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

I actually Waited too long after I got out to apply for disability. Probably because I was practically in need of some medical help. But it was more than 20 years when I made the claim .

I was stupid. I waited 20+ years post trauma to file a claim. I had the trauma in my SMR, and in my naievte I thought I could just go to VA for care if it ever became an issue. I had a 'Born on the 4th of July' perspective of VA care though, and wanted no part of it. After learning I had been carrying an osteomyelitis from fractures on active duty it became a problem. 20 years not knowing why i always had a fever is not good for you! VA, of course, denied the claim (*and health care). After multiple surgeries over several days in Mexico (could not afford in US and it was an urgent thing) the fever was gone. Returned to US for recovery, after Congressional intervention, VA finally allowed the service connection at 0%. Those folks in the California VA ER were aghast when they read my history! The quality of care, and their compassion were impressive. Know what you cant bring to the US from mexico? Pain meds. I managed it all with NSAID and ice, a lot of ice. They gave me 60 oxy at the VA. After taking 2, I was able to fly home to Georgia, where the real fight with the VA began, and stopped taking the meds.

Be smart. Apply now, if you havent already and save yourself a lot of pain.

Just a half-century, fifty years almost to the month I waited. I made my first claim in about 2019 (I think!) and resubmitted at the urging of our County Vet Service Officer in 2020, when it was finally approved. I'd suffered from acute tinnitus and loss of hearing acuity ever since a live-fire incident in 1969, and eventually it prompted me to leave the teaching profession as a classroom instructor. VA's audiological evaluator tested me in 2023, and I was surprised to be awarded a 30% military-connected disability, which at age 78, I now admit to enjoying. I've had no problems with VA medical, and really appreciate their support and 'having my back' now! I regret -- but don't resent -- the fifty years without the services, and my VA doctor is now my primary MD, which speaks volumes.
VA has supplied good quality hearing aids, but after a fair trial, I had to concede that they aren't much benefit to a tinnitus sufferer, of which many, many Vets are. I would have made the claim earlier, and many folks nagged me to do so, but I'd been having the 'ears ringing' sensation for so long that it had almost begun to seem normal. Also, I was apprehensive that my claim might diminish resources for combat-wounded or otherwise badly disabled Vets!
One anecdote from my audiologist evaluation in '23: she said "You have severe mid-range hearing loss; not so much in the range of male voices, but you have trouble hearing female voices." My wife says "No kidding!" And she's a retired MFTT!
My regular GP had been trying to treat it for thirty years, and I'd done counseling/guided imaging, hypnosis, and even acupuncture to find some relief; it only got worse! Besides forcing me to retire from my career, it also causes problems in communication with my spouse of 53 years, my grandkids, and others. My bro-in-law, a former airdale on USS Wasp, is very sympathetic; his is severe also! My father-in-law, a WWII Vet of the Army Combat Engineers in both New Guinea and the Fillipines was severely affected, and he also had Menhirs Disease.
Today, it's hard to need to be 'yelled at' to communicate, but I'm reconciled; and empathize with other Vets who are so affected. (Now, I also have prostate cancer, and a few other complaints.) Also, happy so far with my VA Medical support -- THANKS VA! Ex-SP5 Wick

I filed mine after gulf war in 91, got 10% retroactive to 91 in 92. Raised to 20% in 98 and 30% in 04. After getting sick and hurt in Iraq, i was medically retired in 06, got 90% in 07 and 100% in late 07. I had an effective date moved back in 2010. It hot easier over time. Paperless E-claims help greatly. The military is now filing jointly with the VA, so some troops have a rating before they ETS. If not, its fast now.

When I had my ETS physical in Ft. Dix in 1986 I was told that I had a 0% rating for hearing loss. I was rushed through and the rating was never explained to me, other than I was eligible for VA care but no disability payout. I never gave it much thought until about 1999 when I got divorced and moved to Texas. Not knowing any Doctors there I happened to check into the Dallas VAMC about what my rating meant. That's where I learned about the DEERS mean test so I started my medical care there. Over the years my rating was raised to 30% (about 2012) and then I realized I more medical problems that didn't attribute to my time in service before and I filed about 2 years ago and was raised to 80% disabled. I am currently waiting for my claim for the pact act to be decided. Hoping to reach 100% soon.

I was out about 20 years. Sadly I found out I was eligible the day I was discharged.

Yes - 7 years after I got off active duty in fact. It was a chance encounter with a VBA (Veterans Benefits Administration) Veterans Service Rep that got me persuaded me to look into it. It was a seamless process that involved the Rep reviewing my entire military medical record - from MEPS to the last day - and documenting potential problems suitable for a disability rating. Next came a series of medical appointments, the outcomes of which were reviewed and ultimately resulted in a 40 percent VA disability rating. The best part is that despite this, you can still serve as a Reservist. It's never too late to get compensated.

DO NOT WAIT until you are out to get your ratings starting for your disability claims. I guaran-damn-TEE that people will lose stuff in order to not spend as much time on your case! If you are in SFL-TAP i.e. started the transition process, get in with the VA rep as soon as you can. You probably won't get your rating as you step out the door, but you will be much closer to receiving your rating.

When I retired out of Ft. Knox in 2002, after 27 years, it was part of the ETS Outprocessing to put together any needed VA Disability claim and submit it. I had an appointment about 45 days after my retirement date.

I went through the "STEP Program" in 2002, one year before my retirement date. I got my rating the month I retired along with my first disability check and have never had a problem with my claim.