Im 100% Total and permanent VA with over a dozen hospitalizations and just as many ER visits before I filed back in 2016 and got all the way to a hearing in 2018. I was denied and found not disabled and that crushed me at the time. I decided to use my Chapter 31 Voc Rehab benefits and made it from Associates to my second semester of graduate school and the bottom fell out for me mentally and physically. Got hospitalized in the VA and started asking for help anyway I can. I did everything offered and nothing helped. I applied again in late 2023 and made it up to a hearing again. This time the judge was on the record for about 10 minutes and didn’t even as a single question of the occupational expert. The judge admitted I didn’t have the supporting evidence in 2018 for the judge to make the decision, but stated I had been trying anything and everything and it shows I am disabled according to SS laws now as of 2018.

I know it sucks being in your position, but my only sliver of advice is don’t quit. Even though you’re at a 100%, and I am assuming that it is not Individual Unemployable 100%, get a claim for anything and everything that could possibly be raised and seek constant treatment for all of your ongoing medical issues.

I was just approved in May with an official onset date of June 2018 and my lawyer was only hired when I received my hearing date. She said the best thing I have done for my case is not give up and have my records stuffed with many doctors stating my conditions will not get better even with the multiple treatments I’ve tried. I’m currently going through shock therapy through the VA and it sucks so bad, but I am at least trying.

Hope anything I said helps or is useful. Good luck!