DDuck

Hooya!!! Sorry that was suppose to be physiological not psychological in the last post. I do not think you will be denied for tinnitus but if you are appeal it (Initial success, doesn't apply in the VA) Heck, just include a job description that should do it. I received mine 3 years ago and I was discharged in 98 so it shouldn't worry you about how long it's been. Hearing, however, is another story I have seen people with hearing aides get denied and others without them get it. If I can help in anyway let me know.

Hey EODCMC, Class 9235 in Coronado then went EOD in 96. Tinnitus is presumptive for both our ratings. I submitted it with my TT6 medbay report I suffered in 93. Squeezes were not a big deal so you probably didn't have a med report for any of them but just stated it, it should be a no brainer for the noise exposures we were around. Also on a psychological level our otoconia were screwed with at depth I am sure. It's relatively new find so I am sure it won't help our generation much but "hears" hoping. My tinnitus sucks and 10% is a joke but it's all good I suppose. Nice to read another dual pin guy here, take it easy. Dan

Then you need to get a doctor to address that in writing in regards to your claim. Quitting your job without it is a huge gamble, if a doctor will not write it up you are taking a chance that the VA will also question it. This is your life, your choice, I am just laying out how claims usually work and how to make sure you are putting forth the best claim you can. Dan

Also under most circumstances quitting your job to apply for TDIU is not going to be favorable to your claim. Only time I can forsee is if you have a doctor tell (in writing) you that quitting is in the interest of your health because your SC disabilities are having such an adverse affect. My advice is do not quit unless you have a doctor advising (in writing) you to do so.

I do not know much about other military ratings, but in mine I do not think many escaped without some moderate disabilities after 20 years. In the the military as a whole very few can escape injury it is inherent in the job description. The system in place allows for those to achieve some compensation for service. My very first post on this site was made in a very, very angry mindset. I can't remember if I posted the exact reason, but I can tell you it was because another service member was asking me to get a bike and go on a wounded warrior ride (teacher asked me to share my VA experience) we were in the same class going thru VocRehab. We got to talking and I found out he was rated 60% for knees and feet (or its what he shared). I was getting 20% for a bunch of things and I was extremely ticked. My anger was directed at the VA, and I still have some major anger issues because I was discharged with active injuries that were left untreated and cost me a lot of my health. I feel I am at the top of the people able to voice a qualified opinion on this subject: Yes I think every retiring service member should be able to be compensated for each injury sustained in service. My wife asks me to hold my opinion in a lot because I my frustration bubbles up quite often, I see quite a few VA ratings that are not accurate in both good and bad directions. I was asked to volunteer multiple times to become a VSO by the Legion because I had claims already set up for the vets when I sent them to the VSO. This site was the single path that allowed me to help others, and myself. I have rejected to help a number of vets after listening to their history, not because I didn't think they could get a rating; but because I felt after listening to them I believed them to be tying after service injuries to service time and it is my time so I can refuse. However I always referred them to a VSO because it's not my job to judge anyone no matter how much I might know or believe.

I don't think anyone is not grateful for our compensation. But there are those of us that cannot do the things in life that we want. I cannot play with my young kids, do any vigorous activities with my family who is very active. I spent large amounts of time at the doctors missing my kids school activities. This list goes on for far too long. So although I am thankful for the monetary help I get from the VA, this life holds very little joy outside of my family; and I look forward to glory far, far more than being in this world. What the VA offers is monetary benefits and it is wonderful but it isn't the life a lot of us shout for joy about. Kudos for you helping others and I truly am happy that your quality of life isn't shot, and I hope it never is. Enjoy it but don't bag on others because theirs is not to the level of yours and you think they are being sour.

No brother there is no "it could be worse". It is what it is. You know by now your not weak, it sucks what happens. But each case is not lesser or greater. It just, is what it is. Great job on the therapy, keep your claim active don't give up. And just remember don't take it personally there is just some BS that is happening not against you personally.

