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

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.

Of course I waited till I retired. I don't know if you can apply while still on duty even in a terminal leave status. It's one of the first questions on the disability application if you are currently serving.

I had issues when I was in Taiwan, a year later they had to fly me to the States from England aboard a Medical flight to CA. Spent some time in the Hospital at Travis AFB. in 1969.

They wanted to discharge me with no disability rating and only a general discharge. They often try to give you the shaft or did back then. I appealed and got a Honorable Discharge and 10% disability rating from the Air Force and later with VA.

It took me almost 20 years and a couple month stay in a VA Hospital to get it to 30 %. iI was not until 95 when I got so bad enough that they gave me 100%.

It was like they were waiting for a spot to open up, from a dying WWII Vet or etc to add me in, I have talked to other Vets who have wondered the same thing.

It helps to get your Congressman involved besides a Veterans organization I have found

I had issues when I was in Taiwan, a year later they had to fly me to the States from England aboard a Medical flight to CA. Spent some time in the Hospital at Travis AFB. in 1969.

They wanted to discharge me with no disability rating and only a general discharge. They often try to give you the shaft or did back then. I appealed and got a Honorable Discharge and 10% disability rating from the Air Force and later with VA.

It took me almost 20 years and a couple month stay in a VA Hospital to get it to 30 %. iI was not until 95 when I got so bad enough that they gave me 100%.

It was like they were waiting for a spot to open up, from a dying WWII Vet or etc to add me in, I have talked to other Vets who have wondered the same thing.

It helps to get your Congressman involved besides a Veterans organization I have found