allansc2005

@Richard 1954, I think I posted earlier that today my VA ENT doctor read the results of my hearing test, and immediately sent a consult to Audiology for me to be issued hearing aids. He also gave me a diagnosis that, according to him, should have been given "years ago", and that diagnosis is Meniere's Disease. So, I've gone from a 0% hearing loss disability, which is by all accounts is service connected as stated on my list of disabilities, to a now "Moderately Severe" hearing loss, as stated on my hearing test administered this Monday. I'm already SC 30% for vertigo, and 10% for bilateral otitis media.., so I'm not sure how much more proof I will need for a SC hearing loss. Am I missing something here? Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!

Buck52, In order to be eligible for SMC, don't you have to have one condition that's 100%, and that one condition is separate and not connected to your other conditions? My highest rated condition is 40%. Once again, I'm 100% IU P&T, and my total scheduler is 90%. Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!

Buck52, I just returned from the VA ENT doctor, and you are absolutely right! After showing the doctor the results of the hearing test, he examined me, and not only concluded I need hearing aids in both ears, but suffer from Meniere's Disease as well, something I've suspected all along. Now having all this medically documented, along with the new diagnosis on my ears.., what am I looking at here Buck? 0% on hearing loss from 1990 + Now with moderate to severe hearing loss + Meniere's Disease=? Where do I go from here? Thanks, Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!

Buck, the hearing loss, be it 0%, IS NOT included in my 100% IU P&T. As I've mentioned, my latest table of Rated Disabilities shows my 0% for hearing loss, dated 11/20/1990. Also, I do not have any ONE rating at 100%, which means no SMC's, correct? Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!

Buck52, My latest Rated Disabilities table shows that my 0% for hearing loss was 11/20/1990. So ask for an increase instead of filing a Supplemental Claim? Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!

@Vync, Thanks for the info. I just posted a redacted copy of my hearing test. Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!

@broncovet, I have attached a redacted copy of the hearing test. Oh, and yes, I understand about SMC's. Thanks, Allan 2-2-0 HUAH! Hearing test results-2.pdf

Afternoon folks, Normally I'm here asking questions, getting expert opinions..., about veterans I'm trying to help, but today it's about ME. My status: I'm IU P&T 100%; 90% scheduler. For many years now, since 1990, I've had a 0% service connected rating on hearing loss, have filed many times to have it increased, only to find out that because my ear was draining every time I had a hearing test, my claim was denied. Crazy huh? Well anyway, yesterday I finally got a hearing test , and my ear was NOT draining, the test was given by a doctor outside of the VA health care system, and I have the test results in hand, and they read "Moderately Severe" hearing loss. Oh, under the new Mission Act, the VA referred me to the doctor who administered me the above hearing test. My goal is to get at least 10% from the hearing test, (and yes I know the VA doesn't do the math like the rest of us), and to go from IU P&T 100% to 100% Scheduler. As a footnote, I already have 30% for vertigo(dizziness and staggering), and 10% Bilateral otitis media. So, having said/written this, here are my questions: 1. Do I file a new claim for the hearing test results, or file a claim to increase the 0% already established? 2. Once the VA accepts the new claim, and approves it(yes I'm confident), other than the additional 10% increase, will any back pay from 1990 be due me? 3. Can I expect more than 10% due to hearing loss? Thanks, Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!

@dwbell99, I can tell you from experience that there are two parts of the human anatomy, the wrists and the ankles, that the VA will not service connect anything to. Also, from what you have written, it looks like you will need a medical group that specializes in cutting through all the red tape, provides EXPERT medical opinions, DBQs.... Yes, they charge money, and there are a few of these medical groups that have 90%+ success rates in helping veterans, and the cost is more than worth it. Not sure T-Bird will allow me to list a few of these medical groups here on the board, but if you're interested, you can drop me an email. OH, and no, I don't get paid for plugging these medical groups, I'm here to help veterans, and not myself(except gaining insight). Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!

@Vync, I had the pleasure of talking with Allison a few times, and yes she was a go-getter. After she dropped out of sight, I asked my cousin at the VA to see if she could find out what happened to Allison, but all we could find out is that she-Allison, resigned. For some reason it's always the good ones who walk away, isn't it? Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!

@63Charlie, Now of course had it been an issue concerning money owed you, then somebody was either high, still drunk from the weekend, or this was his/her last accomplishment before retirement for responding so fast! All jokes aside, I agree, I do think the VA has just now entered the 21st century, from the 19th! Allan(formerly 64Charlie), 2-2-0 HUAH!

Vync, I downloaded and thumbed through the application for a Primary Care Giver, and the conditions, requirements.., are a nightmare! All this divorced, cancer survivor, 100% IU P&T veteran needs is to be able to designate somebody who can have access to base(s)., do his commissary and PX shopping for him when he's unable to do it for himself, without having to marry someone! Berta, if you're reading this, any suggestions, comments..? Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!

Thanks Vync, This seems to be a very difficult question to get a direct answer on. The folks at the ID card on base doesn't seem to have the answers, nor does those working at the base Welcome Center. I do know the "rules" to be a primary care giver, and the red tape is a pain in the you-know-what. Have I stumped hadit.com? Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!!

