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

they told me i didnt qualify was treated for depression at ft knox i guess time i went in didn't help any during peace time doesnt count

When I received my discharge evaluation, they suggested should be rated at 10%. I declined as I had hopes of having a position that would require me to be 100% healthy. The decline was maintained in my medical records an might I add, came in very handy a few years later. I started to suffer with chest pain but nothing I felt to be alarmed about. Then one day, it happened. I started to feel badly as my mother had just passed the day before. I asked my wife to drive me to my doctor's office. Just as we arrived, the first "Real Pain" hit and I fell to my knees. My daughter got a wheelchair and took me to my doctor's office. They called for the partner, a ecologist who said I was doing fine and not to worry. My doctor however said that he wanted to be sure and asked for an EKG. It was normal, but the pain was now taking over and I was sure I was about to die. My Doctor decided to call for a medical transport, to make sure I was OK. I was transported to the emergency room as a direct admit. Because it was chest pains, they called for the cardiologist. The nurse identified me as a direct admit, the cardiologist looked at the monitor and declared I was in a full blown heart attack and before I knew anything I was undressed and they were running a line into my heart, all happening in my full view on the monitor. As the tube hit my heart, it felt like cold water was pored over my body. I was ready to jump up and leave. However seven days later, I was released to go home. The Air Force was right, I had heart problems and was granted 40 percent disability. Then came the second and third attack and I was declared 100% disabled. If they say you have a problem, I suggest you take their word and allow them to follow through.

We filed during TAPS which was six months before you got out of service. They sent a VSO to our TAPS and we sat there while he scanned our medical records. He kept mine after making copies of it and I received my first rating notice three months after I got out of service. My DAV VSO told me to appeal the decision which I did. A month later I got a higher rating and was to to except it. I did. Doing it during TAPS was the best decision I could have made. I recommend everybody goes to TAPS at least six months before getting out and turn in copies of your Medical records to the VSO. Don’t be like those who waited until after they got out. Took them longer to get a rating. Just my opinion.....

I signed up while in TAP class. Let me be very clear; get in the system ASAP (IT IS A VERY LENGTHY PROCESS). I received a rating of 0% on my shoulder (I was denied on EVERYTHING else). I didn’t dispute it, because I was going straight into the Naval Reserves (I retired with 25 total). I was hurting, but I love being in the Navy. My last deployment was in 09-10, I could hardly reach across my IBA to close the HUMMER door. My Dr. at the VA didn’t want me to deploy, but I was able to get a Flight Sergeant to sign my medical off. I admit I may have done THE WRONG THING, I could have got someone hurt, BUT who leads from the rear? I got home from that deployment hurting not only physically, but mentally as well. I seen more Purple Hearts, Silver, and Bronze stars coming home than ever. I served in Desert Storm/Shield, and Somalia, and had a few deployments under my belt, but things get different as you get older. “Black Hawk Down” doesn’t get played in my house. I won’t talk about “ Lone Survivor”!
You can’t be the “Tough Guy”! I was on the USS Essex LHD-2, and in 1994 I broke my neck in a motorcycle accident (I didn’t find out until I couldn’t move my neck. That was in 2018). I was up and walking, and I hurt, but ships medical gave me a 800mg Motrin, and I was happy. I woke up one morning and I couldn’t move my neck. The Chiropractor took an X-ray, and a week later (It was Christmas time, short on staff) he called me in his office and asked me when did I break my neck as he showed me the X-ray.
What I’m getting at, DO NOT jeopardize your health by being the “Tough Guy”.
As I said, I was a Reservists and my Civilian job was as a Correctional Officer. Long story short I fell through a “Gun Port” and did major damage to my left ankle. My running days were over because I did a good job on my right ankle while in the desert, so I retired from the USNR, and I was medically retired from CDCR in 2015. Remember the shoulder?I spent 2 1/2 hours on a table at Fresno VA fixing my shoulder I had neglected for so many years. I’ve had 2 ankle surgeries in 3 years. I’ve been lucky because the VA is paying for my injections on my neck (THANK YOU PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP!) even though I’m not rated for it. My rating with the VA changes because of my PTSD rating (I think I’m at 80%, was at 90%), but I get “Unemployability”, I’m trying to get DV plates, but in California you have to be 100% (If I’m wrong please let me know). There are mornings I can hardly get out of bed, and there are nights I can hardly get any sleep. When I do, my wife wakes me up because 1 I’m hitting and kicking her, 2 I’m screaming, and talking in my sleep. Remember, just because you think you’re “OK”, doesn’t represent what others may think. (OR KNOW). Take care of your selves, because others depend on you. You get one shot at this!
My GREATEST job is being a dad to my son, but I can’t play catch with him because I can’t throw a ball. BUT we still go fishing. Check with your state, along with your VA rating you may qualify for discounts on hunting, and fishing license.
To you young guys and gals, GET IN THE SYSTEM! I have a Shipmate who did 5 years FMF, and jacked his knee up while out with the Marines. He has been out for 25 years, lost his medical records (AS A FUCKING HM3 NO LESS). He got his medical records, but he still hasn’t gone in to get put in the VA system. He’s complaining about his knee now. (WTF Darrell)
I’m just a beat up CPO Retired, what in the hell do I know?

