39 y/o marine vet just now hearing about tdiu? What have I been doing the past 10 years?

Been in the VA system over a decade. MDD, PTSD. Done all the usual therapy, groups, neuro, nonprofits. Had periods where I was homeless. VA helped at times, so this isn’t a trash fest, but Things were clearly bad in my life is why I’m trying to say. All the vsits, er, everything And nobody ever once mentioned disability, ratings, TDIU, nothing.

Been trying school for 10+ years. Withdrawals, incompletes, D’s and F’s. Had every accommodation possible thanks to the Va trying to get a degree (finally at 70 credits and it’s taken blood sweat and tears, really proud but over 10 years as a full time student, it’s bad) but I get these and it’s bad so Same cycle every time, cant stay engaged, spiral out of it disappear. Breakdowns are real. No real work history, not because im lazy I just can’t keep it together. Just got a new psychiatrist who recommended me after our session to look into TDIU (mind you I don’t have any rating and never applied didn’t think I was even deserving, idk why just didn’t know it was for me, usually thought it was real war vets not the ones with “mental battles” )

Anyway I had no idea what it was. Goes home does some research, now I’m sitting here like… I’ve been documented in the VA system for YEARS, even homeless at points, and I’m just now hearing about this?

Where do I even start if I’ve never filed anything?

VSO or lawyer? Am I just late to the party or is this normal?

Not looking for sympathy. Just trying to unf\*\*\* myself at this point.. I see the rules and I’ll use search but just had to get this off.