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

yes I did I was working in South Korea with Central Texas College when I retired and there was no information or little giving to retires from the V.A . I did not learn much until I returned to the States. My first claim was 20 years after I retired.

I was rated 100% in 06 but not retired temporary until 08 and permanently in 2010, got the 1st check the first month after I was out. Do it before you get out.

I retired from the Army in 2011 (after 34 years of service) and got my rating, of 10%, for hearing lose in 2017. The interesting thing about getting a rating and monthly payment from VA, is for a military retiree, they take take the money out of your retirement pay. If I had not retired from the military, I could have been making a million dollars a year and still get the VA monthly payment, without affecting my civilian income.

Got out in 70, went to the VA, said my hearing was bad..10%. Just didn't fit so after 2 years went back in..stayed until 91 and Desert Storm. Started having flashbacks, was taken from the war and returned to base and told to retire. Went to the same VA, saw the same doctor, who remembered me. He said if we would have known about PTSD, I would have been 100%. I was able to "hide" with my brothers and sisters for almost 20 years because they understood war.

RETIRED AT 10%. NOW AT 80%.

NO HAD 10% WHEN I RETIRED. NOW AT 80%

So I was discharged in 68 from the Marines and a couple of weeks later I filed for disability for my combat injuries. Refiled several times over the years to increase my rating as my multiple injuries got worst. Finally rated at 100% 37 years later. My advice, file as soon as you get out and if necessary refile if your injuries get worst over the years. It’s a pain in the ass, but if you deserve it, then do it ! One word of advice…….documentation details of your injuries are the most important thing to retain and to submit when dealing with the VA and disability claims. Whether it’s a letter from someone who has knowledge of your injuries and your issues to a private medical provider that you have seen. Documentation needs to speak directly to your issues that you are claiming for disability. Best of luck.

I waited and it took me 15 years to finally get rated however I didn’t use a VSO I worked my claims myself which I don’t recommend

Stupidly yes, The military provides the resources a yer out and everyone should take advantage.

Having said that I was done soup to mutts in 4 months. I attacked the paperwork with tenacity, pressed the clinic for all relevant appointments, turned it in and followed up every two weeks. Phase by phase i wa updated, I believe by calling personally it caused my packet to be seen therefore processed in each phase.

Remember no one takes care of you like you. You local Veteran organizations can provide support and guidance as well.

I had three incidents while in service so I applied immediately upon discharge. The rating was minimal for many years, but became progressively worse over time. I reapplied more than 20 years later for reevaluation of the rating. The increase in rating was significant due to the degenerative nature of the injury.