I did my claim when I was retiring from the Army.

Claims are processed much faster if you file before you get out, so definitely do that. I would also add, file for every issue you have, not just major ones. The VA has an amazingly bizarre way of rating things. You may get rated well under what you expect on some things, but they may decide others should be rated and it will balance out.

Do all you can while in.

You should see a veterans advocate when you begin your separation process. They should review your records and ask about all issues, head to toe. They should submit an intent to file. Then they should help you schedule an exit physical. The physical will be the benchmark for disability rating(s). Best piece of advice I received was, “do not move through pain.” If something hurts, stop moving. And if things get worse over time, request a review to increase a rating. Good luck to you.

I go out in 94. Not even a physical. I did not know you were supposed to have one and it was the gulf war down draw. It was about 5 years later I found out about disabilities. I a so lwsys thought you had to have a leg blown off or something. Very dumb but I never knew. At first I got 10%. Then 40 and now 60. I was in special ops most of my career so was remote from most things Air Force. The worst part was I was never briefed on anything. I finally went to a private company and they knew the ropes. It cost, but well worth it to me.

I expected to receive a medical discharge and spent 18 months beyond my ETS waiting for the results from the Med Board (and subsequently informed I was "Fit for Duty" even though the ***ONLY*** PT I could do was swim - I had 2 herniated lower lumbar disks with severe sciatica among other issues (and allergic to ibuprofen). I made 3 copies of my medical file prior to separation and began my VA claim immediately (with the assistance from a rep at VFW that I was referred to). My claim took approximately 9 months and received an overall 60% rating (sleep apnea was the bulk of the rating - only got 10% for my back).

DO NOT HESITATE. Make sure everything is documented. Get assistance in filing your claim to ensure everything is done correctly.

Yes and about 30 years, go figure, dumb dumb dumb...

Don't wait. You can file in the BDD program 90-180 days before your RAD or if 0-90 the predischarge program. If you are out FILE! FILE! FILE! Good luck

I got out in 1996 and had a disability rating in early 1997.

I filed my claim before I went on terminal leave, using my final physical at the VA clinic on Camp Lejeune. 30 days after my last day of active duty, my first VA check posted.

I waited over 55 years to make a claim for my hearing loss. I worked a flight line for two years, without hearing protection, (there was none, in those days) and the VA awarded me a 10% for hearing loss. I was thrilled to receive it.

You should put in a claim within 90 days of separation, regardless if you have any knowledge of the process. The VA will fix dental issue in the first 90 days, after that if not done they will only do/take a 100% rating without charge.

I was told when I was discharged that I needed to be missing arms or legs to get any VA benefits, even though unbeknownst to me I had qualifying SC injuries and were listed on the Report of Medical History AF form 93-102.
The AF Capt/Nurse Practitioner who gave me the exit interview wrote on Clinical Record, AF Form 507 "No Comp" on all of my injuries and prescribed "Fiorinal" for headaches. The medical staff assigned to Loring AFB Hospital didn't know how to handle multiple "TBI" injuries, frozen feet/ankles, fractured wrists.
I believed this inaccurate tale I was told for 20+ years after separation from the Air Force.
I began my initial travails on the VA Hamster wheel in 1999. Always receiving the usual Delay and Deny for any disabilities from the VA.
It wasn't until 2014 after taking over my VA disability claim that I was awarded 100% P+T.
I'm still on the VA Hamster wheel with claims before BVA/VLJ and CAVC.

never had exam nor was I offered one before I discharged

I filed after I'd retired via a VSO with the county.
It was someone I had service with who had retired and taken that job to continue to look after troops.
She helped with the paperwork and made the process smooth..

I retired with 30% and was raised to 60% by VA.