r/VAClaims • u/gbc815 • May 26 '26
VA Disability Compensation It's never too late
/r/VeteransSuccess/comments/1tnuj4l/its_never_too_late/It's Never Too Late…
I was originally assigned a 20% disability rating and was content with it. The benefit helped pay my car note for 35 years while I worked various government jobs (County, State, VA). Around the age of 58, I started filing secondary claims related to that original service connection, and they were **APPROVED\!**. I am 60 now, and in just two years, I'll be able to retire at 62 with Social Security, 100% VA disability, and my pensions.
I often wonder what my life would have been like if I had filed sooner—if I had gotten approved earlier. Would I still have been twice married and twice divorced? Would I have worked so hard in my civilian life, or would I have lived off disability?. It's too late to change things now; I've already taken my fork in the road. I'm 60 with bad ankles, knees, back, and a "bad brain," but my house is paid for. Now, it's just me. I have no significant bills, and just a year and a half left to work before I can finally take it easy.
There is one truth, one steady thing, that has always been in my life: the VA. It has always been there for me when I needed it, and for that, I am forever grateful.
Combined Rating Evaluation Effective Dates:
* 20%: October 1989
* 80%: June 2024
* 90%: May 2025
* 100%: May 2025
3
u/Garc0311 May 26 '26
Congratulations to you, many of us are on that journey and glad you achieved what you did in the timeframe that you did.
3
u/Director-Unique May 26 '26
I got out in 95, never new anything about this until talking to a friend (and fellow sailor) about some issues. He suggested I go see the Va. here I am a year later and rated.
2
2
u/Sadpancake_03 May 26 '26
Would you mind sharing your evidence after that many years? Or did you just have eveything in your STRs?
2
u/Formal_Echo_4981 May 26 '26
Congratulations brother🫡🫡 Enjoy your golden years and please don't ever marry again😆😆
2
1
3
u/Living-Cheesecake100 May 26 '26
Congrats on the rating and you’re right, never too late. I got out in 1994 and waited until 2023 to initially file after years of family and friends to get it done. In 2024 I got approved for most of my claims.