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

Yeah, I thought I had my mental state under control after retiring, I tried controlling it with drinking when the demons came at night, to include "token" only when the noises in my head got too much for 20 years I tried to control. I finally got in house treatment, while in house I tested out on "Their" PTSD scale extremely high. I have been fighting with the VA for over four years now. I finally got a lawyer involved that specialize in such cases. My father fought with the VA for years over Agent Orange. A month after he died, they granted his claim yes, his health problem was due to Agent Orange however because the claimant is deceased at this time, no monetary funds will be granted. Sure, they grant claims, you just have to hope your still alive when they do so.

You want to get this done prior to retiring at least six months out prior to going on leave. That way your VA claim is submitted the day you retire, is the best thing to do just in case you unit to cover for any missing medical paperwork that should be plenty of time

DO IT RIGHT AWAY! My husband waited til he got out and he lost money...a crap load!

I retired in 1999 but did not apply until 2011. In 2012, I was rated 80% service-connected. I had too much pride to apply for disability and ended up losing a LOT of money for my foolish pride!

I got mine as I seperated. I got medically retired. :(
My friend a Marine just opened a claim for hearing loss this month after 25 years.
He said it went smoth and fast. Super easy in Durham NC VA.

I waited and dealt with My "Demons", for a very long time. ( there were TOO many Brothers and sisters , much more deserving than I.) I finally spoke with a Vet Rep, that convinced me, that the more Veterans that actually apply, and seek Help, the BETTER it would Be for ALL. ( i processed out in 1969 ). I sought help in 1997. I applied for a C&P , and was awarded 40%, then was advised by My Rep ( after a bunch of " Mental Health" visits ) to Re-apply. I did , and was Awarded 70 %. I was a Helicopter Crew-Chief, I was 19 years old, and in * South East Asia*. It Was an Unpopular WAR, but , i made it Back To the WORLD. I take a piece of my Monthly, and Donate to the VFW, the DAV, and the American Legion, ....because , there are TOO many Brothers and Sisters, much more deserving than I.

I submitted my claim for disability about 2 years after I left active duty.

Some of mine had started while being cleared (60%). I had a 9-year fight to get an injury recognized because someone stated the wrong area of injury (The left eye was damaged-NOT the right eye), so because of that and the subsequent correction, I finally received a correct rating. I would say get a VSO before you get out, don't let anyone violate rules (like Do PT after you are complete clearing physical) and keep ALL profiles to document everything and most of all make sure that you get checked when injured-it is your body and you live with the injury, so go to the doctor. Wishing I did-now I have migraines and Bell's Palsy that will be permanent and on meds for the rest of my life, but better than what could have happened...

Nope. I got set up with my disability stuff on the way out from active duty. I didn't receive my rating for about five or six months, though. I was hurting pretty bad BEFORE I got out.

thirty years from 1992 to 2012 and still have an appeal in to the V A appeals board in Wash., D.C.