VA Claims
If you plan on receiving any VA medical benefits after you ETS, you need to keep two things in mind: a) the process for VA claims can be pretty lengthy and the waiting list to be processed into the system is only increasing the longer we sustain overseas operations, and b) you will not have nearly as high a priority in processing a VA claim once you ETS out of the military. Accordingly, if it is at all possible you should begin your VA process as soon as you are able, which on most posts is roughly the same time you TAP / ACAP – by law a year prior to your ETS. If you find yourself involuntarily discharged, of course work with the time you have; with that said, setting up an appointment with the VA should still be your top priority.Your first trip to the VA will be to set up an appointment with a VA counselor. It is at this time you will quickly go over your medical record with whichever junior staff is available - hopefully by now you've documented every disease, ache, pain, and injury you've suffered since joining the military in a medical record you've made at least two copies of. Regardless, make sure you mention in brief anything you might think you may be able to claim, including ailments you may not have had a chance to report to your doctor previously.
Your appointment with the VA counselor will likely be within a few months after the initial VA meeting, where you will go over the complaints you had previously filed with the staffer. However, be aware this is NOT THE SAME PROCESS AS BEFORE. Your counselor will be watching every twitch, cringe, and bounce you make and will be taking notes to save your medical examiner time, making this meeting much more important than your actual examination. With this in mind, with any serious injuries, you need to make sure your counselor understands how you feel on your worst day. Don't feel the need to be humble or modest about your injuries; unfortunately, the reality is that we have to push for the military to recognize that it's left you with a few unwanted souvenirs.
Your medical examiner's schedule is going to be pretty packed, so expect a long delay before having a chance to meet up with him or her, perhaps beyond your ETS date. The actual examination will be quick, as again the real examination was conducted with the counselor; your examiner may request a few tests to further establish your claim. Still, make sure your medical examiner understands how you feel on your worst day in order to increase the likelihood that you will be awarded the rating you deserve on the first try (i.e., without having to appeal).
After your examination you should receive your percentage disability amount either within 90 days of your ETS if you've managed to set up an examination prior to ETS, or within 90 days of your examination if it is post-ETS. Remember, veterans who have been there consistently report that the goal seems to be to give you as little money as the VA can get away with, so your initial evaluation very likely will be lower than you anticipated. It is at this point you have to decide whether or not it's worth it to appeal your VA claim, as this can be an arduous and unrewarding process.
Now that you're recognized by the VA, you have free usage of any VA medical facility; depending on your income you may also be able to receive prescribed medicine free of charge. As you're likely a considerable distance from your closest VA hospital, the very second you move into a new area you need to contact that hospital and begin the registration process; once you've registered you will be placed on a priority list based on the extent of your injuries, which theoretically will streamline the process of utilizing VA hospital services. Know that any stay at the VA hospital will be a long ordeal, so make sure you have no pending appointments following any VA visit.