I can tell you that my story is similar, and you will get what you need it may take time. How mine was similar was that I suffered a AGE during a routine dive that turned into a rescue of a distressed diver. I suffered physical trauma from the extraction of the diver. I spent over 12 hours in the tube with 3 extensions. All of this was documented; after the treatment I suffered migraines that were noted but never complained much about because I was told I would lose my pin. A year later I was sent to EOD school as "award" for my service (and I did want this very much). A week before graduation i was hit by a drunk driver that was documented going 80+ miles per hour. He knocked me onto base with over 25 witnesses. After all treatments and therapy, MRI that showed 'lesions' on my brain (but it was noted that it was years of exposure at depth as a second class diver that was the cause. This turned out to be BS it was my head going thru a window.) I was deemed unfit for duty, recommended that I have surgery on my back which I declined, I was still urinating blood but they couldn't find out why (yes I was discharged with this condition still unresolved). Years later my kidneys were starting to shut down they did surgery and found a bone fragment wrapped in scar tissue that came from by hip and lodged in my urethra they took pictures and the doctors had a shit fit when I showed them the documents that the military discharged me while I still had this condition. My point is all of this I was discharged at 20%. Yep all that with documentation and 20%, another guy got 20 for twisting his knee during volleyball. Took me 10 years to calm down enough for my wife to force me to file again. Keep on pushing by keeping your claim open as a PH recipient you will get your claim resolved in a positive way of that there is not doubt. Don't let the anger eat at you like I did it wasn't healthy and caused more problems for me. My goal is to let you know that some serious BS happens in these claims sometimes for reason I can't begin to fathom. But you will get what you deserve, try to not take it personal there are many of us that were hosed. Dan

I'm not very politically and do not care to be so especially on this subject. Personally I think this door shouldn't be opened. Why, because it is the duty of our military to face danger and to accept it. Give even the slight hope of getting out of that leaves the door open for people to "sustain" injuries or fake PTSD episodes to get out of the duty they VOLUNTEERED for and then get benefits on top of it... There is appeal processes for OTH already, clear that up then go after the VA. This of course is only my opinion.

I am very sure if you are TDIU P&T your dental is covered. There is a retired VA dental guy that also stated that 100% Sched and TDIU P&T vets are included in dental benefits. Here is a link that may help http://statesidelegal.org/tdiu-100-benefit-equal-every-way-schedular-100 There is alot of misinformation in the VA health care, just load up with knowledge and don't take no. I hope it helps.

I can only speak for my claim on the request from employers. I had not worked in quite awhile so when the VA sent the requests out none of my employers filled them out. So I responded with all my information (when the VA sent me a letter requesting that information about employment history). Personally I just filled it out and submitted it, I stated the date and time and telephone and person I talked to when I called to ask the employers to fill it out the form. I filled them out 4 different times, as they kept sending me letters on the request to get them to sign it. I just kept calling my past employers and writing the date, time, and person I talked to then submitted them to the VA. I was stuck in that stage for about a year and as far as I know they never returned the form. My case was granted without the employers submitting them, I hope that helps.

If the VA will do implants get them. I have family in the dental profession and a couple of them paid for implants they love them. They have most of their teeth they didn't need to get all pulled. It is a very long process 6-8 months total depending on what they have to do. I am quite sure there are other companies that state they do them quicker but I was told 6 months should be the benchmark. I am sure you can google the proceedures, but I can tell you the people I know, without doubt, love them.

Rootbeer: I have had a time with the Seattle RO, they lost records and needed to set up a re-examine. I will say the QTC doc in Tuq was outstanding. When she found out that the VA lost her examine from 8 months prior she called them and chewed on them abit while I was there. She also putting in a claim for my kidneys that I didn't put in. So hopefully you get professional service from people there, I did. Most claim issues I found are from lazy people or people not trained properly. Probably the same thing happened to you as it did to me. It sucks but just look at it as a bigger retro check. Vern: From what I understand hearing is very hard to get hard to get rated; and I only speculate, that it is probably because most (including me in my tinnitus claim) put in for it so late after service and everybody has hearing damage as we age so it gets harder to prove. I think why they rated me (0% hearing, 10% tinnitus) was because I had a documented event in my service records of a traumatic sound event that left my ears ringing and my exit hearing exam show some loss at certain db's. As for the tinnitus if you have it you will know, mine wasn't bad until 4 years ago just a slight ringing from the service days. To be honest I kind of grown use to it until it cranked up by a factor of 50 now I can't even drown it out with the TV, 4 years later and it still bugs me. Good luck with your claims and God bless. Dan

Been there for my SC hearing 0% I never filed for a hearing loss claim, but I did file for tinnitus (granted) that is why I was there. The lady was very professional didn't talk much (which I liked). She stated they do not have the means to test for tinnitus so she gave me a hearing exam and pressure tests. I know vets personally with earring aides and they are 0% for SC hearing loss, so take that for what it is worth. My opinion is if you don't wear aides don't expect anything over a 0%. I figure is good to have it encase the hearing totally craps out. I am sure tanker is on the presumed list that you were prone to tinnitus then you should be good if you filed for that (But I am sure you knew that already).

