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

I think I was rated at retirement or soon after... I retired in 1995 but am planning on updating my disability... Been formally diagnosed by the VA with PTSD and memory loss.

You can begin your claim before you leave the service. Your eligibility date for VA benefits will be the day after your ETS or retirement. It is best to start it prior to separating so you can get any issues addressed while still in. Be sure to get a copy of your entire service treatment record. This is called a BDD (Benefits Delivery at Discharge) claim. Here is the VA website link: https://www.va.gov/disability/how-to-file-claim/when-to-file/pre-discharge-claim/.

Register for an eBenefits account at: https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits/homepage. Once registered, click on "Upgrade to Premium." This gives you full access and functionality. You can initiate your claim, submit supporting documentation, and check the status of your claim in eBenefits.

Good luck!

The VA system has become a Social welfare system that pushes disability claims. I tell them every year at my PHA that I have no problems as a result of my military service. Just another decline in society today.

I retired on one day and was in the VA next.

When you go to TAP or whatever they are calling it these day, they will have a VSO there that will encourage you to file even if you don't think you have anything wrong with you and then they will tell you that even if you get a 0% on something that is still good because if that "problem" ever gives you trouble you will be covered for any cost. I filled 3 months before I got out of service (Jan 2014) and within 3 months after I retired I received 60%, I filled a NOD after 6 years of waiting for my appeal to go though they (the VA) increased me to 100% P&T and several of the 0% that they originally gave me was increased to 10% and 20%. Just remember the military is a hard stressful job and it is hard on your body and mind, I would not wait to file.

Some advise to those who choose to wait to file please, please get a copy of your medical record before you are out.
Last thing, if you wait years to file for anything medical issue you have, it will be harder to prove it happened in service even if you have it in your service medical record.

Here is a good website to visit for those how want more info about anything dealing with the VA claim process https://vetsbenefits.net/

I took my medical record to the DAV and had it gone over a few months before my separation. They helped me fill out my paperwork and submit it to the VA. I had my rating and benefits the day I separated.

I have gotten my VA rating, 30% for tinnitus and shoulder pain beyond a specific range, and still currently serving in the Army Reserve (I did some time on Active duty prior, as well as time in Air Force Reserve). You can make a claim when it works for you, but the sooner the better, and make sure all your records are updated, as well as properly documented. Unfortunately, some of my chest pains from Iraq the VA has come back on and told me it was due to prior issues (My dad smoked in the house growing up so I would get chest pain from the smoke). And due to a 2LT telling me to toughen up and move on, and not forcing him to record it, I'm stuck without much proof. On the bright side, after a chest scan, I don't have anything developing in my lungs, which is why I filed to begin with!
So document EVERYTHING.

I waiting till I was out for many before I filed a claim for my ears and only 10% I am to get more now that work no more and I am on disaibility from the job I had as a welder/pipefitter for Chevron USA I also get SSDI. It is really hard to prove to the Veterans Adminstration that you have other problems that may be related to your time in the milititray

You do not have to wait until you are out to start the process. Your last year of service will have you attend TAP, which one day is dedicated to you VA benefits, especially healrhcare and disability. YOU do need to make sure you have everything documented, when you do your exit medical exam, that is the time to make sure everything is updated and documented. When you exit active duty your first month following ets you should recieve your disability pay, IF you have gotten everything completed and processed. Once youe VA eval ppointments are scheduled DO NOT MISS THEM! You can get it all done before exiting active duty, or while terminal
If you are guard or reserve, you can file anytime, go through the evals and recieve payment. But you can not double dip per say-

You should start the process as soon as you start the ETS or Retirement process. If you are found to have a disability your disability rating will be effective starting the first day you are a civilian. If you wait 4 months or 10 years that will be the start of your disability compensation.