kkp

Berta its reading your post for the last year that got me fired up. I realized when I got home that it was my iu form she had directed the boot rep to trash. I know the rules for iu and I know its a rare occasion when iu is granted at 50%. That said, I filed the iu claim 6 or 8 mo. ago. It had worked its way through claims review to a senior rater at the Huntington roto a second rater when I filed my other claim for meniere's. Of coarse it went back down to review to be worked, But now ready for rating. My poa is the American legion. I called the rep in the Huntington ro this morning and He was really po-ed. He faxed me another copy with instructions to get it back as soon as possible. He doesnt know either why it was being rated but was anxious to find out. I think I know why but can't discuss it due to certain mission. I could be wrong on that but strange things have been happening to my claim from the start. At any rate I am in the process of filling the iu claims out and fax them back to him. He assured me they would be hand delivered to my c-file. Mean while I've been trying to call my rep. He may be new but its his job to work my file, and not have his secretary dictate to him how to do it. Remember it was her that tried to get the other temporary rep not to file it to start with., and now it was her chance to show me. I will keep calling until I get a hold of the young rep ( not the secretary ) and I'm quite sure he will understand she works for him, not the other way around when our conversation is over. I have a Governor also, and I guaranteed he will know it too when I'm through. thanks for letting me vent kkp

As some of you may remember I filed a claim for iu around October of 2006. ( I don't feel like looking up exact dates) We had a temporary rep for one month and it was while he was here that I filed it. The secretary that has been there since the beginning of time tried to talk him out of filing it since I was only 50%, But I convinced him to file it anyhow. He relocated a couple of weeks later. Since we had no rep I called one who works at the ro and he has been helping me since. He also didn't think it would be reviewed either but when he checked the computer, he found it had left one rater and gone to another. It was then I told him I had a claim for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus in the left ear, and meniere's disease. I had been sitting on it in fear of holding up the iu claim. He suggested I go ahead and file it. I did on the 27th of January of 2007. Today I got a letter from the ro ( what do we still need ). I called my rep at the ro and he advised me to check the box, that I had nothing else to add and fill in the questionnaire or the iu and return them. He also said we now have a rep working locally again and I could have them help fill them out. I went to their office and the new Guy was glad to help. He then showed the secretary what I had and she looked through it. She told him to check the box for no more evidence, but for them to get the latest records from the va. I showed he in the letter where they had just got the local va records, but she ignored me. Then she said this is no good and through it in the trash, and this is no good and through it in the trash. I didn't realize until I got home she had through my iu claim and the instruction on how to fill it out in the trash. What should I do. I know the rules for iu and the percentages I have to meet, but this claim was working. I also know that a rater can make an exception to the secular rule, and I think mine stood a chance. Should I call the rep who works at the ro and see if he can do something or just let it drop. I am so pee-ed off right now I can't think straight. I really don't think it was her place to deny my iu claim. I could live the ro ruling against me. It's their job. She was just being a bit---- because I went over her head to start with. Could sure use some advice. I either have to sh-- or get off the pot by tomorrow thanks kkp