Ted, Don't worry about lost money, sorry to read about your troubles. I myself was med discharged in 98 at 20% and told by many people to file for a upgrade over the years. If I added up the money I lost it would be quite abit. We are all wired different, and any disabilities suffered from service are bad mental or physical and really who of us wants any of these problems. One thing I will say is what I learned, nothing is a give-me regardless of evidence. So prepare yourself for the long haul and do not give up. Thats not to say people don't get ratings fast and postive. I had first hand accounts of all my injuries each were well documented during duty, I was told when I signed my discharge papers in 98 that I should have been 80% and should fight the rating I got. Like I said we are all wired different. I bring this up because some can dwell on all the lost money or opportunities, don't; It is what it is. I hope and pray yours resolves quickly and you get a positive adjudication. If not do not give up.

Hopefully the worst is behind you, I am glad to see that things went as smooth as possible or atleast not horrible. Hey don't let yourself feel any shame because of how you served, or in what capicity you were ordered to serve. All that matters is you served to the best of your ability. Take it easy. Dan

I would really, really investigate that laser surgery. I was told by a doctor two days ago that those surgeries are not very successful and have very little medical evidence to back up the claims they make on TV ads. I suffer from back pain and radiculopathy from that area, I also have had multiple surgeries from lam and disc removal, and now they want to fuse. So I brought this up to my neighbor that is also a trama doctor and he was very firm about that type of surgery (laser). That is all of my experience with it so take that as it is.

My two cents is try to stay away from leading the doctors to a diagnosis (telling them you think XXXXX about any diagnosis). You will run into asshat C&P examiners and sympathetic ones. Be completely honest and do not hide how you act even if you think it may put you in a bad light in others eyes. Here is the part that no one can answer on with a vet commenting on "I feel I can't XXXXXX" is that it can help sometimes or it can hurt. It can help if the examiner is just to busy to connect the dots if the evidence is there. Or if the C&P examiner does not feel the evidence is there is can hurt you. What are the percentages on positive vs negative? Who knows just do what you feel is right for you, it will be apparent when you are face to face on what you should do in that regard.

We are paying $660 a month for Regence healthcare for me and $500 for my wife a month. Its insane but to tell you the truth I am nervous about dropping it and using the VA for my healthcare. I have a knee surgery, and hip replacement I have been putting off and a kidney transplant in the next 10-15 years to look forward to. Dropping our insurance and allowing CHAMPVA to take care of my family and using the VA as a primary for myself does not seem like a good option. So understanding what I said above if VA healthcare was even a 5 on a scale of 1-10; then a person would be be foolish not to drop a $1100 a month bill for the low price of what 100% P&T vets are being offered with the healthcare option. The problem as I see it, is that the VA has very little incentives to draw quality professionals into its healthcare system. The VA near me feels very subpar, people working there are bitter and rude. I cannot image anyone of quality wanting to work in that environment. One fix I think, offer the people who work at VA healthcare facilities free VA healthcare for their families and themselves.

"At the end of the day I just want to get the right help for my condition, which in my opinion and the Vet center for 2 years is PTSD and my doc at the VA has been treating me for depression and anxiety, but nothing else." http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2219856/ Entitlement to medical treatment for an active psychosis or mental illness is established because the evidence of record demonstrates you developed this condition within the required time period. You may apply for medical treatment at your local VA Medical Center. Please bring a copy of this notification letter with you if you wish to pursue this entitlement. I maybe missing something but it seems they are granting you access to VA mental health. I linked the article because it shows how closely MMD and PTSD are related and often one can be overlooked in the case of the other. If your mental health (MH) docs find you need PTSD treatment they will treat you for it, because it is a MH condition and you are entitled to that treatment as listed above in your letter. If you are seeking compensation for that you are going to have to come up with more evidence it seems, and I do not think a buddy letter is going to help you a lot in your case. A buddy letter can help when evidence is present, but it seems that they are saying you lack the evidence needed for the compensation for service connection. I am not saying do not seek the buddy letter but from what you listed that buddy letter does not seem if it is going to be evidence needed to advance your case.

I do not think anyone can answer about the wife support letter, but I can tell you what I was told by a VSO who has been doing claims for awhile. Letters of support by family are neutral to the case because the family stands to benefit if you benefit; so they really cannot be taken into account. I do not know if this is true or not but it made sense to me so I did not submit my wifes statements. Buddy statements however can help from what I was told.

