherwise, the VA will lie. A friend of mine, Marine, Purple Heart, sniper and Silver star was told he had to prove he was in Nam. Try and find your buddies 50+ years later. The only names we had were hillbilly or city boy etc. I used DAV when I got my 100%. I don’t think the VA is completely dishonest but many of them are dumber than a box of rocks. Medical staff by and large is pretty cool. Clerks and admin can be stupids or just mean.

I filed immediately after I left the navy in a whirlwind of paper shuffling in 1980. This established my file with VA. Over the years multiple claims of increased disability compensation were filed as my health degenerated from the original filing. The latest claim was filed in 2010 and has been in processing ever since. But the VA and BVA have been increasing the ratings incrementally which I appreciate. The only thing left to decide is the 100% unemployability. I was let go from work in 2011 when I could no longer accomplish my tasks due to the degenerative nature of my overwhelming disability. Such is life but I'm still here and kicking.

I filed immediately in 1980. I was out of the navy in a whirlwind of paper pushing. But by filing, further claims allowed me to achieve higher VA disability compensation as my situation deteriorated with the years. Each claim built upon the file with the VA, the DAV provided much needed support, and so the complex case filed in 2010 and has been winding through the process. The rating has gone up dramatically so only 100% unemployability remains to be settled. In a month this will start the 11th year of processing.

I waited 20 years after I got out. Personally, I regret having waited so long and would recommend applying as soon as possible.

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