This letter is a fact, but I wonder if I should take to the patience rep. I have an appointment at 12:30 at mental health, or perhaps just keep my mouth shut. Sometimes I do things out of anger I regret later. To Whom It May Concern: I was seeing the dr's in orthro clinic for my cervical problem. My neck is in pretty bad shape and I needed them to keep an eye on it. (at their request). On my last appointment I ask if they could threat my knees also, and they said I would have to have a referral from my primary doctor since it had been over a certain time limit since they had last treated me for it. They told me not to worry they would take care of it for me, The referral I mean. I waited for months and never did here anything from anyone so I stopped in at orthro and asked when my next appointment would be. They checked and said I didn't have any. They had forgotten to get the referral from primary care, and couldn't remember telling me they would. I can understand this because they see a lot of patients. They told me I would have to get another referral from the primary clinic myself. I had an appointment in a couple of weeks and decided I would take care of it then. I'll mention here I am 50% sc and have an active claim on my sc rt. Knee I also see doctor Blain at eye ear and nose. He is treating me for several things at the present time, Vertigo.Tinnitus,.and Meniere's diaease .. I made mention of my dilemma to Doctor Young. His comment was, you are already seeing every specialist we have now, But I assumed he would make the referral. I was wrong. When I checked with orthro a month later I learned he hadn't. Since I am in so much pain I had to call a local nuro surgeon, He sent me for therapy in hope that it would help, but It didn't. Ralph in orthro at the va had did this also. He advised me when I couldn't handle the pain no more he would send me some where else, Richmond or Salem or some where, mean while he would just keep an eye on it. I agreed with him entirely, because I only wanted surgery as a last resort and still do. My problem is appearently Doctor Young doesn't agree. Doctor Pattel who I am see now at my own expense is sending me to a Doctor in Charleston to see if some sort of shots in my neck will help. That is a concern of his and mine, because if there is no pain when I do something stupid, I could do even more damage. I had an mri of my neck done at the va last feb. or march. I took him a copy of it. He advised me he recently had a patient with the same damage I have and about the same age who had a minor fall and struck his head on a wall. Unfortunately for him he is now a paraplegic. Doctor Pattel is not pushing surgery, Nor was Ralph at the va.,but I need monitored and that's a fact. I cannot help if I have more than one body part going bad at the same time. If it was oversight on Doctor Young,s part so be it, I can understand that,but if not I think his decision was quite arrogant, and think he should reconsider. I realize I take a lot of medications. I wish I didn't and if you at the veterans hospital could heal me I wish you would, But if you can't please leave me with my dig Nanty and don't make me feel like a free loader. I was young and healthy once and you will be old and feeble soon.

1968 Army vv I have been keeping a keen eye open for news on any of your claims. Be glad to keep you guys up to date, as I am sure you'll do the same. I talk to my rep who has his office in the ro last week, He seemed surprized at how fast the claim was moving through the system, but we all know how fast it can stop. I had another claim ready to be decided. It was for iu, and was being sent to the second rater when I was (advised to and did) file this claim. we'll see. kkp

I just read your attachment and agree it's disgusting. Our returning vets deserve better. It really dosen't seem to matter which party is in power, the waiting lines for help by disabled vets just seems to get bigger. I personally think the vfw and american legion have become more interested in their standing with congress than their obligation to the vets they are suppose to be representing. Power seems to change people in all walks of life. I am so sick of hearing ( I support the troops). Its a lie. If they supported the troops ,they would support the disabled vets that come back from their wars. From a sence of duty and honor we went, and now many are to proud or uneducated to seek help. We see them on the street every day. Some seek compensation for their sc disabilities, and in too many cases are made to seem like scammers, or low lifes trying to beat the system. I don't know what the answer is, but I do know if you send a healty body and mind off to war and it comes back crippled, it should be compensated, and their wounds treated in a clean and healthy invirament by the best professionals we have. I also know it will never happen kkp

Berta I .am surpized at your answer. I thought they would lose the benifit. Your answer also gives me a much better understanding of your predicament. I have been kind of lost, but see what you mean now by the date of death, and the va trying to deny eligabilty. good luck, Im sure you will win in the end. kkp

If a p&t vet dies from other than service connected reasons, and has been p&t less than ten years, does his children in college lose their chapter 35 benifits also. I think I know the answer , but thought I would ask . thanks kkp

Cavman I have always heard it is darkest before dawn. I am truly happy for you. If you filed for iu at 50%, and got a favorable decision, I don't see how it could be anything else. Hopefully your battle is over. Our claims are so near alike, it is an incourgement to me. I wanted to tell you to hang in there last week but GOD didn't bless me with words. I too think you for your sercice, and GODs speed.

Vike 17 on the original nod on the ptsd we did request a dro review. I had 30%, we appealed to 50%. Don't ask me why ,but befor a decision was rendered on that appeal my rep sent in an appeal to the BVA FOR 70%. Then I got a denial from the dro review for the 50%. Two months later I got a letter awarding the 50%. The appeal for 70% is waiting for all this other stuff to work its self out. As far s the knee,I don't know which way my rep went on that one. Proably dro but dont't know for sure. Ricky and vike 17, you are both right on the soc. I looked at my ptsd file and it was after the dro denial that I got the soc, so that point is mute. Berta You have a good point about the iu claim, as the ro had indicated that befor I filed the last claim, as a matter of fact thats what I was told in this last e-mail. As soon as the last claim is reviewed a decision will be made on the iu. It may be as clear to you old pros as lookihg through a glass of water, But let me tell you its like looking through a muddy glass of water to me. I appreciate your responces kkp

