Have any of you had a strictly positive experience with filing for VA Disability?

I retired on 1 Feb 2016 from the US Army as a SFC (E7) after 24 years and 1 month of service.  I forwarded my retirement paperwork/documentation via my chain-of-command to US Army Human Resources Command (HRC) on 29 Jan 2015 and received my approval for retirement on 4 March 2015.  Retirement date was set for 1 Feb 2016.

During this time period many senior NCOs and military retirees told me (lets’ say “pushed” me) to apply for VA benefits.  This was also pushed to us from the VA representatives during my Transition Assistance Program (TAP) course.  For those that don’t know, TAP is a mandatory 3-5 day course for all Soldiers that separate from the Army.  I was extremely reluctant to apply for VA benefits at first because I was only 43 years old and still able to physically function (good/satisfactory).  Yes, I was now on a walking profile due to years of wear and tear from running, but I felt fine.  I also had several other medical issues that have plagued me during my Army career.  I always thought, “Give those benefits to veterans who are truly having issues.”

Then an older retiree told me that you might feel fine now, but in 10 or 15 years your body may start to fall apart:  Get all your symptoms/conditions to at least show a service-connection so that you won’t have huge medical bills when you turn 60.  I decided to go ahead with the process.

Things I learned prior to retiring/separating that I would like to pass on for those still on active-duty and are in the process of separating in the future: 

1.        Medical Documentation:  Get your symptoms/conditions medically documented!  Start now!  I can’t stress this enough!  Some might say be a “Sick-Call Ranger.”  Call it what you want.  Start at least one year (minimum) prior to your separation or retirement and go to sick-call when you have a flare up/ache/pain and have them put your issue into their computerized medical system.  If you’re persistent enough you will get a referral to a specialist to look at your aliment (knee, back, ankle, etc.)

2.       Go to sick-call:  There seems to be a social stigma in the Army that you should just, “Suck it up, take 800 milligrams of Motrin and drive on.”  Yeah, I did that in my 20’s and early 30’s and my body recovered rapidly, but as you get older it’s more difficult for your body to recover as fast.  Please try to get yourself fixed before you separate or at least get your aliment medically documented.

3.       Take full advantage of the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) or Quick Start while on active-duty.  A lot of Soldiers I talked to who were separating just wanted to get out as quickly as possible.  On the other hand, there were many who knew about BDD program extensively.

4.       VSO:  Utilize them!  Before I retired I went to the VA office on Fort Hood at the Copeland Center.  They have a staff with very competent VSO’s.  They are overwhelmed, but they are professional and do walk-ins.  They took me step-by-step through the process.  I owe my VSO lunch for this!  Without them I would have never have been able to do this on my own.  For those that were able to do your VA claim on your own and were successful, I tip my cap off to you.

5.       Additional medical info:  Drop off any additional medical documentation for your existing claims to the VSO up to the day your claim is opened.  What does this mean?  Say you requested your medical records 6 months prior to leaving the service.  Assume you get your medical records in 30 days and submit your claim immediately (VA Form 21-526EZ).  You now have five months left before you separate.  What if you were still being seen by a medical specialist/doctor during this five month time frame for a medical condition? 
The VA would never have your MOST CURRENT medical evaluations.  This is important if you have conditions that recur frequently in a 12 month timeframe and can impact your service related condition percentage.  You should submit further medical evidence up to the day the VA opens your claim if this is applicable. This will not prolong the “Gathering of Evidence” phase because the VA hasn’t even opened your file yet. 

Please let me post my timeline for those that are curious on how long this process took.  Again, this is my timeline and is not applicable to everyone.  Some people might even say I got lucky to have my VA claim completed in 75 days. I respect your opinion.  I used the advice of this and various other websites to ensure I had my ‘ducks in row’.  Remember that preparation is the key.

I was told by my VSO that it takes an average of 120 days from the moment the VA opens your initial claim to completion.  Let me stress that every VA claim is different.  I was fortunate enough to do this on active duty.