Morning folks, Been a minute since I've been here, I'm staying busy helping veterans help themselves. That aside, I have some questions concerning a veteran who just got his 100% IU, P&T. Because of his medical conditions, cancer being one of them, this divorced veteran needs to find out if he can legally designate someone to go to the BX, Commissary.., for him? To get to the point, is there a VA, DOD.., ID card that will allow anyone except a spouse to get access to a base for the purpose of helping this veteran? I already know he can sponsor people to get onto military bases, just stop at the Gate ID section and get them a visitors pass, but how about getting authorization to shop for him? Thanks, Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!

@GBARMY, You are absolutely right brother, the veteran got is back pay today! Thanks. Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!

Got a veteran who's presently at 70% scheduler, and he just got back his decision letter for four disability increases, four "deferred" decisions, and one approval for convalescence. The decision letter is pretty much self explanatory, except that: 1. Of all eight of the increase requests mentioned above, the answers for four of the conditions were deferred, with no other explanation! 2. The decision letter doesn't tell the veteran what his new disability percentage is. 3. The decision letter does mention that his dependents are eligible for educational benefits. 4. The veteran was approved for one month's convalescent back in December, after a hospital stay with surgery. 5. The veteran hasn't received any "back pay" for any of his newly approved-April 29th decisions that as I calculate using the VA scale, amounts to 100%. Folks, I have been helping veterans with their questions for 25 years now, but this is the most screwed-up decision letter I have ever seen! Tells the veteran NOTHING! So what are MY questions you ask? Honestly, I'm confused on what the hell to ask! Input, questions.., anyone? Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!

@brokensoldier244th, the rep from the Nashville Regional office told me the same thing yesterday. In paraphrasing, she said "We always get these changes first, and it takes time to get the word out to veterans.." I've learned over the years to stay ahead of the VA, and document everything. Thanks to knowledgeable veterans like yourself brokensoldier244, life for us veterans is made a little easier. Yes the M21, the email from the VA, and the call to my LOCAL VA yesterday is enough "proof" for me to save time and effort from messing with the 21-4140, and frees up valuable time to help other veterans. Allan(The 21-4140LESS) 2-2-0 HUAH!

Buck, the email actually does say where it's from, Nashville Regional Office. Your local office should be able to substantiate the email, called mine yesterday and they told me the exact same thing, and is sending me a letter to prove it. Good enough for me. Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!

Buck, here is the official email from the VA Regional Office in Nashville that directly tells us that IU recipients DO NOT need to supply a 21-4140 UNLESS the VA requests one. The Social Security Administration now reports employment(or non employment) to the VA SHOULD the IU veteran have EARNED income that's ABOVE the poverty line. It's cut and dried to me, so no more 21-4140s from me to the VA, and I will keep the "proof" I've attached here. As far as I'm concerned, this is puts all questions to rest. Allan 2-2-0 HUAH! IF the attachment is a little fuzzy, email me here and I will send it directly to you. Hadit.pdf

Special thanks out to brokensoldier244.. As I just posted, your information is correct, and I now have the "official" update from the VA about the ins and outs of the 21-4140, dated 5 October, 2018. As stated, I will redact the email I got from the VA, and post it here ASAP. Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!

Buck, just got off the phone with the VA, and am happy to announce that vets on IU DO NOT have to submit a 21-4140 as of October 5th, 2018. The NEW policy is that the VA will contact the veteran IF they want him/her to submit the 21-4140 AFTER the VA confers with The Social Security Administration. I have the Official email from the VA that states the above, and will post it here after I redact it. Buck, or any veteran here can send me an email here at hadit.com, if you would like for me to forward the email I got from the VA. So Buck, Vetquest,..et al, GREAT NEWS! Also, thank you ALL for your input on this matter! Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!

@Buck52, I -posted the question about the 21-4140-1 requirement here a day or so ago, and asked Berta and Chris Atig for their input. They probably either didn't see my post, or are busy. I have the VA on hold now with the question.. Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!

Buck, my award packet form 2015, and many other veterans I'm helping who got IU after 2015, did not get a "caution letter" telling them to file a 21-4140-1 each year. As I mentioned before, if you go to VA's website, and type in "21-4140-1"(you left out the -1), it tells you "No results", see what I'm saying here? Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!

@Buck52, I'm speaking more about IU P&T veterans, not 100% scheduler. IU vets don't get any indication in their award letters about a requirement to file a 21-4140 each year of their anniversary, nothing even close to it. That's my point, thus why I'm calling the VA today. Yes, there is a manual that talks about employment reporting with IU, but where is a specific regulation, law.., that states IU vets MUST file a 21-4140 each year? Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!

@brokensoldier244th, as I am reading that manual again, it appears, at least to me, it's telling VA personnel that "monitoring employment is no longer required.."(paraphrasing), and doesn't specifically tell the IU veteran the 21-4140 is no longer required. As we all know, the VA loves to catch us off guard; when I was awarded IU, not a word, not a document talking about employment verification.., nothing. The times I sent in the 21-4140, I never got a response from the VA, no hint if they got the form or not. Today, as I mentioned to Buck, I'm calling the VA and asking them specifically the "law" concerning employment reporting for IU vets, and will take names, manual info.., the whole ball of wax, and will post it here. Yes, there is a "common sense" factor here as it applies to your information/manual content about IU, but then again, since when does the VA use common sense? Allan 2-2-0 HUAH!