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

As I recall you are able to start tapir claim a tear before you separate, it is always better to start important processes as early as authorized. You may complete before final separation and know your path. Waiting a until separation only places more of your life in limbo. I promise there is enough stress associated with separation, don’t add to it.

If it is too late then the answer to your question relays on your tenacity in how you approach the process and your proximity to a VA.

I have found that VA disability is a tricky subject. I was awarded the Purple Heart in 1986 for getting shot off a bulldozer in 1973. I was in Managua, Nicaragua helping with the earthquake. I was shot just below the left knee. The shrapnel traveled under my kneecap and was lucky I didn't lose the kneecap. My leg has never bothered me, but my back is another story because when I was shot, I fell off the dozer when I stood up and woke up in the hospital back in Panama. I had a massive hematoma on my back from the fall. I did try to claim it but their answer was, "not combat-related". Well, they did tell me I have PTSD and that it's from the Fall of Saigon. I do have it good too because loud noises set me off, especially fireworks. So, since I'm going to be 70 years old next month, I'm not going to worry about it. You must fight for everything. By the way, I never had an exit physical either.

Anyone getting out right now can do a BDD 180-90 days before getting out( get a Service Officer). I did a BDD on my own and only went to 50. Supplemental claims for 2 years to get to 70. Got a Service Officer and got to 100. Before any of you naysayers out there think I'm chasing the dollar. I had 5 volumes of a medical record and died twice at 20.
If you do a BDD 89-0 days of discharge, it will process as a regular claim but be backdated to your discharge date. I have had some Veterans that have been in process for 14 years. There are no guarantees in this process.

I finished my enlistment in Yokohama in 1953, taking my discharge in Japan, immediately going to work as a DAC until 1958. I finally filed my disability (40%) in 1998. The VA had no trouble finding my medical records of being wounded in 1951 in North Korea. At 89, I am still functioning, more or less, depending on who you ask.

I did not apply nor have I received a disability rating from the VA.

Like many women, it was many years before I made my 1st claim.

When I got out of the Air Force in 1986, I was stationed in England and pregnant. I stayed there as that was also my ex-husband's base. The only thing I was told at the time was "go see someone at your local VA once you get home". No other explanation. I never did because I always thought it was just health care and my ex had good insurance. I had NO idea there was such a thing as service connect disability. I started working for the VA as a CBOC RN in 2016. I started hearing about it. I finally filed Many 2019. I was sure that nothing would come of some of it since lots of it wouldn't be on records anywhere. Being a female on the flightline starting in 1978, I didn't dare report anything. I only reported one thing and it came back to me as I got an 8 on my first APR because "there's always room for improvement for a 3 level". I was the only female in a group of 17 that went there in a 6-month period. I was also the only one with an 8 even though the one guy had been written up several times. I was an assistant dorm chief. I excelled at my job. I worked hard! When I finally filed, I had a DAV person help. He asked what I did and started rattling off so many possible problems and added them as I answered. After delays because of COVID I was finally given 100% total and permanent. My only regret is that I didn't know about it sooner. I could have filed YEARS ago!

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!