VA tinnitus disability
Anyone here got a disability rating from the VA for tinnitus?
I am specifically interested if you applied for and got it after being discharged rather than diagnosed before discharge.
I am specifically interested if you applied for and got it after being discharged rather than diagnosed before discharge.
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I had it, but then I lost it because I couldn't get to the audiogram because of work. I'm going in again for it because it really bothers me. 0 -
How can you lose your disability rating for a non-curable condition? 0 -
They wanted me to do further testing and I couldn't make the Appointment so they denied my claim. They also said that I didn't have enough evidence to support the scars on my shoulder and that they need more information about my surgeries. I brought them x-rays, mri film, pictures during and after surgery, and the surgeons write up of my surgery that I was Med- boarded out for. The VA is a joke. You go in for ten minutes and they pass judgement about how your life has been effected. They don't even pretend to care. The only thing they have done right is the VOC-rehab program that I'm in right now. 0 -
10 years ago I would have agreed with you. Lately my experiences have been the opposite of yours.
Heck a tinnitus rating can dang near be had based on your MOS and once you get a rating I am pretty sure it is a done deal.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Warpig883
10 years ago I would have agreed with you. Lately my experiences have been the opposite of yours.
Heck a tinnitus rating can dang near be had based on your MOS and once you get a rating I am pretty sure it is a done deal.
I've heard that it varies greatly from state to state.0 -
It takes 10 years for a rating to become permanent unless you are rated as 100% T&P (T&P = Total and Permanent).
What that means is that if you do not keep up with your follow up appointments and ferther testing they can deside to either lower or take away your rating untill you hit that 10 year mark.0 -
I did not know that. Thanks 0 -
I have a 10% rating for tinnitus that I received in 1998. Still have it today!!! 0 -
Got a tinnitus rating for myself rated at 10%, the highest you can get for that kind of thing. Once you get a disability rating NO MATTER WHAT you can't lose it. They can suspend it if you fail to get to the "check up" appts. but that really takes a long time, you have to miss 5 appts. over a period of a year. 0 -
I served as an m1a1 crewman in first gulf war
got 10% rating for tinnitus after discharge in 1993
It helped me get a job with USPS0 -
I have a 0% rating for it, but it has been getting worse and worse. I will probably resubmit my claim for it again. 0 -
From what I understand it is a minimum 10% now for tinnitus. If I remember right someone sued the VA about tinnitus and they now have to rate it at a minimum of 10%. 0 -
10% is corrrect.Had my ears checked before I got out and got the paper work started after I got out. Wasn't too difficult, just took time, we all know how the Goverernment works. If you have any record of the injury while active, it shouldn't be an issue. I've also got high range hearing loss in my right ear, partial in my left. They classify it by your best ear...that kind of sucks. Claymore mines make a big boom! 0 -
The last message is right. They automatically give you 10% for tinnitis. As long as you get a rating on any injury, it is documented and later on down the road if it gets worse, which it most likely will, your rating will go up. Just make sure you get anything and everything that aches or painful documented. Talk with a good VA or DAV Rep. They are there for us Vets. They will get you the right stuff...
Corpsman Up!!!!!!0 -
I have 10% also, which is the MAXIMUM amount VA will give. I had a P2 profile for my hearing (which got me zero percent). 0 -
One thing you need to think about is that if you have Tinnitus you probably have nerve damage as well. If you are like me pretty soon the quality of hearing degrades so much tha almost all I hear is the tinnitus. My original 10% on tinnitus changed to a total of 40% because of hearing loss from nerve damage. The hearing aids suck but at least I can somewhat hear the TV. 0 -
I'm a Viet Nam Vet and just recieved a 10% rating for it, 1st time I applied, also. I also got a 0% for hearing loss. I never knew, but I had hearing damage reported on my discharge records and just now heard about it during the process for applying for tinnitus, they never told me! 0 -
I'm going through the process right now for it. I had my second appointment at the Salt lake VA hospital today,an MRI. I have to go back next week for another appoinment. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by torosapo
I'm going through the process right now for it. I had my second appointment at the Salt lake VA hospital today,an MRI. I have to go back next week for another appoinment.
Make sure you have your papers and tests together. If you miss one dotted I or one crossed T, then they (the V.A.) want to restart the process yet again. The longer they delay, the less they have to pay is their motto. My buddy was one of the claim adjusters in L.A. They got merit pay for denying claims. Go figure.
I did my time and retired in '94 with a 40% disability. I'm going through it again now and will likely be above 50% when I'm done. The key to it all... is paperwork, paperwork and... you thought I'd say paperwork??? nope - persistence. Stick with it and you'll finally win.
COB0 -
Got out in 2000, during my ETS briefing the VA rep told us to fill out a form and write down everything that was bothering us. I included the tinnitus among other things, was rated 0% for everything else but got the 10% for tinnitus. I had ZERO documentation, as it was never a complaint before, but during my VA physical to DR asked me questions and did my audio exam. Like the previous post, if you have a MOS in which you around loud equipment (i.e. generators) they realize this. Say that you didn't have time for ear protection because you were in a hurry (mission critical).
