VA Loan during separation

Hello everyone, kind of a tricky one directed at people with experience similar or any brokers/lenders that can give advice.

During covid I had been a flight attendant for about 4 years. I was furloughed during covid which put me on a temporary layoff essentially until the airlines could rebound from covid. I collected unemployment for a month, thought I was going to go crazy because I had nothing to do and decided to join the Coast Guard which put me on a military leave of absence from my airline.

Fast forward to now, I am in my last 8 months in the Coast Guard and will be returning to the airline as a flight attendant. During this time away I have continued getting my contractual yearly raises and will be making significantly more than I was when I was there before.

I want to purchase a house in Denver, CO once I separate but I’m wondering how to navigate this with the VA loan. How can I prove income for a job I’ve technically had but received no income from? I know there is a 2 year employment requirement but I have nothing to show for those 2 years because I was in the Coast Guard. Can I take my pay slips from before covid and adjust for my new pay rate that has increased over the years? Should I work for a few months then show them those? Do I have to wait the full 2 years?

Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!