I ask the question of the filing date, as I did file and was paid 40 years after discharge.
I was stupid and didn't file immediately after discharge.
The Navy put the fear of God in me and for years I was afraid to walk into or
even contact the VA.
According to their records my first filing date was 1992.
They have down I filed for Nervousness and fear of heights.
I didn't do the filling in of the blanks one of the VA Counselors did it for me.
I filed to re-open that claim under Anxiety.
It was when I secured my own "Psychiatric Records" from the St. Louis Archives
was the claim re-opened, because the VA never acquired them before
and they were deemed " Both New and Material Evidence" by the VA.
First C&P was " More Likely than not"
Transferred file to another R.O
Second C&P by two Psychiatrist
Personality Disorder.
BVA and then the AMC and denied and back to BVA.
I had to fight a bit and get rid of the old " Personality Disorder" with an Independent
Medical Opinion and Evaluation. Of course he had to be at the top of his field with
Credentials a Mile long.
In the end the BVA Judge awarded me retro back to my first filing date.
As you can see years past and there were times, I was ready to throw in the towel, but
The Members of Hadit did Research for me, help me type letters, everyone came to my rescue
and we finally won this long drawn out claim.
I had help from everyone in emails and P.M's and
post on the board.
I was paid a large sum of money and I am forever grateful to everyone.
The older members of the board know my story, but wanted to post if you think
you have the goods on them with " New and Material Evidence".
Go for it, but it will and may be a long haul ahead of you.
I had to dodge pot holes and everything they threw at me.
Good luck and the Best to You!!