Here is my timeline:

5 October 2015:  Attended VA brief at Fort Hood.   The VSO has you fill out the VA Form 21-526EZ step-by-step. 
9 October 2015:  Submitted a written/in-person request for my medical records through my medical clinic.
14 November2015:  Received two copies of my medical records on CD via mail. 
18 November 2015:  VSO reviewed my medical records with me in person and submitted the VA Form 21-526EZ on the same day.  I immediately signed it.  I received a hardcopy with the date/time stamp in the upper right-hand corner. 
23 November 2015:  E-benefits verified receipt of my initial claim (VA Form 21-526EZ).
1 December 2015:   Terminal leave started.
22 December 2015:  First C&P appointment for my eyes.  I was traveling so I had to reschedule. 
14 January 2016:  Second C&P appointment for my hearing and mental exam.
1 February 2016:  Officially retired.  VA opens my claim.  Dropped off my DD-214 and additional medical documentation for my existing claims to the VSO office at Fort Hood.  You can drop your DD-214 off earlier.
4 February 2016:  Full blown C&P exam.  Exam took about 3 hours.  Doctor requested further blood tests and several evaluations by other medical specialists.
4 March 2016:  Exams completed from the doctor who requested them.
17 March 2016:  My DBQs were currently at the VA office in Salt Lake City for review.  I did not know the exact date they got there.  NOTE:  A VA representative was able to show this date in the tracking system.   This individual was able to print out my 117 page DBQ/C-File, so I got lucky and got to see it.  He wasn’t really authorized to do this but he went out of his way to help all veterans.  Based off what he saw in the system he stated I should get a final decision in about 3-4 weeks. You can obtain this file after your claim is completed though.
4 April 2016:  “Gathering of Evidence” phase ended and went to the next phase on the E-benefits website.
14 April 2016:  “Notification of Benefits” phase started.
15 April 2016:  E-benefits website showed that my claim was “Completed.”
15 April 2016:  Completion time:  75 days – (opened on 1 Feb 2016).
16 April 2016:  E-benefits website showed my combined rating, rated disabilities, and my AB8 letter.
The VSO listed 17 disabilities on the VA form 21-526EZ.  I received a percentage for seven of my disabilities and 0% for 4 of them.

One time period I didn’t put down was from 30 October 2014 to 8 October 2015:  During this time period I had surgery on my knee, did physical therapy, went to sick-call often for other conditions I had, and made sure that everything was medically documented.  I can’t stress this enough:  Go to sick-call and ensure that your aliments/issues/conditions are medically documented before separating!!

When you see a doctor do not make anything up that may be wrong with you; WARNING – Don’t malinger and pretend that you have something physically or mentally wrong with you.

Lastly, I’m a veteran of OIF and OEF:  I spent an entire year deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan on separate occasions.  I also have several other deployments that didn’t last as long as a year but long enough; Turkey twice, Israel, and Kuwait.   I was just doing my duty and do not feel that I was anything special.  I did what thousands of military members did before me and many more to follow. 

 I just feel bad for our Korean War veterans, Vietnam-era veterans, Desert Storm/Desert Shield veterans, and pre-9-11 vets who have been shafted by the VA when trying to do their initial and follow-on VA claims.  I’m truly thankful that the VA claim system has improved during my era, and I would never truly understand the frustration that some of our previous veterans have gone through.  Without their lobbying of Congress to fix the system, I would have never been in this position.  I’m truly grateful to all those past veterans who have addressed these issues. 

In closing I wanted to thank everyone who helped me by providing excellent information on the VA claim process.  God bless you all!

Best regards,
Mike

The first time I ever went to a VA facility, the Dr I was sent to made it perfectly clear he had NO time to waste on females who never saw combat. Roseburg Oregon, but---- then I ETS'd and had to go to Omaha NE - I've never been treated better by anyone, civilian or Military. Now I'd told I have to go to KC MO - but I have to have my DD214 - which I don't have after all these years - WHY? When I have my VA ID? And both are over 100 miles from my home.

Yes I have. They kind of rushed me thru the first time. A big blizzard was hitting Nebraska but since I had made it to Omaha they ran me thru. Got 40% without even trying. Then kept working at it, am now at 90% and getting g ready for another eval on my neck.