Initiating VA Claim After PEB Referral

[Hooah1002]

I went through a Fit For Duty evaluation in the National Guard last month, referred to PEB, still waiting on unit to submit packet.  Decided to start VA claim for percentage since the PEB ...process will be drawn out.  Talked to the local VA claims office today, they are telling me anything I claim has to be linked to active duty service....I'm thinking that not exactly true.  If the illness/injury is related to military service, regardless of status, it should be compensable (we can receive LODs on drill status).  I have 4-5 years of active duty, including deployment.  Can someone give me the straight story?

[Hooah1002]

I don't know how squared away I am, I feel like I'm floundering lol  I'm filing directly at our VA claims office here, will turn in the packet this week.  I've been trying to dig up whatever records I can find to turn in with the packet.  Which leads to another question, is there any way to pull basic training medical records?  I was injured in basic, still managed to get through it, but wondering if they documented it so I can prove it's service related.  I have a copy of the original profile I was on (can't believe I still have that after 18 years), not sure if that will be enough to show that's where it started.

This whole process is maddening.