Berta I did not get ( A ) letter specifically concerning ptsd and knee. After I won a 30% award we appealed to 50%. It was denied and I did get a SOC ON THE PTSD. Strange things happened with my case starting then. With no other correspondence with the ro, I got a letter two months later awarding me 50%. We sent in additional evidence and appealed that decision to 70%. The only thing I have ever gotten from the ro on the Knee was a denial letter. We nod-ed it.They have never put anything in writing. Like I said we did confirm it was on the conputer The email I got a few days ago from the ro stated as soon as the new claim I filed 1/27/07 was reviewed, and it was being reviewed now, a decision would be made on the iu claim. No mention of the knee. Perhaps they made a decision on the knee, and my new claim slowed it down. Beats me, but I did not get a stament of case on the knee. ever, kkp

I was reviewing my file on my rt. knee, and discovered the ro did not send me a statement of case when I filed My nod. Is this important; I have noticed that Berta always asks the claimant if they recieved a soc. As a matter of fact I think she ased me that question and I just assumed I did. I did get one on my ptsd appeal in 2005. Here is the sequence of all correspondence with the RO on my knee. 1. 05/9/05 filed claim 2. 10/30/05 what we still need from you letter from ro. 3. 7/6/06 appointment for c& p 4. 7/11/06c&p exam. 5. 8/14/06 Rt knee condition is denied. 6. 9/5/06 filed nod. I called in several weeks and the RO denied getting it. I went to my rep and he called and confirned they didn't have it, So he faxed it to them and we called again in a week and was told it was in the computer. I THINK THEY WERE DELIBERTLY TRING TO LET THE 60 DAYS EXPIRE. 7. 3/8/06 sent in imo from DR.Bash and others. Thats all fokes. Does it matter that they didn't send me a soc. One more question Isn't an nod the same as an appeal to be reviewed by the bva. thanks in advance kkp

Dear Mr. ------------ This is in reference to your recent e-mail concerning your claim. We are currently working on your claim for individual unemployability. We received additional evidence on January 27, 2007 that we are currently reviewing. Once that review is complete, and if all required evidence has been received, we will send your folder for a decision on the individual unemployability. If we require additional evidence, you will be notified by mail. Once we complete the processing of your claim for individual unemployability, we will continue processing your appeal. Do You Have Questions Or Need Assistance? If you have any questions, call us toll-free by dialing 1 800 827 1000. Our TDD number for the hearing impaired is 1 800 829 4833. If you call, please have this letter with you. Sincerely yours, ---------- The additional evidence of 1/27/07 is a new claim on the tinitus, bi lateral hearing loss, vertigo, and meniere's. I also have an nod on my right knee, which I assume has already been reviewed. I also have an appeal on ptsd from50% to 70%, which he refered to. I have been told from the start I was waisting my time filing at only 50%, and I know this has been a popular subject on hadit. I'm surprised it has gone this far so maybe it has some legs. I will keep you up to date. My rep who works in the huntington ro office told me, that my case had already went before one rater and was sent to a second rater, but still advised me to send in the claim mentioned above. Maybe he knows something since it is already being reviewed. Wish me luck as I have a feeling I will know something soon. kkp

The appeal he is refering to is the ptsd from 50% to 70%.

Berta I did all my own work on my case except the actual claim . As I have stated befor we do not have an va rep in our area at present, and havn't for over a year. We still have a secretary holding down the fort. I took my claim to her at the direction of the rep I made contact whith. His office is in the Huntington Ro. This is the wording they put on the claim. ( statement in support of claim) Sirs; veteran wishes to file sc bilateral hearing loss, Left ear tinnitus, vertigo, & Meniere's desease Please find attached and then she Wrote out 1-22 that I already had on my cover letter. 1968 army vet and Jonh M It really sounds like you guys are getting a raw deal. I'll proably get the same results. But it never hurts to give a shot. Good luck with your nod's and appleals kkp

