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

No.

YES, 8YEARS. I HAD NO IDEA THERE WAS ANY PROBLEM UNTIL I FOUND MYSELF IN AND OUT OF JAIL.

I filed my first claim about 25 years after discharged. About 10 years later a Vet Center Psychologist with over 30 years experience addressing PTSD issues, assisting veterans dealing with it, diagnosed me as having moderate to severe PTSD as a result of multiple tours of Vietnam both in country and offshore combat operations.
I filed for compensation and following what was 20 minutes answering computer questions by a twenty something c&p person I was denied. The vet center guy and I had a standing weekly appointment for months before I filed which included his documentation.

30 years

When I came back from VN, I had to go to the VA for evaluation of wounds received while there. I was getting the run around from uncaring employees of the VA so I just left and never went back. PTSD was not evaluated or recognized so there was no questions about mental health or adjustments in the real world. It wasn't until the deployments to Irag in 2003 that I filed for disability and when they finally found my medical records and after going through evaluation I was awarded 50%. After the deployments in 2006 and 2009, I finally had time to get the rest of my records together and was awarded 100%.

I took terminal leave to escape going to Crete to lose a competition to fire a live round. During my terminal leave back home I was diagnosed with Crohn's and that started the process, during my last days of active duty. The local VFW helped me kick that off and two years later I was approved at 10% disability.

I filed for several issues (PTSD.....I was an FO with the 173rd Abn; and back) right after I retired. Then as things started showing up later, I filed again for both worsening issues, and new issues (diabetes from agent orange). The VA here is terrific, my claims went through, and I am now 100% disabled. Thats just my experience. Just dont worry about filing claims over time. Just one caution; when you file a new claim they reopen your files and look once again at all your findings. This could result in a downgrade of some claims. This is rare, but could happen. One other thing, work closely with your county VA representative. My guy was terrific in helping me.

I first applied in summer of 2015, they said Agent Orange doesn't cause caner, appealed then they said doesn't cause my type of cancer, appealed , then told it since cancer did not show up within one year of Vietnam it doesn't count, on docket for Board of Appeals since summer of 2019, I think they are waiting for me to die.

Back when I got out I had to wait until I was out to file a claim. I filed immediately but it took five years and a Congressional to get treated seriously (long story). Twenty-three years later after I was forced to retire from my second career I was rated 100% but not for my real medical issue as the VA has no classification for my main condition.

I understand now one can file a claim before one gets out. If so, I suggest doing it. And if you're getting Medically Boarded I would hesitate accepting the first offer; a few years ago it came out there was a letter (1986) instructing the MRB to lowball disabilities on troops being boarded to see if we'd take it. By the time I reached the MRB I was worn out and took it figuring I'd go through the VA. Fact is, I found (it may be different today) the VA Boards stayed close to the MRB. That's what they did and that in part caused my long fight. Hope this helps.