MKAH

Thank you everyone for the advice and support. Yesterday I had a long, informative and productive chat on Hadit.com with TBird. A few hours after that, I spent about an hour chatting with a VA hotline staff member online. Talking to someone that is not a psychotherapist was a nice change. If I can get myself together and leave the house today, I plan on going to the VA clinic and discussing a long term plan. It is my plan to ask the VA for some inpatient treatment so I don't do something that can't be undone. Not sure if that's a "thing" that Vets can do, but I am going to see? Thanks again for your help everyone. Especially Tbird.

Thanks for the tip.

Good evening everyone, Since November of 2015, I have been getting treatment from my local outpatient medical clinic for PTSD-MST which occurred in 1984 and I finally told my wife and VA doctor about mid November 2015. (yes, raped by men - and I finally have a claim submitted). Since November 2015 I have been getting EMDR therapy, frequent psychotherapy counseling and a variety of medications. I am currently taking 200MG 1X day Sertraline (Zoloft), 2MG Prazosin X2 day, 10MG Ambien at bedtime. I have been so psychologically jacked up, that my last day at work at a big box retail store manager, was 1/4/2016 and I am currently on state disability for PTSD. Strangely, my emotional state and psychological condition seems to have gotten worse in spite of the best efforts of my frequent treatment and medication. I am now 57 years old and feel as though I have little to ZERO hope in being a productive, contributing and respected member of society anytime EVER. Since 1984, I have tried an unimaginable variety of things to deal with this problem, none of which had any long term positive result. I feel drained, empty, lifeless. My VA doctors have explained to me numerous times, that my feelings are normal and I will feel worse before I feel better. I don't want to disappoint them but I feel so terrible. Can someone please give me an idea how long it takes to actually start feeling alive and useful again? Thank you so much.... Mark Combat Medic 1983-1986 1/94 FA C-BTY MLRS West Germany

I have to agree with the comments regarding "you are your best advocate". The person I have been working with, is just not engaged or especially knowledgeable. The VSO did scan and submit my claim, however the scan was such poor quality, it was not legible. The RO send me a letter asking for the information again, so I uploaded it myself. Likable person for sure, just not someone I would prefer to go into battle with. The development, progress and followup is up to me....as it should be, in the end. I am grateful to have fellow Veterans and professionals on Hadit.com and other message boards on the internet, that offer usable solutions and suggestions to problems regarding this process. Thank you everyone.

The problem is embarrassingly huge and needs immediate financial, operational, infrastructure and organizational development from the top down. Exactly what that looks like, I don't know, but there are some really smart people in the world that can figure that stuff out. However, almost without exception the healthcare professionals that I have been directly in contact with, have provided me with excellent care and the delays have been due to a very high number of patients verses the low number of health care staff. In fact, I would say the the care and treatment is significantly better than I have ever had from private non-VA professionals that make a lot more money. That is just my personal experience though. When I go to the local outpatient clinic, I make sure and thank them for being there for me. Mark

Thank you Broncovet, I did not quit my, but I am simply not able to work due to panic attacks, paranoia and severe anxiety. Leaving the house to go to the grocery store a few times per week with my wife is a real accomplishment for me. I will do as you have suggested and submit an intent to file for both TDIU and SMC-K (ED). Thank you for the links and great advice.

Sorry for the late reply TBird. The link location is on the main hadit.com page. I did a screen shot as an example. Mark

