Buck52

Detel, also click on #21 & click on the link read about tinnitus! ..........................Buck

your welcome helman35 and remember well documented medical evidence wins claims just make sure you make copies of everything...VA has a reputation of losing them. Good Luck with you claim's ...................Buck

Its happening in most VAMC's'' I hate it when I get an appointment and its like 45 to 90 day wait and get a letter a week before the long waited appointment as being canceled or the clinic no longer does this procedure. I pray that something is being done about this ( bad healthcare) within the VA System. ....................Buck

helman35 you may already know this but here it is again. keep all correspondence with the VA & Always Always get sign return receipts on anything you send to the VA. And if you requested your C-File back in 1996 and they have not got back with you or sent you copies? Be sure and keep that record that you requested your C-File on that particular date (1996) get a form called ''Report of Contact'' VA Form 119 you need your C-File before you have your DRO Hearing to help you represent your case with the records of medical evidence that's supposedly in it to support your claim's jmo ........................Buck

http://kidgalore.com/2014/07/16/tinnitus/

helman35, if you decide to hire an attorney? Do research & check out there background. Make sure there well qualified and experienced in VA Law. There's a lot of good Attorneys out there. one of the best attorneys in my opinion as for as VA Law experience and helping veterans would be ( Robert Walsh) ..................................Buck

Some great Advice above. I can only imagine this would be helman35 first claim with the VA. And not knowing much information and asking the American legion for help....or how some VSO's are with claims. I Remember my first claim I was (confused & lost) and didn't have the knowledge to know who to ask or anything about the Veterans Administration. As Ms Tbird says ''knowledge is power'' & helman35 will get that here at hadit. I applaud this Veteran for finding hadit.com & asking for help with his claim. ..................Buck

Congratulations OSC

I doubt it too, you need to have a 60% rating above the 100% (in most cases)...but there are previsions if your bedridden from your SC Disability's.? if you have a 80%combine rating but getting paid at the 100% rate with the TDIU. That's not enough % to be eligible for SMC's (AsI understand it) jmo ...................Buck

stillhere, If you have all papers in order If you have all your medical evidence and any more new evidence to help with your claim. If you get into a trap with bva get on hadit and ask questions. (the hadit elders) ( ms berta) or (asknod) and some of the other hadit members can help! just my opinion hereI'd give it a try you won't never know how it may go if you don't try. Again like you mention there's always the ''Reconsideration! although this is your choice, your going to get pros & cons about what decision to make. jmo .....................Buck

or check this information out Oilier1995! http://www.benefits.va.gov/insurance/ ......................Buck

This is why we need to keep check our C-files.

Oiler1995, Yes you have 10.000 life insurance paid by the VA (unless its changed) its VGLI, Call 1-877-216-0825 you can also increase it by paying premium's on anything over the 10.000 up to 30.000 but be under the age of 65 if you want to? that's your choice. they can take the extra primiunms out of your compensation. but for the free life insurance policy you need to file a application/form for that..it should be in your big brown package. if you have a FBV (Federal Benefits for Veterans) book/manual you can get all the insurance information in that starting on page 64 if you call that number that's for USN Veterans. I see you was in the Navy.. each branch has there own insurance provider or office. .............Buck

Have fun ranger11b hope you get a good Dr...get your ratings up bud! good luck ........Buck

oh okay I see why the cue themselves I agree with Ms Berta ''In Summary: On 06 Dec 1995, the Veterans Administration received my application for benefits. In my Audio C&P Exam Report dated on 02 Feb 1996, it was reported by my Examiner: “Veteran was seen for an audiologic compensation and pension evaluation on January 27, 1996. He reported progressive bilateral hearing loss and occasional bilateral tinnitus, onset 1993 or 1994.” you possibly could get a EED back to 1993 or 1994...which is the EED of the onset! jmo .........................Buck

your correct GP seems I remember reading about that too! and I read tinnitus don't cause hearing loss...it maybe associated in some way...but does not cause hearing loss. jmo ........................Buck

thanks bassrunnin, I UNDERSTAND about the SSD now. Buck

As I understand Attorney fees the cap is 20% of what you win in retro, but it would be better to discuss this with your Attorney so you know for sure how much you will be charged. AS for as what I want to know??...how did you get retro from SSD back to 2009 when you first filed for SSD in Aug 2012?? unless you were not working or couldn't work because of your disability's then SSD went back to the max allowed which I think now is 2 years....but from 2009 to 2013 =4 years I don't understand that? Oh well I don't understand a lot of things. jmo .....................Buck

I'm sorry but I don't understand this statement? Social Security can find your date of disability far before you actually file, unlike the VA, they do have a limit as to backpay (period of time) and I maxed that out. I understand the SSD limit! Unless being SC Veteran has priority and the SSD starts two years before you file using medical records for evidence. Normal civilian files for SSD after working and have to stop working because of there disability they file and then wait 6 months for the first check and I understand no retro for waiting on the 6 months...if approved within 1 or 2 months....theres still a 6 month wait. as I understand SSD! Phillip Rogers would Know? JMO .................Buck

yep and be sure to take birth certificates and marriage License with you. and your ID Privilege letter if they sent you one? if not then take your Award letter with you. for you and your spouse. ......................Buck

if you have the medical report from back in 13 Nov 1995 that the examiner diagnosed your tinnitus That should be your EED for tinnitus (your evidence) , tinnitus is separate rating from loss of hearing and only 10% is the max allowed appeal & submit & attach medical report to claim for the Tinnitus for the EED OF Nov 13TH 1995. Now if you was SC for tinnitus back in Nov 13th 1995 but only Ratd 0% this maybe why your EED is only going back to when you got the 10% for tinnitus which you don't make clear(what date that was?) a diagnosed and a decision are two different things, you have to be rated for the tinnitus for retro & even if you were SC for it that don't mean you can get retro. I am not failure with the Georgia RO's .....> hadit member Georgiapappa may have better advise! ................Buck

If you did not file a NOD back in 1996 or the onset 1993 1994 for them not DX the tinnitus? if NO NOD was filed then they must closed the claim?

Yes I agree free-spirit If there's not a Dr to rebut the VA Dr the VA rater will probably make his/her decision on the last Medical report. which seems to be not in favor of the veteran.

Yes welcome back to hadit we could use a lot of your information... Thanks for returning. ......................Buck

check out this one hadit post about hiring a Attorney. click on the link be wise and research for an attorney make sure he/she is well educated & experienced in VA Law. as jbasser mention ''Robert Walsh'' A very experienced Veteran Attorney & he would be the one I would choose ...> but its your choice. ......................Buck