What I did with this claim was to 1 put all my eggs in one basket. 2 I have read many times here on hadit, Mainly from Vike 17, and others that if the ro had all the evidence that the bva reversed cases with, they most likey have gotten afavorable decision from the ro. 3 I also sent in cat scans and mri's, This was several years ago, I had them done to eliminate the possability of a tumor in my hear or (mri to make sure there weren't any tumors on the inter ear, that would cause the same symstoms. These were ordered by specalist of eye-ear-nose who also contracts with the va a day a week. I see him there now. 4 My claim consisted of twenty two Medical reports from through the years, Dating back to the eighties, including a hearing graph from my discarge physical shoing significant hear loss during my enlistment+ graphs starting in the eighties to date shoeing hearing loss near Total in left and sixty percent in the right) That is using va regs' The Lady that did my imo used to do c&p"s for the va on the side. 5 I had all the above things done at my own expense, except periods that I had ins. I just wanted to get better. 6 I had an appointment for something else and had my smr with me. I had an appointment in audio next and th Lady ask if she could see them, and advised me I should file a claim, so upto afew months ago I didn't have a clue. 7. I took advice from here and put together every thing I had, Got an IMO and sent it in. Thats all I have there ain't no more. I will live or die with their decision. I read Your replies and my heart goes out to each one of you who are not being treated fairly by the va, I to have my qualms with them. Hang in there and keep the good fight going. My reason for the post was to help someone else file a claim and have you guys make correction as to where I came up short. I remember when I first found hadit I know anything, don't know much now, but just wanted to share the little I have learned with anyone new to the war.

The following is a list of the evidence I am sending with my claim: 3. from Dr. L dated September 9, 1993. 4. Reports from Dr. L dated March 24, 1995. 5. CT scan dated 9/9/04 6. MRl dated 11/20/04. 1. Separation examination hearing test 2. Letter creating nexus from hearing damage in military to date from M.A.,CCC-A M.A, Hearing Center dated 12/22/06 .. 7. Hearing graph from V A Hospital dated 5/10/05. 8. Hearing graph from Dr. A. , dated 8/25/04. 9. Hearing graph from --- Hearing Center dated 8/27/01. 10. Hearing graph from ---- Hearing Center dated 7/12/02. 11. Hearing graph from ---Hearing Center dated 1/1/01. 12. Hearing graph from A. ---- Jr., MD dated 9/23/92. 9. Military records dated May 1963. 13. Military records dated September 20, 1963. 14. Military records dated August 20, 1965. 15. Reports from Dr. l--- dated May 13, 1980. 16. Reports from Dr. L---- dated May 19, 1981 17. Reports from Dr. L---dated September 29, 1988. 18. Reports VA Hospital- 11/2/05 19. VA Hospital- 5/1 0/05 20. VA Hospital-1O/27/05 22. VA Hospital- 2/15/06 23 . VA Hospital - 4/10/06 21. VA Hospital- 6/30/06 22. VA Hospital- 9/13/02 I, ---------, was in the Army from 1962 through 1965 My Army Serial Number is ---------. My MOS was a rifleman for one year and a machine gunner for two years. I probably shot 1000+ ammo boxes of 30-caliber machine gun shells. My ears have been ringing since I became a machine gunner. My left ear has never ceased to ring. I have spells of vertigo dating back to 1963 but I can't prove it because only candies went to the dispensary from my outfit. My family doctor from 1966 to 1980 died and we cannot get his records but I do have records from 1980 to date that describes hearing loss, vertigo, Meniere's Disease, and all of these symptoms severe since 1985. I am presently being treated at the V A Hospital for all of the above. At the present time I stagger, I can't ride elevators, I can't fly, and I can't ride in an automobile unless I am driving and then there can't be any curvy roads. My left ear rings constantly, I can hardly understand anything that most people say and I get sick looking at wall paper with various colors and even shadows from trees across the highway while driving. When I turn over in bed, at times I get sick. If I am startled and have to turn my head to the left or to the right quickly, I will fall in that direction. If I look up, I fall backwards. However, I can look down. I can hardly watch sports on TV because of the movements of the players in so many directions at one time plus the colors of the uniforms make me sick. I can go on but I think you get the point. My best time is sitting straight up in a straight back chair. Sincerely, ~~~~ , MA --------- HEARING CENTER Dec. 22, 2006 RE:--------------------- !mr. ----------------- has hearing loss, tinnitus and vertigo. Fact: MR.----------------- complained of healing loss while actively serving in the military as evidenced by his records in may, 1964, Fact: mr Persinger first cornplained of dizziness after 1 year in the military during an exam 20 September 1963. Fact: mr------ exhibited hearing loss at his separation examination. Fact: mr------------ was exposed to noise while in the Army at levels that could cause hearing loss. Fact: mr---------- was diagnosed with Meniere's disease with symptoms dating back to the Army. Fact: :Mr. ---------'S hearing has continued to decrease as evidenced by his audiograms which is consistent with Meniere's disease . . - It is highly probable to this daim of the nexus between service and his current medical condition. In my opinion, the currently existing medical conditions of hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus and diagnosed meniere's disease are related to an injury, disease or event occurring during the veteran's military service. -------------------- m.A.,CCC-A I have a case before the rating board now, but was advised to go ahead and file this claim. As can be seen I am not to good at copy and pasting, as1 through 6 proves The first page is a cover sheet and I sent documentatin of everything. I verified it was put in the ro's computer on the 27th of jan 2007. I thought that perhaps this could help someone else in preparing a claim. This along with corrections by you Guys. kkp

