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

The key to having the VA grant disability is-as others have stated-get it clearly stated in your medical records and keep a copy. If possible have a competent VSO help prepare your claim. This means going to sick call EACH time you have a problem. If the problem persists, keep going until they find a cause. One co-worker kept going until the Army took an x-ray of his neck. The doctor wondered how he was still standing. Another popped his back doing situps in Germany. The initial sick call report was clear but the VA said no until I had him get with a VSO and submit all the follow up sick call reports for back pain. Don't ignore thinking outside the box. A Marine was run over by a truck. No medical records but she was able to get the Marines who were present at the time to sign detailed sworn statements about the accident and follow up or lack thereof. I was a 9/11 first responder on active duty. The CDC 9/11 program found ailments linked to 9/11 and approved them. The VA accepted their medical evidence as being proven and service connected. Bottom line-if you think you have a medical condition, get it treated while on active duty. Be persistent if necessary until you get all your conditions documented as often as they occur. If the VA says no, get with a VSO and appeal. Most service members do incur health problems especially if you serve for a career. There is no shame in having Uncle Sam take care of conditions legitimately caused through military service.

I didn’t know about VA disability until 20 years after I got out and even then I didn’t know how it worked until I met a guy in my church who served, he told me about it and how it worked. I just started mine about a year ago and I’m currently at 40%. I have a couple more claims to refile for my wrists and, now the PACT act is in place I’m currently waiting on my appointment.

I got out in 74 and filled for disability in 2010. Took 3 years and a dro review but I got my disability. Never too late

I retired last September, I did the BDD (Before Discharge) claim just under the 180 day prior mark. The way records get lost, and life itself happens I didn't like the idea of waiting. I had my 100% rating about two weeks after retirement.

I can't help but wonder what headache someone might encounter if they had an ailment that was documented prior to seperation such as a shoulder injury, but then say, Godforbid the service member gets into an accident after the service which injures the same shoulder; how hard would they have to fight to show the degree of injury that was service connected? Would the VA argue that the shoulder claim was more of a result of the injury after the military, potentially decreasing any rating for it.

I waited many years to file anything and regret it. Had the wrong idea about not being a burden on my country.... had hearing problems way back from flying helos in VN. PLus injuries from falling off a sandbag pile, and another severe fall from the top of a helo. Should have gotteen earlier treatment for AO and T2 Diabetes. Please dont wait - get exams asap after active service

I went through med board. I started my VA process during the ACAP process. There’s a VA liaison on Fort Hood, they went through my records and annoyed everything that was in there and sent it up to the VA. That started that process. By the time I signed out of the army, I got a call a day or two later telling me what my % was.

It took me eighteen years to get a rating. My hearing was going bad before I got out. I had just put it off till I could not hear without a lot of trouble hearing. Got my first hearing aids in 1987, that was years after I was discharged. It was one twenty percent but it got me hearing aids which were not the best. I'm at 100% now with a little help from agent orange that affected my heart.

I waited until about a year after I got out of the service to file my first claim- it got denied because I really wasn't sure what I was doing. The DAV can help. I will tell you that documentation is everything, it is very challenging to prove something that is not documented. At your compensation hearing be 100% honest and don't hold back on the truth. Check with the VA medical center for more resources. Don't give up!

I did my disability packet while I was in. You just can't start collecting until your official ETS date.

I put in my rating to thru the VA while I was in the California National Guard, and when I was given my original award of 40% disability, I had to make a choice, to receive my Army pay for weekend duty, or my VA pay, because I couldn't receive both. I would say, to get the full benefit of both, is to wait until after your enlistment. So there'll be no pressure on you to get out of the military.