About all you will need is proof of continuing treatment.

Do you see the VA at all or just the massage therapist? Personally, I would suggest going to the VA on a regular basis for treatment, even if all they do is give you some meds you wont ever take....you can still see your massage therapist also, but that doesnt give the VA the out of saying you havent sought treatment from them.

Next question, if you are at 40%, have you looked into Chapter 31? If you get a decent counselor, you can do quite a bit under 31.

quote:

Originally posted by Vet_Rep:
About all you will need is proof of continuing treatment.

Do you see the VA at all or just the massage therapist? Personally, I would suggest going to the VA on a regular basis for treatment, even if all they do is give you some meds you wont ever take....you can still see your massage therapist also, but that doesnt give the VA the out of saying you havent sought treatment from them.

Next question, if you are at 40%, have you looked into Chapter 31? If you get a decent counselor, you can do quite a bit under 31.

I have seen the VA in the past for both my back and my knees, they did the physical therapy thing, pumped me full of meds and included the anti depressants because "depression is what made my back hurt" anyways bunch of looneys I have not stepped foot in a VA facility in about 4 years. Everything I have done is through civilian community and my wallet.

Next question is ..... What is Chapter 31? Obviously me asking you this question means I have not looked into it.

Okay went and looked it up ........... Voc Rehab, yes I looked into it when I first got out, but could not afford to do it and raise 3 kids.
Ended up getting jobs in the field I wanted had to work from the bottom up, and am comfortable where I made it to in the past 10 years.

I would suggest at least having an annual followup at the VA to show you are still seeking/recieving treatment for your SC condition. Do their physical therapy, toss their meds down the toilet, but make sure you can show you are seeking treatment for an ongoing problem.

quote:

Originally posted by Vet_Rep:
I would suggest at least having an annual followup at the VA to show you are still seeking/recieving treatment for your SC condition. Do their physical therapy, toss their meds down the toilet, but make sure you can show you are seeking treatment for an ongoing problem.

I would not just toss medication down the toilet. Now and then blood work and urine samples are taken. You may have to explain, why the medication does not show in the test. Also the physicain needs to know, why the meds are not effective. I have never yet met a physician, who insists on meds being taken, unless it is a danger to the patient, not to take them.
Vet_Rep so far I have enjoyed your responses and appreciate your being a part of this forum. As I advised you earlier in an e-mail, based on the serious nature of this forum, it is best if you note your credentials if posting under Vet_Rep. You have a private profile and members cannot e-mail you unless they are a moderator.
I placed the following comment in the forum rules, when this discussion board was moved from Health and Fitness. "It is my policy as an individual, to discuss issues with people whom I know, their name and at least what branch of service and when they served. In my profession knowledge of the subject is critical. Not knowing the subject is foolish on my part. Subject not only means the topic, subject is also the person involved. If you have the information on your profile fine, if not, list it in your question or comment."
I respect your style and simply ask you to indentify yourself if you are a Vet_Rep.

Ah, very well:

I was Active Duty, Army for 10 years and 7 months, currently rated at 70% SC from the VA.

I am an LVER, however, I will not reveal where, since many of my opinions are contrary to the "Approved" line...quite frankly, I disagree with the approved line in quite a few areas and Im not shy about saying so or talking about what I percieve to be problems in the system (both Va and DoL/VETS). When I do say so, however, I dont want to have a party liner to be able to reveal my personal opinions to be used against me.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DaveBarker,

Great and thanks!
I've been there and done that. Please visit my website and read Thailand.
http://www.geocities.com/dave_barker_amvet/index.html
My first director and the third one as well did not like my opinions at all.

Vet_Rep I look forward to many future exchanges!

Dave ....
What about the first situation I explained regarding the subject of this thread, and what they did with my husband. I would appreciate your input on how we should proceed.
Sue

PS .........Navy 1980-1996

quote:

Originally posted by MS1SuzieQ:
Ok here goes .........
My husband retired in 1996 from the Navy, he went through the whole DIC physical with VA and then was told later that he was going to get a whopping 10% for hearing loss, that they could only pay him for the right ear because it showed more of a loss than the left (even though both showed a loss). We found out in September of last year that 10% was not for hearing loss at all, that it was for sinus problems.
The County Veteran's dude requested his records for review and we have not heard of anything being found yet, he said that if in the DIC C&P physical it was noted for a hearing loss, that they would have to change his rating % and back pay him for the past 10 years.
Any truth to this? And if so, what are your recommended steps?

I will respond with my "opinion" one step at a time, as it is difficult to grasp what others are doing without the file. As I understand your post.
Ok here goes .........
Your husband retired in 1996 from the Navy, he was told by the VA he was going to get 10% for hearing loss, for the right ear, though both showed a loss. Based on the C&P the VA uses a chart to determine the extent of loss. This is one of the most difficult to understand ratings of the senses. A rating of 10% in one ear appears to be a normal rating, there can be hearing loss in an ear and it be rated 0%. It all depends on the audiologist report. (A person can also be rated 10% in each ear and still be paid at 10%. We call it VA math).
You then were advised later the 10% was for sinus problems.
The County Veterans Service Officer properly requested his records for review. The records review takes some time and much skill. Since I retired as a Senior County Veterans Service Officer to take this job, I know the extensive training required to keep the accredidation. He told you correct regarding the C&P physical if it was for a hearing loss, that they would have to adjust his rating and back pay him for the past 10 years in addition for hearing loss.
My recommended steps are to keep in touch with your CVSO who is trying to correct the problem.

Ok thanks Dave..........