Originally. I requested a DRO decision for the 70% ptsd and was denied. Then I appealed to the BVA in June 05 with more evidence. I filed the IU claim several months ago with up to date progress reports and another imo from a third psychiatrist. This claim is at the rating board. The rep from HUNTington I go ahead and file on the hearing as he talked to someone at the rating board and they did not think it would hold up my IU claim. It is like throwing dust in the wind and we will see where it lands. Hi Ho Geico! kkp

Vike 17 Thanks for your insight. What I was refering to concerning the BVA is when we filed my appeal I was under the impression my case would be heard in Huntington by the panel of Judges that travel to various ro's. I do remember you saying each iu claim acts as a new claim now. thanks kkp

Some of the things I have been reading hear on hadit doesn’t make since to me especially concerning my case. I made detailed report on my case on 1/18/07, which I won’t go back and repeat. It’s several pages back if anyone wants to read it. Here is some of the things I don’t understand. 1 I have an appeal on ptsd to the bva from June 05, I’m 50% appealing to 70%. This was suppose to be handled at the Huntington ro. 2. I have an nod on my right knee filed 6/20/06. 3. I filed for IU several months ago. We haven’t had a rep. in this area for over a year, so I called the one in Huntington which has his office in the ro. He was glad to help and bought me up to date on my claims. A. I was surprised to learn that my appeal to the bva is in Washington DC. Not Huntington. B. I have a claim before the rating board now. It arrived there on 1/16/07. He said it was a good thing because my file was on the move. He had already told me I was wasting my time filing for IU with only 50%, however, he found out what I had told him about the IU being the only new claim was true. He concluded the IU must be the claim before the rating board, and perhaps they had decided to give me 100% due to the additional evidence I had sent in. (all I sent in with the claim was up to date progress reports and an imo from another physiatrist). C. I had another claim prepared for hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. I hadn’t sent in, out of fear of clogging up my case. He said it wouldn’t, so I filed it on 1/17/07. D. Where is my c- file during all this. Vike 17,Berta,Rick, and any others who can shed some light on this please chime in. It seems to me that my case is running counter to most of the post I have been reading about the last several days. kkp .

Well My Daudhter finally gave Us our tenth Grand Child. 6lb.- 15oz Girl, Both are doing fine. They sure are precious. Sounds like Mr Mc nasty visted while I was gone. Glad I didn't see it and pray if it truly is a mental condition associated with Ptsd or not,someone close will see the need and help. T-Bird you were right to pull the Puppy thing as it was headed exactly where you thought. by the way I love Puppies and their grown up counter parts. I have proably had more animals than most, and never seen many I didn't like. I owned a farm until a few years ago. kkp

