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

Yes file a claim at least 90 to 120 days before you get out under the pre-charge program. At the transition assistance program or TAPS I think the abbreviation was a VA rep from the local office talks about the process and program. If you are stationed at a major base Fort Hood, or Fort Bliss for instance each of those bases actually have a VA satellite office on them that can help assist you and even file and submit your claim once you complete the application. So whatever base you are at find where the closest VA benefits office is and go there and find out your options. Some VA hospitals, and clinics also have benefits offices too. But I also recommend that you get copies of your medical, dental and even your personal records before you get out you will need them down the road.

After I had taken my retirement physical, I took it and a copy of my complete medical record to a Military Order of the Purple Heart rep. After filling out some paperwork to make MOPH my Veteran Service Rep, he looked over my medical records and set me up a follow up appointment. When I came back, he had my claim application filled out, with everything I could claim on the form. He took that, along with a copy of my medical record and put it in an envelope and mailed it out. He told me that although it would be at the VA they wouldn't process it until the day after my last day in the Army. Everything went like clockwork after that. Received my appointments for my physical in August, determination in November. That guy squared me away. Eternally grateful for the help he gave me.

I filled out paperwork as i out processed in 1993 was given 10% about a year and a half later, stayed on appeal until i was finally given 70% paid at 100% unemployability

The best time to file a VA compensation claim is while you are still on active duty. The VA has a pre-discharge program that allows separating service members to file compensation claims up to six months before separation date.

As a former VA rarer, I say the best time to file your VA compensation claim is while you are still on active duty. 6 months before separation date.

This is an area where my opinion is not popular with many people. If you retired from the military you were able to do all of the things you needed to right up until the end. Then you continue to get military benefits. Also if you are medically retired you are being taken care of by the military for what caused you to be separated. In both these cases, I don't believe you should be entitled to VA disability. If after you got out you find out you have a disability caused by your time in the military then a VA disability is for you.

Weight to file the claim until you are out of the military and at least a full month after you get out. I suggest filling out a form called an intent to file on the first of the following month after you ETS/ retire. If you file while you are still in the military, you will pay back money.

I was honorably discharged 40 years ago. We got ZERO counseling about VA benefits. I knew I had the Vietnam-era GI Bill and was eligible for a VA home loan, but I knew nothing else. Over those years I'd paid thousands for surgery on service-connected knee injuries. Was finally advised by a friend to go to the VA and was rated 30%. (For some reason they acknowledge the hearing loss and provide hearing aids but rate it at 0% disability. WTF is up with that?) Also tried to get coverage for a tooth I lost in boot camp, but they refuse to cover that because they said the bridgework they provided was cosmetic (you don't technically need a front tooth to eat) so zero coverage.

Waited until I was out 25 years.

When I went through TAPS, the VA rep gave us very specific instructions about what to include in the package and EXACTLY how the package and even the envelope should look. He also told us where to hand deliver the package to the VA office and where to place it on his desk. Get the picture??
I followed his instructions and received my notification of 30% disability in a bout six weeks and first cheque shortly there after.
There is no reason to delay your rating and money.