I recently increased one of my 0% ratings to 10% so now I am 20% total. It took a year but got back pay for it, so no worries. Contact your local DAV, AL for the state VA rep, they will help you with your claim, they know how to word the forms and get you what you deserve, they helped me!0 -
As I saw stated by another vet. I myself have tinnitis and I guess they got tired of me asking them to repeat themselves so they sent me to an audiologist which gave me a hearing aid after 4 months but still not paying me for hearing loss. it pisses you off but all takes time. A whole other topic also is I hate the rating system. I was told that if I would have applied for PTSD before one year of being out it would have been 50% but since I waited it was only 30%. And how does the VA count. if you look at my papers and total up each of my disabilities it equals 80% but yet that means 50% to the VA. How heartless are the people at the VA? getting paid to turn down claims. alot of them are veterans that work there. How the hell do they sleep at night. that money isn't coming out of their pocket, if uncle sam f'ed it up make him pay. but there are too many people that get told no that never go back and then have only bad things to say. My last job couldnt say this but I got let go because I was missing too many days for appointments. It's not even worth trying to prove my point about it though with this economy where it seems everyone knows someone that got laid off. oh well, it's like the VA a big pain in the ass 0 -
I am a Master Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate - Catapults and Arresting Gear, retired. Think my ears dont ring?
They make it so difficult to even see a vet doctor much less get a rating.
When I retired my hearing exam didnt show it.
But when I went to work and took an exam (suddenly) there is a problem.
Those doctors seem to be there for one reason. To save the government money!0 -
I'm 50% SC. I filed for tinniyus and got 10%, bu it did not add a thing to my compensation. They can have their 10% if they can make the ringing go away! 0 -
Yes, I have a disability rating for tinnitus, and have had for awhile. (I was of the previous era.)
Prior to discharge the physician refused to document anything, or to recommend anything.
I was informed that anyone having any problems would have to go through the VA. etc.
It initially took a long while to get rated. Then was cut off for everything will President Regan's edict.
I'll never forget how he sent out the word to VA, that everyone that had more that less than a 30% disability rating was to be arbitrarily disallowed immediately! I knew folks that meant living on the street, instead of having a roof over theri heads!
Any folks that had more than a 30% disability rating were to be immediately reduced accordingly. Yeah, he was definitely very aware of disabled Vets, they and their families many sacrafices for their Great Nation. Former President Reagan I'm sure never forgot us, it was so simple taking money from disabled Vets, and then turning his back on the sorry state of affairs, Veterans Affairs that is!
No, he never forgot us, just took compensation, treatment, representation and respect from us. Every time that he thought of us it resulted in loosing that much more! He no doubt thought of us while on his death bed! [xx(]
I doubt that he was ever restless over what he did to all of us! [V]
He spoke very well ... he and his deeds were callused. [:(!]0 -
What I have found with the va is that you have to normally be unbelievably persistent as I have had to do for years and its just now going from amc to vba and seems to bounce back and forth now that they supposedly found my records after they were lost for so long.
Tinnitus as any other rating needs to have a service connection although if there is any service connection from what I have seen it is normally awarded but not more than 10% for tinnitus.
Tinnitus was supposed to be on my claim as well however in their infinite wisdom they put something else on there that I didn't even claim for and I told them but its still there, so I have to file that one again but I am fairly confident that it will be approved.
Whatever you do don't give up and keep filing and calling and don't stop bugging them, if your vso doesn't seem to be doing his or her job then respectfully inquire and if it seems to you that they are not then get someone that will.
Regards0 -
This is a pretty old topic, but I had very good luck with the Reno Nv. V.A. I filed for tinnitus on January 29, 2010. I was given a hearing test and answered some questions at the hospital in Reno on the 28th of July. I received a judgement in my favor from the V.A. on the 19th of August awarding me a 10% disability retroactive to February, the month after I filed the claim. I last served in Viet Nam in February of 1967, 43 and a 1/2 years ago. I am pleased with the service I received from the V.A. Eddie 0 -
I finally got my disabilty 10% for hearing loss in one ear, the Doc said I can get a hearing aid for one ear only. 0 -
I got 10% when I retired in 2008. Also 10% for both knees and one shoulder, total 40% 0 -
Get the VFW or DAV to represent you, and be persistant with them and the VA. Don't get angry-don't go away-don't feel like they are singling you out-they do everybody the same way. Don't raise your voice-don't use profanity-don't do anything that could be considered as threatening, in any way. Use your congressman and senators. Claims are paid to the effective date, the date you filed a claim, so make sure you actually have filed a claim and know the date. It can really add up. Don't accept their rejection or reduction of your claim. Read what they say and rebut it-file an appeal. Guys and gals, this is just another part of the war-but it is fought in a complketely different way. You can read my experience on tinitus on the Viet Nam forum-I was the first to get comped for it back in the early 70's, thanks to my dear old Mom. I am 100% t&p now, and some of the absoulutes I have learned aree listed above, but the most important truth of my experience is that without Jesus, I wouldn't even be here to write this, and I would have never gotten anything from the Dept of Veterans affairs. Not religion, relationship, with THe Lord Jesus Christ. Flapjack. 0 -
I've never pursued a claim, but it is becoming more of an issue for me. I was an armored crewman in the first Gulf War, and when I ETS'd I was given the standard hearing test and told that there was some evidence of hearing loss, but nothing abnormal. At the time, I didn't have to ask people to repeat themselves all the time and at 24 I really didn't care about anything more than getting on with my life.
I decided to re-enlist in the National Guard in 2003, and was rejected at the MEPs station because of hearing. A waiver was granted, however, and I deployed in 2005-2006.
I'm now 44 years old, and almost cannot hold a conversation with any background noise at all. The ringing is constant and while it doesn't seem to be getting louder, my ability to hear anything besides the ringing is continuing to decline. Perhaps I'll pursue a claim, but to be honest $123 doesn't get my hearing back and today it doesn't buy much either.
Something is better than nothing though....
Saleen
Desert Shield / Desert Storm
OIF30
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