Wene I talkuted to My so on the 17th of jan, He was on the computer looking at my case and talking to someone from the ro on another line. He was advised that My case had been sent to the rating board the day before. He told me it was a good thing that my case was on the move again. Over 50% of the staff has retired in the last six months at Huntington ro..He said I was fortunate that My case had been assinged to one of the most experenced raters there. He said if he had a case, thats who he would want to be rating his. My case is compicated so I suppose that pays credence to what Vike 17 said. If this dosn't make sence it's because my daughter is on her way to the hospital to get me another Grand Daughter .Whis us luck and those who Pray, remember us thanks kkp

I also have benfited greatly from Johns posts. I was so ignorant to va regs, and the questions I asked were and are so elementry. But John ,Berta and a few others were there with answers, even though they had answered them many times before, And there was always ( you may not like what I have to say but). At first I ignored it when directed at me,but to come down on a Brother vet with 28 years of service devoted to this Country is a bit much for me. I have been biting my toung since the statement that no one was under fire 24-7.Brother vet I was in the 1st bat. 501st inf 101st ABN. div. Have you ever heard of hill 937 above the a shau valley ( HAMBURGER HILL) hOW ABOUT 24/10. Elder on this forum or not right is right and wrong is wrong. The insulting remarks made and then someone calls his attention to it he wants to take it to e-mail while he keeps the same subject going on the forum. (I was not at hill 937 but I knew many who were, and I underline were.) I write one sentence to try to point out what was going on yesterday, so we could get back to subjects that mattered and I am reppremanded, and My one sentence move and then removed within twenty minutes. Hadit has been a God send to me, but I've hadit. so long kkp

Sixthcents, Jargrin and others Taking The advice of the HADIT team and goimg directly to an SO was eally a treat. Sixthcents I will try to explain whats going on with My claim. To start with our rep for this area retired about a year ago. It was six months befor his position was filled, but after three months he transfered to another city. It was while He was there that I filed for IU. He also told Me I was wasting my time, and perhaps I am, but he did file it for me. I have had bad representation from the start, For example My original rep, filed My claim and I was awarded 30% ptsd without a c&p. I sent in undisputable proof of the stressor whit My original claim. I took less than two months to for My award. After not hearing from My rep for a month I took My award letter and paid him a visit. He was really surprised and didn't know of the award, however when He pulled My file, it was right on top. He said we shouled file an appeal for 50% ritght away. I had been advised by my shrink and the two counslers I was seeing at the time to go for p&t. He got affended and told me they had their job and He had his, so He waisted all the medical opinions from my shrink and counslers, who by the way recomended p&t in writing, all their progress reports that backed up their opinions, including the - 50 gafs on all of them, and filed an appeal for 50%. He called Me about a month later and ask if I would stop in. I did and he told Me he thought we should ammend my appeal to 70%. I asked him why he didn't do it to start with, but just ignored My question. He sent in the amended claim and sent it in. Within a month I had an appointment for a c&p exam. About a month later I got a letter denying the 70%, and a week after that another letter granting the fifty percent we Had requested first, based on the c&p exam. Again everyone that was treating Me at the time said the board certified shrink that gave me the c&p supported p&t. I appealed this decision to a dro at huntington ro and was denied. We then applealed it to DC. That was two years ago this feb. I filed a claim on my right Knee about seven months ago. and was denied we filed an nod with strong imos, and that is where that claim is at pesent. After reading the debate that has been going on here on HADIT I decided to file a claim for IU four months ago to at least establish a starting date. I have had to fight everyone at every stage to get it filed but finally succeeded. each time I talk to anyone in huntington ro they tell Me the IU claim has to be decided before the nod and the ptsd can be considered. Now about the tinnitus, vertigo, and bi-lateral hearing loss, I have had it prepared for a couple of months but have been sitting on it,in fear of clogging up My file. After taking advice from you Guys on hadit I finally called a SO who represents us from this area when we go for hearings. He also said I had just wasted my time filing the IU. But when checked on my file He found it had been sent to the rating board the day befor yesterday. He also said only new cases are sent to the rating board so it must be the IU claim. His theory is they would proably grant 100% IU hoping I would go away before having an appealate court see what a mess they have created with My case. I don't know about all that but I hope he's right. He also advised me to file the other claim on My hearing, which I did yesterday, so it couldn't posable the new case He was refering to. Just for the record if I should be granted 100% I'm not going anywhere. They started this war .I didn't, But then again the SO advised Me if he is right I should take it and go away and not open up another can of worms. Thanks for listing kkp

