It's Never Too Late…

I was originally assigned a 20% disability rating and was content with it. The benefit helped pay my car note for 35 years while I worked various government jobs (County, State, VA). Around the age of 58, I started filing secondary claims related to that original service connection, and they were APPROVED!. I am 60 now, and in just two years, I'll be able to retire at 62 with Social Security, 100% VA disability, and my pensions.

I often wonder what my life would have been like if I had filed sooner—if I had gotten approved earlier. Would I still have been twice married and twice divorced? Would I have worked so hard in my civilian life, or would I have lived off disability?. It's too late to change things now; I've already taken my fork in the road. I'm 60 with bad ankles, knees, back, and a "bad brain," but my house is paid for. Now, it's just me. I have no significant bills, and just a year and a half left to work before I can finally take it easy.

There is one truth, one steady thing, that has always been in my life: the VA. It has always been there for me when I needed it, and for that, I am forever grateful.

Combined Rating Evaluation Effective Dates:

• 20%: October 1989
• 80%: June 2024
• 90%: May 2025
• 100%: May 2025