WKresher

I have another question under another topic but different... so new question. I had a serious injury in the Air Force while serving in the 80's. I brushed it off at the time but it came back a few months later while stationed overseas during Desert Storm - the result was a complete temporary loss of the use of my left leg. I was in the hospital for a month and have documented injuries to my lower spine. When I was discharged some years later it didn't even occur to me to apply for disability as I was "young and tough" and disability was for people with 'serious' injuries or amputees etc. Over the years I have had issues (periodically going to the doctor) but brushed them off and learned to deal with the discomfort as part of normal life. My wife learned that I really should have applied for disability upon discharge and insisted I apply now (20+ later). I was awarded a total of 30% but they state I can't get retroactive benefits because I didn't go in earlier. Is that correct? I'm wondering if a VA Attorney might be worth consulting? We can get medical records for the visits that happened between discharge and now and the condition itself was well documented within my service records. Thanks for any insights or suggestions you all may have. As far as the injury, a b52 Bombay door was dropped on me and essentially bent me backwards at the waist, the back/leg issues that have always been there are increasing substantially as I get older and making it more and more difficult to do my job and day to day things.

I have just been awarded a total of 30% on a disability that occurred many years ago. I disagree with the findings but was told by the local VA Advocate that appeals can take 2-8 years but that I could re-apply in one year and one day with additional documentation. (I was very fortunate in the quickness of my award so think a new request would be faster than 2-8 years; even waiting the one year). In the meantime I am having additional issues on the opposite leg - am going to Palo Alto tomorrow for an MRI. This is all new to me and am wondering if others have found similar timing? If the MRI diagnosis a different injury I'd like to send that in for an additional percentage now but am worried it will get included in the first award and be a 2-8 year timeframe. Any insight or advice on what to ask or look for would be greatly appreciated.