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

Yes I waited until about two years ago! I had no idea I was qualified!!

Like Everyone Is Saying Make A Good Copy Of Your Medical Records Make A Another Copy Of Them So You Have A Copy Also When Your Doing Your Disability Claims Make Copies Of Them Send It 1st Class Mail A Green Card Where They Have To Sign For Your Paperwork The Card Comes Back To You Signed So They Can't Say They Didn't Get It I Was Medically Discharged For My Knees Staring Out I Had 2 Of The Greatest VFW Service Officers It Took Me 7 Years To Get My 100% T/P Just Listen To The C&P Person Tell The Truth And Have The Right Paperwork To Back You Up!!!!

I was on terminal leave back in '94 when I filed my first claim. It was denied.

In 2015, after unsuccessfully trying to file going through VA VSO's (DAV, American Legion, & VFW), County & State Veteran's Commissions, letters to my Governor, US Representative, both US Senators, I filed my own claim. That was finally approved in 2020.
And NO, I did NOT get a huge cheque for retroactive claim back to 1994. The VA had "lost" that paperwork.

A few years. I had to be reminded by my body that their was an issue before I finally went and had it checked out at the VA.

I didn't think I could apply for disability before I left. When I went to get out, they strongly told us that we didn't want to get out by a medical discharge. I could've easily have done so, but didn't because of this. I put in for disability right away.

About 40 years, 10% for tinnitus. Probably from reading these comments could get more but at this point, WTFC?

When I was discharged from the Army and had the discharge physical in Fort Hamilton New York I was told that my hearing was damaged during my service and that I had to sign a waiver or they would keep me in the Army. Since I was drafted out of college I wanted to get back to school and finish my degree so I signed the waiver. I was urged to file for VA benefits by a Vietnam vet friend a few years ago and ended up with a 40% disability rating! Blew me away. I waited over 50 years before making my first claim (signed the waiver in 1965 and filed in 2019). I cannot say enough about how good the quality of the VA medical service has been.

I got out in 1970 and made my 1st claim in 1985. i waited so long because of what my dad went thru with the VA from WWII. I was talked into going by another vet. I got 10% for tinnitus 1st.and then worked on the rest. I had to go to civilian doctors for hearing ; PTSD and other things. I finally got 100% in1998.I had my comp hearing and got a letter of 100% within a month for permanent disability. Lots of letters from Nam buddies and friends and doctors . My primary care doctor at the time even wrote a letter for me.

Don't wait. Make a claim when out processing. Several things happen. VA gives you a claim number good for all your dealings with the VA. VA must rate your claim for disability even if it is 0. Gives you a reference for the future. To rate your disability claim VA will give you a physical . Double check on your out going by the Military. Your medical records will be on file with the VA and not retired by the Military. You are all set for any future dealing with the VA.

I did, but it took two years to finally get rated. A lot if SNAFUS in between and trying to locate records I thought I had. If you don't do anything ekse before you get out, make copies of medical and dental records. Avtiveky seek out a VA service officer, either through VFW/AL/ or DAV. Also go ahead and register through through VA site. The earlier you file the better your chances are to get your rating. Also, if you are rated, and you get sick later and its relayed to that rating, having that documentation already set up will work in your favor.