Posted on Jun 8, 2020
SPC Motor Transport Operator
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How many of you are rated through the VA If so did you wait till you were out or did it while still in If you waited how long were you out when you made your first claim?
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SGT Wayne Grindstaff
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A few years after RVN I filed due to pain since 68, got 20% for my PH. In 2000 when both my union and S.S. listed me as totally disabled and couldn't work at my trade (calcified spinal cord) I went after the VA. I was a life member of both the DAV and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Who helped me the most was Congressman Peter King.
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SGT Wayne Grindstaff
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I filed a few years after I was discharged, the reason I filed was that a co-worker was bragging about his disability. Turns out he broke his leg jumping over the posts fence after visiting a house of ill repute. That pissed me off and I filed as I was in pain since 68 when I was wounded. I received 20% and then we got a new President Carter and I was cut to 10% where I stayed till 2000 when my disability got so bad I couldn't work my trade (calcified spinal cord). I was a life member of both the DAV and Military Order of the Purple Heart. Who helped me the most was my Congressman Peter King.
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1LT Neal Schwartz
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I waited 42 years, because I wasn't aware of a claims process. My wife forced me to go to the VA because of some health related issues.
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PO2 Edward Gilbert
PO2 Edward Gilbert
4 y
Good for her!
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SGT Philip Lafleur
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When I was about to retire our service counselor told me to accumulate all my medical records from everywhere I'd served and then go to a VA counselor at Fort Meade MD and apply. They told me that the physical you get upon retiring is not used to determine disability. After 25 1/2 years I had a really thick sheaf of records. These were reviewed but I was instructed to see four separate physicians and/or clinicians about my health claims. Some were considered valid but not service related, like my depression and anxiety. Some were service related but they were rated zero, like my tinnitus. But many of my long term health issues were ascribed to my PTSD and after all was said and done I was 100%, permanent and total. My advice is apply just before your retire and make sure you keep all the appointments they make for you. The VA counselor said that was the number one problem with delays, improper evaluations and denials of disability claims. Veterans were not cooperative. The other bit of advice the counselor gave was be honest. These doctors do this for a living. They've evaluated hundreds, sometimes thousands of vets for disability. So I was honest and let the chips fall where they may. And whatever you do, don't fake records. Turns out they had access to everything already anyway. The uniformed services medical services share everything with the VA because we're eligible for care there. In the end I did OK. Not everyone gets such a high rating but being uncooperative or lying only hurts you. Not filing at all is a fool's errand. I know so many who said they didn't need any help and they'd simply live with their infirmities. You served and you sacrificed. This was created to make your retirement years easier. To me it is completely silly not to apply.
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PO2 Edward Gilbert
PO2 Edward Gilbert
4 y
You serve you deserve.
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SP5 Eugenia Scott-Inman
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Released with a small percentage in 1992 went to VA denied assistance. Return 13 years later still no improvement, 2018 I believe I got an increase.
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1SG Ernest Stull
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I put my claim in about 60 days. The VA at the time I retired gave you a complete physical to address each of the injuries that I claimed. Do not be hard core and say I am in good shape if in fact you are not. If it hurts then let the VA know how it hurts and to what extent. I have centeral nerve disorder from jumping and a bunch of bad falls. So who tho ask you what pain level you are then be truthful but remember the VA is asking about the present not the past.
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SSG Ursula Evans
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I got out in 1997. Filed in 2019, and am currently at 20%. The Dr at Bragg when I got out told me to tell him all things I was seen for while in, but I’d it wasn’t bothering me that day, he didn’t want me to tell him about it. So, I didn’t. Until I told a VSO in 2019.
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CPL Harold Ouellette
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29 years. didn't realize I had PTSD. Just figured I was F$%#@d up. :-)
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PO2 Edward Gilbert
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PO1 William Van Syckle
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I was still in the service when I filed my claim. I started my claim about 6 months before I retired. Received a rating approx. 3 months after I got out. So, a total of 9 months.....
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TSgt James Sutton
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I had a heart attack just prior to retirement and was hospitalized. I filed a month later and received a waiver to retire before my enlistment was up, I still had my 20 years of service. The Transition Assistance Rep reviewed my records and highlighted everything they saw that might qualify in my records. Because I was still recovering I did not file with the VA until almost a year after I had retired, I took my records to the VA officer near me who filed for multiple issues including heart disease, kidney disease, back issues, carpal tunnel, PTSD and depression. He also put in for hearing loss because I worked the flight line, more on that in a minute.

After 2.5 years I was finally approved, was told the wait was so long because VA had just opened up claims for agent orange and there were over 100,000 or more claims to go thru before mine. I was approved on kidney issues and the PTSD/depression issues. Awarded 50% since both the kidneys and depression were the same rate I received the one rate.

Found it odd I had a heart attack, was taken from the base to the local ER, and that ER confirmed and put me on a helicopter to the regional heart hospital in Raleigh-Durham, NC. But the VA claims there was nothing in my records to confirm it. Same with the back and carpal tunnel issues I know I was sent to specialists for care and VA claimed nothing in my records.

Finally, the hearing loss issue, 6 years after I joined I kept failing my hearing tests while working on F117s at Holloman AFB. I then passed a test and asked what the difference was and was told they changed my baseline. I always got perfect or near-perfect results after that. Same when I went to the VA to get tested I was told I had perfect hearing, so how does that explain all the failed hearing tests and the change in baseline in my records, which again they claim to not be able to find? The TAPS officer saw it and reported it.

Finally my dental records, I was cat 3 nondeployable at my last base and had a bunch of dental work needed to be done. I find out after I get out that I only have 90 days after retirement to file a dental claim with the VA. The TAPS officer never told me of the 90-day requirement and had told me the VA would take care of my dental problems since the DD214 shows I did not receive dental care when I was discharged. I have paid thousands getting my teeth taken care of and they are still getting worse and I am facing tens of thousands in dental care to get my teeth back to normal.

The daily pain is what is killing me, and is the one area I found the VA seriously left me hanging!
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TSgt James Sutton
TSgt James Sutton
5 y
There was also issues with my stomach and intenstines which I had seen a specialists for that the VA claimed wasn't in my records but the TAPS officer had highlighted and put into my claim. If he could see it and highlighted it how could the VA claim it wasn't in there?
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TSgt James Sutton
TSgt James Sutton
5 y
I have not worked in over 4 years, was fired from my last job working as a supervisor at a chemical plant after management found out I had PTSD and was taking medication. They claimed I didn't inform them, but I notified the medical doctor who did the plant annual physicals. I ended up suing them and they settled on a wrongful termination. Wasn't much but was better than the 1 month pay they offered for me to sign a statement claiming they did nothing wrong in firing me. I find it hard to trust anyone anymore and have been homebound most of the time. Lost my house 2 years ago and my cars soon after that, just kinda passing the time now, at least I still have my Air Force pension and the 50% VA or I would be screwed.
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