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

At the medical evaluation I had while processing out, I was told that my hearing had declined significantly, and I should stay for further review. I refused, I don't know why. About 20 years later I went to the VA and received a 10% disability for hearing loss and tendinitis.

Prior to getting off Active Duty they require you to go to a Transition Course which lasts one week. There is a VA rep that is supposed to be present, and during that class you fill out any disability claim forms and a medical form, if I remember it's the 2808 and 2809 (or 2807). They will also have VA forms and you put your medical conditions on those forms. During that week, the VA person will do a work-up sheet. Depending on how far away from discharge you are when they send you to the Transition Course, the VA will schedule you for what's called a C&P exam (compensation and pension). Prior to you going to P&C you need to go to your personnel office and request a copy of your medical records. They will probably download it on to a Zip drive for you, but when they call you to schedule your exam ask them if they require a hard copy, or if an E-Copy is okay. You either be required to mail it in, or bring a copy of your med file with you. If you have been using a civilian dr., contact the Dr. and see what you have to do to get a copy. Many "clinics" will charge you, but if it is for the purpose of the VA, they generally waive those charges. The actual submission of VA claims will not go forward until the day of your actual discharge, not the day you leave early, say for terminal leave.

Truthfully I most likely would never have filed a claim. Discharged in 1974 after 9 years, two and a half in RVN. Was eager to start civilian life! It wasn't until ten years later that a VFW rep sent to see me by my local sheriff that because of his urging I filed my claim. Was rated 60% for PTSD and 10% for Tinnitus.

I got out of the regular Army in December 1985. About 5 months later I filed a claim for a shoulder injury, I got the standard answer not service connected. How far back do they keep track of claims?

I filed my first claim last year and the VA approved it. I've been out since 1986

I was told to wait until I got out to fix my shoulder. I did and filed with the Va. after I loss my Ins after retiring and it was costing my wife and I 1400 a month. I waited a long time before I filed.

I got out on1972, did not apply until 2014 after discovering I had prostate cancer. My first rating was 30%. I reapplied after a number of exams in 2015 I was rated 100%.

I never heard of a retirement physical. I got discharged honorably after 6 years. Not sure I ever saw a medical doctor. I saw a dentist once. I got cancer 30 years after my service. Soft tissue sarcoma cancer. I lost my left kidney, spleen, adrenal glands and 3 large tumors. I made my claim after my cancer diagnosis. Still haven’t hear. The VA drags their feet on all soldiers from every war that veterans fought in. The VA should be ashamed but you have to care before you can feel shame.

I was on a "pension" until I was between 75 and 76. They took it away from me and said I owed an exorbitant amount of money. I fought that all the way up to a Judge who waived the amount. In the meantime, I was fighting for my disability. I received part of my disability and once again hit with the fact that I owed money and they took my back time. I spoke to a service officer that assured me that the Judge had waived the supposed amount of money but that not all departments were aware of it yet. Today I received a letter detailing the second part of my disability and the full disability is 80%. Just have to wait until the first of the month to see if I receive a Disability check.

You can and should start the process within 6 months of getting out. They prioritize these claims. I retired last year in October, but started my claims process in June. I didn’t get my first check until January and didn’t get an accurate rating until June of this year. Still working on getting dependents corrected (that have been in DEERS since birth). And stay on top of it, the VA managed to both overpay me and underpay me at the same time. They back paid me too far for time while I was still in and underpaid because my dependents were not added.