I'm Broken and the Military Kicked Me Out-now What?

So...the military kicked you out, your body is thanking you in oh so many ways, and you are now sitting at home wondering Now What?

In 2002 I was in the same place. I was injured during a training exercise and the ensuing fall caused me much pain in my lower back and extremities. I was a week from graduating from Basic Training, with a 15 mile road

march back to graduation and a night of sleeping on the ground looming a head of me. The Field Aid station motrin'ed me up and I went on my way-deal with it in AIT was what I was told, so I did.

4 months later after I got my first X-ray and MRI, I found out how bad it really was-fragmented disc, ruptured disc, nerve compression; you name it, I had it. I was a 24 year old elderly man, faced with imminent discharge from the service, and looking ahead at that life plan so meticulously thought out it was fading fast. I discharged, got my separation pay, got home, and then it dawned on me-Now What? The police department didn't want me, the postal service didn't want me, and the local penitentiary didn't even want me (to work there). Crap on a shingle!

I then discovered that since I was injured while on Active Duty that my injury was most likely Service Connected, and as a Veteran that was Honorably Separated I could receive some compensation for the limitations now placed on me. In order to accomplish that, you have to do 3 things: 1. Show an injury that was caused, or aggravated by Military Service, 2. Show a current disabilty, 3. Show a Nexus (connection) between numbers 1 and 2. But, how to get started was the big question. Hopefully my experience can provide some help for those that are finding themselves in the same position.

The first thing you need is a plan. I say that because if you don't have something to focus on, an end goal, the rest of this meandering process seems pointless.Continued motivation towards the final outcome will go a long way in accomplishing your goal.


After a plan, you will need your DD214, your discharge papers. This will prove you were in the Military, and there may be useful information on there such as duty stations, dates of service, awards authorized, and MOS's

held that make proving an injury in service to be plausible. That information is also almost always required if trying to prove a claim for PTSD.

If you have medical records at your final duty station, request them from the base medical facility. The VA will do so as well, but if you submit supporting documentation with your claim and have familiarized yourself with your medical history your claim will go much smoother. Using your medical records allows you to have dates, times, and places at your disposal to say what happened, where it occurred, and what treatment you received for your injury.

Once you have your own copy of your medical records from any treatment facilities you have been to, both military and civilian (especially if you were seen by a civilian hospital or clinic near your duty station) you are ready to go onto the internet or to the Regional Office for where you are in the United States and get an application for Compensation and Pension (VA form 21-526). This form is long, about 14 pages, but it will allow you to list out times of service, places, injuries that occurred, treatments rendered,how many dependents you have, and current physical/mental issues that you believe to be tied to that service. Fill this out completely and carefully. Make copies when you are done. Now, make copies of all your medical records that you collected, highlighting any relevant portions that are germane to your claim. Put your Full Name and SS number at the top of each so they do not get lost.

Type up a narrative page, listing what medical conditions you are claiming to be tied to your service, note all included relevant medical records for each, like a term paper. Don't write long paragraphs-keep it short

and sweet. A paragraph at the top explaining the problem, and then some bulleted lists of conditions, medical notes, medications taken, how the injury/s affect your daily life, and how you are physically limited by the conditions will suffice nicely. Now you probably have a few typewritten pages. Good. The more you can do for the rater, the less they have to do for you. Put the whole mess together (after making more copies, if necessary) and mail it certified/return receipt, to your VA Regional Office. That's it. Now, sit back and wait, or go fishing, or read Robert Jordan, you are looking at some time before you will receive anything back from VA. Months without a response is not unheard of. You will probably get a form 21-4138 mailed to you in this process as well, a "Statement in Support of Claim". This form will allow you to amend, correct, or add things to your current claim if you feel that that information support it. Doctors records not included in your original file and 'buddy' statements are submittable with this form as well.

At some point after this you will probably get a letter from VA saying that you have to go to an appointment(s) called a C&P (compensation and pension). During this exam the doctor will examine you, your medical records, and make a determination finding that will be sent to VA for the Rater to look at and cross reference against your medical information.

That's all there is to it, for your initial filing, anyway. Sometime, months later, you will receive a determination letter from VA, indicating your level of disability awarded for your condition(s) and the amount of compensation, and the breakdown of that amount if you have any dependents that will turn 18 at some point in the future. Your first dispersement will usually be direct deposited about a month later, and will follow monthly on the 1st day of each month, unless there is a holiday or weekend that falls on that day.

In my next installment, Ill walk you through what to do when you get your rating back and don't like the results.