Newbie With Questions

[Clueless1]

Hello all, I'm new here and have a few questions. Luckily I found this site, as it seems to be exactly what I'm looking for. Anyway, I'm currently Active Duty and ETS date is in 2015. I'm young and in solid shape, but have developed a few nagging injuries over the last few years in the military. I have sustained a shoulder injury which I received physical therapy for, and most recently an injury to my IT Band(outside of knee) after a long run. I also experience serious back pain at times(usually when rucking) but being stubborn I haven't been seen for it yet. These inuries bother me at times and I'm just now realizing that I'm not going to stay young forever, and if they are bothering me now then I'm sure they aren't going to get any better as I age.

So that brings me here. I do have intentions of ETS'ing but want to have my ducks in a row before hand. I know absolutely nothing about filing a claim for these injuries before/after my ETS, or what I need to do to have a chance at a fair rate(after readiing on this forum I've realized that most people don't). Does seeing a provider more often because of these injuries help with that? I try to avoid appointments because I don't want to be known as "that guy", but if this is going to affect me in the long run then I definitely want to do what needs to be done. Any help at all is appreciated, thanks!

[meghp0405]

I would recommend that you seek out medical attention when you have these flare ups with your back and knee. Pain is a symptom and before va will look at pain issues they have to be listed as chronic. To establish these as being chronic constitutes at a minium of 6 months documentation. Ask for x-rays for your knee. Just to echo what has already been stated, ensure you keep a copy of your medical records.

When you get close to getting out, each installation has a transition service where these folks will do a claim for you and submit it to the va. They will have you do a BDD claim. Do not do a BDD claim, they are taking up to 29 months to get an answer. Do a FDC (fully developed claim) and send it to the veterans administration regional office in the state that you will be residing in.

Good luck and thank you for your service!

[Scorpio Rising]

Thank you for your service! May you find the type assistance/support you need on the site. Best regards.

[Capt.]

Hello and welcome to Hadit and thank you for your service.

You have gotten some great advice. Make sure you get it examined/trated before you get out and make sure you get a copy of everything that pertains too it. I agree with everything said about what you need to do. NEVER GIVE UP . God Bless, C.C.

[john999]

I had six months of out patient records for treatment of a mental health condition at Hunter Army Airbase. I never got records when I was discharge. Now they have disappeared and the shrink I saw is probably dead. I also had hospital records for a mental health hospitalization while I was on leave from Vietnam and that is long gone. Getting copies of medical records would probably have gotten me a higher rating much earlier.

[cham1968]

Clueless1

Welcome and you not so clueless as you have found this site. From my understanding you will be provided the opportunity to file before you ETS but I would get all those issues you have not been complaining about listed in your in service medical record as I'm sure this is the first place they will look. I too was in great shape upon ETSing but man those next few years felt like 20 back, knees, ankles will surely tell once the motrin stops coming in. So get them documented ASAP

[fanaticbooks]

Welcome.

You might want to look at my website. It has a section on Active Service Personnel that has info to help you while still in the military.

Getting your ducks in a row and DOCUMENTED is very important.

I wish you good journey.

fanaticbooks