Author Topic: VA compensation (Read 2367 times)

Bob Reeves · « **on:** June 09, 2021, 04:07:49 AM »

If you are a vet or know any vets with hearing loss that hasn't applied for service related compensation you need to go to the VA web site and file a claim asap. Hearing loss is almost an automatic 10 to 20% disability and about all you need is to have been around jets or guns while in the service.

Just found out I have a 40% rating and will be receiving $635.77 from the VA every month. Sad part is I didn't become aware of this years ago, I could have been receiving the payments all along but they will only go back to when you file the claim which on my case was just last month.

Also The VA will supply you with hearing aids. You need to qualify for VA medical which is easy of you are on SS. I am in the process and it will save me $3 to 4 thousand from going to a hearing aid retailer.

Just an FYI, If you are a vet you earned it and if you don't take it Biden will spend it.

Paul Smith · « **Reply #1 on:** June 09, 2021, 09:18:53 AM »

Huh? Wha'd ya say?

Paul Smith · « **Reply #2 on:** June 09, 2021, 09:21:13 AM »

I was in the Air Force and I flew models without ear protection for a long time before I started using ear protection. i can still hear very well.

They need to go after rock bands and help the people they defended.

peabody · « **Reply #3 on:** June 09, 2021, 09:35:13 AM »

I was in an 8"/175 unit....if we wanted ear protection we switched to Salems and used the filters....constant ringing.....VA provided nifty hearing aids but no $$$$$
Was also told that ising a CPAP machine got some disability...

Nothing yet....

But the AO poisoning got me 20%

Mike Griffin · « **Reply #4 on:** June 09, 2021, 01:00:42 PM »

I was a Morse Code Intercept Operator in the Air Force. I wore headsets for four years and listened to ditty dahs for 8 hours a day.

I developed Tinnitus that got worse and worse over the years and hearing tests revealed I had severe hearing loss in both ears. I finally applied for disability 15 years ago and the VA denied my claim. I appealed and they denied my appeal. I fought this for years on my own. I finally found an advocate and he went with me to appeal and shortly after that, I received notice I was going to receive 10% disability and some hearing aids which I did. It took 15 years of fighting the VA on my own and then getting an advocate to help me to accomplish this.

I found out that I literally had to manipulate or lie on the forms during the process to get the help I needed and the advocate showed me how to do it.

I guess I will always have a bad taste in my mouth for the VA over this. One should not have to go through all that for a legitimate medical condition incurred during active duty, especially during a war.

Mike

Ken Culbertson · « **Reply #5 on:** June 09, 2021, 01:56:41 PM »

Quote from: Mike Griffin on June 09, 2021, 01:00:42 PM

I was a Morse Code Intercept Operator in the Air Force. I wore headsets for four years and listened to ditty dahs for 8 hours a day.

I developed Tinnitus that got worse and worse over the years and hearing tests revealed I had severe hearing loss in both ears. I finally applied for disability 15 years ago and the VA denied my claim. I appealed and they denied my appeal. I fought this for years on my own. I finally found an advocate and he went with me to appeal and shortly after that, I received notice I was going to receive 10% disability and some hearing aids which I did. It took 15 years of fighting the VA on my own and then getting an advocate to help me to accomplish this.

I found out that I literally had to manipulate or lie on the forms during the process to get the help I needed and the advocate showed me how to do it.

I guess I will always have a bad taste in my mouth for the VA over this. One should not have to go through all that for a legitimate medical condition incurred during active duty, especially during a war.

Mike

Mike:
My son-in-law is an Army doctor and works a lot with the VA. He told me that there was a 100% denial rate on Tinnitus in the past but now it is fairly simple. 6 1/2 years working under running Jet Engines. Ear protection doesn't really help all that much especially the crappy stuff we had in the 60's. He has been bugging me to apply. I also hear that you don't have to have cancer now to get AO exposure disability. I am checking that one out too since the area around our end of runway sheds was regularly sprayed. I suppose that was to kill the foliage so that the snipers could see us better but obviously it didn't help because they missed me.

Ken

Sean McEntee · « **Reply #6 on:** June 15, 2021, 12:19:08 PM »

I'm forgoing the VA claim on tinnitus and asymmetric hearing loss in order to take part in a mass-action lawsuit against 3M. The Army fielded combat earplugs between, I believe, 2005-2011. It has been found that the earplugs were woefully defective, and the court cases are currently being heard in Kansas City. My individual case should be decided around January. The only stipulation is, if I win, I cannot file for compensation through the VA. Not to worry, I have a bag full of other issues that will easily carry me to that 100% mark...

