Started My Journey to Get Help w/ an Old Injury : Veterans

My rating and letters: https://imgur.com/a/1OWWPUh

Hello all. I have been following this subreddit for quite some time. It inspired me to get off my butt and get help with my lower back injury that I sustained while serving in Iraq and Kuwait back in 2003. I compressed my two lower discs and have been feeling it ever since. Fellow soldiers filled out witness forms, when we returned from our deployment (I also got an x-ray when we got back). I filed a claim in 2004 and, from what my commander told me, it was denied. I never saw the paperwork though. I still cannot find any proof that they submitted an actual claim. I ordered all of my records and the claim is non-existent.

Fast forward to today. I finally got my letter stating that I’m 50% disabled due to my back. I saw a lot of people on here getting what they deserved. I know that I’m not T & P. Not sure what that will mean. Can they take it away from me? I also had to switch representative at the American Legion. The lady who was helping me, left. She was hoping that I would get back pay from the time that I made my original claim in 2004. Should I leave it be? I’m not sure where else to look to find that old claim. Hell, they might have not even submitted one in 2004 and made it up. I do not know. I linked to my letters and rating above. I laughed when I saw that 20% + 20% + 20% added up to 50%. lol