09/28/2026
Myth: If you separated from the military years ago, it’s too late to file a VA disability claim.
That’s not necessarily true.
There isn’t a general rule that says you lose the ability to file a VA disability claim simply because years have passed since you left service. What matters is whether you can establish the requirements for service connection and support your claim with relevant evidence.
Your service history, medical records, current diagnosis, and other evidence may all play a role in showing the connection between your condition and your military service.
So if you’ve been putting off learning about your VA claim because you think “it’s been too long,” don’t make that assumption without looking at your specific situation.