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

First tried in 1974... Then 1979 after a motorcycle accident, finally got it in 1996!

I was informed about the illness that I had gotten 29 years after my ETS date. It was entered into my military health record by an Xray technician. A VA rep found it in my military health record. I did not have it in my entrance physical. I had been in for 4 years before it showed up in an Xray. The technician entered it, but I was never told about it until 2 years ago. I got out of the Army on 09/09/1991. I was sent to a Dr. who verified that I still have it. He tried head games on me and tried to prove that I did not have it, but he finally reported that I still had it. How does one lie when it shows up on an Xray?

I was rated at 10% when I retired in 94 with 18 years of service in the Army. I filed for my first disability in 2004. I had a VA Service officer help me file. He knew all the tricks. My medical records are about 3" thick. He put all of the pertinent information on top. It took about 6 months for VA to get through my records. They came back with 60% and Unemployability. So now I just sit here all day and play games... lol.

I was rated while in the process of getting medboard. I currently collect while still in but you can not collect if you are active duty. However you can receive disability while in the guard or reserve and still drill. Of course you can get rated and not collect and still be active duty its up to you. If you know you are getting out and not getting DOD disability ( army retirement Pay for injury) yes its a good idea to start the process.

so long ago i got 16.00 per month

Separated in 1966, filed and awarded in 1973.

My first claim was during demob... even says it in my paperwork. That being said, no one still has an answer to my issues and went that shit hurts every day.

I waited for 21 yrs. When I retired the first time with the city P.D ,I lost my Insurance, and had to pay.
After reaching 1200 a month to 1400 month, I could not keep the ins that we had. My Marine Corps Mustanger buddy and H.S/Army veteran buddy, talked me into signing in with the VA. Starting getting my claim back in 2012. if I had not lost my city insurance. I would had never filed nor join the Va.

I spent 18 years trying to get a claim approved. I was told the whole time that I made too much money.....after 18 years I finally got a person that understood that I had an inservice incident and was service connected. Wasted many years talking to uninformed people before I got in the VA system.

My father, who was also a veteran, suggested visiting the VA before discharge. My counselor there asked for my medical records so they could document any medical conditions that could be service connected and to make copies for them and my own records. After my discharge within a month I had my evaluation at the VA where I relocated after my discharge.
Also by doing this I was able to apply for Vocational Rehabilitation which was better than the Vietnam Era G.I. Bill that I had enlisted under.
I've been going to the VA since then and for the most part have received excellent care.