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

I started my claim right before I got out in April 2011. Come May-ish 2013 I get 80% and a fat check. It pays to start early.

No you don't have to wait. You can file a intent to file with the VA up to 365 days prior to your separation. As far as the actually filing, you have to wait till within 90 days of separation. It is a very good idea to get the ball rolling prior to separation because you can go to sick call and get all your medical issues documented prior to separation. It makes your claim 1000% easier to verify.

I personally did, but many claim while in service. An LOD/LOI is very helpful in service and after discharge. My unit secretary helped me fill out my form. I didn't file for 6 years after my discharge. My uncle filed every time he suffered a line of duty medical issue while he was still active duty. He was rated 100% when he retired.

I retired Nov 2010, didnt file for 6 months and it kinda screwed me, mainly on the dental. VA doesn't normally pay for dental care but in my case I had a lot of dental work that was needed to be done before I retired but due to my medical issues at the time I needed to get out rather than stay and wait to get my dental issues cleared up.

What I didn't know and was briefed by the Dental unit or the TAPS briefer was that you only have 90 days to file a claim for dental benefits after you are discharged. Even though my DD214 states I didn't receive the necessary care and the TAPS officer told me I would be covered, the VA has so far refused to.

By the time I made it into a TAP class, the VSO Rep told me it would be better just to wait until I got home. It all depends on timing. Regardless, I recommend contacting a VSO to help you and if you're not ready to file yet, do an Intent to File. They are good for a year and "start your clock" for back pay.

once I got in VA system about one year. Took 30 + years to get in after I came back from Vietnam

When I got out, the out processing, set me up with the VA and I got a 10% disability. I thought that was fine because I really didn’t understand anything. Over the years, I reapplied and now carry an 80% disability for a lot of different things that they didn’t explain to me at the time. My advice is go find someone you can trust. I use the VFW the American Legion and they disabled veterans of America, plus the county services in two places I lived. You have to find someone that you feel here’s what you’re saying and you feel that they are being straight with you. It’s extremely complicated and you deserve everything you’re entitled to

I requested that they start the paperwork after my last surgery, for a medical. I had to extend, several times while it was being done, but was at Ft. Shafter so nice area. :) When I ETS'd I had my starting rating and appealed that once I got home.

After that, I was diagnosed with PTSD/TBI and had to open a new claim and appeal.

I did the BDD claim, VA Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) Program, 179 days before my retirement date. I went to the exams in the couple months following and had my VA disability rating (100%) within a couple of weeks after my retirement date.
Having every boo-boo documented in your medical records while you're still in really helps with your VA rating. If it hurts now, its gonna hurt more as you get older so you might as well get the compensation and care available.

I refused my ETS physical, because of the assault that happened during the last physical I ever had. I didn't file for years & when I did, I fought for 25 years until I won my first rating. From there, it was another 5 years to make it to 100%. I can't thank the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) enough. They fought for me for almost 30 years. At the end, I'd just file updates through the VBA at the VA when I had an appointment. When I had my hearing on 14 Feb 2014, the fellow who handled my case up in Denver was an absolute ROCK STAR. Out of my first back payment from the VA, I donated $500 to my local DAV, which had fought for me for decades.