I put together a quick document in support of a current service connected hearing loss, Increase. My current loss is 20% and if I my increase is approved, I should go to 50%. Below is the statement I provided. My VSO thinks is should be fine. If anyone has any comments, please let me know? Thanks, Mark _____________________________________________________________________ statement _______________________________________________________ 3/17/2016 Department of Veterans Affairs I am respectfully requesting consideration for an increase in my current Service Connected Bilateral Hearing Loss rating based on VA Autonomic re-evaluation dated 2/16/16, performed by Lee Lastname, MS, Audiology which included Maryland CNC word recognition testing, conducted at the VA Audiology Clinic, XXX streetname Avenue, Someplace Ca. 11111 (555) 555-5555. History: I am currently rated at 20% Service Connected Bilateral Hearing Loss and 10% Service Connected Bilateral Tinnitus, dated 3/8/2011. The details and evaluation of that service connection are documented in my VA file number XXX XX XXXX. Continued and ongoing issues: Based on my ongoing occupational, Retail Store Manager and non-occupational hearing problems, which include but not limited to; Understanding and or comprehending spoken words Understanding and or comprehending telephone, conference call conversation and intercom announcements Understanding and or comprehending MIS helpdesk, police and other government or municipal telephone conversations. Understanding and or comprehending streaming television, computer, radio or other electronically produced broadcasts. Communicating in moderate to noisy environments, including retail store operations. Communicating with a group of individuals, including retail store operations, staff meetings and training. Communicating using retail store, company provided two way radio handsets. My service connected hearing problems, severely limits my ability to applicably react to audible occupational signals from: Building alarm, emergency warning and other electronic security systems Fire and Loss prevention alarm / notification systems Point of Sale alarm / notifications and alert systems Point of Sale scanners; Symbol DS9808, Motorola LS2208, Inventory management scanner; Symbol MC3100 EAS Loss prevention entry/exit scanners Refrigeration / Freezer malfunction notification systems Environmental systems (heating/cooling) notification systems Energy management systems NOVAR notification systems Freight delivery truck, backup warning notification systems My service connected hearing problems have resulted in: My inability to efficiently communicate with friends, acquaintances, family, customers, vendors, subordinate employees, peers and supervisors. Frequent outsourcing or shifting of my normal and personally assigned managerial functions that require high amounts of communication, to my subordinate managers. Personal, occupational and social withdrawal due to reduced access to services and difficulties communicating with others. Experiencing significant emotional problems caused by a drop in my self-esteem and professional confidence. Exacerbation of my VA diagnosed PTSD, that I am currently being treated for at the VA City Name VA Behavioral Health Department. Recent VA recommendations and action by VA Doctor Name, MS, Audiology: Since my recent VA Autonomic re-evaluation which included Maryland CNC word recognition testing, dated 2/16/16, I have been issued and subsequently fitted with updated VA issued hearing instruments: PHONAK AUDEO V90-13 RIC to replace my previous hearing instruments: AUDEO SPICE SMART IX UZ RIC. I have also been issued and fitted with a Remote Control, ComPilot II and Remote Microphone in order to specifically assist with my occupational communication problems. Mr. VA Doctor Name explained to me that the new hearing instruments will provide a longer usable service life for my substantial and difficult to manage hearing loss. Thank you, Mark XXXXXXXXXXX _____________________________________________________________________ end _________________________________________________________________________________

Good afternoon everyone, I did not see a way to report a broken link (DSM 5 or DSM IV For VA Mental Disorders Compensation and Pension Exam), so I was hoping an admin would read a new topic if I posted it. http://www.hadit.com/sm-5-or-dsm-iv-for-va-mental-disorders-compensation-and-pension-exam/ this link produces the error message: Not found, error 404 I tried the link in both Firefox 45.0.1 and MS Edge 3.14 Mark

"Hey MHAK, For what it is worth, I remember being in Basic Training when the drill sgt was handing out the ear plugs. They said that we better wear these ear plugs because the VA doesn't give disability pay for hearing loss. One of my fellow soldiers asked if they could put their ear plugs in immediately. The drill sgt asked why. He quoted what the drill sgt just said and then immediately was on the ground doing push-ups. " Vync, Do you think I should go forward with the hearing loss increase claim?

Cool, thanks. Happy to be aboard..

OK, thanks... Sorry, this was my first post to this website. :) If you cant fix it, I'll give it another try?

