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

My 1st SGT advised me to go to the VA for a Physical on my last day of service. I made a appointment with VA the next day. They gave me a Physical and about three months I was granted 10 percent disability for PTSD. Later I went back to the VA. I was granted 60 percent disability for Brain Injury due to a land mine in Vietnam in ONTOS while escorting a convoy on route 1 near Chu La Vietnam.

I was a medical discharge and as soon as I arrived at Mom's apartment, I took POB and medical records to the front desk at the New York Regional Office on Houston Street.

I had a physical at Camp Lejeune a couple months before discharge and that information was sent to the VA before I even discharged. I wasn't allowed to reenlist due to broken vertebrae and my command actually recommended to do this as I haven't even considered the VA. I was still only 22 at the time and really had no understanding that I was able for VA benefits. I think a few months after discharge I got my rating. Just make sure you go to your doctor appointments or they will try to take your benefits.

I had my paperwork started about a week before I got out. An exit counselor let me know it was much quicker to do it that way. I had my final rating a month after discharge. I knew a lot of guys who did it after they got out and it took over 18 months. That was back in 2003. It may have improved by now but knowing the VA be careful. If you can do it while in it is just easiest.

I didn't think you could go to the VA while on active duty. I was on reserve status when I applied and got a rating a few months later IF it is 30% or higher the military is supposed to Medboard you. Not sure what that means

I started my claim 120 days before retirement. I'm glad I did; I got my rating 21 days after my retirement date.

I started my claim 120 days before retirement. I'm glad I did; I got my rating 21 days after my retirement date.

My ETS date was right after my injury. I was in the guard. There was no Separation physical of any kind. My first time to the VA was maybe 10 years after my discharge. Then again 11 years later, now I'm 100%. I would go back as my issues worsened, I was to nervous to be unemployable.

I filed soon after I got out of service it took me 40 years or so to get rated, I was 65 years old when I got my disability ratings

I filed about 10 years after getting out, and was awarded a 20% rating for three items. While trying to handle a few different items with a VSO, he went crazy with the forms and put me in for reconsideration. This ended with my rating at 40%. A few years later my Doctor at the VA was noticing a few items, and I filed a third claim. This was denied, and upon a very well crafted appeal, I was awarded another 20 to put me at 60%.

Through all of this, the thing that gives me the most trouble is my knee I screwed up in Boot Camp. It happened while TAD at the rifle range, and it never made it to my records. It has been denied three times.

I am getting good care taken of it even though it is not part of my percentage, so I don't worry about it. I am better off than a lot of my Brothers and Sisters.