thanks to te replies to My frustrations last evening. I took the advice of Jargrin concerning an So. Our So retired about a year ago. Since then we have had two,one lastd three weeks the other two days. Thats why I was dealing through IRIS and calling the ro Myself.Today I got the number of the Hunington So's office. Thats the one that sends a rep. with you when you have a hearing. Boy there a difference. As soon as I gave Him My claim number He knew everything there was to know. To start with He said I was wasting My time filing for IU only being 50%. I also have an appeal for ptsd that is in DC. I also have an nod on My rt knee. While we were on the phone He called someone at the Ro and they told Him my claim was sent to the rating board yesterday. and my ptsd appeal was in DC. As we talked more, He said wait a moment, only new claims go to the rating board., are You sure the IU claim is the only new claim you have. I assured him it was and then he check the computer and confirmed it. He said the only thing he could figure was they were going to rate the IU and grant Me the 100% and try to make the rest of it go away. I sure hope he's right. I told him about the bi-lateral hearing loss, menier's desease, and vertigo claim I had ready to send and wondered if it would clog things up. He gave me the same advice you guys have been giving Me ( send it in ). I took it to the so's office and the secretary faxed all 32 pages to him so he could personally deliver it, How long does the rating board usually take. and yes John 999 They may win in the end but they'll know they've been in a good fight. kkp

Josephine I am not sure I know the answer to your question but I am filing a claim tomorrow for hearing and attached is what I am sending with mine. I was in the Army from 1962 through 1965. My MOS was a rifleman for one year and a machine gunner for two years. I probably shot 1000+ ammo boxes of 30-caliber machine gun shells. My ears have been ringing since I became a machine gunner. My left ear has never ceased to ring. I have spells of vertigo dating back to 1965 but I can’t prove it because only candies went to the dispensary from my outfit. My family doctor from 1966 to 1980 died and we cannot get his records but I do have records from 1980 to date that describes hearing loss, vertigo, Meniere’s Disease, and all of these symptoms severe since 1985. I am presently being treated at the VA Hospital for all of the above. At the present time I stagger, I can’t ride elevators, I can’t fly, and I can’t ride in an automobile unless I am driving and then there can’t be any curvy roads. My left ear rings constantly, I can hardly understand anything that most people say and I get sick looking at wall paper with various colors and even shadows from trees across the highway while driving. When I turn over in bed, at times I get sick. If I am startled and have to turn my head to the left or to the right quickly, I will fall in that direction. If I look up, I fall backwards. However, I can look down. I can hardly watch sports on TV because of the movements of the players in so many directions at one time plus the colors of the uniforms make me sick. I can go on but I think you get the point. My best time is sitting straight up in a straight back chair. Sincerely, The following is a list of the evidence I am sending with my claim: 1. Separation examination hearing test 2. Letter creating nexus from hearing damage in military to date from MA--- dated 12/22/06.. 3. Hearing graph from VA Hospital dated 5/10/05. 4. Hearing graph from Dr. dated 8/25/04. 5. Hearing graph from Audiologist dated 8/27/01. 6. Hearing graph from Audiologist dated 7/12/02. 7. Hearing graph from Audiologist dated 1/1/01. 8. Hearing graph from Dr. dated 9/23/92. 9. Military records dated May 1963. 10. Military records dated September 1963. 11. Military records dated August 20, 1963. 12. Reports from Dr. dated May 13, 1980. 13. Reports from Dr. dated May 19, 1981 14. Reports from Dr. dated September 29, 1988. 15. Reports from Dr. dated September 9, 1993. 16. Reports from Dr. dated March 24, 1995. 17. CT scan dated 9/9/04 18. MRI dated 11/20/04. 19. VA Hospital – 11/2/05 20. VA Hospital – 5/10/05 21. VA Hospital – 10/27/05 22. VA Hospital – 2/15/06 23. VA Hospital – 4/10/06 24. VA Hospital – 6/30/06 25. VA Hospital – 9/13/02