I was really impressed with the VA process and now VA care post retirement. I did it with a VSO which basically involved him filling out the paperwork I would have done on my own and wasn't very impressed with him. I claimed a bunch of things that I had in my records for visits and actual treatment throughout my career. For my back pain, it was very hit and miss and for the exam, I explained to the doc that my back wasn't actually hurting today and I have full mobility. He explained to go (mobility) until it WOULD hurt on a bad day. Ended up with a 80% rating and I did everything on my own.
Have visited the VA mutlitple times now for various reasons and the care was leaps and bounds above antyhing I expereienced in the military. For one of the issues, a quick phone call trying to scheudle an appt and was told due to my symptoms to head to the ER right away. Had visions of hell going to a VA ER and how long it would take but from parking to the triage bed was about 5 mintues and then was moved back to a ER room and had care right away. All told, I was in and out in under 3 hours with a treatment plan and meds in hand. An MRI was ordered on the off chance it wasn't what they thought it was. It would have taken many many trips to the mil doctors in order to get an MRI especially with what my symptoms were. Very impressed.