I've been lurking for awhile and finally have a reason to make a post. Sorry for the length but there's no short way to put all of this.

Thank you to everyone involved with this sub. Going through the wiki and reading everyone's stories and experiences had a huge impact on filing my claim.

About me:

Marine Corps 1995-1999 MOS 0844 Artillery Fire Direction Control

I did a six month WestPac deployment and spent time on ship and in Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and a month in the Kuwait desert. Also Thailand and Australia, but that was all fun and no work. I wasn't involved in any combat situation but we did receive Hazard Pay so I guess that qualified me as a Combat Vet. I definitely don't consider my self that.

I didn't go to sick call often because as everyone knows "Only shitbirds need sick call" On my exit exam I made sure to put any injuries/issues I was having or had during my time in. I also made a copy of my entire record that had everything from boot camp to my EAS. As the years go by those issues started getting worse. I was stubborn, kept thinking back to my time in and didn't see my doctor that often. I can suck it up and deal with it, right? Wrong, it just kept getting worse. I didn't think of filing any disability claim because I thought I wasn't "disabled" enough. I had all my limbs, could still walk and function on a normal enough basis to get by. Oh man, I was wrong on so many levels.

Not sure if I was browsing Reddit or came across a video on YouTube about disability disability and went down the rabbit hole. I can't tell you how much I wish I had done this sooner.

On to my claim:

I filed my claim on my own, no VSO. It's just my mentality of wanting to try on my own first, then ask for help.

2/25/22: Intent to File

3/2/22: Filed Claim

3/28/22: Submitted Service Treatment Records, Primary Care Records and Witness Statement from my boss for Migraines.

6/28/22: Claim Finalized

I had two C&P exams for my lower back and hearing through VES. My hearing exam was done right away but my back was just done two weeks ago.

Here is what I got:

20%- lumbosacral spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative disc disease (claimed as low back condition)

20%- left lower extremity radiculopathy (they put this secondary to my back)

0%-right ear hearing loss (at least it's connected but only for one ear)

50%-migraine headaches (Surprisingly no exam, just used medical records and a well written letter from my boss detailing how much my work has been affected and days missed since 2013. I knew this was a no brainer but also understand how the government works.)

10%-tinnitus

Deferred-Dizziness (I assume this means no decision yet)

Not connected-Anxiety/stress, GERD, left ear hearing loss

I'm not done yet, I still have multiple conditions I didn't put on this claim. I already have another Intent to File, waited to get this one done before filing a new claim.

I did get Hearing Aids through the VA about a month ago, they do help but are nowhere near perfect.

I am married and have two children I can claim, oldest is just past the age limit, so I will make sure to do that. I am also looking at what my state has to offer for my rating.

I know how fortunate I am to have my claim decided this quick. There are so many of you that are dealing with claims for years. Hopefully my claim experience becomes the norm and not an exception.

My older brother was a grunt 0311 and will keep pushing him to file a claim. Hopefully he follows what he said after I enlisted "If that little fucker can do it, so can I"

Thank you again to everyone in this sub.

Semper Fi