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

I started after I got out about 8 years later and I should have done it in 2008 when I did get out and yes and am 75 percent

Vietnam Vet. Applied and awarded SC/0% upon discharge. As time went by health continued to deteriorate. DAV advisor told me never keep applying for increase. Today 100% T&P.

I made my first claim as I was being discharged however due to va “error” it was dismissed. At that time a vso lied to me and told me I’d never be able to claim again. I was 20 and naive af. In 2016 after untold medical debt for sc issues I found out I could have gone to the VA all along and avoided bankruptcy. I’m 100% p&t now. The first claim was in 1996 and I got a failure to appear for a c&p they canceled due to pregnancy. It was to be rescheduled when my daughter was 6 months old instead they marked me as a no show and dismissed.

I was sitting in out processing(may77) at Ft Knox after taking my discharge physical and was approached by a civilian from the local legion chapter. he asked me during our talk if I had any medical problems that might be serviced connected and if so could he pursue them in my interest. I signed a couple of forms and within 90 days, i had a rating decision from the VA.

1) Take an Official Copy of your Medical File when out processing.
2) If there is an immediate Medical Issue / Disqualification, go through the proper steps & get a Medical Discharge / Chapter. Even *"Weight Control Failure," is a Medical (Honorable) / through JAG.

I was still in. I think after my C&P exam, I waited for almost a year before my decision was made. But my experience with the VA has been great. However, I do hear from time to time where there are a few vets that haven’t had such a pleasant experience. I’m very thankful for the VA. Good luck brother.

The longer you wait to file a claim after discharge, the harder it is to get approved.

I was medicaly after 14 years as a grunt but I didn’t go to the VA I went to AMVETS and they took care o everything
but yo can go to any Vet center you want
and they know all the in and out of the VA let them do all the work it’ll be easier.

Don’t wait if you do you wait for to long you will have to fight your butt for your benefits it took me four years to get mine agent orange works slow I am now100% after waiting for 40 years

COA1: Rating in the military.
COA2: Rating after the military.

There is nothing to choose. Use COA1. I question anyones intellligence if they use COA2. It is beyond silly, it is stupid because you will assume a hell of a lot more risk than COA1. I am done.