by Alathea1

Created on: September 24, 2010   Last Updated: June 23, 2011

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 ahead 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. Later I was Honorably Discharged and moved on with my life. 

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

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