Good morning, this is a post I made on another VA message site. Posts: 177 Feb 25 16 5:20 PM Based on a recent hearing test below, and using Hutsky hearing loss calculator (he is a Genius), I am now showing a 50% hearing loss rather than 20% that I had back in 2011. #1) Is it common or more typical for vets to loose hearing more quickly as a person ages, due to a previous service connected HF SNHL military loss? In the mid 1980's I was a combat medic in an artillery battalion; 8" guns (constant TOT shots) and MLRS, flew all over the place in helicopters, was hauled around in 113's, 577's, M88s, C130's C140's, Crappy Gamma goats and up rivers Portable Bridge Boats. I was also involved in explosive demolition, training in close proximity to impact areas with US Army Rangers, regular army, and other multinational units. The combination of this led to my service connected hearing loss. #2) Should I upload this report described as an; "audiometric re-evaluation of his known HL" on Ebenefits, or submit it thru the local VSO? I recall taking this same hearing test from the VA, prior to being rated back in 2010) #3) When or If, I do file for an increase, do I need any other supporting documentation other than this recent VA test and the fact that I have a SC hearing loss since 2011? My occupation, hobbies and lifestyle have not changed since 2010. I do not and have not, hunted, fired any guns, blasted music, ridden RTV's or done anything to exacerbate my hearing loss. Pretty boring eh? However, I am now being treated by the VA for PTSD and take medication and get frequent physiological treatment for that condition; Sertraline 150mg day, Prozasin 4mg day, Zopladine 10mg bedtime. I have not been able to work since 1/4/2016 and currently on SDI until May 16 which will be likely extended due to continued PTSD treatment at the VA. Any advice would be great. ************************************************************* Disability Rating Decision Related To Effective Date tinnitus 10% Service Connected 03/08/2011 bilateral hearing loss 20% Service Connected 03/08/2011 ************************************************************* On 2/16/16 had a hearing test (entire report below), that I requested because my hearing seemed to be much worse and the VA hearing aids were not working well for me.. This is the VA audiology report I just downloaded via MHV. ************************************************************ Note Title: Audiology 10100 Location: No CA Healthcare Sys-Martinez Signed By: XXXXXX,LEE Co-signed By: XXXXX,LEE Date/Time Signed: 16 Feb 2016 @ 1740 Note LOCAL TITLE: Audiology 10100 STANDARD TITLE: AUDIOLOGY NOTE DATE OF NOTE: FEB 16, 2016@17:33 ENTRY DATE: FEB 16, 2016@17:34:09 AUTHOR: XXXXXX,LEE EXP COSIGNER: URGENCY: STATUS: COMPLETED *** Audiology 10100 Has ADDENDA *** Hearing Evaluation (60 mins) MyLastName, Mark, MALE, MyLastName, MARK CONFIDENTIAL Page 8 of 19 123-12-1234 S: Vet came to the clinic for an audiometric re-evaluation of his known HL. The Vet identified himself by name and SS#. Vet describes a subjective, bilateral, constant tinnitus with an unsure onset. O: See Audiometric Evaluation in CPRS found in the Tools menu under Specialty Applications, under Audiogram Display. A: Audiologic evaluation was completed. Findings indicate: AD: Mild sloping to a severe HF SNHL. AS: Mild sloping to a severe HF SNHL. Physical Examination (Objective Findings): 1. Measured pure tone thresholds in decibels HL at the indicated frequencies (air conduction): Right Ear Left Ear A* 500 - 20 A* 500 - 35 B 1000 - 50 B 1000 - 50 C 2000 - 75 C 2000 - 70 D 3000 - 85 D 3000 - 80 E 4000 - 95 E 4000 - 85 **average 76 dB HL **average 71 dB HL * The pure tone threshold at 500 Hz is not used in determining the evaluation but is used in determining whether or not a ratable hearing loss exists. **The average of B, C, D, and E. 2. Speech Audiometry Results: Speech Reception Thresholds were: 50 dBHL AD and 45 dBHL AS. Maryland CNC word recognition scores were: 56 % right ear 56 % left ear Comfortable listening levels were obtained. Bilateral BTE/RIC style hearing aids were ordered. Also ordered remote, ComPilot and remote Mic. P: Vet was counseled on test results, communication techniques and listening strategies. Vet to RTC for a hearing aid evaluation 3/14 @ 9:00 AM. /es/ Lee XXXX, MS Audiologist, Audiology Signed: 02/16/2016 17:40 02/19/2016 ADDENDUM STATUS: COMPLETED Hearing Aid Service LastName, MARK CONFIDENTIAL Page 9 of 19 S: Lt unit died while here for AE. P: Returned this unit to Mnfctr for repair. Holding EM in cupboard. call Vet or hold for appt. 3/14. /es/ Lee XXXXX, MS Audiologist, Audiology Signed: 02/19/2016 14:32 *********************************************************************** End Mark US ARMY Combat Medic 1/94th FA C Battery MLRS 1983 - 1986 SC - Bilateral Hearing Loss 20% SC - Tinnitus 10% PTSD-MST: Claim submitted 11/14/15