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

I was honorably discharged at 25 years old December 18, 1967 after 4 years in the Army ASA. I qualified as an Expert Rifleman in Basic Training with an M-14 rifle (the weapon I used for my 4 years of service). Because of my Expert status I was ask to maintain that level during my 2 years 11 months 26 days in Germany so got to have extra range time (all this without ear protection at that time). When I was discharged I noticed a bit of ringing in my ears but it came and went so thought nothing about it. As time passed it got worse so now I have ringing continuously and I was told I had Tinnitus and there wasn't anything I could do about it. A couple years ago someone suggested I could file for a disability claim for Tinnitus so I did. Well go figure, it was denied because my 33D20 MOS was Intercept Equipment Repair and had a "moderate probability of hazardous noise exposure"!

After my discharge in one year.

Just filed after 34 year separation

29 yrs till I filed, I was told it was not worth messing with. Lost records and a General Discharge under honorable conditions. Just not much help.

You can start your disability rating process before you are discharged and/or retired. Go to your nearest Veterans Benefits Administration office, VBA, and talk to a specialist there to get started.

Consider yourself fortunate if you were rated before you got out. I was told nothing by anyone about my VA rights when I was discharged in January 1982. Only thing I knew about was the GI Bill. I'm not the only one. I know other vets who served when I did who were told nothing about VA rights.

I paid out of pocket for 25 years for medical care and surgery on a service-related injury because I had no idea the VA was responsible. Only after a friend told me to apply did I do so and was granted a 50% rating. I don't know how much I'd spent paying for care that the VA should have paid for.

I waited a long time because our VA couldn't handle the Veterans that were already there and in really bad shape. I should have applied right away. Several of my disabling features have worsened. I missed out of several years of protection, medical assistance, and income. I urge all to apply as soon as you can. Be informed about what your injuries are. I also had a complete copy of my medical chart made when I retired. It made a big difference in my %age. Make note of when you received your injuries too. Oh, and be aware that the VA will add 20% to your 40% disability and come up with 50% total.

I waited 14 years before I filed. Within 3 months I was 60%. 3 months later I was 100%. 6 months later I received another 60% which resulted in SMC. My advice is document everything and keep pushing. It’s YOU money. You earned it because of your service.

Yes, 1989 to 1992

I retired at 20 concurrently w/ a medical retirement. Doing so facilitated my Retirement and disability pay to kick in within 2 months

Chris sends.