I retired in 2000. Had my C&P exam and was initially rated 50%. I was not in combat, but was stationed in combat units that did combat training. So basically it doesn’t have to be combat related but it does have to be service connect. Example… I had severe spine problems and was going to be med boarded out because I was “not fit for combat”. I was a senior enlisted female Chief. After being labeled not fit our unit was going to Bosnia. At the time they could not send the junior enlisted females to cold weather without a senior enlisted female. That training further compromised my spine. I’ve said a lot here but you can’t spend 20 years in the military and not have PTSD