boomer2

I wish I understood better as well. I am already 10% for tinnitus and 20% for DM II. It says in the CFR that each ear is rated separately when you are 30 or below but they rate HL as one rating. I've asked several people what the differences are but no one knows or at least they say they don't. If the DRO reviewer calls me about my claim I'm going to ask them maybe I'll get a straight answer.

killemall I have a claim in for DRO review at this time, claim was filed in June of 2010. Here are my results from the VA audiologist C & P completed in Apr of 2013. 1000 L 50 R 55 2000 L 65 R 70 3000 L 75 R 75 4000 L 75 R 75 Best word % L 64 R 72 It's been 3 and half years and still waiting, according to my calculations I should get 30% for HL.

Check the link, this in regards to the 800 #. http://www.military.com/military-report/va-issues-fraud-alert?ESRC=miltrep.nl

I was service connected 37 years after getting out. Of course mine was for HL and tinnitus not what you are having trouble with. I would get as much documentation as you can and I would suggest you try and get an IMO from a private doc and send in a claim for it.

Ktm rider I should be 30% for HL as soon as the DRO review is complete. My hearing is extremely bad though My lowest DB loss is 50 and the best SRT is 72. There are several people on this site rated above 0% for HL.

If the VA says you have HL then you met the criteria for it and you should get a 0% rating. Below is 3.385 which is the criteria you have to meet to be SC'd for hearing loss. For the purposes of applying the laws administered by VA, impaired hearing will be considered to be a disability when the auditory threshold in any of the frequencies 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000 Hertz is 40 decibels or greater; or when the auditory thresholds for at least three of the frequencies 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, or 4000 Hertz are 26 decibels or greater; or when speech recognition scores using the Maryland CNC Test are less than 94 percent.

If you are 50% SC'd the VA covers all of your medical conditions whether SC'd or not. Now I am not sure how the coverage works for someone who is out of the country. I would imagine that you could go to a U.S. military base and be covered that way. I would contact the VA and ask them about the coverage in the country you are in.

I don't think I would say anything about being an avid firearms enthusiast. The more you tell them something like that the less likely you will be SC'd for hearing loss. As far as the depression and anxiety if you tell them you are suicidal or homicidal yea you may lose your guns. There are plenty of vets out there that are rated pretty high for PTSD and depression and they still have their guns. You're in law enforcement you know better than me what kind of people out there are using guns for illegal purposes. I know when I took my hearing test the audio person asked me if I had fired weapon since leaving active duty and I told her of course I did I was in the reserves for 19 years. She didn't say anything else. I do find it interesting you got 10% for insomnia as secondary to tinnitus. I tried that and was denied I smell a resubmittal.

ktm rider You meet the criteria for HL based on the frq test. What was your speech repsonse test results. You should get at least 0% which is what 98% of us get when first diagnosed. That will get you hearing aids at least. You definitely need to file a NOD when you get your decision back if they deny you. Your speech scores have to be under 92% for each ear. It should be on your test as SRT. Your hearing test from your job will not fly with the VA unless it is done by VA protocol.

# 261 10/24/13

How long has it been since you worked? I don't think the VA can say well we think you can work. The evidence speaks for it self, if you should be rated at 80% for HL then so be it. I would also look at TDIU as well.

Harleyman Sorry! should have stated that I was just recently rated at 30% and have an appeal or really a DRO review in progress which should put me at 50%. Anyway, When I first registered with the VA I told them I was married so, it should be in the records.

The VA requires that you have 2 separate glucose readings above 126 or a 6.5 or higher AIC reading to be diagnosed with DM II. My private doc actually diagnosed me when my readings were over 200. The VA granted my claim based on his diagnosis.

I currently have a claim in for dependency which I do not understand because when I look on ebenefits it shows me married. Why can't they look at the same info. Harleyman Is the St petersburg RO one of the ones doing the phone thing?

What are the threshold shifts on your hearing? You can tie the depression to the hearing loss.

I found this site on another site. Has some very good info. Could help a lot of people. http://www.militarydisabilitymadeeasy.com/pages/Home

That is correct, It was wooden chair with no cushion. The doc said that was how I got them and he also said that most of the permanent guards had cushions they used while on duty.

Now for the rest of the story, while on active duty I was sent TDY to the base stockade as a guard for a month. MP's had some kind of special training to do. Anyway. I sat on a wooden chair in a gun tower for this time and guess what I got hemorrhoids. Well, they sent me to the Doc that handled the stockade and he gave me suppositories as medication. Well, now they are bleeding and the VA doc told me to file a claim. But, it is not in my SMR's that I got them while on active duty. Forget buddy letters because we were all from different units and didn't really know each other. My question is how can I prove I got them while on active duty?

I have said this before and I'll keep saying it. AO should go down as the worst friendly fire incident in American history.

This is absolutely absurd. I will be sending my senator and my congressman an email about this ASAP. What it sounds like is the upper mgt folks in the VA want to distort the numbers so the can get there damn bonuses. I personally believe that some heads to roll over this. I hope every VET that reads this site sends an email to their respective representative about this. I filed a claim in June of 2010 for an increase in my hearing loss which was denied because the audiologist did not complete the test. I filed a NOD and just had a C & P in April and I am now waiting on the DRO to make decision. Based upon the results I shoud get 30% but, we'll see.

Ronin2303 I too am a former combat engineer. served with the 65th Engr Bn in Nam. There are several posts on this site for AO exposure and also where it was tested, used and abused. Just type in agent orange in the search and you will get a huge list. Good Luck

Try this site it is for morning reports. http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/morning-reports-and-unit-rosters-access.html

Great News!!! spend wisely and enjoy your just rewards.

In Florida if you are at 100% you get a DV tag and it allows you to park in the HP spots. It only costs $5.00 a year.

VA to cover more travel costs for vets to go to another VAMC. check link. http://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/06/11/va-may-pick-up-more-medical-travel-costs.html?ESRC=eb.nl