Suggestions When You Are Leaving the Service
If You Are Preparing to Get Out
Medical
❑ Get any medical issues documented now. Go through your current medical records. You may have forgotten some medical issues that can be rated.
❑ Do not think that anything you get diagnosed for within one year post discharge is service connected.
❑ Get buddy statements about combat incidents, accidents and other incidents even if you don't think it bothers you now. You may not be able to get in touch later.
❑ Get personal copies of all medical, psych, personnel, dental, dependent records including any imaging.
❑ Get personal copies of all non-federal medical, psych, personnel, dental, dependent records including any imaging. Civilian doctor's and hospitals are legally allowed to destroy records after a certain number of years for privacy.
❑ Get personal copies of any accident reports such as car accidents, even if these were while you were on leave or off base.
❑ Start arranging new medical care now for yourself and family. You may no longer have Tricare if you are not a retiree and not every Veteran is eligible for VA Healthcare. Getting non-military care, even Tricare can take months to find physicians accepting new patients.
❑ Speak to your Primary Care Manager to get at least a 90 day supply of needed medications after you get out.
Filing
❑ Get an accredited Veteran Service Officer or speak to your closest County Veteran Services office. Your base will have VSOs, usually at Family Services. You can also file online through the va.gov website.
❑ Become familiar with the 38 CFR Schedule of Ratings which lists all ratable conditions along with the appropriate percentage.
❑ If you don't finish up your dental, get a free dental exam at the VA within 6 months
❑ If a 20 year retiree, if you get 50% or more VA you get concurrent pay - both your full DoD check as well as your full VA check. If less than 50% you get the offset making some or all of your DoD pay tax free.
❑ File a BDD (Benefits Delivery at Discharge) claim at 90-180 days from your date. You can still file if below 90 days.
❑ Track all communication with the VA and your VSO/advocate with date, time and what the discussion was about.
❑ If you are going through an MEB or PEB, you may be able to qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) while on active duty.You may qualify for SSDI whether you are service connected or not if you are unable to work at all.
❑ Write and submit personal, spouse, family, friend, co-worker statement for each condition on how it affects you on a daily basis. This includes a BDD claim. This is YOUR input to the VA Rater.
❑ For reservists and Guard, MAKE SURE you get Line of Duty (LOD) determinations from your command for any possible claims.
Insurance
❑ Consider converting your SGLI to VGLI. You’ll need to apply for VGLI within one year and 120 days of leaving the military.
If you sign up within 240 days of leaving the military, you won’t need to prove you’re in good health. If you sign up after the 240-day period, you’ll need to submit evidence that you’re in good health.
❑ Combat Veterans get 5 years of no-cost healthcare at the VA.
Misc
❑ Unemployment Compensation: This program for ex-service members program is administered by the states as agents of the Federal government. Visit dol.gov for links to each state's benefits.
❑ Make sure you attend all available Transition Assistance Program (TAP) classes.
❑ If you plan on buying a home if you wait to close after you get a VA rating you can save on the VA Home Loan Funding Fee.
Common VA ratable conditions include (Get Current Diagnosis):
• Hearing loss/ringing in the ears
• Respiratory disease including asthma
• Knee, ankle, or back pain/injury, range of motion
• Ulcers, IBS, GERD
• Behavioral Health (inc. PTSD, anxiety, depression)
• TMJ
• Traumatic brain injury, head injury
• Cancer (due to hazardous exposures)
• Sleep apnea
• Foot conditions especially acquired flat feet
• Debilitating Migraines and other headaches
• Photos of skin conditions-get them now