I understand very well anyone who as not served cannot know. Even if you didn't tell me what happened with that doctor I would have highly advise not asking any VA doctor or employee about ties of current conditions to service at best you will get a vague answer at worst you risk alienating them. Get your treatment make sure you get a second opinion on your prostate outside of the VA if at all possible. Make sure to use the pads they help I am very thankful for them now. Like you said that is why this site exists, AO is presumptive so get your treatments get two clean bills of health on the prostate and soon as you get to a good place file for the prostate under the AO you should be good. Remember you now are at higher risk for prostate cancer I would recommend getting yearly workups on that from now on.

Britton: There is plenty of hope they service connected me in 2011 and then TDIU this year back to 2011. My problem was that I never filed a claim until 2008 after I was MEB'd in 1998. In my 2008 claim I just claimed prostate problems and didn't go into detail, I just expected them to see the records and add it to my claim I figured I get 10% and was fine if they did. Problem was they connected me for 0% and because they did that it exceedly pissed me off. Which led me to my 2011 claim and this board which was instrumental in my success. Through out this process I found that the VA isn't out to get anyone, it is a full fledged bureaucracy and if you treat it as such you will get results especially with a history of medical evidence. I have run into VA docs that quite frankly should not be working because they hate their job and it reflects on service rendered. I also have had fantastic docs, but this is the same in private medicine I found. So your claim shouldn't be too bad it is just getting the medical evidence together. Lloyd: Man brother I truly am sorry for your situation, my prayers will be with you for tonight and as long as I can remember to put you in them. I am very glad you were able to put your information in this thread. I hope and pray that your cancer can be beat with no returns. Too many people believe prostate checks can wait. I talked earlier about my friend that was diagnosed with prostate cancer his doctor told him to wait on the surgery go on a cruise and relax there was no hurry. I argued with him for a month and basically told him get the surgery ASAP or he was a idiot. He was pissed but scheduled it, after the surgery (removed the prostate) the same doc was dumbfounded as the biopsy of the removed prostate show it breached the boundry and we are in a waiting game a year later to see if cancer indeed left the prostate. So far nothing after two scans but who knows.

I glad it was received as it was intended, I am not much of a talker so things can get misconstrued I think. I totally understand when things go wrong with your plumbing people cant imagine the problems that a person can have that most people take for granted. As men this is a part of our makeup that can really take a hit mentally. There are people that are going through what you are, you are not less of a person or man. Ill leave you with story you can understand and maybe feel better. Some of the worst parts for me, with leakage was when I was about 28 four years after my accident, I didn't tell my wife that I was leaking in my drawers (I use to shove TP in my drawers to try and absorb most of it). She would always buy me white undies (they were cheaper she said), so when I would go the the gym I would always have big yellow stains and others would look right to it. I would make a sarcastic statement and just stare at them until they felt uncomfortable, but inside it embarrassed me, and I felt dirty. I would throw them away go commando to the store and buy another package of the same white underwear. I told my wife that story a few years ago, and she always wondered why we were always a few hundred dollars short in our checking every year that she couldn't account for and why my undies never seemed to wear out. We laughed pretty hard, and she even told me for years she would recommend that brand to her friends for their husbands because they never seemed to wear out. That is one small part of plumbing problems, but I guess you can count your blessing that it hopefully happened later in life? Take it easy I wish you the best. Dan

Advice for claims is the speciality of this site, as for the medical advise I wasn't being curt I would strongly advise people to NEVER take medical advice from the internet. You have very valid medical questions and they need to be addressed and I would get two seperate opinions if it was me on whether I had cancer or not. I tried to offer very guarded optimism that your enlarged prostate is most likely benign but you NEED to get that information from a doctor ASAP nothing to mess around with. As for the claims advice: Voiding dysfunction Rate particular condition as urine leakage, frequency, or obstructed voiding. (I think its under {38 CFR 3.321(a); 38 CFR 3.321 (b)(1)}) Continual Urine Leakage, Post Surgical Urinary Diversion, Urinary Incontinence, or Stress Incontinence: Requiring the use of an appliance or the wearing of absorbent materials which must be changed more than 4 times a day: 60 Requiring the wearing of absorbent materials which must be Be changed 2 to 4 times a day: 40 Requiring the wearing of absorbent materials which must be changed less than 2 times a day: 20 Basically get a Urologist and Rx Diag the condition. You would have to have it tied in to the AO. I am out of my element on that because my was trama related. I am sure it wont be easy but I do not thing people can say it couldn't happen. I am going to put a package together later this year, I guess I will look into the connection to AO and how to file a claim for that. I was thinking more of concussive force trama for victims of IEDs that my info would help but I think it could help AO vets also. If there is a interest I could tie it in.