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

I waited 25 years to file, figured there were a lot of people that needed a lot more than I did.
When I finally did file, I just filed for the major things that were an issue for me, and made sure I went to the two appointments they set up for me in less than 2 weeks. They denied 2 out of the 5 conditions I filed for, and I got a 50% rating in 4 months. One of the conditions was related to my shoulder which I dislocated in an accident in which I also broke one of my big toes. They said they could not find a record. They also found the record of the broken toe, that I did not mention, and said I should file for that. I did not. I did, however, file a new intent to file as soon as I got my initial award.

I made sure to go to the VAMC to get all of my conditions, and conditions secondary to my primary rated conditions documented, and after almost a year, I filed for the "new" list. The VA scheduled me for two more appointments within a couple of weeks, and after attending, and waiting about 3 months, the VA increased my total rating to 90%, granted me 100% UI, marked me Total & Permanent, and sent me a deposit for the years difference between 50 & 100 a few days before the end of the month and my first check at 100%.

Even though my experience was as fairly uncomplicated, there were the 2 issues that were denied, one because of apparent lack of documentation and one apparently because the VA did not read past the cover sheet from my last duty station for a summary. Therefore, I recommend getting it all documented now, and filing a complete claim, sooner rather than later.

I waited 11 years to file. I cracked my hip in basic. Got 20%

When I got out there was no mention of going to the VA, much less benefits. I did however get connected to a VSO through an outreach seminar they were putting on. And 23 years after exit I started getting some benefits for injuries received while in.

When I ACAPed (6 months before I ETSd) the DAV was on hand to assist me in filling a claim. I got my decision letter the same month I left. Do it before you leave, you'll regret it if you don't. Having that rating came in handy when some lingering issues came up from my service.

I was told nothing was wrong with me. At that time I had suffered burns, trauma and MST, along with other things.

I Enlisted in the US Army July 1976 I completed basic training Baltimore Maryland for my schooling as a 63 foxtrot tank recovery specialist got orders and was shipped off to camp red cloud South Korea 2nd 71st Air Defense artillery improve hawk missiles after five months and country I was sent on a training exercise which was not yet sanctioned by the US Army they were starting this program it was called hawk air mobile training I was a second cycle it went through after our training was complete they stop the program because several of us had gotten injured we were taught repelling from Huey helicopters replling in the mountains and so fourth I injured my back long story short we were given a patch only to be worn in country Korea state side it hade to be removed I still have the patch to this day since it was not approved by the Army it’s not on my DD214 I was seen by a medic from 8th Army he noted my SS # name rank and where I was station at Camp Red Cloud it was never turned in to our Medics so there’s no record when I Processed out of the army I told the doctor what it happened to me and I was still having some back problems they looked in my DD 214 said we can do nothing for you because there’s no record of it I went back with the patch I was given showed the Doc was told basically to pound sand I have talked to VSO and the same go pound sand

I was informed by a buddy of mine that I should look into the VA as soon as possible when I was slated to retire, I gathered all my medical records afer my outgoing physical and made an appointment with the DAV rep on post who reviewed my med records and made a list which he showed me, then with my approval he sent it to the VA, The also set up a follow on medical review with the local VA Medical facility about a month before my retirement, and I received my VA disability letter about 5 Months after I retired. As soon as I received my letter I went to the VA Medical facility and registered , got my ID and Dr assignment, SO all in all about 5 1/2 or 6 Months after retirement I was being seen by my 1st Dr.

I was concurrently rated by the VA whilst being MEB'd. I knew what my rating was going to be prior to my medical separation. Within a year I had it from 90% to 100%.

Yes, and 14 years.

I finally filed with VA 21 years later and got 20% bc those 2 things were in my medical record. Denied for 2 other things saying not service connected bc not in my medical record. Filed an appeal. Go8ng on over a yr since the appeal and all I got so far was a letter saying they can't file it under the latest faster way bc another claim was also filed. So itll be whenever they want to look at the claims. Oh well. 20% is cool with me. Something is better than nothing. I appreciate the 200 and something dollars a month bc it could be nothing dollars a month being that I finally reached out for disability 21 yrs after discharge.