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

43 years after.

As I understood it, we could not apply for VA disability before separation from service when I retired (92). I applied within a couple months of retirement and received 0% for hearing loss, now 40%, and 10% for tinnitus. I am now at a combined rating of 170%, receiving 100% for multiple conditions including active prostate cancer.

I waited almost 16 years before I first filed. I did go to the VA for health care before I applied for disability. After ten years of trying to move higher than 30% I finally hired a lawyer and I went to 80% and TDIU. I did not pursue anymore after that

I am a Nam vet, got out after my 3 years (1971). No medical exam, just last pay and goodby. Was inactive reserve. went into Federal service. I have a good pension, VA doesn't enter into it, but under the PACT maybe it does, however no records are a problem.

I didn’t file an additional claim for 30 years after getting out, but I did find out that upon my discharge (1969) I was Service Connected (0%) for hearing and pulmonary!

Out 25 years before making a 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.