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

I didn't think I qualified for a VA disability, as I didn't have a disability, but the VA pays for things that I didn't expect. At my transition briefing out of the Army they had a rep from the DAV there. I asked him a question, about filing just to get future care for a problem that could come up later due to an incident in service. He told me I actually qualified for a small pension. He took care of all the paperwork for me.
If you have any questions , or need any help filing, the DAV have people that all they do is help veterans w/ VA stuff.

Illness or disease made worse or began during service is connected toC&P through the V.A. I personally had a progrwssion of symptoms with ptsd that started during service...no time limit but noticable ptsd symptoms halted my look on life ...just be mindful of things you dont understand happing to you..

out of service, had to pay back my separation pay

I retired on 01/31/2008, from mu ACAP seminars and training, I learned about the Purple Heart Association ( which lost its accreditation with the Army in 2021) who reviewed my post retirement physical medical records and submitted my packet to the VA. The PHA advised I could get as high as 90% from the VA; I was awarded a rating of 70% for 5 issues in 03/2008, about the time I received my first retirement check. When I called the VA to confirm the results, they said my 70% rating could be upgraded to 90% if/when my issues worsened with age. Now at 62, 15 years later, 25 pounds lighter and I don’t need any medications.

I filed my VA claim after my retirement physical. I had an appointment with the VA to review and make the recommendation to approve my claim 2 months after retiring. That was 11 years ago.

Go to the VA as soon as you can get there. Work with the DAV Man as we used to call him and let them work on your claim. Once your in the VA system it's easier to get things done.

21 years…the VA’s terrible reputation kept me away.

Brother, DO NOT wait. Two reasons: First- the "benefits on discharge" (BDD I believe is the full acronym) program allows you to file while you're still in and get your determination before you separate; meaning you'll start receiving any VA disability payments immediately after separation. Second, and this may not apply to you, but in many cases illness that occurs within one year of discharge is considered "service connected." In short, gather your records and file WITH A VETERAN SERVICE OFFICER (not on your own) while you're still in. (All this assumes you're not being medically discharged.

I went through Med Board in 2010. Had my rating when I was discharged

I am rated, I got out in 1989. I submitted my first claim in 2017. Why did I wait so long? the injuries bothered me, but it was tolerable. I find out so many years later it was the worst thing I could have done. The claim in 2017 didn't go any place but the garbage for lack of evidence. I resubmitted the claim in 2021 and was awarded 40% in 2022 with a back date of August 21. The odd thing was my 2017 claim wasn't closed until 01/22 go figure. Another reason I didn't do a claim when I first got out was one culture shock being a civilian again had its challenges. The second reason was I didn't want to file a claim, I thought most claims were bogus. I just figured my injury just wasn't that bad. I should have taken the advice of so many that told me the injury would get worse with time. As a matter of fact, there were several things that I should have filed for but didn't. What they look for is proof injury is service connected and once you are out were you being treated for said injury. I am in the appeal process now, I had to prove I was treated year out of service. My claim was evidence was collected to 9 months I submitted electronicly. I have been in the appeal process since October. You also have the opposition to send in a fully developed claim, that means you submit all your evidence along with your claim they tend to go faster. Sorry for long answers but claims......