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

I actually ended up waiting almost 3 years before attempting my first disability rating. Mostly because I refused to see anything as wrong with me.

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.

Almost 30.

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

I was awarded 50% disability from the VA for Type 2 diabetes for exposure to Agent Orange in Viet Nam 25 years after I retired and 47 years after Viet Nam. One thing to keep in mind is that there is a 6 year statute of limitation for claims against the Federal Government. So, you cannot make any back claim for a period longer than that for disability or retirement unless there is a statutory exception to the general statute of limitation for your situation.

Any service member can start the VBA disability rating prior to discharge or retirement, but the rating will only have a start date of the day after discharge or retirement. Having a complete paper copy of your medical record is helpful, especially if you served during the time period before medical records went electronic. My initial rating was 30% and then after filing a second claim and highlighting specific documents that were there to begin with, I was reheated to 90%. Don't settle with a first rating if you think things were overlooked. And for those reading this who are still serving -- GET EVERY MEDICAL ITEM DOCUMENTED. Stop taking OTC meds. Go to sick call and get it documented. If it's not documented in you service medical record, then it's not compensable.

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.

I never thought to get rated for tinnitus and vertigo., but after hearing that A guy I worked with was rated for hearing loss I tried. He was in the Air Force and when he mentioned it I asked how he had hearing loss, he said he was in the band and was next to the drummer. I said I should try because I did a real job in the Navy working between Two 70,000 HP steam turbines. My first rating for tinnitus took 36 months the second for vertigo took 72 months. From the time I first filed. I filed in 1999 or 2000. I got out of the Navy in 1980 so I waited about 20 years.

My wife started naging me about my hearing loss. Then I called my old crew up and asked them if they had hearing loss. After that, with the evidence I needed and support, I made my first claim. 2/3 How Battery.