Perry Rose · « **Reply #7 on:** September 16, 2021, 12:32:53 PM »

Bob, I took your advice and had the hearing test. What is the progression of things after that???

john e. holliday · « **Reply #8 on:** September 16, 2021, 12:40:23 PM »

No help to us guys that Uncle Sam deemed unworthy to serve. Perferated ear drum. Was told not to try any other branch of the military.

Perry Rose · « **Reply #9 on:** September 20, 2021, 02:27:39 PM »

What??

peabody · « **Reply #10 on:** September 20, 2021, 05:34:26 PM »

BEWARE!
45 installed civilian reviews of all claims....and, if a Vet is receiving compensation, THE ENTIRE CLAIM is reviewed when a request for more money is made.

My DAV guy says that about 10% of the claims are not only denied, but that they are frequently lowered!

Deafness isn't automatic. I was on an 8" gun, and the only available hearing protection was cigarette filters. I have VA issued hearing aids, but the (cute) hearing tester MD says I don't qualify for compensation. I believe that my last award for neuropathy was VERY generous, so I don't want to "rock the boat".

Like any Governmental interaction, caution is advised.

944_Jim · « **Reply #11 on:** September 20, 2021, 05:39:19 PM »

Ah, the stupidity of the beaurocratic machine. I'm Retired NatGuard. The VA is trying to recover "double-dip money" for more than a half-year of drills the VA never paid on. It wasn't their place as my Effective Date was 2/3 into the fiscal year...

Mark wood · « **Reply #12 on:** September 21, 2021, 04:55:09 AM »

I did this a couple years ago and my tinnitus qualified me for hearing aids and 10% disability which comes out of my retirement money. Crazy sit that is Batman. The only thing different is the $147 is not taxable income. I was diagnosed wit bilateral hearing loss but the "charming" technician wrote a a diagnosis that is wasn't service related because of a history of shooting sports and woodworking I have...

Perry Rose · « **Reply #13 on:** September 21, 2021, 05:07:39 PM »

My question has been answered. I got a packet of papers from the VA explaining things.

Mark wood · « **Reply #14 on:** September 25, 2021, 08:56:08 PM »

Quote from: Perry Rose on September 21, 2021, 05:07:39 PM

My question has been answered. I got a packet of papers from the VA explaining things.

Does that mean you're going to get what you need? For me, I received a notice of appointment to see a specialist who gave me yet another hearing test. When she was finished, she was real nice and showed me several different hearing aides and asked me which I liked best. After discussion about what I preferred she went "okay, I'll those for you".

Steve Scott · « **Reply #15 on:** September 25, 2021, 09:25:15 PM »

Quote from: Bob Reeves on June 09, 2021, 04:07:49 AM

If you are a vet or know any vets with hearing loss that hasn't applied for service related compensation you need to go to the VA web site and file a claim asap. Hearing loss is almost an automatic 10 to 20% disability and about all you need is to have been around jets or guns while in the service.

Just found out I have a 40% rating and will be receiving $635.77 from the VA every month. Sad part is I didn't become aware of this years ago, I could have been receiving the payments all along but they will only go back to when you file the claim which on my case was just last month.

Also The VA will supply you with hearing aids. You need to qualify for VA medical which is easy of you are on SS. I am in the process and it will save me $3 to 4 thousand from going to a hearing aid retailer.

Just an FYI, If you are a vet you earned it and if you don't take it Biden will spend it.

I'm currently rated 10% for tinnitus. I worked in IT and the equipment of the 70s and 80s wasn't particularly quiet - especially when crammed into a small room which was never designed for equipment. I also had a claim in for bilateral hearing loss but managed to barely pass the tests, twice. I wasn't trying to fail. I did fail a test shortly after separating but VA can't find those medical records. They did pay retroactively for the 8 months it took to get the rating. I assume the claim was closed. I am a life member in DAV.

I didn't apply for a rating until 25 years after separating but the wife is demanding I get tested again. I had an ENT appointment w/VA last week and have scheduled an audiology test.

The tinnitus is bothersome - a high pitched whine all the time. The only qualifying item I had on my service record was a small arms expert ribbon which proves I was around loud gunfire. Truth is, everyone had to be at the range to qualify but evidently they'll pay if you demonstrated you could hit the target with regularity.

