Why have so many Veterans chosen not to file for disability?

I only file for what I need, I left the military pretty healthy for thee most part, and everything that needed to be documented is already on file. I got some hearing loss due to working with aircraft, but it's not worth my trouble for a couple of dollars. Of course this is just me.

I am probably healthier for having served than I would be if I had never joined the Army. I get a retirement check, I believe that's enough. My Dad retired from the Army as well and he didn't draw any disability either.

My experience over the many years are some don't do it for the concern about labeling (worried about limiting career options, i.e. Law Enforcement, etc.), many don't know about it, some tried and got discouraged after initial denial or 2nd denial, but for the greatest generation, it was usually because they said the government doesn't owe them anything. When I processed out in 1980, S-1 told me to check in with the VA. I went to a Regional Office and some clerk filled out paperwork and sometime afterwards, I was found service connected. Over the years, I learn much more talking with peers at watering holes. A web site, VAWatchdog.org provided me much more information in plain language that helped me even more. Today at a few bases VA has IDES (Integrated Disability Evaluation System) whereas VA along with the DOD partner tries to enter the service connected claims of service members before they become veterans.

Others have a greater need.

I have friends that are disabled. PTSD pretty badly. They are paranoid.. and truly believe that if they become labeled as disabled, then the government will take their guns. The irony is that the paranoia is so evident, and that is what keeping them from help.

I would have never gone to the VA after my service, unless I was coerced for many months.

I didn't know...then when I found out I put it off for years....finally got around to doing it and was denied...now I'm putting it off to re do it.

I applied when I retired, because we were advised to claim anything we could even if it was nothing more than an itchy scalp. Well I had some knee pains for a few years so I applied. We used my daughters address as home of record and we were moving around the country for a few months visiting friends and family. I received a letter finally at another daughters in Missouri that I needed to appear at a Physical in Cincinnati the following day....Needless to say that was 22 years ago and i haven't seen my records since....

I don't need to.

Perhaps they aren't disabled, or believe they aren't.