I separated from the USAF in December 2009. I remained in the national guard until 2014. Last week, I submitted my first claim for 6 separate conditions. I'm hoping the tinnitus claim is a shoe in, considering the amount of time I spent on the flight line, despite the fact that I have never sought treatment for it. The mental health conditions I claimed, I've been seeking treatment from the VA and private providers since 2012. I claimed rhinitis and sinusitis given my exposure to the burn pits during OIF, and I had previously sought treatment for those issues in 2016 and 2019 to no avail (private providers). For the remaining physical issues, there are service records to show when these injuries occurred.

My question is this: How will I ever be able to demonstrate evidence that these conditions are connected to my service given that I only ever sought treatment several years after my separation, if at all?

No C&P exams have been scheduled yet, but is there anything I can do during those exams to help me get my claim approved?