I don't need the money but having an additional service-connected hearing disability will pave the way for VA to provide hearing aids. The ENT physician, a lovely young Asian woman, said modern hearing aids are very, very effective and will definitely help with the tinnitus. Got my appt. for the 22nd next month.

Perry Rose · « **Reply #16 on:** September 26, 2021, 05:55:30 AM »

I was able to ad dependents.

FLOYD CARTER · « **Reply #17 on:** September 26, 2021, 04:16:14 PM »

I'm a veteran (Korean "war"). I went in after making a deal with the government. 4 years of military in exchange for 4 years of college tuition. We both kept our part of the bargain. I did not make a deal to serve in exchange for a lifetime of T.B.D. physical or mental ailments. We are even, and I demand nothing more.

Steve Dwyer · « **Reply #18 on:** October 06, 2021, 12:07:59 PM »

Well, I just filed a claim for hearing damage based on this thread. I spent a fair amount of time on a 4.2" mortar until I moved up into Fire Direction Control. The VA responded to advise, they are pulling my records for review, we'll see what's next. My wife and I went to to private hearing physician several years back for testing. When done I was asked if I have difficulty hearing women, no joke. I looked at my wife and she just smiles.

Steve

Ken Culbertson · « **Reply #19 on:** October 06, 2021, 02:35:01 PM »

Quote from: Steve Dwyer on October 06, 2021, 12:07:59 PM

Well, I just filed a claim for hearing damage based on this thread. I spent a fair amount of time on a 4.2" mortar until I moved up into Fire Direction Control. The VA responded to advise, they are pulling my records for review, we'll see what's next. My wife and I went to to private hearing physician several years back for testing. When done I was asked if I have difficulty hearing women, no joke. I looked at my wife and she just smiles.

Steve

Same here - she simply doesn't believe me.

Was the filing difficult, I need to do it. I have had a running J79 in my head since I got out in '74.

Ken

Steve Dwyer · « **Reply #20 on:** October 08, 2021, 07:38:28 AM »

Ken,

I Struggled a bit with the VA on line format to file a claim. But if you go to www.va.gov you will see a phone number 1-800-827-1000 I called. They recorded my information (placed me in the system) and emailed the claim application to me, form: VA Form 21-526EZ, Sept 2019.
The last 5 pages of the form can be mailed or faxed. They gave me fax number 1-844-531-7818 I used and I received fax confirmation the VA had received my claim application, don't forget to include a fax transmittal sheet. I called after 48 hours and found they were processing my claim and gave me an application number. They are pulling my records, probably to verify my activity, location and equipment (guns) I was around during my time in service. They will not find any medical history regarding hearing, I wasn't aware, of course I had hearing damage early on. They said I will be mailed a response on their decision or if further action is required. I suspect I will be called for a hearing test.

That's about it, now I sit and wait the army way!

Steve

Ken Culbertson · « **Reply #21 on:** October 08, 2021, 11:42:12 AM »

Quote from: Steve Dwyer on October 08, 2021, 07:38:28 AM

Ken,

I Struggled a bit with the VA on line format to file a claim. But if you go to www.va.gov you will see a phone number 1-800-827-1000 I called. They recorded my information (placed me in the system) and emailed the claim application to me, form: VA Form 21-526EZ, Sept 2019.
The last 5 pages of the form can be mailed or faxed. They gave me fax number 1-844-531-7818 I used and I received fax confirmation the VA had received my claim application, don't forget to include a fax transmittal sheet. I called after 48 hours and found they were processing my claim and gave me an application number. They are pulling my records, probably to verify my activity, location and equipment (guns) I was around during my time in service. They will not find any medical history regarding hearing, I wasn't aware, of course I had hearing damage early on. They said I will be mailed a response on their decision or if further action is required. I suspect I will be called for a hearing test.

That's about it, now I sit and wait the army way!

Steve

I think I will go your route. I have three possible claims. I was an Airforce weapons line chief during that "thing" we did in the 60's. In the years getting to that I spent several hours a day a few feet from running jet engines wearing headsets that were at best a joke, and another part of the day sitting in a runway shack in an open area defoliated by Agent Orange. Then some crew chief was playing around and turned on an ECM pod on a plane I was working under. That one is in my records but I have two lovely children so I probably dodged that bullet.

Did some EOD which was "fun" but nothing as dramatic as what the Army had to deal with. Still, it wasn't Saturday Night at the Movies either. Good luck with your claim.

Ken