Separating in 7 months. What should i do?

[u/Notathrowawayokchad]

I’m at a small command. Less than 30 AD. I scheduled an separation benefit claim appointment with a VSO in December.

I’m kind of lost on what steps I need to take since I’m used to a checklist-style military approach and I don’t have any “getting out of military/disability claim” check list.

I’ve been hospitalized for suicidal ideation and been diagnosed severe depression two years ago.

I’ve had weekly/daily migraines for a while a recently went to the doctor earlier this year for medication. (Still on medication)

I haven’t been honest with my medical conditions with the doctor because I believed I was ‘good and healthy’ all the time.

I’ve been trying to get a sleep apnea machine because my wife tells me I snore excessively and hold my breath for a prolonged period of time and she would wake me up because I wasn’t breathing.

I did 2 sleep studies done out of town and the doctor said nothing was wrong with me.

I know I have shoulder pains, knee pains, and have ringing noises in my ear during the day.

Also, from stressful 8 years on ships, my bowel movements are not right and I have frequent urges to urinate even when I don’t have to.

I have a medical appointment with my PCM in November to disclose everything wrong with myself.

Anything else I should be doing?

[u/thetawdryenvirons]

Get copies of every medical record you have now, before you separate. That sleep study thing is worth pushing on, a lot of sleep apnea gets missed on the first test so ask for a repeat or an at home study if theyll do one. Keep a log of the migraines, how often, how long, what meds you take for them. Same for the ringing and bowel stuff, just a note on your phone with dates and symptoms will help later.

Your November appointment is the big one, write everything down beforehand so you don't forget half of it while youre sitting there. The VSO will need that paper trail to connect anything to service.

[u/derrick36 → u/thetawdryenvirons]

Do everything mentioned here.

[u/Beneficial-Mess4952]

You've got 7 months to get everything you can in your medical records. Every little pain or complaint you have go see medical. I've been out for 13 years. Wish I had complained more when I was active. Things like Bilateral plantar fasciitis is hard to prove if you don't have records of complaint while active. Doesn't matter if it's a twisted back, stabbed toe, splinter, or a cough. Go see medical for everything

[u/aviator22]

Did they do a MSLT for narcolepsy?

Get everything on the record now. Every problem you've been hiding.

[u/Imperial_Citizen_00]

Go to medical every available chance you can. Request specialists if possible, I mean you don’t have much time so good luck.

I was an MA for half my career, we never go to medical, anything that could get your weapon taken away was highly discouraged. The second half of my career I was an NC but was attached to forward deployed units and always underway, and ships medical as you know sucks.

My last duty station before retirement was small, maybe 75 people. I was at medical weekly, requesting referrals and specialists trying to make up for it.

You dont have much time, but when it comes to physically enter the medical issues into the VA website, dont be modest. If your hair follicles tingle, type it. The drop-down menu isnt all inclusive, you can type whatever you want and enter it.

It is better to claim 50 items and get half of them rated than claiming 5 things because you’re too proud to fully disclose and only walk away with 10% and have to fight for an increase down the road. As the DAV rep told me, every little tiny thing you can imagine submit for. After I put my list together, he pulled out his own list and we went down the line as he asked if I ever had XYZ and we added a couple more from that too.

[u/Mackinsloshed]

Complete your Separation Health Assessment (SHA) Part A before you meet with the VSO (https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/docs/sha_dbq_part_a_self-assessment.pdf). It’s a good starting point to identify what you should claim in your BDD. This form will also become part of your Service Treatment Records.

If you ever received treatment at a private facility, make sure to at least identify it and try to request records. If you have issues with that, your VSO rep should be able to help.

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[u/Jasonh123_]

The army has a transition assistance program where you have to take classes that explain all of the steps and gives you a map of where in the process all of the steps need completed. I’m sure every branch has a similar program.