Hubby has a hearing test tomorrow with a civilian doctor that specializes in the hearing aid thing. The CVSO had said to do it OUTSIDE, not to get the VA to do it, and to make sure that the report we get from the doctor show bi-lateral tinitus.

As it stood from his retirement (C&P) physical it showed that he had lost his high and low range but his mid range was okay. But even still my husband can not hear from behind and he has taught himself to read lips to help subsidize his hearing loss. He is almost adament about NOT getting hearing aids, something vain like "for old people" I think it is more like he is afraid to hear what he is missing now.

Wish us luck.

quote:

But even still my husband can not hear from behind and he has taught himself to read lips to help subsidize his hearing loss. He is almost adament about NOT getting hearing aids, something vain like "for old people" I think it is more like he is afraid to hear what he is missing now.

Hear Here too! I have severly impaired hearing. Left ear hears sound but it is garbled and I have about 40% hearing in my right ear. I have had the problem since 1997 when an infection damaged my hearing.

Hey Dave .........
He went for the testing today and it shows severe loss to his high pitch, but here is my question for you now, knowing that we are going back to VA should I send him to a few more places to get evaluated and not just one?

quote:

Originally posted by DaveBarker:

quote:

But even still my husband can not hear from behind and he has taught himself to read lips to help subsidize his hearing loss. He is almost adament about NOT getting hearing aids, something vain like "for old people" I think it is more like he is afraid to hear what he is missing now.

Hear Here too! I have severly impaired hearing. Left ear hears sound but it is garbled and I have about 40% hearing in my right ear. I have had the problem since 1997 when an infection damaged my hearing.

Sorry Dave..it is a quiet world where we live..until life imposes on us..and we arent adequate...since we struggle to hear and understand sounds....

This is a good thread and very timely for me...

I retired in early 2005 and my primary care physician referred me to an audiologist for suspected hearing loss/slight tinitis during the exit physical process. I was an aircrew communicator and worked in loud environments, to include a few incidental ear drum punctures through the years, which were documented.

The specialist examined me once and confirmed some hearing loss/tinitis, but asked me to return for one final visit to physically exam the ear. Unfortunately, the doctor was deployed and I retired.

I ended up assigned to a civilian network provider who was not familiar with my history and exams, so I followed up with my original physician overseas for a TRICARE referral to a stateside MTF. It took months before I finally received the referral and then I relocated once again.

After recently reenrolling in a TRICARE MTF, I'm scheduled to visit the audiologist to complete the missing physical exam.

Based on the earlier quoted period of 1-year to make a claim, can someone tell me what's the best way to proceed? Will I be better off proving service-connected directly with VA docs/system or will the VA allow some justification for the 1-year period based on complications with my exit physical with TRICARE?

Thanks in advance for any feedback!

I would suggest you enroll in VA healthcare. If you are eligible, you stand a better chance in your VA claims, now and in the future. Private physicians do not always respond in a timely manner, to VA requests for records, notes, etcetera.
If you have not seen a veterans organization service officer you need to do that today! A claim must be filed and the sooner the better.

Dave, is there any way to be enrolled in the VA system but not apply for the disability? I have ringing in my ears from several IEDs in Iraq. I would like to have myself placed in the VA databases for future reference, but I am not interested in claiming disability. I am currently in the Guard, and from what I understand anything I would receive would be deducted from my regular drill pay, anyway. I plan on staying in for quite a few more years, and I am already close to 20 as is. I am pretty sure I'll have some problems down the road, but for now I would just like to be a number on a list. Thanks for any help.

Dave, thanks for the great advice!

quote:

Originally posted by Laflin:
Dave, is there any way to be enrolled in the VA system but not apply for the disability? I have ringing in my ears from several IEDs in Iraq. I would like to have myself placed in the VA databases for future reference, but I am not interested in claiming disability. I am currently in the Guard, and from what I understand anything I would receive would be deducted from my regular drill pay, anyway. I plan on staying in for quite a few more years, and I am already close to 20 as is. I am pretty sure I'll have some problems down the road, but for now I would just like to be a number on a list. Thanks for any help.

To answer your question: Yes. You have guaranteed VA Healthcare for two years from your separation from active duty.
Yes VA Comp would be offset while you are active in the Guard. To respond to your statement, I ask you why wait? Being service connected will not create an addiditonal problem with the Guard. The Guard is going to monitor your hearing loss anyway. If you file and become service connected now, you will avoid the major problems millions have to face in later years.
I have tried to explain before, less than 1/3 employees of the VA are veterans. That number will drop with the new "Best and Brightest Campaign" implemented recently, wherein 10% of those are veterans.
I recommend you file now.

Thanks for the info Dave - guess I'll be collecting my paperwork and heading to the local clinic .

Hello, My name is Hubert, I'm a retired Tsgt from the Air Force (Retired 1994), I am a 70% disabled vet and am using the VA for my medical care, I have glucoma and see the optomitrist regularly. During my last eye exam the DR. was concerned about my pressures being up and thought that it might have something to do with my sinuses so she set me up with a appt in ENT. The ENT DR. asked a bunch of what I thought was silly questions which led around to the ringing in my ears. when I told her that I have been reporting this since before seperation from the Air Force every time I see a doctor during annual exams she seemed concerned, My history in the Airforce was a aircraft mechanic and before you ask yes I wore both the ear plugs and the ear muffs (mickey mouse ears) anytime I was around running aircraft or flightline equipment. I also know that I had a slight hearing lose upon seperation which has worsened over the years. My question is should I file a claim on this or just let it go with that old dinosaur the F/EF-111A/E/F which I worked on for 17 years.